7 December 2002 : Crybabys German Christmas Gig
The Crybabys, featuring Honest John Plain from The Boys, are to play their first gig for 8 years on Friday 27 December as special guests at the Newcomers Festival in Meerbush (near Dusseldorf), Germany. John will be joined by original Crybabys Darrell Bath and Robbie Rushton with Mat Sergeant  on bass. Tickets can be bought through the ticket hotline on 00492150209502. 
28 October  2002 : Boys Competitions

Following The Boys appearance at Loreley Germany in front of 20,000 fans The Boys Website is giving away a Loreley T Shirt (XL) autographed by The Boys. To see how you can win go to the bottom of the Loreley Page from the menu.
There's also an opportunity to win an autographed copy of Honest John Plain's solo album to be released on Angel Air next year. Go to the Competition Page for more details.
 

14 October 2002 : Crybabys "Lost" Album Due In 2003 
The Crybabys "lost" second album,  recorded in 1992 is set to be released by Sanctuary Record Group April/May 2003. The album has remained in the vaults of Receiver Records before Sanctuary obtained the rights last year. It is likely that it will be released as a double CD, which will also include their first album "Where Have All The Good Girls Gone" along with several bonus tracks from the early 1990's
2 October  2002 : Honest John Plain & Amigos

Honest John Plain is to record a new album in Buenos Aires, Argentina next month for release in early 2003.  Provisionally titled "Honest John Plain & Amigos" the album will be his follow up to the critically acclaimed "Honest John Plain & Friends".  It is likely to include some brand new HJP classics as well as a couple of old favourites. 

28 August 2002 : Honest John Plain Guests in Buenos Aires
Honest John Plain will be making a guest live appearance in Buenos Aires with Katarro Vandaliko on Friday 30th August. He is expected to join the band on stage to play some Boys songs as well as some old 60's classics. The venue is "Bocephus" located in Bolivar 860, Buenos Aires. The gig starts at 9pm and support bands are Doble Filo and Piratas del Destino.
18 August 2002 : Our Man In Buenos Aires!

Honest John Plain is spending two weeks in Buenos Aires to produce the second album by Argentinean band Katarro Vandaliko, provisionally titled "llegando al limite" (Coming to the limit). Whilst in Argentina John is expected to play at least one live show. Katarro Vandaliko (Matt Buzzterrechea: vocals/ rhythm guitar; Juan Papponetti: lead guitar/vocals & Jose Espindola: drums) have already recorded their own version of  "TCP", which can be downloaded from their website at www.katarrovandaliko.com

7 August 2002 : "Daily Misery" Out Today
The brand new Crybabys album "Daily Misery is released by Angel Air today (SJP CD 120).  The album is the Crybabys fourth and was recorded in Haarlem, Holland in 1996. Honest John Plain (guitar/vocals), Darrell Bath (guitar/vocals) and Vom Ritchie (drums) are joined by Nick Peckham (bass) and Bartie Slob.
The album is available from The Boys Website for £12 (UK), $19 (Europe) and $20 (Elsewhere). For more information email info@theboys.co.uk 
22 July 2002 : The Boys 25th Anniversary Issue
 

The Boys first self titled album is to receive a special 25th anniversary commemorative release by Captain Oi! in October 2002. The album, which was first released on 9 September 1977 is to be repackaged in a special digipack deluxe edition with a free bonus CD of a previously unreleased early mix of the classic album. As well as a lyric sheet the edition will feature a comprehensive story of the album and individual tracks and will come with a free Boys poster.

22 July 2002 : "Svengerland" Banned
The Boys were unable to obtain permission from EMI Music (who own the publishing rights) to use the "Great Escape Theme" on the fade out of "Svengerland". As a consequence "Svengerland" has been withdrawn and is unlikely to re-surface on any future Boys compilations etc. Captain Oi Records have been instructed to destroy all unsold copies immediately and have now done so.
A disappointed Honest John Plain said "It's just like the old days, bad luck just seems to follow us around. The curse of The Boys continues to haunt me!"
11 July 2002 : The Boys Support Die Toten Hosen In Germany

