Wap Shoo Wap Records has marked its 30th release by unearthing two 1974 tracks from Bastard, a short-lived British band featuring future punk icon Brian James (The Damned) and frontman Alan Ward (Elton Motello). Completely unheard for over five decades, the recordings are available on digital platforms and as a 7-inch vinyl edition limited to 300 copies.

Formed in Crawley, Bastard spent their brief existence playing biker parties, Hell’s Angels clubhouses, and dive bars across the UK and Belgium. While the mid-1970s British mainstream focused on polished glam and progressive rock, this band stripped their sound down to something much faster, capturing the transition into the UK punk scene.

The single opens with Doctor Gong, which pairs a dark, ominous riff with a hard-driving rock-and-roll groove. The B-side, Comfort, relies on a more stripped-back, aggressive delivery, highlighting the raw chemistry between James’ proto-punk guitar work and Ward’s gritty vocals.

These tracks document an overlooked chapter in British underground rock, showcasing the early songwriting instincts James would bring to The Damned just two years later for their landmark 1976 single, New Rose.