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{{Short description|British hardcore punk rock band}}
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{{multiple issues|original research=August 2007|unreferenced=August 2007}}
{{Multiple issues|

{{Refimprove|date=April 2017}}
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{{original research|date=August 2007}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = THE VARUKERS
| name = The Varukers
| image
| image = Varukers.jpg
| caption =
| caption = The Varukers performing in [[Modena]] on 23 April 2006
| background =
| landscape = yes
| origin = ENGLAND, UNITED-KINGDOM
| background = group_or_band
| genre = PUNK HARDCORE, D-BEAT
| origin = [[Leamington Spa]], United Kingdom
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hardcore punk]]<ref name="Burning Britain">{{cite book |last1=Glasper |first1=Ian |title=Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984 |date=2004 |page=75 }}</ref>|[[punk rock]]<ref name="Burning Britain" />|[[crust punk]]<ref name="Rise of Crust">{{cite web|last=Von Havoc |first=Felix |title=Rise of Crust |publisher=Profane Existence |date=1984-01-01 |url=http://www.havocrex.com/press/article/3/83 |accessdate=2008-06-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615163312/http://www.havocrex.com/press/article/3/83 |archivedate=2008-06-15 }}</ref>|[[street punk]]<ref>{{harvnb|Glasper|2004|p=5}}</ref>}}
| years_active = 1979-1988,1993–PRESENT
| years_active = 1979–1988, 1993–present
| associated_acts =
| current_members =
| current_members =
*Anthony "Rat" Martin
*Ian "Biff" Smith
*Brian Ansell
* Kevin "Kev" Frost
| past_members =
*Perry Philips
*Carl Maxwell
*Brian Roe
*Bruce Riddell
*Garry Maloney
*George Jenkins
*Sean Duggan
*Brik
*Andy
*Damion
*Tom (vomit) Lowe
*Stick Dickings
}}
}}


'''The Varukers''' are a British [[punk rock]] band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin. They produced their most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band play in [[D-beat]], the musical style of [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]]. Also like Discharge, the Varukers' lyrics carry an [[anarchist]] political ideology.
“'''THE VARUKERS''' are a Punk band based in Leamington Spa. We feel strongly about anti-war, anti-religion & We are against animal experimentation, abuse & exploitation (...) We feel the lyrics are very important & We like to get the message across throught our fast & We hope , powerfull music. We condemn violence at the gig, there are too many people already trying to destroy the Punk movement, why contribute ? It's our life, it's our future, if We don't defend it who will ?” (1984).


