Electro Hippies
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| Electro Hippies | |
|---|---|
| Country | Liverpool, UK |
| Genres | Hardcore Punk Crust Punk Grindcore |
| Labels | Peaceville Necrosis |
| Members | Jeffrey Walker Simon Jiell Bruno Revier Leo Kottke Andy Kate Phil Dom Whitey |
Electro Hippies was a proto-grindcore/crust hardcore punk band formed out of Liverpool, United Kingdom in 1985.
Though they were short lived and underground all through their career, their music has influenced many future crust punk bands and hardcore punk bands. They also played what would soon be known as grindcore (Napalm Death would later be the "innovators" of the genre). The band relied heavily on low bass end sounds to create their low-fi, primitive-produced music. The band strongly embraced the D.I.Y. (do it yourself) ethic which was very common among many early crust punk bands. The band's lyrics spoke heavily about animal rights and vegetarianism. A reoccurring lyrical theme on each LP targeted the McDonalds corporation (such songs like "Run Ronald" and "Scum" were direct insults towards McDonalds. Note "Run Ronald" is about Ronald McDonald.)
The Electro Hippies were most notable for having Jeffrey Walker (guitar, vocals) who later would join goregrind band Carcass. When Jeff joined Carcass full time, Simon Jiell (drums), Bruno Revier (bass), and Leo Kottke (guitar) all assumed vocal duties in the band. Eventually, the band split up sometime in 1989 playing a last gig and releasing their last gig as their final album.
From the liner notes of Electo Hippies - The Peaceville Recordings
The band was formed back in 1985 by Simon (drums) and Bruno (bass) with the intention of playing fast/aggressive hardcore punk with a metal influence. Andy (guitar) joined with Phil (guitar) and Kate (vocals). This line up lasted one rehearsal as Kate went back to America and Phil left as well. The remaining members carried on as a 3 piece. The first gig was played during '85 in Liverpool. Then in 1986 Phil came back as 2nd guitar and Jeff joined on vocals. But Phil left the band again for his own reasons.
The 'Killing Babies is Tight' Demo *1 was then recorded and the band were asked to record a self financed split 12" with Generic. This was done. Bruno and Jeff departed the band towards the end of 1986 and Dom came in on bass. In January 1987 the 'Killing Babies for Profit' Demo *2 was recorded. The band gigged and went to Europe etc. and at the end of '87 the band recorded the LP 'The Only Good Punk' for Peaceville Records. Simon then departed the band. Whitey took his place on drums at the beginning of 1988. The band rehearsed and gigged etc. Then on the 15th April 1989 the band played their final/ultimate/last ever gig at Planet X in Liverpool before splitting.
- 1987 "The Only Good Punk... Is A Dead One" LP, Peaceville Records
- 1987 "The Peel Sessions" 12", Strange Fruit Records
- 1989 "Live" LP, Peaceville Records
- 1989 "Play Fast Or Die" LP, Necrosis Records
- 1989 "The Peaceville Recordings" LP/CD, Peaceville Records
- 1989 "You Suffer / Mega Armageddon Death Pt. 3" 7", split with Napalm Death, Earache
During their short career, they also appeared on many compilations, for example A Vile Peace, Digging In Water, Peel sessions sampler and Vile Vibes