Crass Best Before 1984 Crass Singles Collection

Crass 'Best Before, 1984, Crass Singles Collection' (Crass Records, 1984)

One of only two records I have ever purchased from Glasgow's strange Lost Chord, 'Best Before..' is the best place for anybody curious about Crass to start because it contains both their rabble raising punk anthems; 'Do they owe us a Living?', 'Bloody Revolutions' and 'Big A Little A', as well as their screeching atonal headaches like 'Shaved Women', 'Nagasaki Nightmare' and 'The Immortal Death'.

Crass are the ultimate punk band because they forced you to think. They're definitely not 'out to lunch' and their take on anarchy and revolution was carefully considered with a clear manifesto. Crass promoted equality of the sexes, lived in a commune, helped reinvigorate the CND movement, had a parliamentary question raised about 'How does it feel?' (swiftly followed by a failed prosecution under the Obscene Publications Act), duped a teen magazine into praising their satire 'Our Wedding' and created the 'Thatchergate' tapes.

Religion, war, politics, social norms, sexism, the ruling elite, the police; the list of society's ills which Crass attack and try to resolve is endless. All so called 'Satanic' bands and the mass of corpse painted pretenders should listen to the truly disturbing monologue 'Reality Asylum' to hear how real anger with christinsanity can be expressed. Like most Crass 'songs' it's a challenging listen, but the rage with the injustice, oppression and death that religion has fuelled throughout history is palpable 34 years after it was recorded.

With their own record label Crass promoted bands with similar politics and ideals such as Conflict, Flux of Pink Indians and The Poison Girls so that the baton of political punk could be carried forward. Crass were always an enigma being more of an artistic collective than a traditional band and the differing views of hippies, artists, pacifists and booze fuelled direct action, as well as a growing unwanted status as leaders of a perceptible movement, led to Crass playing their last gig, a riotous Miners' Strike benefit, in 1984.

Crass are probably the most influential punk band of all time; their logo, album art, image, political message, DIY ethic and anything goes music still resonate throughout the punk and hardcore scene.

I went to see Steve Ignorant performing Crass songs at the Liquid Rooms a couple of years ago with Nick. It was a great night filled with familiar faces, but it also brought home how much of an acquired taste Crass are. Whilst they have influenced my lyrics and my political views, I'm glad they haven't shaped the music I've been involved in!

Check out the excellent documentary 'There is no Authority but Yourself' if only to see Penny Rimbaud being interviewed on a compost toilet!

Peace