DEFIANCE (US)
Anarcho Punk, Portland
Defiance formed in 1993 from the ashes of three of Portland’s seminal Anarcho-punk bands, Deprived, Resist, and Unamused. The band quickly made a name for themselves with their uncompromising no-frills punk rock, straight forward political lyrics, and imagery that could have been lifted from UK ‘82. It wasn’t long, either, before the band’s chaotic nature, penchant for alcohol and other indulgences, and a bad habit of attracting unwanted attention from the law gained them a reputation as, well, a little unpredictable…
Defiance has weathered the changes and the chaos of the past years, having released four full-length Lps, numerous singles and Eps, and multiple tours of the USA, Europe, Mexico, Japan and Canada. Defiance are back with a vengeance, once again hitting the road with the lineup of Mike, Gibby (Dog Soldier), Matt (Poison Idea, Dog Soldier) and Niff.Reviews
"Portland spiky-haired, studded-leather-clad punks not to be confused with the thrash metal act of the early '90s with the same moniker are on album number three (not including numerous splits, EPs, and compilation appearances), and the band is still unapologetically churning out exactly what you expect: unrelenting punk rock that sounds like G.B.H. if they wanted to be an Oi! band, with leftist dogma that is far more seeped in turn-of-the-millennium American concerns than old-school U.K. sensibilities, à la Anti-Flag."
- Allmusic.com
"Diese Scheibe gilt zu Recht als Blaupause des modernen Streetpunks und genau deshalb thront das DEFIANCE-Logo auch auf so vielen Lederjacken weltweit. Hier gibt es melodischen, überaus politischen Streetpunk, der, ähnlich wie bei ANTI-FLAG, durch Wechsel- bzw. Sprechgesang und äußerst eingängige Chorusse vorangepeitscht wird. Der Basssound dieses Albums verdient besondere Erwähnung: klar, unverzehrt, vordergründig ohne zu nerven und vor allem gespielt als sogenannter „walking bass“ verleiht er der Platte einen ganz beosnderen Charme. Und er wird von keinem geringeren als Kelly Halliburton gezockt, der schon so etwas wie eine lebende Legende des PDX-Punks ist, spielt(e) er doch bei so illustren Kapellen wie:PIERCED ARROWS (Drums), SEVERED HEAD OF STATE, MURDER DISCO X, RESIST, DETESTATION, MASSKONTROLL, CLUSTER BOMB UNIT, um nur einige seiner Stationen zu nennen. Aktuell ist Kelly wieder bei DEFIANCE dabei.
Inhaltlich geht es bei DEFIANCE um Politik und sie standen in dieser Tradition immer mehr dem englischen Anarcho-Punk bzw. dem Profane Existence-Umfeld nah, als Bands, die einfach nur ganz stumpfe Dagegensein-Texte formulierten. Obwohl schon 20 Jahre auf dem Buckel, haben viel der damaligen DEFIANCE-Texte nichts an Aktualität und Relevanz eingebüßt. Gehört in jeden Plattenschrank. Schön, dass es die Platte wieder gibt."
- Plastic Bomb Fanzine
"Is it possible that Defiance's second album is even more visceral, scathing, and angry than their classic 1995 debut 'No Future No Hope'? Well, listening to Punk Core's reissue of this 2000 beauty and examining the biting, socio-politically aware lyrics, definitely is grounds for this surmise... No doubt these guys have some of the most incendiary messages around. And that's to say nothing about the equally riotous music, which is sheer, raving, urgent streetpunk bliss."
- Punknews.org
Upcoming shows
No shows booked at the moment.
Band
- Gibby – Vocals
- Mike – Guitar, Vocals
- Matt – Bass
- Niff – Drums
Discography
Full Length LPs
- 2011 – Very Best Of, And We Don’t Care (Jailhouse Records)
- 2011 – Out of Order (Unrest records)
- 2004 – Rise or Fall (Punk Core Records)
- 2003 – A Decade of Defiance: Complete Singles Collection (Punk Core Records)
- 2002 – Out of the Ashes (Punk Core Records)
- 2000 – Nothing Lasts Forever (Mind Control Records)
- 1996 – No Future No Hope (Mind Control Record / Skuld Releases)
EPs
- 2003 – Against the Law (Dirty Punk Records)
- 1997 – No Time (Profane Existence)
- 1995 – European Tour 1995 (Consensus Reality)
- 1995 – Burn (Consensus Reality)
- 1994 – Defiance (Consensus Reality)
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SUBHUMANS (UK)
Anarcho Punk / Punk Rock
Subhumans were, between 1980-85, one of the most prolific and original of the evolving UK punk scene. Musical influences were a mix of Sex Pistols, Damned, and similar punk originators and prepunk bands like King Crimson and Frank Zappa, which led to a style of punk more intricate in its structure than their contemporaries, without losing the base energy and dynamics of punk.
