The Exploited

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The Exploited
Exploited Wattie 01.JPG
The Exploited's lead vocalist Wattie Buchan performing.
Background information
Origin Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres
Years active 1979–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website www.the-exploited.net
Members Wattie Buchan - vocals
Wullie Buchan - drums
Irish Rob - bass
Matt Justice (Matt McGuire) - guitar
Past members (See former members)

The Exploited is a Scottish punk rock band from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in 1979.[1] Formed in Edinburgh by Stevie Ross and Terry Buchan and later joined by ex-soldier Wattie Buchan (Terry's brother), they signed to Secret Records in March 1981[2] and released their debut EP Army Life. The album Punks Not Dead followed in the same year.[2] Despite many lineup changes, Wattie Buchan has remained as the leader. In 2012 the band started writing material for a new album.[3]

Career

1979–1989

The Exploited logo

The original line up was Terry Buchan (vocals), Stevie Ross (guitar), Alan Paget (bass) and Andy McNiven (drums). Formed in the West Granton area of Edinburgh, a large grey council estate on the north side of the city, the band's politics was reflected in the band's name, coined by drummer and song writer McNiven, whose his father was a Korean War veteran and a communist. While in the early stages as a band, with little equipment, the band were invited to play their first gig at Craigmuir School. The band seemed to be a victim of their own publicity here. They had spray-painted their band name locally and had stolen Sunday papers, milk and bread rolls in the early hours of Sunday morning and redistributed them outside peoples' front door, with a note saying, "a gift from the exploited". Their first gig was on Friday 15 December 1978. The date was recalled by McNiven as it coincided with a performance by the Doomed (the Damned by another name) at Clouds in Edinburgh to which they went after their own gig. The gig was attended by Terry's older brother Wattie, who had recently left the army and was a punk in London. Terry was soon replaced by his ex soldier older brother, Wattie. Andy McNiven and Colin Erskine were dropped from the line up also. After a few gigs in and around Edinburgh, Stevie Ross left after an appearance in Aberdeen supporting the UK Subs. A few months later, he and Terry Buchan formed The Exposed. The Exposed split in 1980 after a gig supporting The Exploited. While Terry left for London, Stevie was prominent in the Edinburgh band scene during the 1980s and fronted bands like Strychnine and Burlesque before becoming lead singer with blues band Roadside Medicine. Now based in West Lothian, he still sings and writes original songs.[4]

A young punk wearing an Exploited T-shirt in 1984.

Influenced by 1970s punk rock music such as music by the Sex Pistols,[5] the quartet created a simple, no-frills sound characterized by speed and aggression. In 1980, the group founded its own independent record label, Exploited Records, and released their debut EP Army Life, which was number 6 in the indie/independent charts for eight weeks, then was in the top 20 for 18 months.[4][6] They then released another single, "Barmy Army", which jumped into the independent charts and remained there for 53 weeks, peaking at number 4.[4] Their single "Dead Cities" peaked at 31 on the national chart.[6] Their single "Exploited Barmy Army" peaked at number 4 on the independent/indie chart.[6]

In March 1981, the band signed to Secret Records, and took a month to record their debut album Punks Not Dead.[7] The Exploited released the single "Dogs of War", which peaked at number 2 in the independent charts and number 63 in the national charts.[4][7][8] Also in 1981, the band released their first live album, On Stage, recorded during a concert in Edinburgh. Thereafter, the band performed, along with Discharge, Anti-Nowhere League, Anti-Pasti and Chron Gen on a tour called Apocalypse Now, which was recorded and released as a live album. Their album Punks Not Dead, released in April 1981, went to number 20 in May,[9] then number 1 on the Independent Charts.[4][8] During this time, The Exploited appeared on the show "Top of the Pops".[10][11] A lot of fans of The Exploited were unhappy with The Exploited being on the show.[11]

The band released the album Let's Start a War in 1983[12] and Horror Epics in 1985.[13] The album Live at the Whitehouse was recorded in Washington, DC in 1985 at the 9:30 Club and was released in 1986.[4] They also released the studio EP Jesus Is Dead in 1986, following up with Live and Loud, a videography of The Exploited performing around Europe and in the United States. "Sexual Favours", a single from the album Death Before Dishonour, was released in 1987. The album only ranked in the top 200 of the Britain Alternative Music list. The album sold out quickly, however.[14]

1990s

In 1990, The Exploited released their album The Massacre. The album is a crossover thrash album.[15] This album was by far one of the band's most commercially successful.[14] The band went on to release a Singles Collection album in 1993. The Exploited also released the videography Live in Japan in 1993. Their album Beat the Bastards was released in April 1996.[16]

2000s

Wattie on stage in 2006.