After hearing that they had cancelled their appearance at the HITS festival due to drummer Vom's commitments in Germany with them, Die Toten Hosen have invited The Boys to make a guest appearance at the their end of tour Grill Party at Loreley, Germany on 6/7  September.
Tickets for the shows cost only 25 Euros and camping facilities are available. TV Smith will also play a set along with all the support acts from the current Hosen tour. For more information visit Die Toten Hosen's website at http://www.dth.de/bzbe_grillparty.htm 
As a thank you to their fans The Boys are offering 10 backstage passes to members of Backstage Pass, The Boys Discussion Group. To visit the Backstage Pass Website click here or to subscribe to Backstage Pass send a blank e-mail to BackstagePass-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

5 July 2002: The Boys Forced To Cancel USA HITS
Unfortunately The Boys have had to cancel their appearance at the Holidays In The Sun (HITS) festival 6-8 September 2002. 
Boys drummer Vom Ritchie, who also drums for Die Toten Hosen is unable to make the date. The Boys are extremely sorry that they will be letting down their American fans and they are keen to make amends by playing at least one date (and possibly more) in the USA either later this year or sometime in 2003.
The Boys Live In Dusseldorf
22 June 2002 : New Crybabys Album Due In August
A new Crybabys album is due for release on Angel Air on 7 August 2000. "Daily Misery" (SJPCD 120) was recorded in Holland in 1996. Honest John Plain (guitar/vocals), Darrell Bath (guitar/vocals) and Vom Ritchie (drums) are joined by Nick Peckham (bass) and Bartie Slob. The track listing for the album is "Joe's Song", "Rock N Roll Heart", "Pub Crawlin", "Marie Marie", "Punk Rock", "Back Street Girl", "I Want You", "Damage", "Sad, Sad Girl", "Forever's Gone", Staggerin' Lengths" and "Daily Misery".
5 June 2002 : Ken Mewis Dies

Original Boys manager Ken Mewis passed away on Sunday 2 June after a long battle against lung cancer.  He died peacefully with his wife Sally and children at his bedside.
Mewis also managed Casino Steel's pre-Boys band the Hollywood Brats and he will be missed by The Boys and the Brats, all of whom he had know for more than 30 years. Their thoughts go out to Mewis' family and friends at what must be a very difficult time for them. 
Matt Dangerfield: "In the early days Ken was like an extra member of The Boys. He was great
fun to be with and came up with all those brilliant publicity ideas for the band. I'll miss having a drink and a laugh with him whenever our paths crossed." 
Casino Steel: "I have known Ken for 30 years, and he became a great friend. He was as much of a BratBoy as any of us band-members, and I will miss him very much. For me, it's in some way the end of an era!"
Honest John Plain: "I was very sad to hear the news on the passing of Ken Mewis. I'd like to thank Ken for everything he did and tried to do for The Boys...Not a bad sound for a f*cking tent!...Cheers Ken."
Jack Black: "I didn't really know Ken that well and he liked a drink but didn't we all! He was funny and inventive and he really loved The Boys. Some of his advertising ideas were just brilliant; they were funny, witty and very different. I look back on him with a great deal of affection so my heart goes out to his family."
Duncan Reid: "Ken was a man of many talents: witty, intelligent, cool, knowledgeable -and to cap it all he gave great haircuts."
I put my faith in this bottle I found
but my sorrows can never be drowned
so I drink to the heartbreaking sound
of goodbye 
Drowning Sorrows
Matheson/Steel 1973

20 May 2002 : New Boys Single Out Now!

"Svengerland", which is the first new Boys single for 21 years, is released on Monday 20 May by Captain Oi! Records (AHOY SVEN1). "Svengerland" is an England World Cup song singing the praises of Sven Goran Eriksson's influence on the English team and is a reworking of "Cast Of Thousands" from their classic 1978 album "Alternative Chartbusters". Also on the 3-track CD single is a brand new Steel/Dangerfield composition about Bill Shankly titled "Only A Game", as well as a karaoke version of "Svengerland. Boys drummer Vom Ritchie also plays the drums for German punk band Die Toten Hosen who have recorded the official German World Cup song. Fortunately for The Boys Vom made a "Great Escape" from Germany to appear on "Svengerland"!
The single is available from captain Oi! Records for £2.99 (UK), £3.99 (Europe) and £4.99 (Elsewhere), inclusive of postage and packing. For more information on the single please visit Captain Oi! at http://www.captainoi.com/ or email Mark Brennan at oi@captainoi.com

