Subhumans
Punk Hardcore Band from United Kingdom formed in 1980
Subhumans are an English punk rock band formed in the Warminster and Melksham areas of Wiltshire in 1980. Singer Dick Lucas had formerly been in another local band, the Mental, and other members had been in The Stupid Humans. The band's musical style is typically classified as hardcore punk or anarcho-punk.
History
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the band Flux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of the New Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinyl release with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crash later that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album) and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans. (Bruce Treasure, Andy Gale, Grant Jackson, Trotsky and Phil Bryant all attended Kingdown Comprehensive school in Warminster, England).
The following year, the band released their second album, From the Cradle to the Grave. The release demonstrated a notable musical development for the band, particularly with the title track - a progressive piece that took up the album's entire second side, and ran for almost 17 minutes. It was followed by one last EP, Rats, in January 1985, and the EP-LP release - a compilation album comprising the band's first four EPs.
Subhumans broke up at the end of 1985, after recording their third album Worlds Apart, with musical differences being cited as the main reason for the split. A final 12" record (1986's 29:29 Split Vision) was also recorded and released posthumously, and demonstrated just how far the band's musical leanings had altered from their initial hardcore punk stylings. Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock in 1986 and then formed the political ska punk band Citizen Fish in 1990. A second Subhumans compilation album was released the same year (Time Flies + Rats), which comprised the two later EPs absent from the EP-LP release.
Subhumans had a brief reunion for a couple of shows in about 1991, and a more comprehensive return in 1998, which included UK and US concerts. This resulted in a semi-permanent return of the band as a touring entity, including at least two major tours of North America in the twenty-first century – the Live in a Dive recording released on Fat Wreck Chords being a product of the second tour recorded at the Showcase Theatre in Corona, CA. The band also recorded and released a new EP, Unfinished Business, in 1998, which consists of previously unreleased songs from the band's original incarnation.
Since then, Subhumans have recorded a new album, Internal Riot, and self-released it on Bluurg Records in September 2007. They toured in Europe throughout 2007, and a month-long U.S. tour began on 24 August that year. They have maintained a live presence ever since.
For nearly a decade, Subhumans continued to make multiple live performances across the UK and the US, and on 13 September 2019, Subhumans released a new album titled Crisis Point, which was the band's first album in 12 years. The album covered several modern-day issues while moving back into the anarcho-punk genre, with its messages and general punk tune in the song.
Legacy
In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, the band was citied along with a number of other British Anarcho-punk bands of the early 80s as being an influence to the American avant-garde metal group Neurosis.
History
The band was formed in 1980, guitarist Bruce and drummer Andy were accompanied by original bassist Grant, previously from the band Audio Torture. The band were initially known as Superhumans due to insistence from Bruce's mother, but changed their name to Subhumans when Dick joined the band later the same year. By the end of 1980, drummer Andy had left and was replaced by Trotsky.
The band released a demo in 1981. It was heard by members of the band Flux of Pink Indians, after being sent to them by Graham Burnett of the New Crimes fanzine, and the band were so impressed that they offered Subhumans a record release on their newly founded label Spiderleg Records. The group's debut EP, Demolition War, subsequently appeared on Spiderleg in December 1981.
Subhumans released two more EPs in 1982, Reasons for Existence and Religious Wars, as well as founding their own record label, Bluurg Records. Although initially focused on releasing cassette recordings, the label produced its first vinyl release with the "Wessex '82" EP, which featured one track each by the Subhumans ("No Thanks"), The Pagans, Organised Chaos and The A-Heads.
The band's first LP, The Day The Country Died was released in 1983 on Spiderleg Records. Generally considered a classic of the anarcho-punk era, it was followed shortly after by the Evolution EP, which was also the band's first record (bar the "Wessex '82" split) to be released on their own label. The band released Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crash later that same year, a 12" EP consisting of both studio and live tracks - the live tracks taken from an aborted live album. Towards the end of the year, original bassist Grant left the band (shortly before the recording sessions for their second album) and was replaced by Phil of the Pagans. (Bruce Treasure, Andy Gale, Grant Jackson, Trotsky and Phil Bryant all attended Kingdown Comprehensive school in Warminster, England).
