They formed around 1980, as part of the
independent Medway scene around the nearby towns of
Rochester,
Chatham and
Gillingham and influenced by classic acts such as
The Kinks,
The Jam,
The Clash and
The Smiths. Stylistically, they shared much in common with fellow Kent band
The Dentists and early
Creation Records acts such as
The Jasmine Minks. Meanwhile, their single "Wait And See" was recorded at ex-
Jam drummer
Rick Buckler's studio with ex-
Jam producer
Vic Coppersmith-Heaven. The Claim also teamed up with the poet and ex-
Dentists drummer Vic Templar (an alias for Ian Smith) for various evenings which combined a play, featuring members of The Claim, with a musical performance by the band. Templar also collaborated with The Claim for the song "Mike The Bike", issued as the B-side to perhaps The Claim's most impressive outing, "Birth Of A Teenager", issued as a limited edition single housed in a sleeve designed by the
Medway scene's most multi-faceted talent,
Billy Childish. For another gig, Welsh band
The Manic Street Preachers played their debut London show supporting The Claim. The band played a reunion gig in Rochester, Kent on 19 September 2009 to coincide with the project's release. On Thursday 25 March 2010, they played at a second reunion show with fellow Medway band
The Dentists at
Dingwalls in Camden Town, London. ==Discography==