Barmy Army



Barmy Army were a football-centered studio project of record producer and West Ham United fan Adrian Sherwood, aided by a shifting cast of musicians familiar to followers of his work with Tackhead and the On-U Sound label.

Debut release 'Sharp As A Needle' set the Barny Army template, with crunching rhythms providing the backdrop for samples of terrace songs and match commentary. Originally worked on for a proposed Mark Stewart (& The Maffia) b-side, the track emerged in the wake of a football-themed Tackhead single, 'The Game'.

The only Barmy Army album, "The English Disease", came out in 1989. BBC Radio Lancashire DJ Steve Barker described the LP in the following terms:

"'A passionately political sonic documentary where supporters from across the football spectrum joined together in a joyful celebration of the game whilst levelling a number of incisive jibes against the game's establishment, both at club and organisational levels.'"

Little more was heard from Barmy Army, however. In the run-up to the Euro 96 tournament the name was briefly seen again, in the On-U Sound collaboration with Primal Scream and Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, 'The Big Man & The Scream Team Meet The Barmy Army Uptown'.

Links to Peel



 * ongoing

Festive Fifty Entries

 * 1987 Festive Fifty: Sharp As A Needle  #17

Peelenium

 * Peelenium 1987: Sharp As A Needle

Other Shows Played
1986 1987 1989
 * Peel 046 (BFBS): Sharp As A Needle (12") On-U Sound
 * 25 November 1986: Glory Glory / Sharp As A Needle
 * 08 December 1986: Glory Glory / Sharp As A Needle (12") On-U Sound
 * 17 December 1986: Glory Glory (Sharp As A Needle) (12") On-U Sound
 * Peel Late 1987: Sharp As A Needle (12") On-U Sound
 * 29 December 1987: 'Sharp As A Needle (12")' (On-U Sound) FF #17
 * 30 August 1989: Sharp As A Needle (12") On-U Sound

1990 2000
 * 26 October 1989: Brian Clout (album - The English Disease) On-U Sound
 * 07 June 1990: Sharp As A Needle (album - The English Disease) On-U Sound
 * Best Of Peel Vol 6: 'Sharp As A Needle (LP-The English Disease)' (On-U Sound)
 * 1991
 * 24 March 1991: Blue Moon (compilation album - Pay It All Back Vol 3) On-U Sounds
 * 20 April 1991: Blue Moon (compilation album - Pay It All Back Vol 3) On-U Sounds 
 * 06 July 1991: Que Sera Sera (album - The English Disease) On-U Sound
 * Best Of Peel Vol 25: Blue Moon (Compilation CD-Pay It All Back Volume Three) (On-U Sound)
 * 1999
 * 21 December 1999: Sharp As A Needle (12")' (Blast First) Peelenium 1987
 * 19 December 2000: Sharp As A Needle (12") On-U Sound
 * 2001
 * 21 June 2001: Sharp As A Needle (John Peel's Live Set)