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Amebix
Posted by Laila Hanson on 23-May-08 @ 03:22 PM|
FILE UNDER: Primal, Crusty, British Anarcho-Punk YEARS OF EXISTENCE: 1978-1987 RECORD TO START WITH: Arise! (1985, Alternative Tentacles) AFTER THAT, CHECK OUT: No Sanctuary EP (1984, Spiderleg) GO DOWNLOAD: "Largactyl," "Sunshine Ward," "Beyond The Sun," "Drink And Be Merry," "Carnage," "The Church Is For Sinners," "Winter," "Coming Home," "Chain Reaction" THE MUSIC, THE MESSAGE: In 1978, brothers Rob (vocals) and Chris (guitar) Miller (aka The Baron and Stig) formed Amebix alongside drummer Andy Billy Jug and bassist Clive, who soon gave a demo to anarcho-punk greats Crass, which led to the band landing a spot on 1980's Bullshit Detector comp. In a series of quick lineup changes, the Baron took on bass duties as well as vocals and procured Martin as a drummer before he was institutionalized and replaced by Virus and later Spider; also, George Smutpig was added on synth. Influenced heavily by a mélange of metal, Motörhead and punk, Amebix's releases throughout the '80s were absolutely raw, heavy, incendiary and primal in nature with extremely abrasive vocals. Rumbling bass, tribal drums and rhythmic, choppy guitars prevailed, as on "Control," "Carnage" and "Belief." Still, the band could fashion moments of tragically romantic?pretty, even?passages in otherwise devastatingly brutal songs ("The Darkest Hour," the touching and poignant "Beyond The Sun"). Subject matter-wise, Amebix basked in abstract/theoretical socio-political fare, making their against-the-grain thoughts known on politics, religion ("The Church Is For Sinners," "No Gods, No Masters") and the dire conditions of drugged-up mental patients ("Largactyl," "Sunshine Ward"). Though seemingly bleak, the markedly intelligent lyrics often featured a ray of hope. Even the near-operatic "Drink And Be Merry," which paints the most glorious tableau of an impending apocalypse, features some heartening notes with its life-affirming denouement. PUNK-ROCK RELEVANCE: Just as Discharge had done before them, the ahead-of-their-time Amebix forced important issues with music that was often harsh and ugly, with sometimes grotesquely disturbing lyrics (see "Battery Humans" for a taste). Naturally, the pioneering crust band with their thrashy, metallic edge could be seen as polarizing. But for those who "got it," Amebix served as an influence for punk, crust, doom, metal and hardcore bands alike. CURRENT WHEREABOUTS: A bootleg from a 1986 gig in Slovenia called Make Some Fucking Noise! was released in 2003, and numerous compilations of their material have been issued in the ensuing years. In 2006, Amebix were honored by Japanese bands with the tribute Amebix Japan: Tribute To Amebix. After the demise of Amebix, Stig, Spider and George formed the now-obscure Zygote. Presently, the band are compiling a DVD, and the Baron is featured in Alternative Tentacles' DVD on the history of anarcho-punk, The Day The Country Died. -Janelle Jones |
