Crisis (punk band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Guildford, Surrey, England |
| Headquarters | Guildford , England |
| Products | Punk rock music |
Crisis is a punk rock band from England that originated in 1977 in Guildford, Surrey. They became recognized for their explicit leftist and anti-fascist viewpoints, frequently performing at events such as Rock Against Racism rallies, Anti-Nazi League gatherings, and Right to Work demonstrations. The British publication Sounds characterized their sound as "Music to March To," emphasizing their strong radical left-wing ideology.
Origins and development
The band was established in 1977 with members Phrazer on vocals, Lester Jones playing lead guitar, Douglas Pearce on guitar, Tony Wakeford handling bass duties, and Insect Robin the Cleaner on drums.
Their first single, titled "No Town Hall," came out in 1978 through Action Group Records.
On January 11, 1978, Crisis recorded four songs during a Peel Session broadcast on BBC Radio 1. Two of these tracks were released as the single "UK 79" in 1979 on the Ardkor label, while the other two appeared posthumously in 1981 under the title "Alienation." Their musical style blended punk rock with post-punk and gothic rock influences, setting them apart within the punk scene.
In early 1979, both Phrazer and Insect Robin the Cleaner were replaced by Dexter—a devoted fan and former roadie—and drummer Luke Rendle. Following a support performance for Magazine and Bauhaus in Guildford on May 10, 1980, Crisis disbanded. A recording of this final concert was later issued in 2008 as the Ends! CD.
Subsequent endeavors
Following Crisis’s split, Pearce and Wakeford went on to create Death in June in 1981. However, Wakeford was removed from Death in June in early 1984 due to his adoption of right-wing political beliefs linked to the National Front (UK). He then formed Above the Ruins, a post-punk group associated with the National Front, but eventually renounced these views and founded the neofolk band Sol Invictus. Meanwhile, Rendle became involved with The Straps and later joined The Pack/Theatre of Hate. Lester Jones established Carcrash International and toured with Andi Sex Gang & the Quick Gas Gang in 1985.
Impact and releases
Crisis’s body of work has been compiled and reissued multiple times: as the double CD We Are All Jews and Germans in 1997 via World Serpent Distribution; as the single CD Holocaust Hymns in 2005 through Apop Records; and also as a vinyl LP titled Kollectiv released by La Vida Es un Mus in 2014.
Band reunion
In 2015, Tony Wakeford initiated a project named 1.9.8.4., performing material he had written for both Crisis and Death in June. This ensemble was renamed Crisis in 2017, announcing tours across the UK and Europe scheduled for 2017–2018. The reformed lineup includes original member Wakeford on bass, vocalist Lloyd James from Naevus, guitarist Clive Giblin of Alternative TV, and drummer Igor Olejar from Autorotation. In an interview conducted by Louder Than War in 2017, Wakeford emphasized a resurgence of interest in Crisis’s music along with its ongoing significance. Drummer Aurora Lee took over from Olejar midway through 2018.
Studio albums
- Hymns of Faith mini-LP (1980, Ardkor)
Singles and EPs
- "No Town Hall" 7" single (1978, Action Group Records)
- "UK 79" 7" single (1979, Ardkor)
- "Alienation" 7" single (1981, Ardkor)
- Holocaust - U.K. 12" EP (1982, Action Group Records/Ardkor)
- "The Hammer and the Anvil" 7" single (2019, Relaxomatic Vibrator Records)
- Escalator 12" EP (2020, Wooden Lung)
Live albums
- Ends! (2008, Neroz)
- Paris '18 (2018, self-released)
Compilation albums
- We Are All Jews and Germans (1997, World Serpent)
- Holocaust Hymns (2005, Apop Records)
- Kollectiv (2014, La Vida Es un Mus)