THE LURKERS

The Lurkers were part of the first wave of British punk bands to emerge in the mid-'70s, playing tough, meat-and-potatoes rock & roll with plenty of attitude and a jaundiced eye toward the world around them. Unlike many of the bands on the early U.K. scene, the Lurkers were not especially interested in social or political matters, but their regular-guy attitude, unpretentious sound, and shout-along choruses -- as evidenced on early singles like "Shadow," "Ain't Got a Clue," and "Just Thirteen" -- anticipated the sound of second-wave U.K. punks such as the U.K. Subs and the Exploited. They were important figures in the early days of the British scene, while going on to a second run in the late '80s that would make them mainstays on the punk circuit at home and abroad.