The Prisoners were a band who formed in 1980 in Rochester, Kent, England. Their 1960s garage sound made them a regular live fixture in London's underground "psychedelic revival" and "mod revival" scene of the early 1980s. They often toured with The Milkshakes, who included Billy Childish on guitar. The Prisoners' sound combined catchy, retro-flavoured melodies, punky guitar riffs, a Steve Marriott-esque vocal style and a lead instrument of the then-unfashionable Vox Continental Organ.The Prisoners never met with much commercial success during their original lifespan, but have latterly been likened to The Jam and The Charlatans. Tim Burgess of the Charlatans has cited the Prisoners as a major influence.