Electro Hippies
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | St Helens and Wigan , England |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Electro Hippies originated as an English thrashcore group established in 1985, based in the areas of St Helens and Wigan, England.
Despite their brief existence and underground status, their sound significantly impacted numerous crust, hardcore punk, and grindcore acts. The band’s style was characterized by prominent low bass tones and a raw, lo-fi production approach, blending aspects of heavy metal and often labeled as "proto-grindcore." They strongly adhered to the D.I.Y. principles typical of early crust punk scenes. Their songwriting frequently addressed themes such as animal rights and vegetarianism, with pointed critiques aimed at corporations like McDonald's, exemplified in tracks like "Run Ronald" and "Scum."
With support from John Peel, they recorded a radio session in 1987 that was subsequently released as an EP through Strange Fruit Records.
The lineup featured Jeff Walker on guitar and vocals, who later became a member of the extreme metal band Carcass. Following Walker’s departure, vocal duties were assumed by Simon (drums) and Andy (guitar). The group dissolved in 1989, issuing their final performance as a live album.
Discography
Positions on the charts refer to the UK Indie Chart.
- 1986 Play Loud or Not at All (split LP with Generic/Electro Hippies), Flat Earth Records
- 1987 The Only Good Punk... Is A Dead One LP, Peaceville Records
- 1987 The Peel Sessions 12", Strange Fruit Records (No. 10)
- 1989 Live LP, Peaceville Records (No. 7)
- 1989 Play Fast Or Die 12", Necrosis Records (No. 19) – reissue of the band’s portion of the split LP with Generic
- 1989 The Peaceville Recordings LP/CD, Peaceville Records
- 1989 "Mega Armageddon Death Pt.3" / "You Suffer" 7" – split single with Napalm Death, included with early editions of the Grindcrusher compilation on Earache Records
- 2002 The Only Good Punk CD, Peaceville Records
Their work also appeared on various compilations such as A Vile Peace, Digging in Water, the Peel sessions sampler, and Vile Vibes.