== '''==History==''' ==
==History==
Initially known as the Veruccas, the band altered the spelling of their name to the Varukers to convey more aggression. When recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "[[UK 82]]", second generation punk, or UK hardcore. Bands such as the Varukers, [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]], [[Chaos UK]], [[Amebix]], [[the Exploited]], and [[Charged GBH]] took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of [[new wave of British heavy metal]] (NWOBHM) bands such as [[Motörhead]]. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.
In late 1979, in [http://www.leamington-guide.com/ Leamington Spa], a small town twenty miles far away from the south of [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ Birmingham] nearly close to [http://www.visitwarwick.co.uk/ Warwick], Warwickshire, Midlands, England, [[United Kingdom]], vocalist Anthony “Tony” Martin & drummer Garry “Gaz” Maloney “(…)were just about to leave school &(…)” They “(…)knew(…)” They “(…)’d end up on the dole so(…)” They “(…)wanted to do something to stop(…)” Them “(…)from being bored(…)” & “(…)exciting after hours of watching shitbands on T.V.(…)” … so They recruited guitarist Bruce Riddel who also lived in Leamington Spa @ the time from an ad He had put in the Oxfam window in Warwick (because He decided He “[…]wanted to leave work to be a rock star[…]” after They auditioned Him in his living-room. Initially known as [[Plantar wart|The Veruccas]], the band altered the spelling of their name to "The Varukers" in order to convey more aggression & the name of the band doesn’t really mean. With the addition of Tom Lowe on 2nd guitar, Garry “Gaz” Maloney moved on bass & an another guy named Garry took over the drums & a first demo was recorded @ “Woodline Studios” in early of 1980 including “Punk ain’t dead”, “Government’s to blame”, “Varuker” & “No education”. Later in the year, after Garry left, Tom Lowe moved on bass & Garry “Gaz” Maloney returned on drums & an another demo was recorded (still @ “Woodline Studios”) to get a record deal as the same time several local gigs got the band a loyal following. This second demo finally attracted the attention of Keith Thornton & Brian Harris, ownerz of the “INCREDIBLE RECORDS” indie shop in Birmingham who just started their own record label, TEMPEST/INFERNO RECORDS. Their first musical piece ever was released in November of 1981, a four track 7” E.P. recorded @ [https://www.walsall.gov.uk/ Walsall]'s “M. R. S.” (for [http://www.midlandroadstudios.co.uk/ “Midland Road Studios”]), “The Varukers E.P.” also known as “Protest & survive” ('''A - side:'''“Protest & survive”+“No scapegoat”/'''B - side:'''“Soldier boy”+“Never again” / [HELL 1]) which reached number thirty-one in the independant chart over a month. Shortly after that first record was released, Brian “Brains” Roe sat in on drums, resulting of Garry “Gaz” Maloney’s defection that left the band to join DICHARGE. The band soon returned to “M. R. S.” (for “Midland Road Studios”) & three track 7” E.P. called “Don’t wanna be a victim” ('''A-side:'''“Don’t wanna be a victim”/'''B-side:'''“Dance til’ you’re dead+“No masters no slaves”/[HELL 4]) was released in June of 1982 & reached number fifteen in the independant chart during the summer. Around the same time, German label POGAR RECORDS released two more tracks, “No hope of future” & a rerecorded version of “Never again” as a 7” (POGAR 09, pink purple green & yellow covers over the years, german language). Tom Lowe then left the band to play wiz Daventry based [http://www.antisectofficial.com/ ANTISECT], being replaced by a new bass player called George. But the fact TEMPEST/INFERNO RECORDS took so long time to release their previous debut album (recorded @ [http://www.cargostudios.co.uk/ “Cargo Studios”] in [http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/ Rochdale]) made the band went on to sign a deal with Simon Edward’s Bristol based RIOT CITY that bough the record off to the Birmingham label. Released in late of 1983, the now classic “Bloodsuckers” (CITY 005) contained rerecorded versions of their early material as “Protest & survive”, “No masters no slaves”, “Don’t wanna be a victim”, “Government’s to blame” & a cover of Alice Cooper’ “Schools out” along with new material “Android”, “Nodda (contraceptive) machine”, “Tell us what we all wanna hear”, “What the Hell do you know” & the classics still heavy featured in today’s band set like “Nowhere to go”, “Don’t conform” & “March of the S. A. S.”. @ the same time, Christopher Collins & Ken Lawrence’z documentary film about Punx & Skinz entitled “U.K./D.K.” film originally done by [http://www.channel4.com/ CHANNEL 4] for [http://www.cherryred.co.uk/ CHERRY RED RECORDS], which was never broadcasted but only video released featuring a brilliant performance of “Soldier boy” & a short Rat/Brian “Brains” Roe coupled interview along with the likes of [http://www.vicesquad.co.uk/ VICE SQUAD], [http://www.the-exploited.net/ THE EXPLOITED], [http://www.adicts.us/ THE ADICTS], [http://www.officialdamned.com/ THE DAMNED], THE BUSINESS, CHAOS U.K. & DISORDER. George then soon left & was replaced by Broken Brick who debuted with the third recording of the band, the 7” single “Die for your government” + “All systems fail” / (RIOT 27) which reached number five in the independant chart & was the band’s ever biggest selling release. Then both Brian “Brains” Roe & Bruce Riddel departed & Damien (or Damion/Damian) Thompson on guitar (