2 May 2002 : The Yobs On Vinyl
"The Worst Of The Yobs" has proved to be so popular that a version has been released in Germany on vinyl. Knock Out Records have released the album under license from Captain Oi! Records. For more information please email Knock Out Records at mosh@knock-out.de or visit their website at http://www.knock-out.de/
25 April 2002: The Boys Hit Top 100
Q Magazine have just released a Punk Special Edition magazine "Never Mind The Jubilee, Here's The True Story Of Punk" in which The Boys are recognised as being the first punk band to sign an album deal. Their first two albums, "The Boys" and "Alternative Chartbusters" also feature in the Top 100 punk albums of all time. Q Magazine are also interested in interviewing the band for a future edition of the Magazine. For more information on this special edition go to http://www.q4music.com/
20 April 2002: "Svengerland" Available As Free Download
An edited version of The Boys forthcoming single release "Svengerland" is available from The Boys Website as a free downloadable mp3 file. The full version of "Svengerland" c/w a new Steel/Dangerfield classisc "Only A Game" will be released within the next couple of weeks on Captain Oi! It will be there first official UK single release since "Let It Rain" in January 1981.
To download the edited version of "Svengerland" click here
To download "Only A Game" click here
30 March 2002: Boys In The USA!
The Boys are to play their first USA date in 20 years at the Holidays In The Sun (HITS) festival due to take place in Asbury Park, New Jersey over 6-8 September 2002. Sixty bands will play on two stages over the three-day period. It has not yet been confirmed on which day The Boys will play. For more information visit the official HITS website at http://www.holidaysinthesun.net
26 March 2002: New Boys T-Shirts Available
Three brand new Boys T-Shirts are available from Impact Merchandising who are based in Omaha, USA. Each shirt is made from high quality fabric and is fully endorsed by The Boys. One features "The Boys" first album cover, the second "To Hell With The Boys" and the third "Odds And Sods". The shirts are available in Small, Medium, Large and XL for $14.98 plus shipping ($5 USA, $10 UK). For more information please email Impact Merchandising at impactmerch@aol.com
12 March 2002: "The Boys Live In Germany 2001" Video Out Now!
Barn End Videos have released "The Boys Live In Germany 2001". The Boys first ever German gig was filmed in front of 1,500 fans in Dusseldorf on 21 December 2001. They were joined by Campino and Die Toten Hosen for four of their encores. The Hi-Fi Stereo video is available in PAL, Secam or NTSC from The Boys Website. For more information click here or email info@theboys.co.uk
20 February 2002: The Boys To Record New Single
The Boys are to return to the recording studio on 9 March to record their first new single in 22 years. They are due to record "Svengerland" as an England World Cup song. Die Toten Hosen have been asked to record the official German World Cup song and kidnapped Boys drummer Vom Ritchie forcing him to play on their single. Fortunately for The Boys Vom managed to escape from Germany and will appear on "Svengerland" too!
11 January 2002: Vom Drums Up Support For John!
Vom Ritchie is set to play the drums at Honest John Plain's first ever acoustic gig in Haarlem on Sunday 13 January 2002. The gig which was re-arranged from Sunday 30 December 2001 will take place at. the "Patronaat" club in Harlem (only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Airport). It will be Honest John's first ever acoustic solo show and entrance is free. Bartie Slob will also make a guest appearance playing several Slobs songs with John. For more information visist the Patronaat's website at http://www.patronaat.nl/
9 January 2002: Boys Interview To Be Broadcast On German Radio And The Internet
An interview with The Boys shortly before they played their first ever German gig on 21 December 2001 is to be broadcast this Saturday 12 January 2002 at 20:04 CET. Boys Fans in Dusseldorf can listen to the show on 104.2 FM. The show will also be simultaneously broadcast worldwide across the internet at http://www.duesselwelle.de
22 November 2001 "The Worst Of The Yobs" Out Now!
