Blaggers ITA
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles |
Blaggers ITA (initially known as The Blaggers) was a London-based British punk rock group active from 1988 until 1996. They gained recognition for merging punk with elements of hip hop and electronic music, alongside their outspoken left-wing political views.
Origins
Matty 'Blagg' Roberts (born 1964), the lead singer, transitioned from far-right sympathies during his school years to embracing socialism and anti-fascism after a prison stint, influenced by writings on the Black Panthers and George Orwell’s 1984. Before this, he fronted Complete Control, an anti-fascist Oi! band that released an LP through Oi! Records in 1985.
Co-vocalist Tim Wells, known as Bilko, was previously involved with the Anti Social Workers, who collaborated with producer Mad Professor on the dub-punk album Positive Style (Punky Reggae Party) in 1983.
The Blaggers era
Established in 1988 under the name "The Blaggers," the founding members comprised Roberts, Bilko, Serious Steve on guitar, Matt Vinyl handling bass, and Jezz the Jester on drums. Their first album, On Yer Toez, came out via Oi! Records in 1989 and featured the anti-fascist anthem "House Of The Fascist Scum," a rendition of House of the Rising Sun.
While initially grounded in Oi! punk traditions, the band expanded their sound by incorporating trumpet and drawing from hip hop and electronic dance music influences such as sampling. This musical evolution led to their rebranding as Blaggers ITA ("In The Area"), taking inspiration from Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound Records.
Blaggers ITA period
Their debut release under the new moniker was the 7" single "It's Up To You" in 1990. The band released multiple records on the independent Words of Warning label, including the 1993 album United Colors Of Blaggers ITA.
That year also saw them sign with Parlophone, an EMI subsidiary, resulting in moderate chart success with three minor singles. Promotional videos were produced for Stresss and Oxygen, while Abandon Ship featured a live performance on Channel 4’s The Word.
This major-label contract drew criticism due to EMI’s status as a large corporation and its historical involvement in arms manufacturing. An anonymous pamphlet titled "DIY not EMI" highlighted the apparent contradiction of an anti-racist band affiliating with a label linked financially to apartheid South Africa. In response, the band argued that EMI’s resources allowed them to broaden their political reach and support activist causes financially; for instance, promotional funds enabled full-page advertisements advocating direct physical anti-fascist efforts, while tour backing helped fund political organizations across the country.
In January 1993, they clandestinely released early EMI recordings under the name Ramraiders ITA as a 7" single bootleg.
In July of that year, they embarked on a prominent ten-date UK tour supporting Manic Street Preachers, sharing the cover of New Musical Express alongside them and fellow support act Credit to the Nation.
Following their opening show in Leeds, Roberts reportedly struck Melody Maker journalist Dave Simpson over allegations concerning his past. Although this incident resulted in a court summons, no trial ensued. The controversy led to cancellations of festival performances—including headline slots at Reading and Glastonbury—and effectively resulted in a boycott by music journalists.
These complications overshadowed the release of their final album, Bad Karma, in September 1994 and the subsequent tour supporting Pop Will Eat Itself. Later that year, EMI terminated their contract.
During 1995, they issued four singles through independent labels. A statement from Damaged Goods highlighted their return to indie status after dissatisfaction with EMI’s commercial focus:
Roberts departed from Blaggers ITA in June 1995 due to depression and feelings that he was impeding the band's progress. The group carried on briefly without him but ultimately dissolved by 1996.
After the split
Matty Roberts passed away on 22 February 2000. An obituary published in Red Action honored him as "a highly respected and dependable activist who played a significant part in numerous successful stewarding efforts." Anti-Fascist Action (AFA) recognized his involvement as a dedicated member of London AFA throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, emphasizing his bravery and dedication.
In 2002, a revived version of the band named Blaggers AKA was established. This incarnation toured various festivals and concerts across Europe, lending support to organizations such as the Independent Working Class Association and Antifa, although they have yet to issue any recordings.
Political stance
Blaggers ITA gained recognition for their pronounced anti-fascist and leftist lyrical content and activism.
The band forged strong connections with Red Action and Anti Fascist Action (AFA), contributing financially and advocating their principles. Their endorsement of revolutionary ideals and AFA motivated direct confrontations against Neo-Nazi factions including Blood & Honour and Combat 18. Significantly, all nine members took part in the 1992 event known as "The Battle of Waterloo," where AFA rallied hundreds of anti-fascists to oppose attendees at a Blood & Honour concert.
Influence
The group is referenced in John King's 1997 novel Headhunters.
Lineup from early 1990s
- Matty Blagg – lead singer
- Christy Robson – rapper/DJ
- Steve Serious – guitarist
- Paul The Pig – guitarist
- Matt Vinyl – bassist
- Jason 'Wrist Action Jackson' Cook – drummer
- Brendan 'Rimmer' Hodges – trumpet, samples, design (credited as SIT Inc)
- Carlos Coutinho – keyboardist
Additional contributors
- Bilko – secondary vocalist (1988–1989)
- Jez the Jester – drummer (1988–1989)
- Cab – drummer (1989)
- Gary the Squatter – guitarist (1989–1990)
- Olaf – saxophonist (1992), saxophonist and vocalist (from 2001 onward)
- Marcel – guitarist (since 2001)
- Brian Hayes – guitarist (1993–1996)
Albums
- On Yer Toez (under The Blaggers) (1989, Oi! Records, LP)
- Blaggamuffin (1991, Words Of Warning, Mini LP)
- Fuck Fascism, Fuck Capitalism, Society's Fucked (1991, Knock Out & Nightmare Records, LP)
- God Save the Cockroach (1992, Words Of Warning, Mini LP) [also known as New Kids On The Blag]
- United Colors Of Blaggers ITA (1993, Words Of Warning & DS4A, LP & CD)
- Bad Karma (1994, Parlophone, LP & CD)
Singles and EPs
- "It's Up To You" (1990, Network 90 Records, 7")
- Beirut EP (1990, Knock Out & Nightmare Records, 7")
- "Victory to ANC" (1991, split flexi disc with Trench Fever)
- "Wildside" (1991, Bunny Bites Back, 7") (bootleg attributed to Ramraiders ITA)
- "Here's Johnny" (1992, Words Of Warning, 7")
- "The Way We Operate" (1992, Fluffy Bunny Records, 7")
- "Stresss" (1993) (#56 UK Official Singles Chart)
- "Oxygen" (1993, Parlophone) (#51 UK Official Singles Chart)
- "Abandon Ship" (1993, Parlophone) (#48 UK Official Singles Chart)
- "Mantrap" (1994, Parlophone)
- "Thrill Her With a Gun/Dairy Thief" (1995, Damaged Goods, 7")
- "Rumblefish/Death by Cool" (1995, Disinformation, 7" & CD)
- "Guns Of Brixton" (1995, Disinformation, 7" & CD)
- "Session" (1995, Disinformation, CD)