Short lived [http://www.lichfield.gov.uk/ LICHFIELD] based WRONG ATTITUDE was Wayne “Freebie” Freeman on vocals, Barry “Anarchy Joe” on guitar, Damien (or Damion / Damian) Thompson on bass & Mark Harrison on drums (ex.- WILD YOUTH). When WRONG ATTITUDE split up, remaining members Damien Thompson & Mark Harrison recruited Stewart Goldie on vocals & David Wright on bass (due to the fact that moved from bass to guitar). Under the new strange moniker of CADAVEROUS CLAN, They only recorded one proper demo “Authority+Statistics+Devil’s prospective+Insane society+Concrete apple+Cadaverous clan+Statistics+Insane+Perv+Nothing new+Authority+THE RUTS’s Babylon’s burning+Snow blindness”) @ [http://www.richbitchstudios.co.uk/Welcome.html “Rich Bitch Studios”] in Birmingham on October 16th of 1982 that incorporated some trash & metal influences. The demo earned them a place on [http://www.nofuturerecords.co.uk/uk/oi23.htm “A country fit for heroes”] Volume 2 compilation L.P. with track “Snow blindness” but infortunately, the band split up just after the releaze of the album. Damien Thompson went on to join WARWOUND which released a seven trax demo “Holocaust + No escape + Fashion follower + Ward+Brainwashed+Brutal truth+Neglected” in 1983 then an another demo in 1984). Mark Harrison tried out to join DISCHARGE when Tez left then did a stint behind the kit for [http://drongos-for-europe.wix.com/marinamaniac DRONGOS FOR EUROPE], bizarrely changing his surname “Harrison” to “Baskerville” in the process.) & Andrew “Andy” Baker on drums joined in. The band took a new musical direction, characterized by the recording of the little bit rougher three track 7” E.P. “Led to the slaughter” ('''A-side''':“Led to the slaughter”/'''B-side''':“The end is nigh”+“You’re dead”/[RIOT 29]) released in 1983. A different musical era definitively confirmed by the recording & the release, two monthes later, of the much acclaimed piece of their discography, the abrasive 12” eight track mini-album “Another religion another war” ('''A-Side:'''“Another religion another war”+“No escape”+“Condemned to death” +“The last war”/'''B-side''':“Who pays ?”+“Neglected”+“Deadly games”+“Seek shelter in Hell”/[RIOT 31]) which saw two of WARWOUND previouz songs (“No escape”+“Neglected”) used & rerecorded & the “chorus/verse/chorus/verse/chorus/lead break/solo/verse/chorus/verse/chorus” structure established as their trade-mark. During the recording, Broken Brick announced that he waz leaving the band so a Damien Thompson’s mate, Tony May, dropped in. Unfortunately, both releases were the last ever for RIOT CITY that soon collapsed. In 1984, the band recorded “United we stand” & “Stop the killing” for the “1234 We don’t want your fuckin’ war” compilation album on CONFLICT own label MOTORHATE. In early of 1984, the band paid their first visit to the mainland Europe. Then, the band, now label-less, was approached by native [http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1 Mansfield] [http://uk82.150m.com/bands/riotsquad.html/ RIOT SQUAD] singer Duncan “Dunk” Mason that They met as a MAU MAUS roadie on their latest German & Dutch dates, who signed the band on his recently own created label [http://recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com/labels/rot/rot.html ROT RECORDS]. The first release of the band for ROT RECORDS were four brand new tracks released as their first 12” E.P. called “Massacred millions” ('''A-side:'''“Massacred millions”+“Thatcher’s fortress”/'''B - side:'''“Will they never learn ?”