Crass

Crass was a seminal British anarcho-punk band and art collective formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1984. They were based around an anarchist commune located in a 16th century farmhouse called Dial House in North Weald, Essex, England, UK. The band was well known for their staunch support of anarchism not only as a political ideology but also as a lifestyle. The band was initially started as a drum and vocal duo by [a=J J Ratter] (aka Penny Rimbaud), the Dial House founder, author, drummer and former member of the experimental noise / art collective [a4293064], and a visiting young punk, [a288071]. Ignorant was staying at the Dial House commune at the time and was inspired to try his hand as a vocalist and lyricist after seeing The Clash perform at Colston Hall in Bristol. Soon after other housemates (including [a=Gee Vaucher], [a=Pete Wright], [a=N.A. Palmer] and original guitarist [a=Steve Herman (2)]) joined. Shortly after the bands first show at a squatters street festival in Huntley Street, North London, Steve Herman would leave and be replaced by guitarist [a=Phil Free (2)]. Vocalists [a=Joy De Vivre] and Eve Libertine (aka [a7390322]) would also join around this time. The duo briefly called themselves "Stormtrooper" or "Stormpooper" before taking the name Crass from the David Bowie lyric "The kids were just crass..." from the song Ziggy Stardust. Their iconic logo was designed by [a2953076], an ex-pat art school friend of Penny Rimbaud's and Gee Vaucher's living in New York City. Rimbaud requested King make a symbol that expressed “fascism of the church, the state and of the family”. King in turn designed the logo using "icons of authority" including the Christian cross, the swastika, the Union Jack and a two-headed Ouroboros (representing powers inevitable end of destroying oneself). Due to the censorship by the pressing plant of the track "Asylum" off their first record, [m10022], the band was inspired to create their own label, Crass Records in 1979. The label would become a defining label for the UK anarcho-punk scene of the 1980's, often giving young punk bands their first tracks on vinyl on their Bullshit Detector compilation series. The label would continue until 1992. The group has stated they always intended to disband as Crass in 1984. Rising scrutiny and attention from the press, local police and the UK government along with rising tensions among members due to differing views between pacifism vs. direct action seemed to exacerbate this. The end came to fruition after a July 7th, 1984 benefit-gig for striking miners in Aberdare, Wales when on the ride home guitarist N.A. Palmer announced his intention to leave the group. Their final official recording as Crass, [m189402], was released posthumously in 1986. Some members have carried on the work of Crass in various forms and incarnations as Crass Collective, Crass Agenda and Last Amendment. Vocalist Steve Ignorant has also performed Crass songs live with various backing bands over the years, sometimes to the chagrin of other former members. However, after the 2011 "The Last Supper" tour Steve has said he no longer plans to perform Crass songs live.