It's time to get the bunting out folks!!! That's right, it's time for a party, because this year punk rock legends Cock Sparrer celebrate 40 years together as a band. With legions of fans worldwide all waiting for a special anniversary live date to be announced somewhere near them soon, we asked frontman Colin McFaull to cast his mind back to what music made him want to be in a band in the first place, and perhaps also give us a glimpse of what he has on his gramophone these days. 

Ever the gent Colin set about the Uber Rock challenge with his usual vigour before hitting the virtual brick wall known as final track selection (what was in? what was out?), and after many many hours of head scratching and more than once asking if he could use more than 13 songs ("No" means "NO!" Colin), he finally managed to pull together his final Sparrer approved mixtape midway through the band's recent set of U.S dates with Rancid.

What a star eh?  So what about the resulting tape I hear you cry? Well see it for yourselves in all its glory below, as Colin takes over the URHQ death decks and celebrates a very special 40^th birthday - Cock Sparrer style. (Oh and coz it's Colin we'll forgive him the coded West Ham message, just this once). 

It's handsome I tell ya... handsome.

1.) The Clash - 'Armagideon Time' (released as the b side to the 'London Calling' 7")

It's hard to pick one Clash song. They still remain my favourite band so choosing one was difficult. It's like trying to pick your favourite kid. It was either this or 'Complete Control'.

2.) The Small Faces - 'Afterglow (Of Your Love)' (from the album 'The Autumn Stone')

I was brought up on The Small Faces, The Who, early Stax and Tamla Motown having two older brothers. We had the privilege of meeting and touring with these blokes in 1977 and again it's hard just to pick one song. I could fill this feature with my favourite 13 Small Faces songs.

3.) AC/DC- 'The Jack' (from the album 'T.N.T' in Australia and 'High Voltage' worldwide)

The best gig I've ever been to..... ever....... AC/DC at The Marquee on their first ever tour of the UK.

4.) Heavy Metal Kids - 'Delirious' (originally released as a single by the same name)

I had a beer with Keith Boyce at last year's Rebellion - lovely fella. On their day they were one of the best live bands around but how do you replace the irreplaceable Gary Holton? What a front man, what a voice!

5.) The Faces - 'Cindy Incidentally' (from the album 'Ooh La La')

When Cock Sparrer started out, The Faces were the band we wanted to be. They just seemed to have such a laugh and really be enjoying themselves all the time. I remember on the aforementioned Small Faces tour, sitting in the stalls at the Manchester Apollo during their sound check and shouting out to Ian McLagan, "Oi Mac, play the intro to Cindy", which he did. Happy days!!

6.) Slade - 'Far Far Away' (from the album 'In Flame')

This song really shows off the Holder/Lea songwriting ability. A great tune and all spelt correctly.

7.) Rancid - 'Listed MIA' (from the album ''And Out Come The Wolves')

We recently had the opportunity to play a couple of shows with Rancid in San Francisco to celebrate their 20^th and our 40^th anniversaries. A couple of very lively nights indeed! This is off of one of the classic punk albums of all time 'And Out Come The Wolves'.

8.) Argy Bargy - 'No Regrets' (from the album 'The Likes Of Us')

I couldn't do this without mentioning my mates from Watford's finest. Ray's my favourite (COYI). This is a great song and what I want to know is how comes it's on an Argy Bargy album and not on a Sparrer one? Eh Daryl? Eh Eh?

9.) Humble Pie - '30 Days In The Hole' (from the album 'Smokin'')

My favourite singer, the late, great Steve Marriott. I managed to blag my way in to see Humble Pie on quite a few occasions, but above all remember the concert in Hyde Park in 1971 when they were supposed to be supporting Grand Funk Railroad. It turned into the biggest "support band completely blows the main band off the stage event" ever. They were brilliant that day. I actually felt sorry for GFR, once I'd stopped laughing.

10.) Dr Feelgood - 'Roxette' (from the album 'Down By The Jetty')

This has one of the best starts to any tune. As with a lot of bands it's never quite the same when one of the originals leave but they had a style and sound that was totally unique and instantly recognisable. One of the few bands that you could go and see and be GUARANTEED a good night out.

11.) The Jons - 'Oi Jack' (originally released as a single by the same name)

I know I'm biased but I love this little band. They write great songs. They just need to stop buggering about and start to take things a bit more seriously. They spend too much time, travelling around the world or sitting around in a circle, smoking herbal products whilst weaving daisies into each others hair. "God I sound like my dad!"

12.) Buzzcocks - 'What Do I Get?' (originally released as a single by the same name)

We used to listen to this and the first Clash album whilst travelling up and down the M1 in the back of our old red GPO van, getting gassed by the fumes. Like a lot of the Buzzcocks stuff, classic pop and brilliantly crafted 3 minute wonders.

13.) The Who - 5.15 (from the album 'Quadrophenia')

I was taken by the celebrity rock photographer (his words), Ross Halfin, one Saturday afternoon to see The Who at The NEC in Birmingham, just after Kenney Jones joined. I had to carry Ross' bags to qualify for the AAA pass. We were most definitely out of our brains on the train.

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Cock Sparrer play Rebellion Festival's Xmas Party on Saturday 8th December 2012 at The Ballroom, Birmingham, UK.  Tickets are £42.50 in advance (plus booking fee) from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or from http://www.birmingham-ballroom.com/

Pictures courtesy of Sam Bruce Photography https://www.facebook.com/sambrucephotography