+“The bomb blast”/[ASS 16]) which reached number thirty in the independant chart during XMAS of 1984. Then ROT RECORDS released a “Live in Holland” ([DUTCH ONE]) recorded at Hengelo on 29th June of 1984, issued on a so-called Dutch division of the label, ROT NEDERLANDS, & released as a very limited edition L.P. (only 1.500 copies). Also pressed as a very limited edition by ATTACK RECORDS in BRAZIL in 1986 -an another so-called division of ROT RECORDS- the 1.000 of the fifteen track L.P. “Prepare for the attack” (ATTACK 1), a collection of all previously released, unreleased & deleted material by the band for the label -including the 12” E.P. four track “Massacred millions” & the rest of the studio recordings from that era & four live track taken from the “Live in Holland”-. The record was intended to be only distributed in Brazil & waz subtitled “Prepare-se para o ataque/Édition limite seul 1.000 copies” on the front cover, but due to the bankrupt of ROT RECORDS, it never flied over the seas. A few monthes later, Andrew “Andy” Baker & Damien Thompson left joining their forces into new band SACRILEGE. The band also contribued to both ROT RECORDS “Have a rotten Christmas” L.P. compilations volume 1 ([ASS] 18, 1984, “State enemy”) & 2 ([ASS] 22, 1985, “Will they never learn”) & “Animals” to the “What are You doing about that hole in your head” (HOLEIN 1) compilation L.P. released in 1986. @ the end of year, the band went on tour with ENGLISH DOGS & MAU MAUS. Gilb from DIRGE stepped in on drums for the “Trash Tour ‘85” being be replaced by Warren Beecham. The band went at the [http://www.richbitchstudios.co.uk/Welcome.html “Rich Bitch Studios”] in Birmingham to record new material including the rerecording of all material previously unreleased for ROT RECORDS. Label-less again, the band decided, sticking true to the Punk - Rock D. I. Y. ethics (the cover mentioned “Pay no more than £ 3,50 & the band asked only for “[…transport costs & enough for four cups of tea on the way home[…]” to play), to release on their own label LIBERATE RECORDS their second full length attempt “One Struggle One Fight” ( LIBERATE 1) in 1985. The thirteen tracks from the studio recording were dispatched between an “Animal rights side” (A-side) -showing the band particular interest on animal rights with “Animals an animal” & “Protect not dissect” - & an “Human rights side” (B-side). The material was pure “classic” band stuff with “Persistent resistance”, “We hint at things nuclear”, “Fear of mankind”, “How can your conscience allow this to go on”, “A lesson we must never forget” & a new version of “Stop the killing” originally done for the compilation “1234 we don’t want your fuckin’ War” & songs with subjects They were accused of ignoring before with “South Africa” & “Killed by mans own hands”. In a strange way, “Will they never learn ?” & “Enter (of) a new phase” were put as the form of live performances recorded @ the Heathery Bar, Wishaw, Scotland on 29th March of 1985 during the “Trash Tour ‘85”. Warren Beecham soon left, being replaced by Kevin “Kev” Frost. In 1986 Ian “Biff” Smith joined as a second guitar player. The band supported DISCHARGE on their weak “Grave new world” tour & still playing a lot but the lethargy that infected the scene in the U.K. drove the band to split up & each member went on their separate ways, pursuing their personal interests. In the early nineties, Rat sang with ARBITRATER (wich featuring Andrew “Andy” Baker in his earlier incarnation) & recorded two great “Trash/Punk/Metal” albums ; Ian “Biff” Smith started [http://www.sickonthebus.com SICK ON THE BUS] (wich featuring Graham Kerr in one of his earlier incarnation) ; Kevin “Kev” Frost went out to drum from numerous bands over the years such as CEREBRAL FIX, HELVIS, SCREAMING WILLIES, INTERPOL, DIKLIKKAS, DROWN, HARD TO SWALLOW, IRON MONKEY. But due to both lot of mail received from all around the world & the fact it just missed doing it because the band has been major part of his life since He was seventeen, Rat finally decided to reform the band in late 1993 still still with Ian “Biff” Smith on guitar & Kevin “Kev” Frost on the the drum stool. New bass player Brian Ansell joined (He played with Iain “Biff” Smith in a late incarnation of [http://www.northampton.gov.uk/ Northampton] based band DEATH SENTENCE which got a title on the “1234 We don’t want your fuckin’ poor” compilation album on CONFLICT's MOTORHATE). The band ventured out to play Belgium & Germany at the beginning of 1994 : it was a great success confirming the