Dick's lyrics, at once socially aware and heavily critical of social norms, placed them in the anarcho-punk area, alongside Crass, Antisect, Conflict, and Flux of Pink Indians, who released the band's first 3 EPs and their first LP "The Day The Country Died", which became an instant classic.
In '83 they formed their own label, Bluurg Records, and released the "From the Cradle to the Grave" LP after splitting up in '85. By then they'd played 262 gigs including several European tours and 2 in the USA (which was in the 80's a rare achievement for a non-commercially minded band).
Dick went on to join seminal ska-punk-reggae band Culture Shock, and met up with Phil and Trotsky again in Citizen Fish, who have so far recorded 7 LPs of their politipunk-ska songs and clocked up over 1000 gigs across the planet. Then in '98 these 3 ex-Subhumans roped Bruce back in to reform Subhumans, to 'see what it felt like', and, it feeling rather excellent, have kept going with occasional touring and a limited release CD of old unused songs, "Unfinished Business".
Since then, Subhumans have released a new album, "Internal Riot", and toured regularly in Europe, the USA and Australia.
Queens of the Stone Age recorded and released their version of a Subs song 'Wake Up Screaming', and the film director Asia Argento has asked to use Subs music in her adaptation of "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things".
Reviews
"Frontman Dick Lucas is totally engaging. There is a fierce intelligence here in his lyrics, his delivery and his between song banter where his passion for the old school punk political hits home. They play fast and there is a wild, feral energy to what they do. They have this punk rock thing so honed down, so perfect - the fluidity of the rhythm section, mind boggling brilliant bass lines from Phil to let yourself go to and Trotsky's stop start drums that never settle for a boring 4/4 when something more exciting will do are so effective. Bruce's rasping punk rock guitar completes the perfect backdrop for Dick's passionate delivery - he works himself up into a sweatshod frenzy as the band hit the stage in top gear and never leave that level of intensity. If you still need any proof of the intelligence and anti establishment smarts in punk rock then the Subhumans are still out there, still meaning something and still making sense in a senseless world."
- Louderthanwar.com
"Considering how long this band have been going it’s incredible how much energy they still display when they play live. Frontman and lyricist Dick Lucas is still an absolute inspiration. Somehow he doesn’t seem to have aged a bit proving that the anarcho punk lifestyle is obviously good for your health. Incredible band."
- Caughtinthecrossfire.com
"Even some 13 years since their previous release, the Subhumans manage to pull an incredible crowd, that is more than willing to join in with many of the songs: affirming the true test of whether a band’s appeal is more than just contemporary. Original fans may feel a little cheated to see 25 past songs included but it serves as a reminder of the quality of music in the not so distant past and will certainly introduce a younger generation to the punk that inspired a whole new musical scene. It seems quite incredible that the Subhumans have managed to produce a record so encompassing of their musical careers, yet take that music to even higher levels. This 5th Fat Wreck Chords 'Live In A Dive' release has to rate as one of the best so far. Quite simply: we need more of this around!"
- Pennyblackmusic.co.uk
"Die beiden ersten Alben der englischen Subhumans sind für mich absolute Meilenstücke des britischen Punkrocks."
- Ox Fanzine
"Wie unglaublich gut SUBHUMANS sind! Dieser extrem bissige, politische Hardcore der Achtziger, gemischt mit Offbeats – eine Killer-Kombination, ein absoluter Höhepunkt für mich. Und Dick ist der Meister der auf den Punkt gebrachten, unpeinlichen politischen Ansage."
