CRASS AT PUNK REBELLION BLACKPOOL 2024

Crass was an English art collective and punk rock band formed in Epping, Essex in 1977[1] who promoted anarchism as a political ideology, a lifestyle, and a resistance movement. Crass popularized the anarcho-punk movement of the punk subculture, advocating direct action, animal rights, feminism, anti-fascism, and environmentalism. The band employed and advocated a DIY ethic in its albums, sound collages, leaflets, and films.

Crass
Crass on stage in Cumbria in May 1984, with the slogan "there is no authority but yourself" in the background. From left to right: Pete Wright, Steve Ignorant, and N.A. Palmer.
Crass on stage in Cumbria in May 1984, with the slogan "there is no authority but yourself" in the background. From left to right: Pete Wright, Steve Ignorant, and N.A. Palmer.
Background information
Also known as
Stormtrooper (1977)
Origin
Epping, Essex, England
Genres
Anarcho-punkart punkavant-punk
Years active
1977-1984
Labels
Small WonderCrassSouthern
Past members
Steve Ignorant
Penny Rimbaud
Gee Vaucher
N. A. Palmer
Phil Free
Pete Wright
Eve Libertine
Joy De Vivre
Mick Duffield
John Loder
Steve Herman
Crass spray-painted stencilled graffiti messages in the London subway system and on advertising-billboards, coordinated squats and organized political action. The band expressed its ideals by dressing in black, military-surplus-style clothing and using a stage backdrop amalgamating icons of perceived authority such as the Christian cross, the swastika, the Union Jack, and the ouroboros.

The band was critical of the punk subculture[2] and youth culture in general; nevertheless, the anarchist ideas that they promoted have maintained a presence in punk.[3] Because of their free experimentation and use of tape collages, graphics, spoken word releases, poetry, and improvisation, Crass has been associated with avant-punk[4][5][6] and art punk