decision that getting back together was the right one. Then the new line-up went into [http://www.premier-studios.co.uk/ “Premier Studios”] in [http://www.corby.gov.uk/ CORBY] on 10th July 1994 & recorded the first brand new material for six years, four tracks released by [http://www.visit-newark.co.uk/ Newark] based WEIRD RECORDS both on tape & in 7” E.P. (orange & black wax). Called “Nothing’s changed” (WEIRD 005), because “(…)the reason for forming THE VARUKERS is still applicable : the unemployment situation is three times as bad & as time has gone on we have found that there are more & more things wrong with the world. We feel we must show our contempt for the those things which we disagree with & we do this through our music(…)”. It was a really successful attempt wiz more than 3.000 copies sold in the U.K. & overseas. 1994 also saw the band’s first ever tour of the U.S.A. which waz properly catastrophic due to the lack of organisation then a Scandinavian tour including Sweden, Finland & Norway in August & September of 1994. In April of 1995, Neil from TRIBAL WAR RECORDS made the band hit for the second time the U.S.A., making a joint tour with New-York spiky hair drunx Punks band THE CASUALTIES, then adding a few showz more around Europe. In August of 1995, the band signed a record deal with [http://www.we-bite.de/ WE BITE RECORDS] from Germany. The first release on this label saw the band returning into [http://www.premier-studios.co.uk/ “Premier Studios”] to record “Still bollox but still here” (WE BITE 1-136-2), which featured rerecordings of their earlier material that fans could not obtain (original copies of those records aren’t numerous & very expensive) as “Led to the slaughter”, “Die for your government”, “Don’t conform”, “Don’t wanna be a victim”, “Bomb blast”, “Protest to survive”, “March of the S. A. S.”, “Stop the killing”, “No masters no slaves”, “Massacred millions”, “Soldier boy” & “Seek shelter in hell”, rare songz as “No hope of the future”, “Enter a new phase” & “United we stand” -written the same time az the 7” E.P. “Led to the slaughter”- with an updated sound representative of what the band stands at present. As the same time They worked hard on new material, They supported native Birmingham [http://www.boltthrower.com/ BOLT THROWER] in a short two weeks European tour who give Them a different audience. In July of 1996, the band went on their first tour of Japan & pressed specifically for this tour a 7” E.P. in a few number (only 1.000 copies), “Humanity”, featuring three brand new songs & two live tracks with lyrics in Japanese language &, for the first time, appeared on cover, consecutively to the fact that fans usually talked about the band az “VARUKERS” instead of “THE VARUKERS”, the band decision to shorten their name & logo. After the Japanese tour, Brian Ansell left to join [http://www.sickonthebus.com SICK ON THE BUS] & was replaced by canadian born Kieran Plunkett from London based three pieces [http://www.restarts.co.uk/ THE RESTARTS]. To coincide with their new American tour, the band finally put out an new fifteen tracks album called “Murder”, contained rerecorded material from the 7” E.P. “Humanity” (which were the only “classic” material), a cover of [http://www.uksubs.co.uk/ U.K. SUBS]'s “Emotional blackmail” but showed a really sensible different musical & songwriting direction with “Hatred”, “Fake” (with lyrics by Doug Eales who also done the artwork), “Eradicate the problem”, “Fuck you up”, “What are you gonna do”, “Target of shame”, “Invest in your people”, “Who the fuck”, “Tighten their grip” & “Nightmare vision”. The album was released in the U. S. A. through ASYLUM RECORDS & in Europe through [http://www.we-bite.de/ WE BITE RECORDS]. After touring intensively the rest of 1997 mainly in U.K., Kieran Plunkett left in early of 1998 to rejoin his former band, forcing the band to rely on stand-in musicians for touring commitments, including Les & Mark from [http://concretesox.org/ CONCRETE SOX] & Todd from DISTRAUGHT. Marvin “Taff” Gauntlett (ex.