Blitzkrieg (punk band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Southport , England |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
Blitzkrieg is an English punk rock group originating from Southport, established in 1979. They played a pivotal role in shaping the UK hardcore punk movement and cultivated a dedicated underground fanbase. Despite their band name's association with Nazi imagery, Blitzkrieg maintained a clear anti-Nazi position.
History
The initial formation consisted of Mike 'Riffone' on vocals, Phil 'Din' handling drums, Will Mawdsley on guitar, and Gary 'Gaz' Sumner playing bass. Subsequently, Tony "Toe" Fowler joined as bassist, prompting Gaz Sumner to switch to guitar. After Fowler's exit, Chris Hind, previously with Southport’s Mayhem, took over bass duties.
This stable lineup—Riffone, Din, Sumner, and Hind—secured a deal with the independent label No Future Records. In January 1982, they released "The Future Must Be Ours" as part of the A Country Fit For Heroes compilation, which climbed to No. 4 on the UK Indie Charts. Soon after, Din departed and was temporarily replaced by drummer John McCallum.
Blitzkrieg toured extensively throughout Northern England, both headlining shows and supporting bands such as UK Decay, Chron Gen, The Not Sensibles, and Anti-Pasti.
Their follow-up release was the Lest We Forget EP under No Future Records, reaching No. 11 on the Indie Charts in 1982. That same year saw them part ways with McCallum and No Future Records, moving to Sexual Phonograph Records for the Animals in Lipstick EP.
In mid-1982, Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere from Discharge joined as drummer. The Animals in Lipstick EP carried an anti-vivisection message and featured "Conscience Prayer," their standout track which attained No. 30 on the Indie Chart in 1983.
After disbanding in 1983, Blitzkrieg reunited multiple times. By late 1987, a new lineup emerged with vocalist Spike alongside Gaz Sumner, Bambi, and former Insane bassist Trev. Ellesmere departed to join Flux of Pink Indians before pursuing a successful career as a Techno House DJ.
Riffone became part of Blackburn’s "Rabid Dogs," which included Gus "Popegustav" Gouldsbrough—who would later join Blitzkrieg.
The 1989 ensemble featured Gaz Sumner and Martin "Ales" Walker on guitars, Freddy Doyle on drums, Mal on bass, and Spike handling vocals. They supported Discharge during a UK tour and also toured Northern England and North Wales alongside Welsh punk outfit 4Q. In 1991 they recorded the LP Future Must Be Ours released by Retch Records. A retrospective album featuring Insane was issued in 1997 by Captain Oi! Records.
Blitzkrieg reassembled for the 2007 Rebellion Festival in Blackpool with Chris Hind (bass/vocals), Jax Chambers (Girlschool) on lead guitar/vocals, and Tom Tom (Poor Kids with Guns) on drums. Their album Everything is Lies came out in July 2008; they also performed at Rebellion 2008.
The lineup later developed into Chris Hind (founder/ex-Mayhem), Jax Chambers (Girlschool/Syteria), Gaz Johnson (ex-The Nags), and Gus Goulsborough (Popegustav).
In 2011 they produced the limited-run Fear and Control EP at Riverstudios in Belgium to support UK and European gigs.
The 2019 release Blind Faith included guest vocals from Jeff Janiak of punk pioneers Discharge on the track "Conspiracy."
Between 2020 and 2021, Blitzkrieg recorded War Machine remotely due to pandemic restrictions—Tom Dring played drums; Chris Hind provided bass and vocals; Popegustav contributed guitar and backing vocals—with John Cooke from Napalm Death guesting on "Taking Back Control." This album features a revamped version of "New World Order," penned by Jax Chambers. It was honored as Old School Punk Album of the Year by Vive le Rock magazine.
In July 2022, guitarist Steve "Fish" Brookes joined the band, restoring Blitzkrieg to a four-member lineup. Plans are underway for a new EP and full-length album slated for release in 2023.
Singles and EPs
- "Demo Tape 81"
- "Lest We Forget EP" – Reached No. 11 on the UK Indie Chart
- "Practice Tape 82"
- "Animals in Lipstick EP" – Peaked at No. 30 on the UK Indie Chart
- "Fear And Control EP"
- Corporate Evil EP
Albums
- The Future Must Be Ours (1991)
- Back To No Future (2001)
- Everything is Lies (2008)
- Blind Faith (2019)
- War Machine (2021)
- No Compromise Vol 1981-1983 (2023)
Compilation appearances
- A Country Fit for Heroes – A No Future Records sampler LP including "The Future Must Be Ours"
- Locked in the Dressing Room – Rotator Vinyl Ltd compilations featuring "Blasphemer" and "War breeds war"