In January 2003, the band released their album Fuck the System on Dream Catcher Records,[17] and also in 2003, they toured in the UK[18] and US.[19] On 14 October 2003, about 500 fans of the band started a riot in Montreal, Canada after an Exploited concert was cancelled due to the band not being allowed into the country.[20][21][22] Rioters destroyed eight cars and set them on fire; broke 11 store windows and caused other damage.[21][22] The band were banned from playing in Mexico City due to the riot.[23]

2010s

A poster by The Exploited.

In a 2012 interview, Wattie Buchan claimed that a new album was being finished.[24] In February 2014, Wattie Buchan suffered a heart attack on stage during a performance in Lisbon on the band's Taste of Chaos Tour with Hatebreed and Napalm Death. He was taken to a hospital, where he was expected to receive treatment for at least a week. The band signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records, and was to have many of its albums reissued in March 2014. The band has also confirmed that its first album in a decade will be released during the 2010s.[25][26] It is currently unknown when the band's next album will be released.

Legacy

The Exploited are one of the biggest bands in the history of punk and their song "Punks Not Dead" has symbolic significance for the punk movement.[27] The band are one of the pioneers of the second wave of United Kingdom punk and are also a universal symbol of anarchy, rebellion and punk.[28] The Exploited are one of the iconic bands of the UK 82 punk movement along with Charged GBH[29] and Discharge.[30] The term "UK 82" came from The Exploited's song "UK 82".[31] Allmusic described The Exploited as "one of most riveting British punk rock units of the early 1980s".[32]

The Exploited have influenced multiple bands such as Discharge,[33] Stormtroopers of Death[33] Agnostic Front,[33] The Virus,[34] The Casualties,[35] Anti-Flag,[36] and Blanks 77.[37]

Musical style

The Exploited has been categorized as punk rock,[15] thrash metal,[1] speed metal,[38] crossover thrash,[38][15] punk metal,[33] anarchist punk,[39] hardcore punk,[40][1] street punk[41][42][43][44] and Oi!.[45][44][46][47][48][49] Originally playing street punk and oi!, The Exploited moved to a more aggressive style featuring elements of both crossover thrash and hardcore punk with their album Death Before Dishonour.[38][11][50]

Lyrical themes and gigs

The Exploited has been controversial for their aggressive lyrics and rowdy gigs. They were considered "cartoon punks" by Ian Glasper.[51] Glasper wrote: "For many, The Exploited were the quintessential second wave punk band with their senses-searing high-speed outbursts against the system, and wild-eyed frontman Walter 'Wattie' Buchan's archetypal orange mohican."[51] The Exploited are known for their lyrics about anarchy,[39] politics[52][44][1] and anti-authority.[53][27] As a band with lyrics that have anarchism-themes, The Exploited's vocalist Wattie Buchan is an anarchist[28] and openly hates politics.[27] The Exploited have made songs about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and have expressed a disdainful view towards Thatcher.[52][54] The Exploited's song "Maggie", a song from the band's album "Horror Epics", is about Thatcher.[44][52] The Exploited's third studio album's title "Let's Start a War... (Said Maggie One Day)" is about Margaret Thatcher's decision to go to the Falklands War in 1982.[52] The Exploited's studio album "Let's Start a War... (Said Maggie One Day)" has songs and lyrics that are about Margaret Thatcher, anti-war and Thatcher's decision to go to the Falklands War.[54][38] Other topics on the album are police-driven riots, war, unemployment and hopelessness.[38]

Current lineup

  • Wattie Buchan - vocals (1979–present)
  • Wullie Buchan - drums (1983–1990,1993–present)
  • Irish Rob - bass (2003–present)
  • Matt Justice (Matt McGuire) - guitar (2008–2011, 2013–present)

Former members

Vocals

  • Terry Buchan (1979)