- MY WAR, HARD TO SWALLOW, CHAOS UK, CONCRETE SOX [http://eyehategod.ee/ EYE HATE GOD]) fitted in & the band returned to Japan in March of 1998 then also managed to make it out to both Australia & New-Zealand. Upon their return to the U.K., They teamed up with Brazilian legendary band [http://www.ratosdeporao.com/ RATOS DE PORAO] for a short British tour then made a few datez in U.K. & Europe during the rest of the year. During this tour there was a lot of talk about the possibility for the band going out to Brazil ... [http://www.ratosdeporao.com/ RATOS DE PORAO] returned home & a tour was arranged seeing the band toured Brazil in May of 1999. In July of 1999, the band were approached to play the “Social Chaos Tour” in the U.S.A. but unfortunately that just didn’t work out. So instead, band spent most of 1999 working on new material for their fourth album & playing occasional U.K. gigs (including summer’s [http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/ "Wasted festival"]) then making a full U. S. A. tour that lasted two monthes & a four weeks European outing. Just before a short northern American tour Kevin “Kev” Frost was replaced on the drumz by Kenko from Swedish band MEANWHILE that the band met during their August & September of 1994 Scandinavian tour. Then the band made a few U.K. dates & shorten European tour including The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy. The 2001 U.S. label [http://www.gokartrecords.com/ GO KART] released twelve brand new tracks album “How do you sleep ?” (GOK76) in a more contemporary lyrical direction attempt, with songs about school violence (“Gun crazed kids”), racists using the Internet to push their agenda (“Modem for destruction”), anti-behaviour religious songs (“Where is your God ?”, “Absolution”), chronicle of reductions in social benefits resulting of the so-called “socialist” Blair/Labour regime (“Bleed us dry”) & work exploitation (“Piss off [I’ve paid]”, “Under attack”) but also with for the first time in the history of the band a non -political song but autobiographical accounts (“Memo for me”, “As good as it gets”, “Die”). Musically, Ian “Biff” Smith’s part in vocals took more importance, mainly during the live performances. Being replaced by Justin Greaves (ex.- HARD TO SWALLOW), Kevin “Kev” Frost only drummed for the studio recording. Nearly a year later, an another U.S. label, PUNKCORE RECORDS released all the “Vintage Varukers-rare & unreleased 1980-1985” (P.C. 15 C.D. & P.C. 15 L.P. green, purple & blackwax) from the band then “The Riot City Years 83 - 84” that compiled all the stuff releazed by RIOT CITY. Sean Duggan (ex.- MY WAR, HARD TO SWALLOW ...) soon joined on second guitar & Portuguese drummer Ricardo Fernandez joined the band after Kevin “Kev” Frost definitively retired of music business. With now Rat also singing with the reformed DISCHARGE & Ian “Biff” Smith touring intensively with [http://www.sickonthebus.com SICK ON THE BUS] the band recorded a cover of “Indochina” originally done by CRUCIFIX & a six track mini-album “Hellbound” (“Hellbound”+“Fucked It Up again”+“Get out of the gutter”+“Politics instore”+“Forever Crucified”+“Killing Myself To Live”) for their 2005 U.S.A. tour on ASYLUM RECORDS (Asylum 2). Songs “Society's decline” & “Where next” were recorded for the “Still our future You're messing up” C.D./L.P. compilation. Both were packed together as the “Killing myself to live” C.D./L.P. on VILE RECORD (VILE 003). Brian Ansell (sometimes replaced by Irish mercenary Beano for touring commitments) rejoined as Stick from DOOM now stickin' in. The nightmare continues !
While the Varukers split in 1989, vocalist Rat and guitarist Biff put the band back together in 1991. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional [[UK82]] style. Since the band had former members of [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]], a [[D-beat]] sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals while guitarist Biff has been with the band since 1985.

