Capitalism Is Cannibalism

Punk pioneers Crass continue their vinyl reissue series, re-pressing their limited releases by adjacent artists through Crass Records, in association with One Little Independent. The series, including over twenty bands and solo artists recorded at the legendary Southern Studios and produced by Penny Rimbaud, continues with two more historic pieces from the Crass Records catalogue; Anthrax’s "Capitalism Is Cannibalism" and Andy T's "Weary of the Flesh".

Anthrax were an English anarcho-punk band formed in Gravesend, Kent, in 1980. They recorded their first demo in 1981 and went on to release two 7” EPs on Crass Records and Small Wonder Records. They appeared on compilations released by Crass Records, Mortarhate Records and Fightback Records. They toured outside the UK twice in the Netherlands with Dutch band The Ex. In 2007, the band issued a compilation album, One Last Drop, which included demos, both EPs, the Mortarhate compilation track and two live tracks. The band reformed in 2010, releasing new (and debut) album ‘All for the Cause’ in 2012. Two split singles followed in 2015.

“Of the many bands who Crass provided with an outlet to the world, something marked Anthrax out as a bit special. A combination of fine tunes, intelligent lyrics, angry yet audible delivery and vivid imagery” - Louder Than War

Penny Rimbaud said: “Anthrax were a ‘south of the river’ band, hailing from what was then the industrial wastelands that fringed the Thames prior to gentrification. In a world that put profit before people, Anthrax chose to challenge that conceit with fast, raw outcries of indignation. Yeah, well who said so? Anthrax did, and they did it loud and proud against the horrific complacency of the mainstream. Capitalism Is Cannibalism? Yup, and the pots are on the boil; make mine rare. It was happening then, and it’s happening now, but beware, capitalism’s avid persistence is the very nature of our resistance. Wealth is a ghetto. Babylon will fall. The future is ours if we only dare take it.”

Penny finally notes that “Our [Crass’] interest was never in personalities, profits or power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle, not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference - rather than looking only to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out on the street.”

In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect, Crass’ classic line, ‘There is no authority but yourself’, makes its point.