The Apostles (band)
English experimental punk band critical of anarcho-punk conformity.
The Apostles were an English experimental punk rock band formed within the 1980s anarcho-punk scene in the UK. They were critical of the ideological conformity and pacifism they perceived in that movement, and did not necessarily adhere to its aesthetics.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- London, England
- Genre
- Punk rock, anarcho-punk
- Years active
- 1979–1989
- Label
- Scum Records; Mortarhate Records
Facts from the source article.
History
The Apostles began in 1979 in London’s Islington area. The original members were William ‘Bill’ Corbett on vocals, Julian Portinari on bass, Dan McIntyre on drums, and Pete Bynghall on guitar. This lineup never played live and only showed up in a few fanzines, such as Paroxysm Fear and New Crimes, before Corbett left. Andy Martin took over as vocalist in summer 1983, and the band played its first concert on 22 September 1981. That same year, this lineup recorded a self-titled demo tape. Their sound is known for a broad mix of punk and blues rock, with influences from avant-garde acts like Lemon Kittens and Five Or Six. The other founding members left in early 1982. Martin then brought in Dave Fanning on bass, alongside a rotating cast that included John Soares, Kev Apostle, Flump, Chris Low, and Olly Bucket. In 1984, Martin and Fanning were joined by Malcolm ‘Scruff’ Lewty and drummer Chris ‘Widni’ Wiltshire. This lineup stayed fairly steady, with the later additions of Sean Stokes and Colin Murrell, until the band ended in the late 1980s. Original guitarist Pete Bynghall returned in late 1988 for the group’s final recordings and last show, which was captured on the Live at Thee Akademie 108 cassette. The Apostles split in 1989. Fanning and Martin then started Academy 23, which became UNIT in 1994.
Legacy
Andy Martin has been sharply dismissive of The Apostles’ work, especially his own. Still, the band retains a lasting appeal. Ty Segall mentioned them in a 2014 Entertainment Weekly interview, and the Spanish label Beat Generation reissued their debut LP Punk Obituary. In 2019, Inflammable Material released a 12-inch of a previously unheard 1986 split EP with Anathema. Former drummer Chris Low has curated two double-LP collections: Best Forgotten (2022), featuring early demo, live, and practice tapes from 1981 to 1983, and There Can Be No Spectators (2024), which compiles four early 7-inch EPs.
Political orientation and controversies
The Apostles stood apart from the anarchist movement of their era, pushing an extreme libertarian stance that felt more like classic anarchism than the conformity they saw in many peers. This earned them respect from key anarcho-punk figures: Conflict put out three of their records, and they worked with Crass during the squatting of the Zig-Zag Club and while the Autonomy Centre and Centro Iberico anarchist venues were running. Band members Martin and Fanning both worked at Little @ printers, an anarchist press in the same Wapping building as the Autonomy Centre. Their early tracks, such as 'Pigs For Slaughter' and 'Mob Violence', promoted direct action, breaking from the pacifism common in the anarcho-punk scene. Their first EP, titled Blow It Up Burn It Down Kick It Till It Breaks, took its name from 'Communique 8' by the left-wing urban guerrilla group the Angry Brigade. The EP's sleeve recounted a show at the London Musicians Collective that was cut short after the pacifist PA owner objected, and it also offered practical tips on squatting and making an incendiary device. The band's lyrics and writings frequently addressed homosexuality and homophobia. In 1989, Martin and Fanning gave an interview to Homocore fanzine where they discussed their sexuality and the homophobic bigotry they had encountered. They contributed the song 'Forbidden Love' to the first queercore compilation, JD.s Top Ten Homocore Hits, released by J.D.s fanzine in 1990. However, songs like 'Rock Against Communism' and 'Kill or Cure' on the 1984 Giving of Love Costs Nothing EP, along with similar tracks on the 1987 LP The Equinox Screams, drew accusations of fascism and homophobia. While this material was meant to expose the failure of others in the anarcho-punk milieu to challenge such provocative sentiments—a tactic Andy Martin had used since joining the band—it ended up weakening the coherence of their ideology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Apostles (band) from?
The Apostles originated in London, England.
Which record labels has The Apostles (band) released music on?
The Apostles has released music on Scum Records and Mortarhate Records.
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