Even with Rat splitting his time between the Varukers and [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]] and Biff splitting his time with [[Sick on the Bus]]. The Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as [[Broken Bones (band)|Broken Bones]], [[The Adicts]], [[Vice Squad]] and [[Charged GBH|GBH]] at the [[San Bernardino punk riot|British Invasion 2k6]] concert festival in [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], [[California]], which ended in rioting.

Guitarist Sean is the former manager of the [[public house]] [[The Olde Angel]] in [[Nottingham]], [[United Kingdom]].

Journalist and [[Killing Joke]] biographer Jyrki "Spider" Hämäläinen directed a documentary about the band that was released 2022.<ref>[https://lostdataproductions.uk/news-of-the-week-lop-vol-3-varukers/ News of the week – LOP vol. 3 (Varukers)]</ref>

==Members==
*Anthony "Rat" Martin - vocals
*Ian "Biff" Smith - guitar
*Brian Ansell - bass
*Kevin Frost - drums


== Discography ==
== Discography ==
<small>Chart placings from the [[UK Independent Chart]].<ref>Lazell, Barry (1997) ''Indie Hits 1980–1989'', Cherry Red Books, {{ISBN|0-9517206-9-4}}, p. 245</ref></small>
* “Protest & survive” 7” (1981 INFERNO [HELL 1])
* ''Protest and Survive'' EP (1981) - no. 31
* “Don’t wanna be a victim” 7”(1982 INFERNO [HELL 4])
* ''I Don't Wanna Be a Victim'' EP (1982) - no. 15
* “No hope of future” 7”(1982 POGAR RECORDS [POGAR 09])
* "Die for Your Government" single (1982) - no. 5
* “Bloodsuckers” L.P.(1983 RIOT CITY [CITY 005])
* ''Bloodsuckers'' LP (1983) - no. 8
* “Die for your government” 7”(1983 RIOT CITY [RIOT 27])
* “Led to the slaughter” 7”(1983 RIOT CITY [RIOT 29])
* ''Led to the Slaughter'' EP (1984) - no. 24
* ''Another Religion, Another War'' EP (1984) - no. 47
* “Another religion another war” 12” mini-album (1983 RIOT CITY [RIOT 31])
* “Massacred millions” (1984 ROT RECORDS [ASS 16])
* ''Massacred Millions'' EP (1984) - no. 30
* ''One Struggle, One Fight'' LP (1984)
* “Live in Holland” ( 1984 ROT RECORDS [DUTCH ONE])
* “Prepare for the attack” (1985 ATTACK RECORDS [ATTACK 1])
* ''Prepare for the Attack'' LP (1986)
* ''Nothing Changed'' EP (1994)
* “One Struggle One Fight” (1985 LIBERATE RECORDS [LIBERATE 1])
* ''Deadly Games'' LP/CD (compilation) (1994)
* “Nothing’s Changed” 7” (1994 WEIRD RECORDS [WEIRD 005])
* ''Murder'' LP/CD (1998)
* “Still bollox but still here” C.D./L.P. (1995 WE BITE [WE BITE 1-136-2])
* ''How Do You Sleep?'' (2000)
* “Murder” C.D./L.P. C.D./L.P. (1998 ASYLUM RECORDS [ASYLUM 1]/ WE BITE [WE BITE ?])
* ''Hellbound'' LP/CD (2005)
* “How do you sleep ?” C.D./L.P.(2000 GO KART RECORDS [GOK76])
* ''1980–2005: Collection Of 25 Years'' CD (2006) re-recorded tracks
* “Hellbound” (2005 ASYLUM RECORDS [ASYLUM 2])
* ''Killing Myself to Live'' CD (2009)
* “Still our future You're messing up” (Society's decline” & “Where next” were recorded for the “Still our future You're messing up” C.D./L.P. compilation (2011 VILE RECORDS [ VILE 002])
* ''Damned and Defiant'' LP/CD (2017)
* “Killing myself to live” (“Hellbound”+“Still our future You're messing up” on one C.D./L.P. (2011 VILE RECORD [VILE 003])
;Compilations:
* A lot of “best-of” compilations type with no real interest & a lot of repress/bootlegs too numerous to be mentionned !
* ''Still Bollox but Still Here'' (re-release of old tracks) CD (1995)
* ''Riot City Years: '83-'84'' CD (2004) Punk Core Records
* ''Punk Singles 1981–1985'' CD (2005)
* ''Murder''/''Nothing Changed'' LP (Reissued 2010) Rodent Popsicle Records