The following year, the band released their second album, From the Cradle to the Grave. The release demonstrated a notable musical development for the band, particularly with the title track - a progressive piece that took up the album's entire second side, and ran for almost 17 minutes. It was followed by one last EP, Rats, in January 1985, and the EP-LP release - a compilation album comprising the band's first four EPs.
Subhumans broke up at the end of 1985, after recording their third album Worlds Apart, with musical differences being cited as the main reason for the split. A final 12" record (1986's 29:29 Split Vision) was also recorded and released posthumously, and demonstrated just how far the band's musical leanings had altered from their initial hardcore punk stylings. Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock in 1986 and then formed the political ska punk band Citizen Fish in 1990. A second Subhumans compilation album was released the same year (Time Flies + Rats), which comprised the two later EPs absent from the EP-LP release.
Subhumans had a brief reunion for a couple of shows in about 1991, and a more comprehensive return in 1998, which included UK and US concerts. This resulted in a semi-permanent return of the band as a touring entity, including at least two major tours of North America in the twenty-first century – the Live in a Dive recording released on Fat Wreck Chords being a product of the second tour recorded at the Showcase Theatre in Corona, CA. The band also recorded and released a new EP, Unfinished Business, in 1998, which consists of previously unreleased songs from the band's original incarnation.
Since then, Subhumans have recorded a new album, Internal Riot, and self-released it on Bluurg Records in September 2007. They toured in Europe throughout 2007, and a month-long U.S. tour began on 24 August that year. They have maintained a live presence ever since.
For nearly a decade, Subhumans continued to make multiple live performances across the UK and the US, and on 13 September 2019, Subhumans released a new album titled Crisis Point, which was the band's first album in 12 years. The album covered several modern-day issues while moving back into the anarcho-punk genre, with its messages and general punk tune in the song.
Legacy
In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, the band was citied along with a number of other British Anarcho-punk bands of the early 80s as being an influence to the American avant-garde metal group Neurosis.
View full biography
- Biography -
44 albums
From The Cradle To The Grave + Worlds Apart + Live
2022 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album Live Compilation ⎯ 30 Tracks
Not On Label (subhumans Self-released)
Live In Berlin 13.2.2017 Cassiopeia
2017 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 21 Tracks
Atman-music
All Gone Live
2005 - United KingdomPunk
DVD Album Live DVD-Video ⎯ 26 Tracks
Cleopatra Records
Live At Birmingham Foundry - 9th August 1998
1998 - United KingdomHardcore, Punk
VHS PAL ⎯ 22 Tracks
Barn End Production !
All Gone Dead/Live 11-5-83
1985 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 21 Tracks
Totalproduktion
Adam & Eve's, Leeds. 6/2/85
1985 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 20 Tracks
Watergate Tapes
The Station, Gateshead 4/8/84 & Rudies, Scarborough 12/8/84
1984 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 24 Tracks
Watergate Tapes
One Man's Fish Is Another Man's Poisson
1984 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 19 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Live At Juz Korachstrasse, Hamburg 14.6.84
1984 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Reissue ⎯ 2 Tracks
Billie Bingham Tapes
The Final Fling (Subhumans Leeds)
1983 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 22 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Live London Finsbury Park George Robey 7-2-83
1983 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Single Sided ⎯ 16 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Time Flies... ...But Aeroplanes Crash
1983 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 12" ⎯ 8 Tracks
Bluurg Records
From The Cradle To The Grave
1983 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 10 Tracks
Bluurg Records
Subhumans Live London Putney White Lion
1982 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 13 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Subhumans Live Pub Crawl
1982 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 18 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Community Centre Warminster Live 9-5-81
1981 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 16 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Demolition War Parts I-III
1981 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 24 Tracks
Bluurg Tapes
Live At 100 Club 21.2.84
- United KingdomPunk
Cassette Single Sided ⎯ 18 Tracks
Discredit Our System Tapes
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Subhumans
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Last Update : 01 Mai 2024
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