- Ox Fanzine, Live Review Rebellion Festival 2016
"Nun waren sie also endlich auch beim Sommerfest-Open Air präsent. Und wie. Vom ersten Song an gaben die Briten dem inzwischen zahlreich versammelten Publikum richtig Zunder. Bei Stücken wie „Waste of Breath“, „This Year’s War“ oder „Apathy“ (siehe den Clip weiter unten) gab’s dann sowohl für die Musiker als auch für die Fans kein Halten mehr. Dick sprang, hüpfte und tänzelte auf der Bühne ohne Unterlass -immer in Bewegung, der Mann (und eine Herausforderung für alle, die versuchten, ihn zu fotografieren). Dabei schrie er voller Leidenschaft seine pointierten, die Gesellschaft und Politik aufs Korn nehmenden Texte heraus, das Publikum moshte im Zuschauerraum, die Mutigeren (oder durch Alkohol Schmerzbefreiten) versuchten sich im Stagediving. Für mich war die Show Fest für Ohr und Auge zugleich: Einen Performer wie Dick sieht man nicht alle Tage."
- Rockstage-riot-rheinmain.de, Live Review 2012
"Wer hätte gedacht, dass uns die SUBHUMANS noch mal ein Album bescheren? Denn Gerüchten zufolge taten sie sich nur wieder zusammen, um live zu spielen... Erst vor kurzem haben sie ihre Europa-Tournee beendet, und sie klingen immer noch so wie in den Achtzigern. Das gilt für ihre Gigs und auch für das neue Album. In den über 25 Jahren hat Sänger Dick kein bisschen an Energie und Ausstrahlung verloren. Auf jeden Fall hört sich „International riot“ nicht anders an, als die Klassiker vergangener Zeiten und steht ihnen in nichts nach. Also Anarcho-Punk vom Allerfeinsten mit vielen eingängigen und melodischen Parts. Vom politischen Engagement her wurden sie gerne in einem Atemzug mit Bands wie CRASS und CONFILCT genannt. Nur, dass die SUBHUMANS um einiges geradliniger vom Sound her waren. Ihre politische Einstellung und ihre soziale Ader zeigte sich auch den Fans gegenüber, so waren Konzertkarten immer erschwinglich und auf ihren Platten stand „pay no more than 3,5 pounds“. Doch dieses Verhalten sorgte nicht nur für glückliche Fans, die SUBHUMANS waren nie so erfolgreich wie zum Beispiel die SEX PISTOLS oder THE CLASH. Sie sind sich eben immer treu geblieben und haben sich nie verkauft. Ach ja, so geht es auch. Ich bin jedenfalls sehr begeistert vom aktuellen Machwerk der SUBHUMANS, das in einem schönen Digipack daherkommt."
- Blueprint-fanzine.de
"Die Subhumans sind für mich nach Crass die zweitwichtigsten Vertreter des UK-Punk. Genau wie Crass gehören sie zu der Gruppe von gesellschaftskritischen- anarchistischen Bands , die sich strikt dem Kommerz verweigern. Kritik an der Gesellschaft ist ihr Hauptthema, die Texte und die Songs sind eigentlich unterbewertet, gemessen an Ihrer Aussagekraft und Genius."
- Dinnerfornoone
"Die Jungs, pardon, mittlerweile doch etwas in die Jahre gekommenen Gentlemen verstehen einfach ihr Handwerk und vom ersten Ton an tanzte der Mob im gut gefüllten Club ausgelassen Pogo. Und wer bei solchen Klassikern wie „No“, „Mickey Mouse is Dead“, „Evolution“, „Society“, „Apathy“, „Waste of Breath“ oder den jüngeren Hits wie „Too Fat, too Thin“ oder „Point of View“ nicht mittanzen oder zumindest mit dem Kopf mitnicken muss, der hat auf einem Punkkonzert nichts verloren. Da wurden Fäuste nach oben Subhumansgereckt und der Schweiß lief in Strömen – im Publikum und auf der Bühne."
- Rockstage-riot-rheinmain.de, Live Review 2015
CITIZEN FISH (UK)
Anarcho Punk / Ska
Since 1989 Citizen Fish has been touring the world: turning gatherings, benefits, and social gigs into an international never-ending weekend. They have created a blend of punk, ska, and straight up rock'n'roll that appeals to the sing-a-long music fans and even the "muso" musician types that typically dismiss punks as not being able to play their instruments.
