The Varukers

Infobox Musical artist
Name = The Varukers

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Img_capt = The Varukers performing a club gig on 23 April 2006
Background = group_or_band
Origin = United Kingdom
Genre = Hardcore punk
D-beat
Anarcho-punk
Years_active = 1979 – 1988, 1993 - present
Associated_acts = Discharge
Current_members = Rat - Vocals
Biff - Guitar
Sean - Guitar
Marvin - Bass
Ricardo - Drums

The Varukers are a UK anarchist hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s.

History

When the Varukers were recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "UK 82", Second Generation Punk, or UK Hardcore. Bands such as The Varukers, Discharge, Chaos UK, Amebix, and Charged GBH took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) bands such as Motörhead. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.

While the Varukers split in 1988, vocalist Rat put the band back together in 1993. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.

Even with Rat splitting his time between The Varukers and Discharge, the Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California which ended in rioting.

They are currently writing new material for a new album.

Discography

1981
* "Protest and survive" EP Inferno Records

1982
* "I Don't wanna be a victim EP Inferno Records
* "Die for your government" single Riot City Records
* "Bloodsuckers" LP Riot City Records

1983
* "Bloodsuckers" LP

1984
* "Led to the slaughter" EP Riot City Records
* "Another Religion Another War" EP Riot City Records
* "Massacred millions" EP Rot Records
* Live Album Retch Records
* "One Struggle One Fight" LP Liberate Records

1985
* "Live In Holland" LP Rot Records. Limited edition of 1500

1986
* "Prepare For The Attack" LP Attack Records. Limited edition of 1000

1994
* "Nothing changed" EP Weird Records
* "Deadly Games" LP, CD (compilation) Abstract Sounds

1995
* "Still bollox but still here" (re-release of old tracks) CD We Bite Records

1996
* "Varukers - Protest and Survive: The Varukers Live" CD
* "One Struggle, One Fight" CD re-release

1998
* "Murder" LP, CD Asylum Records

1999
* "Bloodsuckers / Prepare For The Attack" CD re-release

2000
* "How Do You Sleep?" Go Kart Records

2001
* "Massacred Millions"
* "Riot City Years: '83-'84" CD Punk Core Records
* "Vintage Varukers: The Rare and Unreleased" CD Punk Core Records

2003
* "Live in Holland"

2005
* "Punk Singles 1981–1985" CD Anagram Records
* "1980–2005: Collection Of 25 Years" CD

External links

* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:2x1tk6hx9krh The Varukers on allmusic.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/varukers The Varukers on Myspace]
* [http://www.sobriquetmagazine.com/varukers.html Interview with Marvin]