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CRASS RECORDS

Hit Parade

Plastic Culture - 2024 Reissue

    Hit Parade was a one-man anarchist band, the brainchild of Dave Hyndman (aka P. Checkoff and Rik O’che) a member of the Anarchist Collective in Belfast. Being a left-wing socialist, Checkoff’s songs were highly political by nature and concentrated on life in Northern Ireland. Subject matter ranged from the evils of television to H Blocks; the RUC to housing problems, and of course unemployment.

    Penny continues; “Hit Parade was one troubled man’s attempt to deal with and describe the ‘troubles’ that surrounded him in Belfast where he lived with family, friends and comrades. In the seventies and eighties, divided Ireland was never far from the distortions of the UK’s daily headlines, all of which toeing the predictable Protestant party line. Meanwhile, Hit Parade had to suffer the daily indignities of military oppression and religious bigotry. Shouting out from a wilderness of human stupidity, Hit Parade looked to put the record straight from the trenches; one man’s voice touching the multitude. Listen and learn. It’s still going on and on and on…”

    Penny finally notes that “Our (Crass’) interest was never in personalities, profits or power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle, not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference – rather than looking only to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out on the street.”

    In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect, Crass’ classic line, “There is no authority but yourself”, makes its point. Crass sought to empower others, and the output of Crass Records does much to confirm this, while ‘2 By 2 And Back Again’ seems to nail it – “get out of your own way, we’re all in this together”. 


    TRACK LISTING

    1. Product Of The Troubles
    2. Media Song

    D&V

    The Nearest Door

      D&V were a duo formed in Sheffield by Andy Leach on drums and Jef Antcliffe on vocals. The group released their first EP ‘The Nearest Door’ on Crass Records. With Penny Rimbaud as producer, their musical simplicity was combined with uncompromising avant-gardism to achieve new heights. The group would go on to release a second album in 1984 entitled ‘Inspiration Gave Them Motivation To Move On Out Of Their Isolation’ with a more refined sound and additional vocals by Crass' Eve Libertine and Joy de Vivre.

      Penny Rimbaud tells us; “D&V are so named because they turned up to play at the now legendary squat gig of 1982 at the Zig Zag Club in North London. At that time, they didn’t have a moniker, so they were chalked up on the day’s order of play as D&V (drums and vocals) because that’s what they were and that’s how they remained. Simple and to the point, they were precursors to rap which later both rhythmically and vocally came to mirror their fierce rhetoric. A northern band with streetwise sentiments, they spoke loud and clear of disenfranchisement (call it slavery) and the vicious class system which created it. From street to stormy skies, D&V were on the up, and hard rains began to fall.”

      Penny finally notes that “Our (Crass’) interest was never in personalities, profits or power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle, not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference – rather than looking only to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out on the street.”

      In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect, Crass’ classic line, “There is no authority but yourself”, makes its point. Crass sought to empower others, and the output of Crass Records does much to confirm this, while ‘2 By 2 And Back Again’ seems to nail it – “get out of your own way, we’re all in this together”.

      TRACK LISTING

      1. Jekyll And Hyde
      2. Wake Up
      3. High Above
      4. Today’s Conclusion
      5. Step Inside
      6. Dignity
      7. S21PN

      Alternative

      In Nomine Patri

        Alternative were a Scottish anarcho-punk band of the early 80s that often drew comparison to Crass for their black attires, logos, firm political beliefs, as well as having their own open house, “The Pad”, where like-minded radicals would join and discuss ideas surrounding pacifism and anti-nuclear armament. The ‘In Nomine Patri’ EP is dark, furious, and articulate.

        Penny continues; “Largely through their fierce commitment to ‘changing the world’, Alternative were often referred to as the Scottish Crass. Knowing that talking the talk could only be a half of it, Alternative resolutely walked the walk. Based in Dunfermline, they set up The Pad, an autonomy centre where, over tea and buns, revolutionary visions of peace and love could fester and grow. Theirs was a studied and often poetic form of anarchy which concentrated on people not power. Their interest was not in themselves, but in others. They knew all too well that the only way forward was to do it yourself, and that’s precisely what they did, a’plenty. After all these years, give ‘em your ears.”

        Penny finally notes that “Our (Crass’) interest was never in personalities, profits or power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle, not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference – rather than looking only to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out on the street.”

        In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect, Crass’ classic line, “There is no authority but yourself”, makes its point. Crass sought to empower others, and the output of Crass Records does much to confirm this, while ‘2 By 2 And Back Again’ seems to nail it – “get out of your own way, we’re all in this together”.

        Annie Anxiety

        Barbed Wire Halo - 2024 Reissue

          Punk pioneers Crass continue their vinyl reissue series, re-pressing their limited releases by adjacent artists through Crass Records. The series, including over twenty bands and solo artists recorded at the legendary Southern Studios and produced by Penny Rimbaud, continues with two more historic pieces from the Crass Records catalogue; ‘Barbed Wire Halo’ by Annie Anxiety and ‘Neu Smell’ by Flux of Pink Indians.

          “Trying to categorise Annie Anxiety is a futile task… [she] exudes a magnetic presence on anything she’s contributed to” The Vinyl Factory

          New York City musical maverick and performance artist Annie Anxiety, aka Little Annie aka Annie Bandez, began her illustrious career (including work with Adrian Sherwood, Coil, Current 93, and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry) with Crass. They released her first solo single, 1981’s ‘Barbed Wire Halo’ alongside ‘Cyanide Tears’, an extraordinarily prescient piece of jagged electronics, samples, and skeletal rhythms, led by Annie’s nightmarish vocals.

          She tells us; “When creating this single with Penny I hadn’t heard the word ‘avant-guard’ nor could I spell it - I only got explained ‘concretism’ via an interview I did in Berlin regarding some of my work three years ago - My father was a printer so I grew up with sound of printing press and subway train beats and always heard melodies and cross rhythms within those beats - I was just making dance music / disco tunes to my mind and Pen heard those same tunes I was hearing - my first recording, in retrospect I guess, was pretty ‘out there’ at its release, but to us it was dance floor for a club yet to be invented- one day”.

          Penny Rimbaud expands; “Annie Anxiety is a total enigma, a passionate voice in the wilderness of consensual reason. Dada in instinct, Monroe in affection, Rambo in inflection, Annie rams it home with divine thunder. An instigator and innovator, she’s the bonkers angel of Yonkers, NYC. With no time to spare, Annie takes to the road with complete conviction, overtaking Kerouac halfway down 5th Avenue. Catch her if you can”.


          TRACK LISTING

          1. Hello Horror
          2. Cyanide Tears

          Crass

          Bullshit Detector - 2023 Reissue

            Crass Records, alongside One Little Independent Records, reissue their iconic three volume compilation series, ‘Bullshit Detector’, on LP, available in both classic black and special edition grey vinyl. 

            ‘Bullshit Detector’ was the name of a series of compilation LPs put together by the anarcho-punk band Crass and released on their own label. Three editions were released between 1980 and 1984, consisting of demo tapes, rough recordings and artwork that had been sent to the band.

            The sound quality of the ‘Bullshit Detector’ series was mixed and often basic, or even poor, as Crass would master the tapes directly to record without any additional production or enhancement. For Crass, the expectation of a polished performance was missing the point.

            After punk had already been co-opted, re-packaged and sold back to us, ‘Bullshit Detector’ volumes 1-3 were, and still are, seen by many to capture the purest ethos of punk culture, an event that inspired hundreds to take to their bedrooms and garages and join the DIY revolution.

            Crass believed in the power of community and that their movement was for everybody. These compilations are an admittedly harsh but important part of that story; when Crass gave punk back to the people.

            TRACK LISTING

            Andy T - Jazz On A Summers Day
            Counter Attack - Don’t Wanna Fight For You
            Alternative - Change It
            Clockwork Criminals - We Are You
            Reputations In Jeopardy - Girls Love Popstars
            Crass - Do They Owe Us A Living
            Amebix - University Challenged
            Sceptics - Local Chaos
            The Sinyx - Mark Of The Beast
            Frenzy Battalion - Thalidomide
            Icon - Cancer
            The Speakers - Why
            A.P.F. Brigade - Anarchist Attack
            Fuck The C.I.A. - Right Or Wrong
            Caine Mutiny And The Kallisti Apples Of Nonsense - Morning Star
            The Sucks - 3
            Porno Squad - Khaki Doesn’t Go With My Eyes
            S.P.G. Murders - Soldiers
            Eratics - National Service
            Red Alert 8 - Who Needs Society
            The Snipers - War Song
            Armchair Power - Power
            Disrupters - Napalm
            Andy T - Nagaski Mon Amour
            Action Frogs - Drumming Up Hope (Ferret Skank)

            Crass

            Bullshit Detector Two - 2023 Reissue

              Crass Records, alongside One Little Independent Records, reissue their iconic three volume compilation series, ‘Bullshit Detector’. 

              ‘Bullshit Detector’ was the name of a series of compilation LPs put together by the anarcho-punk band Crass and released on their own label. Three editions were released between 1980 and 1984, consisting of demo tapes, rough recordings and artwork that had been sent to the band.

              The sound quality of the ‘Bullshit Detector’ series was mixed and often basic, or even poor, as Crass would master the tapes directly to record without any additional production or enhancement. For Crass, the expectation of a polished performance was missing the point.

