The Apostles
Punk Band from United Kingdom formed in 1980
Band Members : Malcolm Lewty, Simon Parish, Martin Ryan, Grant Munro, Pete Bynghall, Chris Widni, Andy Martin, Dave Fanning, Dan MacKintyre, Julian Portinari, Sean Stokes, Patrick Rat Poole, Chris Low, John Travis
The Apostles are an English experimental punk rock band, who developed within the confines of the 1980s anarcho-punk scene in the UK, but did not necessarily adhere to the aesthetics of that movement.
History
The Apostles were formed in the Islington area of London in 1979 by William 'Bill' Corbett (vocals), Julian Portinari (bass), Dan McIntyre (drums) and Pete Byng-Hall (guitar). This line-up of the group did not play any concerts, and only appeared in a small number of fanzines (including Paroxysm Fear and New Crimes) before Bill Corbett left the group.
Andy Martin joined as vocalist in summer 1981, and the group played their first concert on 22 September 1981. This line-up of the group then recorded an eponymous demo tape later that year.
The music of the group is generally characterised by a varied eclecticism which encompasses punk and Blues rock, with influences like Lemon Kittens, Five Or Six, and other avant-garde groups.
The remaining founder members of the group left the group in early 1982. Martin recruited Dave Fanning (ex-Innocent Bystander) as bass player, along with a revolving line-up of musicians – including John Soares, Kev Apostle, Flump, Chris Low (ex-Political Asylum) and Olly Bucket (Eat Shit) – to continue the group, who went on to play numerous concerts in the London area, and to record 8 demo cassettes and 4 7" singles between 1982 and 1984.
Andy Martin and Dave Fanning were joined in 1984 by Malcolm "Scruff" Lewty (later of Hellbastard, Sidewinder, Nero Circus and Heavy Water) and drummer Chris "Widni" Wiltshire which created a line-up which remained relatively stable (with the addition of Sean Stokes and Colin Murrell) until the group's demise at the end of the 1980s. The group recorded over 10 demo cassettes, 4 7" singles and 7 12" LP's between mid-1984 and 1990. Original guitarist Pete Bynghall re-joined the group in late 1988 for their last recordings and final concert (cf Live at the Academy).
Always highly critical of the seemingly inward looking anarchist movement of the times, the autonomous and extreme libertarian approach of The Apostles seemed to portray classic anarchism, as opposed to the conformity of many of their contemporaries. This led the group receiving respect from notable members of the anarcho-punk movement such as Conflict, who released three records by The Apostles, and Crass with whom the band co-operated with during the squatting of the Zig-Zag Club and during the time in which The Autonomy Centre and Centro Iberico anarchist venues operated. Both Martin and Fanning worked during this period at the Little @ printers – an anarchist printers located in the same building as the Autonomy Centre in Wapping. The Autonomy Centre was founded with proceeds from the Crass "Bloody Revolutions" single in 1980 where Martin was a keyholder prior to joining The Apostles.
The anti-communist and anti-gay lyrics of 'Rock Against Communism' and 'Kill or Cure' on the 'Giving of Loving Costs Nothing' ep and other similarly themed later songs opened the group to charges of fascism and homophobia. Whilst this material was intended to expose the supine attitudes of those within the 'anarcho punk' milieu who did not challenge such blatantly provocative sentiments (a tactic which Andy Martin had used since his entrance to the group), they undermined the coherence of the band's ideology, leading Stewart Home, in his book Cranked Up Really High, to describe The Apostles as "locked into...a stasis if not actual paralysis".
During the time the band was together Andy Martin began to write about his homosexuality and the subject in general which alienated many of their former fans but did not deter Martin. In 1989, Martin and Fannig gave an interview with Homocore fanzine which addressed this issue. Among their many recordings released, The Apostles contributed the song "Forbidden Love" to the first queercore compilation, JD.s Top Ten Homocore Hits, released by J.D.s fanzine in 1990.
The Apostles split as a group in 1990, immediately forming Academy 23 which also included Nathan Coles (of The Unbelievables) and Lawrence Burton (formerly of Konstruktivists). The group collaborated with the industrial band The Grey Wolves on two songs, "Terror Chamber" and "Terror Intensifies", both featured on compilations. Academy 23 were renamed in 1994 as Unit.
