Angelic Upstarts
Formed in South Shields, England in 1977, the Angelic Upstarts were one of the period's most politically charged and thought-provoking groups; though technically a skinhead band, their records attacked the racism and fascism so prevalent throughout the skinhead community, and while also technically a punk unit, their music quickly evolved beyond the movement's limited scope.
The Angelic Upstarts were led by the rather nasal vocalist Mensi (born Thomas Mensforth), whose impoverished childhood became a frequent lyrical touchstone. Along with a highly fluid lineup which initially comprised guitarist Mond, bassist Ronnie Wooden, and drummer Sticks, the group debuted with the 1979 single "Murder of Liddle Towers," a scabrous attack on police brutality. The record caught the attention of Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey, who produced their debut album, Teenage Warning, which, like its 1980 follow-up, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, roundly ridiculed the oppressive policies of Margaret Thatcher while offering an outpouring of sympathy for the working class.
As the Upstarts' popularity surged, so did the levels of violence at their live shows; they became mortal enemies of National Front fascist supporters, who railed against the band after first misinterpreting their leftist songs as supportive of their cause. At the same time, the band's music was becoming more complex and accomplished; by 1983's Reason Why?, the strongest Angelic Upstarts record, Mensi's songwriting skills had become tighter and more melodic, even branching out into reggae and folk, while the group's base broadened with the addition of keyboards and saxophones.
After issuing the inflammatory single "Brighton Bomb," a celebration of the IRA's attempt to assassinate the Conservative cabinet, the band released the LP The Power of the Press; lackluster sales triggered their breakup not long after. In 1988, the Angelic Upstarts briefly re-formed; in 1992, they reunited again, this time long enough to cut an album, Bombed Out. Mensi subsequently became a leader of the Anti-Fascist Action group. They managed to reunite occasionally, cutting a live album for Mordam Records (2001's Live from the Justice League), and even revisiting the United States for their first live show in almost 20 years. Mensi (born Thomas Mensforth) died on December 10, 2021 from complications of the COVID-19 virus; he was 65 years old.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Teenage Warning
Punk / New Wave - Released by Rhino on 1 Jan 1979
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We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Punk / New Wave - Released by Rhino on 1 Jan 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
John Peel Session 23rd June 1981
Rock - Released by Parlophone UK on 6 Nov 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
John Peel Session 17th September 1980 (BBC John Peel Session)
Rock - Released by Parlophone UK on 6 Nov 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Anthems Against Scum (Live in Hamburg)
Punk / New Wave - Released by Mad Butcher Records on 1 Jan 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Still From The Heart
Rock - Released by Parlophone UK on 1 Jan 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Lost and Found
Punk / New Wave - Released by Captain OI! on 5 Apr 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live From The Justice League
Rock - Released by TKO Records on 2 Oct 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live (Live at City of London Polytechnic)
Rock - Released by Parlophone UK on 1 Jan 1981
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blood on the Terraces
Rock - Released by Captain OI! on 1 Oct 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live In Yugoslavia (Live, Yugoslavia)
Punk / New Wave - Released by Cherry Red Records on 31 Dec 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Dirty Dozen
Punk / New Wave - Released by Randale Records on 18 Apr 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Singles A's & B's
Rock - Released by Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group on 13 Mar 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bootlegs & Rarities
Punk / New Wave - Released by Cherry Red Records on 1 Jan 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -