First in a series of early 80s British anarcho-punk compilations. This collection compiles 23 anti-war diatribes, the core theme of the anarcho-punk movement in the Cold War Thatcher/Reagan era. All bands were central to the scene, although not all are well known, we’ve searched high and low to bring you the best! 10 of the tracks are previously unreleased; the 24-page booklet contains a history of each band as well as recollections and rare photos.
Compiled from recordings culled from heyday of the scene (1980-84), the bands include the leading lights of the scene (Zounds/Dirt/Omega Tribe) as well as many of the lesser known bands that were the life-blood of the scene, pro-active in arranging gigs, making fanzines, organizing benefits etc. (Psycho Faction/Political Asylum/Anti-System).
‘Anti-War’ has been lovingly compiled after many years of research and groundwork, not least finding the bands that in most cases split before 1984! So, having listened to over 1000 recordings from vinyl, demo cassettes, unreleased studio recordings and live gigs we finally settled on 23 tracks for the first volume, 10 of which are previously unreleased.
‘Anti-War’ perfectly captures the whole ecstatic energy of the era, with its diverse mix of spiky barbs and intense diatribes all based around the ‘Anti-War’ theme.