History
The Apostles were formed in the Islington area of London in 1979 by William 'Bill' Corbett (vocals), Julian Portinari (bass), Dan McIntyre (drums) and Pete Byng-Hall (guitar). This line-up of the group did not play any concerts, and only appeared in a small number of fanzines (including Paroxysm Fear and New Crimes) before Bill Corbett left the group.
Andy Martin joined as vocalist in summer 1981, and the group played their first concert on 22 September 1981. This line-up of the group then recorded an eponymous demo tape later that year.
The music of the group is generally characterised by a varied eclecticism which encompasses punk and Blues rock, with influences like Lemon Kittens, Five Or Six, and other avant-garde groups.
The remaining founder members of the group left the group in early 1982. Martin recruited Dave Fanning (ex-Innocent Bystander) as bass player, along with a revolving line-up of musicians – including John Soares, Kev Apostle, Flump, Chris Low (ex-Political Asylum) and Olly Bucket (Eat Shit) – to continue the group, who went on to play numerous concerts in the London area, and to record 8 demo cassettes and 4 7" singles between 1982 and 1984.
Andy Martin and Dave Fanning were joined in 1984 by Malcolm "Scruff" Lewty (later of Hellbastard, Sidewinder, Nero Circus and Heavy Water) and drummer Chris "Widni" Wiltshire which created a line-up which remained relatively stable (with the addition of Sean Stokes and Colin Murrell) until the group's demise at the end of the 1980s. The group recorded over 10 demo cassettes, 4 7" singles and 7 12" LP's between mid-1984 and 1990. Original guitarist Pete Bynghall re-joined the group in late 1988 for their last recordings and final concert (cf Live at the Academy).
Always highly critical of the seemingly inward looking anarchist movement of the times, the autonomous and extreme libertarian approach of The Apostles seemed to portray classic anarchism, as opposed to the conformity of many of their contemporaries. This led the group receiving respect from notable members of the anarcho-punk movement such as Conflict, who released three records by The Apostles, and Crass with whom the band co-operated with during the squatting of the Zig-Zag Club and during the time in which The Autonomy Centre and Centro Iberico anarchist venues operated. Both Martin and Fanning worked during this period at the Little @ printers – an anarchist printers located in the same building as the Autonomy Centre in Wapping. The Autonomy Centre was founded with proceeds from the Crass "Bloody Revolutions" single in 1980 where Martin was a keyholder prior to joining The Apostles.
The anti-communist and anti-gay lyrics of 'Rock Against Communism' and 'Kill or Cure' on the 'Giving of Loving Costs Nothing' ep and other similarly themed later songs opened the group to charges of fascism and homophobia. Whilst this material was intended to expose the supine attitudes of those within the 'anarcho punk' milieu who did not challenge such blatantly provocative sentiments (a tactic which Andy Martin had used since his entrance to the group), they undermined the coherence of the band's ideology, leading Stewart Home, in his book Cranked Up Really High, to describe The Apostles as "locked into...a stasis if not actual paralysis".
During the time the band was together Andy Martin began to write about his homosexuality and the subject in general which alienated many of their former fans but did not deter Martin. In 1989, Martin and Fannig gave an interview with Homocore fanzine which addressed this issue. Among their many recordings released, The Apostles contributed the song "Forbidden Love" to the first queercore compilation, JD.s Top Ten Homocore Hits, released by J.D.s fanzine in 1990.
The Apostles split as a group in 1990, immediately forming Academy 23 which also included Nathan Coles (of The Unbelievables) and Lawrence Burton (formerly of Konstruktivists). The group collaborated with the industrial band The Grey Wolves on two songs, "Terror Chamber" and "Terror Intensifies", both featured on compilations. Academy 23 were renamed in 1994 as Unit.
View full biography
Band Members : Malcolm Lewty, Simon Parish, Martin Ryan, Grant Munro, Pete Bynghall, Chris Widni, Andy Martin, Dave Fanning, Dan MacKintyre, Julian Portinari, Sean Stokes, Patrick Rat Poole, Chris Low, John Travis
- Biography -
33 albums

