Blaggers ITA (formerly The Blaggers) were a Britishpunk rock band founded in 1988.[1] Main vocalist Matty 'Blagg' Roberts had previously fronted Oi! band Complete Control,[2] who released an LP on Oi! Records in 1985[3] Blaggers ITA were noted for their strong anti-fascist and left wing lyrics and activism.[4]
The band had close links with Anti Fascist Action (AFA), donating money to the organisation and promoting its ideology.[5] The band's support for revolutionary politics and AFA meant that in the early 1990s there were part of direct action against Neo-Nazi groups such as Blood & Honour[2] and C18.
In 1993 they signed a record deal with EMI[6] and enjoyed some commercial success with three minor hit singles.[7]Stresss and Oxygen benefitted from promotional videos,[8][9] while Abandon Ship saw an appearance on The Word.[10]
The record deal resulted in some criticism due to EMI's status as a major label and large corporation, and its former links with the arms trade.[11] In a debate strongly echoed four years later in the case of Chumbawamba, the band justified the move with the argument that the financial and promotional support of EMI would enable their political message to reach a wider public; they also argued that the deal gave the band more money to spend on political causes.[12] For example, money earmarked for promotional events was used on full page adverts in the national music press promoting direct physical anti-fascist action, while creative use of tour support funds went to aid political groups throughout the country.
In mid 1993, the group embarked on a high-profile UK tour supporting Manic Street Preachers. In July 1993, frontman Matty Blagg allegedly punched Melody Maker writer Dave Simpson, as a consequence of Simpson stating that Matty could never reform his fascist past (as a teenager Matty had been associated with the British Movement but while in prison was enlightened by another prisoner and subsequently dedicated the rest of his life to educating others) resulting in a court appearance and the case being dismissed. No trial took place.[13] The incident led to the cancellation of festival slots (inc. main stage slots at Reading and Glastonbury), an effective boycott by the music press,[13] and the consequent cancellation of their EMI contract.
Shortly afterwards Matty Roberts left the band, which for a short time continued without him. Roberts died on 22 February 2000.[14]
A new version of the band named Blaggers AKA formed in 2002. This line up has played gigs and festivals across Europe, including benefits for the Independent Working Class Association[15][16] and Antifa groups,[17] but has not released any records.
blaggers, formerly, blaggers, were, british, punk, rock, band, founded, 1988, main, vocalist, matty, blagg, roberts, previously, fronted, band, complete, control, released, records, 1985, were, noted, their, strong, anti, fascist, left, wing, lyrics, activism,. Blaggers ITA formerly The Blaggers were a British punk rock band founded in 1988 1 Main vocalist Matty Blagg Roberts had previously fronted Oi band Complete Control 2 who released an LP on Oi Records in 1985 3 Blaggers ITA were noted for their strong anti fascist and left wing lyrics and activism 4 Blaggers ITAOriginLondonGenresStreetpunk punk rock rapcore Oi Years active1988 1995LabelsWords Of Warning Parlophone Although the band initially played in a generic Oi style they later added a trumpet player and incorporated influences from hip hop and electronic dance music including sampling and added the letters ITA to their name In The Area inspired by Adrian Sherwood s On U Sound Records citation needed The band had close links with Anti Fascist Action AFA donating money to the organisation and promoting its ideology 5 The band s support for revolutionary politics and AFA meant that in the early 1990s there were part of direct action against Neo Nazi groups such as Blood amp Honour 2 and C18 In 1993 they signed a record deal with EMI 6 and enjoyed some commercial success with three minor hit singles 7 Stresss and Oxygen benefitted from promotional videos 8 9 while Abandon Ship saw an appearance on The Word 10 The record deal resulted in some criticism due to EMI s status as a major label and large corporation and its former links with the arms trade 11 In a debate strongly echoed four years later in the case of Chumbawamba the band justified the move with the argument that the financial and promotional support of EMI would enable their political message to reach a wider public they also argued that the deal gave the band