Anarcho-Punk story time...

Hope Lye of Street Voice UK reviews ‘Anarcho-Punk: Music and Resistance in London 1977-1988’ by David Insurrection.

I was never part of the anarchist-punk scene as by the time I left school and did a year on a Youth Training Scheme the 1984 Miners Strike kicked off and I was joining fly pickets all over the Midlands, South Wales and Yorkshire!

However I was going to see bands like Conflict, Rubella Ballet, Liberty, Icons Of Filth and Shrapnel. I was also in communication with Andy Martin of The Apostles and a few others where I would sell their merch through my distro DIY Distribution.

Once the Miners Strike was over I gained full time employment at a photocopying manufacturer and started doing fanzines and then often set off to the bright lights of London where I’d crash on people’s sofas.

For those in to Anarcho Punk will love this book by Dave Insurrection as this covers the music and resistance from 1977-1998. I of course visited a few of the places mentioned in the book and heard of some of the other places but I wasn’t aware of just how wide the anarchist punk scene covered in London. There’s simply so many stories from the likes of Tony D of Kill Your Pet Puppy fanzine right through to the guy who ran Punk Lives magazine that many loved up and down the country and widely distributed for a time.

All the bands that you know and love from the Anarcho-Punk scene are featured and there’s stories behind certain releases and gigs covered including Conway Hall and the infamous Gathering of the five thousand at Brixton Academy that I attended. What’s remarkable Dave has photographed all the places where history was made and for me that’s class!

For those who were part of the movement or simply just bought the records and gigs will enjoy the trip down memory lane!

This is my favourite book so far in 2025 and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did! 

Another winner from Earth Island Books! 10/10

https://streetvoiceuk2020.co.uk/2025/04/08/anarcho-punk-music-and-resistance-in-london-1977-1988-dave-insurrection/

There was a book launch event with readings and signings earlier this week. Kind of an Anarcho-Punk story time with David Insurrection and Tony Drayton at Freedom Press bookshop in Whitechapel, London.