The Singles & Compilation Album Tracks
2018 - United KingdomPunk, Blues Rock, Experimental
Digital FLAC ⎯ 54 Tracks
Dna Records

No Faith No Fear
1993 - United KingdomBlues Rock, Prog Rock, Experimental
CDr Album Compilation ⎯ 38 Tracks
Front Cover Productions

No Faith No Fear / Who Won The Human Race?
1989 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 5 Tracks
Active Sounds Records

How To Suck Seed
1988 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Cassette Album ⎯ 16 Tracks
Bald Cactus Tapes/distribution

Hymn To Pan
1988 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Vinyl LP ⎯ 20 Tracks
No Master's Voice

The Progressive Blues Experiment
1988 - United KingdomBlues Rock, Experimental
Cassette Album ⎯ 17 Tracks
Bbp Records

The Acts Of The Apostles In The Theatre Of Fear
1988 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 13 Tracks
Acid Stings

The Other Operation / Reminence Of A Destructive Age
1988 - United KingdomPunk, Blues Rock, Experimental
Vinyl LP ⎯ 19 Tracks
Active Sounds Records

Equinox Screams
1987 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Vinyl LP ⎯ 24 Tracks
Active Sounds Tapes

Cartography / The Show Trial Asylum
1987 - United KingdomPunk, Alternative Rock, Instrumental
Cassette Limited Edition ⎯ 30 Tracks

The Split E.P
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Post-Punk, Alternative Rock
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 6 Tracks
Fight Back Records

How Much Longer?
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Vinyl LP ⎯ 16 Tracks
Acid Stings

The Lives And Times Of The Apostles
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Blues Rock, Garage Rock
Vinyl LP ⎯ 14 Tracks
Children Of The Revolution Records

Death To Wacky Pop
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Acoustic
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 4 Tracks
Fight Back Records

Punk Obituary
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Folk Rock, Prog Rock
Vinyl LP ⎯ 18 Tracks
Mortarhate Records

The Acts Of The Apostles
1985 - United KingdomPunk, Blues Rock, Alternative Rock
Cassette Album ⎯ 17 Tracks
Lol Tapes

The Giving Of Love Costs Nothing
1984 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 6 Tracks
Scum Records

The Curse Of The Creature
1984 - United KingdomPunk, Folk Rock
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 8 Tracks
Scum Records

Christ, Its The Apostles!
1983 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Cassette Album ⎯ 6 Tracks
Protect And Survive

Live At The Recession Club 22.9.83
1983 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 6 Tracks
Protect And Survive

Swimmers In The Sea Of Life... - The 5th Demo
1983 - United KingdomPunk, Post Rock
Cassette Album ⎯ 13 Tracks
Not On Label (the Apostles Self-released)

Live At The LMC 22/1/83
1983 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 11 Tracks
Cause For Concern

Topics For Discussion - 4th Demo
1982 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 15 Tracks
Scum Tapes

Libertarian Propaganda - The 3rd Demo
1982 - United KingdomPunk
Cassette Album ⎯ 18 Tracks
Scum Tapes

Blow It Up Burn It Down Kick It Till It Breaks
1982 - United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 5 Tracks
Not On Label (the Apostles Self-released)

The 2nd Dark Age Demo
1982 - United KingdomPunk, Post-Punk
Cassette Album ⎯ 14 Tracks
Not On Label (the Apostles Self-released)

Segments
- United KingdomPunk, Experimental
Cassette Album Compilation ⎯ 18 Tracks
Acid Stings
- Videos The Apostles -
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Last Update : 01 January 2021
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