Angelic Upstarts

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风格: #朋克
地区: United Kingdom 英国

艺人介绍

by Jason Ankeny

Formed in South Shields, England in 1977, the Angelic Upstarts was one of the periods most politically-charged and thought-provoking groups; though technically a skinhead band, their records attacked the racism and fascism so prevalent throughout the skinhead community, and while also technically a punk unit, their music quickly evolved beyond the movements limited scope.

The Angelic Upstarts were led by the rather nasal vocalist Mensi (born Thomas Mensforth), whose impoverished childhood became a frequent lyrical touchstone; along with a highly-fluid line-up which initially comprised guitarist Mond, bassist Ronnie Wooden and drummer Sticks, the group debuted with the 1979 single Murder of Liddle Towers, a scabrous attack on police brutality. The record caught the attention of Sham 69s Jimmy Pursey, who produced their debut album Teenage Warning, which, like its 1980 follow-up We Gotta Get Outta This Place, roundly ridiculed the oppressive policies of Margaret Thatcher while offering an outpouring of sympathy for the working class.

As the Upstarts popularity surged, so did the levels of violence at their live shows; they became mortal enemies of National Front fascist supporters, who railed against the band after first misinterpreting their leftist songs as supportive of their cause. At the same time, the bands music was becoming more complex and accomplished; by 1983s Reason Why?, the strongest Angelic Upstarts record, Mensis songwriting skills had become tighter and more melodic, even branching out into reggae and folk, while the groups base broadened with the addition of keyboards and saxophones.

After issuing the inflammatory single Brighton Bomb, a celebration of the IRAs attempt to assassinate the Conservative cabinet, the band released the LP The Power of the Press; lackluster sales triggered their break-up not long after. In 1988, the Angelic Upstarts briefly reformed; in 1992, they reunited again, this time long enough to cut an album, Bombed Out. Mensi subsequently arose as a leader of the Anti-Fascist Action group. They managed to reunite occasionally, cutting a live album for Mordam Records (2001s Live from the Justice League) and even revisiting the United States for their first live show in almost twenty years.

Angelic Upstarts

艺人介绍

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