The Varukers

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The Varukers
The Varukers performing a club gig on 23 April 2006
The Varukers performing a club gig on 23 April 2006
Background information
Origin United Kingdom
Genre(s) Hardcore punk
D-beat
Years active 1979 – 1988, 1993 - present
Associated acts Discharge
Members
Rat - Vocals
Biff - Guitar
Sean - Guitar
Marvin - Bass
Ricardo - Drums

The Varukers are a UK anarchist hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s.

[edit] History

When the Varukers were recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "UK 82" or Second Generation UK Hardcore. Bands such as The Varukers, Discharge, Chaos UK, Amebix, and Charged GBH took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) bands such as Motörhead. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.

While the Varukers split in 1988, vocalist Rat put the band back together in 1993. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.

Even with Rat splitting his time between The Varukers and Discharge, the Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California which ended in rioting.

They are currently writing new material for a new album.

[edit] Discography

1981

  • Protest and survive EP Inferno Records

1982

1983

  • Bloodsuckers LP

1984

  • Led to the slaughter EP Riot City Records
  • Another Religion Another War EP Riot City Records
  • Massacred millions EP Rot Records
  • Live Album Retch Records
  • One Struggle One Fight LP Liberate Records

1994

  • Nothing changed EP Weird Records
  • Deadly Games LP, CD (compilation) Abstract Sounds

1995

  • Still bollox but still here (re-release of old tracks) CD We Bite Records

1996

  • Varukers - Protest and Survive: The Varukers Live CD
  • One Struggle, One Fight CD re-release

1998

1999

  • Bloodsuckers / Prepare For The Attack CD re-release

2000

2001

2003

  • Live in Holland

2005

  • Punk Singles 1981–1985 CD Anagram Records
  • 1980–2005: Collection Of 25 Years CD

[edit] External links

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