The new Yobs studio album "The Worst Of The Yobs" has now been released on Captain Oi! (AHOY CD 184) and is available from The Boys Website for only £9.00 (UK) or £10.00 (Elsewhere) inclusive of postage and packing. The album comprises new recordings of 14 classic Yobs songs along with one brand new recording, "Who Had All The Christmas Cake?" Everyone purchasing a copy from The Boys Website will receive an exclusive lyric sheet free with the album. For more information email info@theboys.co.uk German and European fans can purchase the album for 14 Euros from HJPfriends@aol.com
13 November 2001 Duncan Reid's Clash Tribute
Duncan Reid has recorded "Complete Control" for a Clash tribute album being compiled by James Stevenson of Chelsea. The track will be credited to Duncan "Kid" Reid and will be Reid's first solo recording. "Complete Control" features Reid (lead vocal/bass), Stevenson (guitars) and Chris Bell (drums). The album is due for release on Dressed To Kill Records in February 2002. Other artists appearing on the album include Knox (Vibrators), Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Gene October (Chelsea), Mike Peters (The Alarm), Nick Cash (999) and Mickey Fitz (The Business).
23 October 2001 "The Worst Of The Yobs" Released Next Month
The Yobs release their first new studio album in more than 10 years on Captain Oi! (AHOY CD 184) on 19 November 2001. "The Worst Of The Yobs" is a re-recorded collection of their best known songs as well as one brand new Yob original. Full track listing: "Oy Santa", "Rub A Dum Dum", "Ballad Of The Warrington", "Silver Bells", "Stille Nacht", "Tommy The Christmas Tree", "Xmas Guantanamera", "Who Had All The Christmas Cake?", "Another Christmas", "Worm Song", "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S / Gloria", "Run Run Rudolph", "There’s No Santa Claus", "12 Days Of Christmas", "Auld Lang Syne".
20 October 2001 Honest John Plain & Bartie Slob Gig
Honest John Plain is to play an acoustic solo gig with Bartie Slob in Holland on Sunday 30 December 2001. The gig will take place in De "Patronaat" in Harlem which is only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Airport. John will play some Boys, Yobs and Slobs songs as well as other HJP solo material. Tickets cost 15 Guilders and the gig will commence at 8pm
16 September 2001 The Boys Headline German Gig
The Boys are to headline a gig at the TOR 3 in Dusseldorf, Germany on Friday 21 December 2001. Support will be provided by TV Smith and The Revolvers. The tickets are by CTS and are available through any German ticket agency for 20 DM'S or 25 DM'S on the night, although a sell out is expected. To purchase tickets call YAB on (0049) 211 631 313.
24 July 2001 The Boys For Sale!
The Boys Website are now selling The Boys/Yobs Captain Oi! CD albums for only £8.50 inclusive of postage and packing. The albums on sale are "The Boys", "Alternative Chartbusters", "To Hell With The Boys", "Boys Only", "Punk Rock Rarities", "To Original Hell/Odds N Sods" and "The Yobs Christmas Album". For further details/ordering information email The Boys Website at info@theboys.co.uk or go to http://www.theboys.co.uk/merchandise.htm
14 July 2001 Happy Birthday 'Backstage Pass'
'Backstage Pass', The Boys mailing list celebrates its second anniversary today. The list, was founded with the intention of spreading news and information about The Boys and their solo work, and is an invaluable source for interviews, photographs and for meeting other like-minded fans. Many of the list members met up at the recent Boys concert in Morecambe and helped celebrate the momentous occasion with The Boys afterwards. Anyone who wants to join the list can subscribe by sending a blank email to BackstagePass-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or by visiting the website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackstagePass
7 July 2001: The Boys Come Home
The Boys played their first UK gig in more than 20 years last night in Morecambe. They received a rousing reception from their fans who had travelled from all over Europe, Japan, North America and South America to see their historic UK return. They also made an appearance on the BBC "Northwest Tonight" news programme as well as being covered by articles in several UK newspapers including The Times, The Guardian and Daily Mail. Honest John Plain said "It's great to be back".

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