Flux of Pink Indians
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Colin Latter, Derek Birkett, Andy Smith, Neil Puncher, Sid Ation |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Bishop's Stortford , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs |
Flux of Pink Indians was a punk rock group originating from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, active during the years 1980 to 1986.
Biography
The band emerged in 1980, formed by former members of The Epileptics (briefly known as Epi-X), including vocalist Colsk Latter and bassist Derek Birkett. The initial lineup also featured guitarists Andy Smith and Neil Puncher, alongside drummer Sid Ation, who was also associated with Rubella Ballet.
In 1981, they signed to Crass Records and released their first EP, Neu Smell, which included the indie charting track "Tube Disasters". The following year, they independently issued their debut album Strive to Survive Causing Least Suffering Possible through their own Spiderleg Records label.
Their 1983 release, The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks, encountered retail restrictions and police confiscations due to its controversial title and content. After several lineup adjustments—drummer Ation was replaced by Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere (formerly of Discharge), and guitarist Smith was succeeded by Simon Middlehurst—both Ellesmere and Middlehurst eventually departed to join The Insane. Kev Hunter and Martin Wilson were brought in to fill out the band.
By 1986, the group abbreviated their name to Flux and issued their third album, Uncarved Block, produced by Adrian Sherwood, with participation from artists affiliated with On-U Sound Records.
The band dissolved in 1987.
Following this, bassist Derek Birkett utilized his experience running Spiderleg Records to found One Little Indian Records. Meanwhile, Colsk Latter established the dance-oriented project Hotalacio, which included Wilson and Middlehurst as members.
Flux of Pink Indians reunited briefly in 2007 for a one-time performance supporting former Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. The lineup from Strive To Survive, with Ian Glasper substituting for Birkett on bass, played additional shows in 2008 across Bradford, Dijon, and London.
Legacy
In 2009, rapper Professor Green incorporated a bassline sample from "Tube Disasters" into his track "Hard Night Out".
The band and their album Uncarved Block were referenced in the 2013 publication Taoism for Dummies within a sidebar titled "An uncarved Flux of Pink anarchy".
During a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Flux of Pink Indians were identified among early 1980s British anarcho-punk acts that influenced the American avant-garde metal band Neurosis.
In a 2019 interview with The Telegraph, actor Martin Freeman acknowledged that his elder brother's fascination with anarcho-punk bands such as Flux of Pink Indians served as an early inspiration.
Original lineup
- Colin Latter (vocals)
- Derek Birkett (bass guitar)
- Andy Smith (guitar)
- Neil Puncher (guitar)
- Sid Ation (drums)
Later members
- Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere (drums)
- Simon Middlehurst (guitar)
- Kev Hunter (guitar)
- Martin Wilson (drums)
- Louise Bell (guitar)
- Tim Kelly (guitar)
Discography
Chart positions refer to the UK Independent Chart unless otherwise noted.
LPs
- Strive to Survive Causing Least Suffering Possible (1983, Spiderleg Records, LP, SDL8) Chart Position: No. 1 (UK Albums Chart peak: No. 79) (reissued in 1987 by One Little Indian)
- The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks (1984, Spiderleg Records) Chart Position: No. 2 (re-released in 1987 through One Little Indian)
- Uncarved Block (1986, released under the name 'Flux' on One Little Indian) Reached No. 16
Singles and EPs
- Neu Smell (1981, Crass Records, 7" vinyl, reached No. 2 – reissued in 2024 by One Little Indian as a 12")
- "Taking a Liberty" (7", Spiderleg Records, 1984)
Compilation Releases
- Neu Smell / Taking a Liberty EP (12", One Little Indian, 1987, reached No. 30)
- Strive to Survive & Neu Smell (CD format, One Little Indian, 1989)
- The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks / Taking a Liberty (CD, One Little Indian, 1989)
- Not So Brave (LP, Overground Records, 1997)
- Live Statement (LP, Overground Records, 2002)
- Fits and Starts (CD, Dr. Strange Records, 2003)
The Licks
- 1970's E.P. (1979, Stortbeat Records, 7", BEAT8)
Tracks included: "1970s Have Been Made in Hong Kong" / "System Rejects" / "Hitler's Still a Nazi" / "War Crimes"
The Epileptics
- Last Bus to Debden EP (1981, Spiderleg Records, 7", SDL2) Achieved No. 17
- 1970's E.P. (1982, Spiderleg Records, 7", SDL1) A re-recorded version of The Licks EP featuring Penny Rimbaud from Crass on drums. Reached No. 21
External links
- Flux of Pink Indians on Myspace
- [ Flux of Pink Indians] at Allmusic