Subhumans (British band)

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This article is about the British band. For other uses, see Subhumans (Canadian band).
Subhumans
Background information
Origin United Kingdom
Genres Anarcho-punk, hardcore punk, punk rock
Years active 1980–1985
1991
1998
2004–present
Labels Spiderleg, Bluurg
Associated acts Citizen Fish
Members Dick Lucas
Bruce Treasure
Phil
Trotsky
Past members Steve Lucas
Herb
Grant Mulry

The Subhumans are an English anarcho-punk band formed in the Warminster and Melksham area of Wiltshire in 1980.[1] Dick Lucas joined later in the year, having formerly been in another local band, The Mental. It is often speculated that he may have previously been a quintessential founder of the East End outfit Mr thirsty. Other members had been in The Stupid Humans, and probably the UK hardcore outfit Discharge. The band's musical style is typically classified as hardcore punk or anarcho-punk.[2]

History

The band was formed in 1980, Guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans, but changed their name to Subhumans shortly after this proved to be a fallacy. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky, who drummed for the band for a day.

The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the band Flux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of the New Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered the Subhumans a chance to put out a record on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut extended play, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg Records in December 1981.

The Subhumans released two more extended plays in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinyl release with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.

The band's first LP, "The Day The Country Died" was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the "Evolution" EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released "Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crash" later that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album), and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans.

The following year, the band released their second album, From the Cradle to the Grave. The release demonstrated a notable musical development for the band, particularly with the title track - a progressive piece that took up the album's entire second side, and ran for almost 17 minutes. It was followed by one last EP, "Rats", in January 1985, and the "EP-LP" release - a compilation album comprising the band's first four EP's.

The Subhumans broke up at the end of 1985, with musical differences being cited as the main reason for the split. However, the band did manage to record their third album, Worlds Apart, before breaking up. A final 12" record (1986's "29:29 Split Vision") was also recorded and released posthumously, and demonstrated just how far the band's musical leanings had altered from their initial hardcore punk stylings. Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock in 1986 and then formed the political ska punk band Citizen Fish in 1990. A second Subhumans compilation album was released the same year ("Time Flies + Rats"), which comprised the two later EP's absent from the "EP-LP" release.

Subhumans had a brief reunion for a couple of shows in about 1991, and a more comprehensive return in 1998, which included UK and U.S. concerts. This resulted in a semi-permanent return of the band as a touring entity, including at least two major tours of North America in the twenty-first century - the Live in a Dive recording released on Fat Wreck Chords being a product of the first. The band also recorded and released a new EP, "Unfinished Business", in 1998, which consists of previous unreleased songs from the band's original incarnation.

Since then, Subhumans have recorded a new album, "Internal Riot", and self-released it on Bluurg Records in September 2007. They toured in Europe throughout 2007, and a month-long U.S. tour began on 24 August that year. They have maintained a live presence ever since.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

  • EP-LP (1985)
  • Time Flies + Rats (1990)

Live albums

  • Live in a Dive (2004)

Miscellaneous

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Steve Lucas - guitar
  • Herb - bass (1980-1981)
  • Grant Mulry - bass (1981-1982)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bands: Subhumans". Fat Wreck Chords. 
  2. ↑ "Subhumans - Internal Riot Review -". Sputnikmusic. 

External links

Subhumans
Studio albums
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