But it's not so much the fact that these dudes are the most talented musicians in England, it's what they say and how they say it. In a fun loving, all inclusive way, Citizen Fish (and their previous outfits Culture Shock and the legendary Subhumans) have brought working class radical politics to generations of questioning minds. Leaving aside the typical screaming rants of boring political punk bands, the Fish offer a hopeful, danceable alternative.
Whereas other bands have fans, admirers, and flavor-of-the-month teenyboppers hoarding to their concerts, Citizen Fish have established an open and always growing family. The idealistic unifying tone of Dick's lyrics, coupled with the catchy driving riffs of the band, allow the Fish to appeal to a wide variety of folks.
Familiar dancing faces in every town, beers and vegetarian meals, and local activists filling the gig halls with information, ideas, and inspiration for positive change is what Citizen Fish are all about.
Reviews
"Its scary how much a sound this rare and aged can suddenly be dragged kicking and screaming into modern relevance.
CITIZEN FISH are a wonder of nature, they should not be able to inspire these feelings, being as they are 'just a punk band...'"
- Subba-Cultcha.com
"There is nothing diluted about Citizen Fish’s musically delivery – As expected of a band with such an extensive history they have got better with age; the Fish now deliver some of the finest ska-punk around, each separate ingredient would in its own right be regarded as exemplary – the blending of full on hardcore with jaunty brass-fuelled ska is joyous; the brass is warm, subtle even, it doesn’t, like many other ska releases overpower the music – this at times is even soulful!"
- LouderThanWar.com
"Referenzklasse in diesem Sektor sind und bleiben OPERATION IVY und CITIZEN FISH, und die simple Regel ist: Mach es mit deiner Band so gut wie die – oder lass es bleiben... 'Goods' ist das achte Album der 1989/90 gegründeten Band, deren markanten Frontmann Dick Lucas man vorher schon bei SUBHUMANS und CULTURE SHOCK singen hören konnte. Die klassische Schlagzeug-Gitarre-Bass-Besetzung wird um Posaune und Trompete ergänzt, der Offbeat ist immer wieder, aber nicht konstant zu hören, die Wechsel zu treibenden Punk-Parts sind sehr geschmeidig, und die Bläserparts sitzen perfekt... Die große Stärke von allen Bands, denen Dick Lucas seine Stimme verlieh, waren schon immer die Texte, und das ist hier nicht anders. Keine wohlfeilen Plattitüden, sondern smarte, politische Analysen, das zielgerichtete Hinterfragen von (Fehl-)Entwicklungen in der Szene wie der Gesellschaft allgemein"
- Ox fanzine
"As a whole, this album fucking rules. I didn’t expect anything less from these dudes, as most things they’ve released have been SKAtastically entertaining."
- PunkWorldNews.com
"Their set was energetic, skilfully imposing with its Ska rhythms, jabbing beat and suitably refreshing lyrics. Led by Dick Lucas, the band turned back time, beyond their early 1990 humble beginnings, to the late 1970’s, early 80’s message of non-conformity and free thinking acceptance. The post-punk phase may be all but consigned to certain bands, which regretfully don’t get the air play they deserve, however this fusion of Ska/punk/rock was very well received and immensely enjoyable... The tracks were pulsating and intense and Dick Lucas bounced and weaved throughout it all. Songs such as Habit, Back to Square One, the brilliantly observed HD Riot and Human Conditioner were simply excellent."
- Liverpool Sound and Vision
"As with his other band the Subhumans, Lucas adds political rants and social commentary into Citizen Fish at every opportunity – often blaming the introduction of television as the result in the decline of human development, however whereby the awesome Subhumans are a straight to the point punk outfit Citizen Fish are more uplifting with their horn section and ska-influences making you feel the need to dance along as they blasted through songs drawn heavily from their 2011 release “Goods” as well as earlier recordings. The venue at around one hundred capacity was rammed and although it was stupidly hot the condensation dripping off the walls added to the atmosphere, after all this was good old fashioned ska-punk at its finest and Citizen Fish had the crowd literally bouncing as you felt the floor vibrate underneath."
- Mr Teeth Reviews