more money to spend on political causes 12 For example money earmarked for promotional events was used on full page adverts in the national music press promoting direct physical anti fascist action while creative use of tour support funds went to aid political groups throughout the country In mid 1993 the group embarked on a high profile UK tour supporting Manic Street Preachers In July 1993 frontman Matty Blagg allegedly punched Melody Maker writer Dave Simpson as a consequence of Simpson stating that Matty could never reform his fascist past as a teenager Matty had been associated with the British Movement but while in prison was enlightened by another prisoner and subsequently dedicated the rest of his life to educating others resulting in a court appearance and the case being dismissed No trial took place 13 The incident led to the cancellation of festival slots inc main stage slots at Reading and Glastonbury an effective boycott by the music press 13 and the consequent cancellation of their EMI contract Shortly afterwards Matty Roberts left the band which for a short time continued without him Roberts died on 22 February 2000 14 A new version of the band named Blaggers AKA formed in 2002 This line up has played gigs and festivals across Europe including benefits for the Independent Working Class Association 15 16 and Antifa groups 17 but has not released any records Contents 1 Lineup 1 1 Early 1990s lineup 1 2 Other musicians 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Singles and EPs 3 References 4 External linksLineup EditEarly 1990s lineup Edit Matty Blagg lead vocals Christy Robson rapper DJ Steve Serious guitar Paul The Pig guitar Matt Vinyl bass Jason Wrist Action Jackson Cook drums Brendan Rimmer Hodges trumpet samples and design credited SIT Inc Carlos Coutinho keyboardsOther musicians Edit Bilko second vocalist 1988 1989 Jez the Jester drums 1988 1989 Cab drums 1989 Gary the Squatter guitar 1989 1990 Olaf sax 1992 sax and vocalist since 2001 Marcel guitar since 2001 Brian Hayes guitar 1993 1996 Discography EditAlbums Edit On Yer Toez released as The Blaggers 1989 Blaggamuffin 1991 mini LP 18 Fuck Fascism Fuck Capitalism Society s Fucked 1991 God Save the Cockroach 1992 mini LP aka New Kids On The Blag 19 United Colours of Blaggers ITA 1993 Bad Karma 1994 Singles and EPs Edit It s Up To You 1990 Beirut EP 1990 Victory to ANC flexi disc 1991 Here s Johnny 1992 The Way We Operate 1992 Wildside bootleg credited to Ramraiders ITA 1993 Stresss 1993 Oxygen 1993 Abandon Ship 1993 Mantrap 1994 Thrill Her With a Gun Dairy Thief 1995 Rumblefish Death by Cool 1995 Guns Of Brixton 1995 Session 1995 References Edit Dementlieu Punk Archive Dementlieu com Retrieved 3 March 2011 a b Dementlieu Punk Archive Blaggers ITA interview from UK Resist 5 Dementlieu com Retrieved 11 June 2020 Complete Control 2 Discogs com Retrieved 11 June 2020 Review Blaggers I T A Bad Karma Parlophone Martin Bate Archived from the original on 6 March 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2014 Dementlieu Punk Archive Blaggers ITA interview from UK Resist 5 Dementlieu com Retrieved 3 March 2011 Dementlieu Punk Archive Blagegrs ITA Stress Press Release Dementlieu com Retrieved 3 March 2011 Official Charts Blaggers ITA OfficialCharts com 2012 04 19 Retrieved on 2012 05 03 The Blaggers ITA Stresss YouTube Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 Retrieved 20 September 2020 Blaggers ITA Oxygen YouTube Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 Retrieved 20 September 2020 Blaggers ITA Abandon Ship live YouTube Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 Retrieved 20 September 2020 The Blaggers ITA PDF Uncarved org Retrieved 20 September 2020 The Blaggers ITA PDF Uncarved org Retrieved 20 September 2020 a b Blaggers ITA Biography AllMusic Retrieved 11 June 2020 Obituary Matty Blag Roberts Redaction org Archived from the original on 28 September 2007 Retrieved 3 March 2011 Stage Bottles Stagebottles de Archived from the original on 19 July 2011 Retrieved 3 March 2011 World Iwca Benefit Gig Indymedia org uk 20 May 2005 Retrieved 3 March 2011 Antifa UK Gig Saturday 6th October London Libcom org Retrieved 11 June 2020 Blaggers I T A Blaggamuffin Discogs Blaggers ITA New Kids On The Blag Discogs External links EditOfficial site Blaggers ITA on Myspace Blaggers ITA on Facebook Blaggers fansite Blaggers ITA at discogs com Mini bio of The Blaggers on Stage Bottles site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blaggers ITA amp oldid 1115082409, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
