Subhumans are one of the most influential bands from the UK Anarcho-Punk scene of the 80's, filed right alongside Crass and Conflict, and just as relevant today as they were during the darkest days of Thatcher's Britain. Take your choice in how to label them - Punk, UK82, Crusty, etc, - there lies the attraction and consequent reason for their popularity, the band epitomizes non-conformity and connects with people in many different scenes.
Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80's - building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP 'The Day the Country Died' (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, 'From the Cradle to the Grave', came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP 'Worlds Apart.' A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, '29:29 Split Vision,' a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the 'Live in a Dive' LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, 'Internal Riot,' again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying "Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result."
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12" of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can't wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
~~~~~~~~
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the bandFlux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of theNew Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinylrelease with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crashlater that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album), and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans.
show less
Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80's - building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP 'The Day the Country Died' (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, 'From the Cradle to the Grave', came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP 'Worlds Apart.' A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, '29:29 Split Vision,' a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the 'Live in a Dive' LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, 'Internal Riot,' again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying "Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result."
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12" of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can't wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
~~~~~~~~
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the bandFlux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of theNew Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinylrelease with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crashlater that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album), and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans.
Subhumans are one of the most influential bands from the UK Anarcho-Punk scene of the 80's, filed right alongside Crass and Conflict, and just as relevant today as they were during the darkest days of Thatcher's Britain. Take your choice in how to label them - Punk, UK82, Crusty, etc, - there lies the attraction and consequent reason for their popularity, the band epitomizes non-conformity and connects with people in many different scenes.
Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80's - building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP 'The Day the Country Died' (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, 'From the Cradle to the Grave', came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP 'Worlds Apart.' A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, '29:29 Split Vision,' a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the 'Live in a Dive' LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, 'Internal Riot,' again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying "Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result."
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12" of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can't wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
~~~~~~~~
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the bandFlux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of theNew Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinylrelease with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crashlater that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album), and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans.
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Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80's - building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP 'The Day the Country Died' (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, 'From the Cradle to the Grave', came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP 'Worlds Apart.' A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, '29:29 Split Vision,' a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the 'Live in a Dive' LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, 'Internal Riot,' again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying "Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result."
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12" of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can't wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
~~~~~~~~
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the bandFlux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of theNew Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinylrelease with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crashlater that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album), and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans.
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