              After punk had already been co-opted, re-packaged and sold back to us, ‘Bullshit Detector’ volumes 1-3 were, and still are, seen by many to capture the purest ethos of punk culture, an event that inspired hundreds to take to their bedrooms and garages and join the DIY revolution.

              Crass believed in the power of community and that their movement was for everybody. These compilations are an admittedly harsh but important part of that story; when Crass gave punk back to the people.

              TRACK LISTING

              Voice Of The U.K. - Waiting For Bardot
              Omega Tribe - Nature Wonder
              Suspects - Random Relations
              Your Funeral - Think About It
              Krondstadt Uprising - Receiver Deceiver
              Deformed - Freedom
              No Label - Let’s Get It Right
              The Rejected - Same Old Songs
              Boffo - Garageland
              XS - Fuck The System
              Polemic Attack - Manipulated Youth
              Gardener - A. Gardener’s Song
              Toxic - Tradition Of Slaughter
              1984 - Breakup
              Unknown Artist - Insert
              Toxik Ephex - Police Brutality
              Sic - Low
              Molitov Cocktail - Ain’t Got A Clue
              Naked - Mid 1930’s (Pre-war Germany)
              Capital Punishment - We’ve Realised The Truth Now
              Anthrax - All The Wars
              Endangered Species - Slaughter Of The Innocent (Curiosity Kills)
              Pseudo Sadists - War Games
              Total Chaos - Pyscho Analysis
              Dougie - War Without Winners
              St Vitus Dancers - The Survivor
              Stegz - Christus Erection
              Metro Youth - Brutalised
              Normality Complex - Black Market Shadow
              Youth In Asia - The Power & The Glory
              Riot Squad - Security System
              Destructors - Agent Orange
              The Pits - U.K. In Dreamland
              The Bored - Riot Style
              Toby Kettle - Theatre Comment
              Chumbawumba - Three Years Later
              Passion Killers - Start Again
              Amerikan Arsenal - Get Off Yr Ass

              Crass

              Bullshit Detector Three - 2023 Reissue

                Crass Records, alongside One Little Independent Records, reissue their iconic three volume compilation series, ‘Bullshit Detector’.

                ‘Bullshit Detector’ was the name of a series of compilation LPs put together by the anarcho-punk band Crass and released on their own label. Three editions were released between 1980 and 1984, consisting of demo tapes, rough recordings and artwork that had been sent to the band.

                The sound quality of the ‘Bullshit Detector’ series was mixed and often basic, or even poor, as Crass would master the tapes directly to record without any additional production or enhancement. For Crass, the expectation of a polished performance was missing the point.

                After punk had already been co-opted, re-packaged and sold back to us, ‘Bullshit Detector’ volumes 1-3 were, and still are, seen by many to capture the purest ethos of punk culture, an event that inspired hundreds to take to their bedrooms and garages and join the DIY revolution.

                Crass believed in the power of community and that their movement was for everybody. These compilations are an admittedly harsh but important part of that story; when Crass gave punk back to the people.

                Sleeve notes from ‘Bullshit Detector Three’ read: “Don’t expect music when the melody is anger, when the message sings defiance, three chords are frustration when the words are from the heart.”

                TRACK LISTING

                Avert Aversion - Oh What A Nice Day
                Awake Mankind - Once Upon A Time
                A Nul Noise - Hibashuka
                Animus - Nuclear Piss
                Peroxide - Ministry Of Death (M.O.D.)
                Untitled - We Are Taught To Kill
                Xtract - Fight For Peace
                Verbal Assault - Not Yet Ron
                Fifth A Column - Counterfeit Culture
                Potential Victim - People
                7th Plague - Rubber Bullets
                Rebel A - Genesis To Genocide
                Alienated - Living In Fear
                Barbed Wire - Weapons Of War
                Rob Williams - Lies
                Reality Control - The War Is Over
                Youthanasia - Power
                Sammy Rubette & Safety Match - The Ballad Of Maggie The Maggot
                Politicide - 51st State
                Markus Abused - The Killing Machine
                One Man’s Meat - Your Country Misleads You
                Direct Action - Death Without A Thought
                Crag - Voice Your Protest
                Attrition - In Your Hand
                Napalm Death - The Crucifixion Of Possessions
                The Impalers - Sun, Sun, Sun
                Health Hazzard - Picture Show
                Phil Hedgehog - Radio Times
                Malice - Faceless
                Michael Kingzett Taylor - Paranoia
                Brainwashed Pupils - The Demonstration
                No Defences - Work To Consume
                A.N.E.E.B. - Berlin Wall
                Carnage - Carnage
                Warning - Beasts Of Fiction
                State Of Shock - Excess Youth
                Neale Harmer - Hard Nut
                Dead To The World - Action Man
                Dandruff - Life In A Whiskey Bottle
                Richard III - Will You Care?
                Funky Rayguns - The Hare And The Tortoise


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