Guitar

  • Stevie Ross (1979)
  • Stevie Hay, Hayboy (1979–1980)
  • Big John Duncan (Jeff le Rennais) (1980–1983)
  • Karl "Egghead" Morris (1983–1985)
  • Mad Mick (1985)
  • Nig (Nigel Swanson) (1986–1988; deceased)
  • Gogs (Gordon Balfour) (1989–1991)
  • Fraz (Fraser Rosetti) (1991–1995)
  • Jamie Buchan (1995–1996)
  • Arf (Arthur Dalrymple) (1996–2001)
  • Robbie "Steed" Davidson (2001–2007)
  • Gav Little (2007–2008)
  • Tommy Concrete (2011–2012)

Bass

  • Colin Erskine (1979)
  • Mark Patrizio (1979–1980)
  • Gary McCormack (1980–1983)
  • Billy Dunn (1983–1984, 1996–1997)
  • Wayne Tyas (1984–1985, 1986)
  • "Deptford" John Armitage (1985–1986)
  • Tony Lochiel (1986–1987)
  • Smeeks (Mark Smellie) (1987–1993)
  • Jim Gray (1993–1996)
  • Andy Lenihan (1997 (Beat the Bastards Tour))
  • Mikie (1996–2002)
  • Arf (Arthur Dalrymple) (2002 (Fuck The System Album))
  • Davey (Dave Peggie) (2002–2003)

Drums

  • Andy McNiven (1978)
  • Paul Gill (1979)
  • Jimbo (1979)
  • Andrew Campbell (Dru Stix) (1979–1982; deceased)
  • Danny Heatley (1982)
  • Steve Roberts (1982–1983)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

  • Totally Exploited (1984)
  • Twenty Five Years of Anarchy and Chaos (2004)

Split albums

  • Don't Let 'Em Grind You Down (with Anti-Pasti) (1981)

EPs

  • "Army Life" (1980)
  • "Barmy Army" (1980)
  • "Dead Cities" (1981)
  • "Rival Leaders" (1983)
  • "Jesus Is Dead" (1986)
  • "War Now" (1988)

Singles

  • "Army Life" (1980)
  • "Exploited Barmy Army" (1980)
  • "Dogs of War" (1981)
  • Dead Cities (1981)
  • "Attack/Alternative" (1982)
  • "Computers Don't Blunder" (1982)

Videography

  • Alive at Leeds (1983)
  • Sexual Favours (1987)
  • Live in Japan (1993)
  • Rock and Roll Outlaws (1995)
  • Beat 'Em All (2004)

Music videos

  • "Troops of Tomorrow" (1982)
  • "U.S.A." (1982)
  • "Sexual Favours" (1987)
  • "Beat the Bastards" (1996)
  • "Never Sell Out" (2003)
  • "Chaos is My Life" (2003)
  • "You're a Fucking Bastard" (2003)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Exploited +++ Real Punk Rock Since 1980. The-Exploited.net. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. ↑ The Exploited +++ Real Punk Rock Since 1980. The-Exploited.net. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Buckley, Peter. The Rough Guide to Rock. London: Rough Guides Ltd, 2003. pg 350. ISBN 1-84353-105-4.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Exploited at Kill From the Heart
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 http://www.allmusic.com/album/r6997
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 http://www.stroeja.com/?id=486
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Glasper 2004, p. 44
  30. ↑ Matt Diehl, "The Young Crazed Peeling", My So-Called Punk: Green Day, Fall Out Boy, The Distillers, Bad Religion—How Neo-Punk Stage-Dived Into the Mainstream, New York: Macmillan, 2007, ISBN 0-312-33781-7, ISBN 978-0-312-33781-0 p. 107.
  31. ↑ UK82 Access date: August 11, 2015]
  32. ↑ On Stage - The Exploited - Allmusic
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ First Virus Interview
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Anti-Flag's Biography at Allmusic
  37. ↑ Killer Blanks [Bonus Tracks - Blanks 77] - Allmusic
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 http://www.markprindle.com/exploited.htm
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Anarchist Punk - Allmusic
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Don't Forget the Chaos - The Exploited by Allmusic - Retrieved August 11, 2015
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Glasper 2004
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lamey and Robbins (1991), p. 230.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Glasper 2004, p. 360
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ The Exploited biography at Allmusic
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 http://www.allmusic.com/album/r36976

Notes and sources

  • Laison, Neil, "Punk of All Colours", The Exploited (2004), pp. 51, 78
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • The Exploited at Kill From the Heart
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=The_Exploited&oldid=193747"