Disrupters

The Disrupters are a British anarchist punk band who formed in late 1980. Originally influenced by the early punk bands of the late 70s (The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Clash etc) the band were eventually drawn to the anarchist scene.

Things started early for The Disrupters with Crass including an early demo version of the song "Napalm" on their 1st "Bullshit Detector" LP (1980). In 1981 the band entered Whitehouse Studios in Norwich to record their 1st real recording session. The 3 tracks laid down that day became the "Young Offender" 7". The record was a surprise hit in the indie charts and far outsold the bands expectations. This initial release began a working relationship with Backs Records in the running of Radical Change Records, a label dedicated to the promotion of punk/anarchist bands.

Initially The Disrupters had a few problems finding the right combo of band members, some of whom were musically inept but from 1983-88 they settled with founder members Bangkok Steve(Hansell) (vocals) and Kevin Wymer (drums) along with Paul Greener (guitar), Steve Hough (bass) and Prem Nick (spoken word contributions). The band liked to mix actions with words and were actively involved in various elements of direct action, sometimes ending in arrest and court appearances. The Disrupters called it a day in late 1988, disillusioned with the ever growing division and bitching within the scene. Bangkok Steve initiated the breakup by quitting to concentrate on other things and the rest of the band followed suit.

Following a long break from playing in bands, original band member Kevin Wymer re-surfaced in the 21st century with punk/metal band Saigon Kiss whilst Bangkok Steve was drafted in to front the Ramones cover band version of the New York Scumhaters.

The Disrupters have since reformed in 2007 with original members Bangkok Steve, Kevin Wymer and Prem Nick plus new guitarist Steve Hardy (Saigon Kiss/Deep Decay) and Mash (Saigon Kiss) on bass. Early gigs with this new version of the band included a supporting slot on the bill at Steve Ignorant's controversial "Feeding Of The 5000" weekend at London's Shepherds Bush Empire.

The Shepherd's Bush gig was the final gig with original drummer Kevin Wymer leaving Bangkok Steve the one remaining founder member. Wymer was replaced by Rob Hedge who had previously worked with Semtex and Braindance. Eager to prove they were more than a "punk nostalgia" act they set about working on new material interspersed with more tour dates. The new material signalled a slight departure from their old sound with a heavier guitar sound although the lyrics were still as politically charged as ever. A new album entitled "Generation Retard" was eventually released on the Overground label in early 2011. It was received well but not without criticism. Some in the punk community complained it was too "metal" while others admired the band for moving on musically.

Following some tensions within the band Rob Hedge left the band just before the album's release shortly followed later that year by Mash. The Disrupters are still operating as a working band with replacements Steve Contempt and Johnny Scumhater on bass and drums respectively.

Recordings

Albums

• Unrehearsed Wrongs Radical Change(1983)
• Playing With Fire Radical Change(1984)

• Gas The Punx CD "Best of" collection of studio recordings (81-86) Overground Records (2005)
• Generation Retard Overground Records (2011).

Singles

• Young Offender 7" EP Radical Change(1981)
• Shelters for the Rich 7" EP Radical Change(1982)
• Bomb Heaven 7" EP Radical Change(1983)
• Alive in the Electric Chair 6 track 12" EP Radical Change(1985)

Video

• Anarchy Peace And Chips Derek Videos(1989)
• Anarchy Peace And Chips (the tarted up digital remix) Derek Videos(2002)
• The Day The Country Died DVD Cherry Red (2007) featured live track "Gas The Punx", some Disrupters footage is also edited into the main documentary.
• Live At The Feeding Of The 5000 3 feature DVD Disrupters Visuals (2009)

Appearances on Compilation Albums

• Bullshit Detector V/A LP (vol. 1) Crass Records (1980)

Track: Napalm

• V/A Punk & Disorderly LP (vol. 1) Abstract Records(U.K.)/Posh Boy(U.S.) (1981)

track: Young Offender

• V/A Words Worth Shouting LP Radical Change (1985)

track: Dead In The Head

• V/A Anti State CD Overground Records (2005)

track: Stonehenge

• V/A Active Response benefit album for SPEAK (2008)

track: Animal Farm