Electro Hippies
Electro Hippies were a thrashcore band formed in St Helens/Wigan, United Kingdom, in 1985.
Electro Hippies | |
---|---|
Origin | St Helens/Wigan, United Kingdom |
Genres | Thrashcore[1] |
Years active | 1985–1989 |
Labels | Peaceville Necrosis |
Associated acts | Carcass Napalm Death Jailcell Recipes |
Past members | Jeffrey Walker Simon Bruno (Brian Rylance) Andy Kate Phil Dom Murphy Whitey |
Though they were short-lived and underground through their career, their music influenced many future crust, hardcore punk, and grindcore bands. The band relied heavily on low bass end sounds to create their low-fi, primitively produced music. They also incorporated elements of heavy metal and have been described as "proto-grindcore".[2] The band strongly embraced the D.I.Y. (do it yourself) ethic which was very common among many early crust punk bands. The band's lyrics spoke heavily about animal rights and vegetarianism. A recurring lyrical theme on each LP targeted the McDonald's corporation, evidenced by the lyrics to "Run Ronald" and "Scum".
The band were supported by John Peel for whom they recorded a radio session in 1987, released as an EP by Strange Fruit Records the same year.[3][4]
The Electro Hippies included Jeff Walker (guitar, vocals) in their ranks. He later joined extreme metal band Carcass. When Walker joined Carcass full-time, Simon (drums) and Andy (guitar) took over vocal duties . Eventually, the band split up in 1989, playing one last gig and releasing the show as their final album.
Discography
Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[5]
- 1986 Play Loud or Not at All Flat Earth Records (Generic/Electro Hippies split LP)
- 1987 The Only Good Punk... Is A Dead One LP. Peaceville Records.
- 1987 The Peel Sessions 12". Strange Fruit Records (#10).
- 1989 Live LP. Peaceville Records (#7).
- 1989 Play Fast Or Die 12". Necrosis Records (#19). Re-issue of the band's half 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 initial copies of the "Grindcrusher" compilation LP on Earache Records.
- 2002 The Only Good Punk CD. Peaceville Records.
During their short career, they also appeared on many compilations, such as A Vile Peace, Digging in Water, the Peel sessions sampler, and Vile Vibes.
References
- Glasper, Ian (2009). Trapped in a Scene: UK Hardcore 1985-89. p. 309.
- York, William "The Only Good Punk Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation, retrieved 19 December 2009
- Strong, Martin C. (2001) The Great Metal Discography, 2nd edn., MOJO Books, ISBN 1-84195-185-4, p. 181
- The Electro Hippies 1987 Peel Session, Keeping It Peel, BBC, retrieved 19 December 2009
- Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.