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book|last=Glasper|first=Ian|title=Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GcrqAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA76|year=2014|publisher=PM Press|isbn=978-1-60486-748-0|page=76}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://thevarukers.com/home_page.htm THE VARUKERS OFFICIAL SITE]
* {{official website|http://www.thevarukers.com/}}
* [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p21242|pure_url=yes}} The Varukers on allmusic.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/varukers The Varukers on Myspace]
* [http://www.sobriquetmagazine.com/varukers.html Interview with Marvin]

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varukers, The}}
[[Category:British crust and d-beat groups]]

Latest revision as of 16:57, 12 October 2023

The Varukers
The Varukers performing in Modena on 23 April 2006
The Varukers performing in Modena on 23 April 2006
Background information
OriginLeamington Spa, United Kingdom
Genres
Years active1979–1988, 1993–present
Members
  • Anthony "Rat" Martin
  • Ian "Biff" Smith
  • Brian Ansell
  • Kevin "Kev" Frost
Past members
  • Perry Philips
  • Carl Maxwell
  • Brian Roe
  • Bruce Riddell
  • Garry Maloney
  • George Jenkins
  • Sean Duggan
  • Brik
  • Andy
  • Damion
  • Tom (vomit) Lowe
  • Stick Dickings

The Varukers are a British punk rock band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin. They produced their most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band play in D-beat, the musical style of Discharge. Also like Discharge, the Varukers' lyrics carry an anarchist political ideology.

History[edit]

Initially known as the Veruccas, the band altered the spelling of their name to the Varukers to convey more aggression. When recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "UK 82", second generation punk, or UK hardcore. Bands such as the Varukers, Discharge, Chaos UK, Amebix, the Exploited, and Charged GBH took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) bands such as Motörhead. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.

While the Varukers split in 1989, vocalist Rat and guitarist Biff put the band back together in 1991. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals while guitarist Biff has been with the band since 1985.

Even with Rat splitting his time between the Varukers and Discharge and Biff splitting his time with Sick on the Bus. The Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California, which ended in rioting.

Guitarist Sean is the former manager of the public house The Olde Angel in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Journalist and Killing Joke biographer Jyrki "Spider" Hämäläinen directed a documentary about the band that was released 2022.[4]

Members[edit]

  • Anthony "Rat" Martin - vocals
  • Ian "Biff" Smith - guitar
  • Brian Ansell - bass
  • Kevin Frost - drums

Discography[edit]

Chart placings from the UK Independent Chart.[5]

  • Protest and Survive EP (1981) - no. 31
  • I Don't Wanna Be a Victim EP (1982) - no. 15
  • "Die for Your Government" single (1982) - no. 5
  • Bloodsuckers LP (1983) - no. 8
  • Led to the Slaughter EP (1984) - no. 24
  • Another Religion, Another War EP (1984) - no. 47
  • Massacred Millions EP (1984) - no. 30
  • One Struggle, One Fight LP (1984)
  • Prepare for the Attack LP (1986)
  • Nothing Changed EP (1994)
  • Deadly Games LP/CD (compilation) (1994)
  • Murder LP/CD (1998)
  • How Do You Sleep? (2000)
  • Hellbound LP/CD (2005)
  • 1980–2005: Collection Of 25 Years CD (2006) re-recorded tracks
  • Killing Myself to Live CD (2009)
  • Damned and Defiant LP/CD (2017)
Compilations
  • Still Bollox but Still Here (re-release of old tracks) CD (1995)
  • Riot City Years: '83-'84 CD (2004) Punk Core Records
  • Punk Singles 1981–1985 CD (2005)
  • Murder/Nothing Changed LP (Reissued 2010) Rodent Popsicle Records

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Glasper, Ian (2004). Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984. p. 75.
  2. ^ Von Havoc, Felix (1 January 1984). "Rise of Crust". Profane Existence. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  3. ^ Glasper 2004, p. 5
  4. ^ News of the week – LOP vol. 3 (Varukers)
  5. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980–1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4, p. 245

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Varukers&oldid=1179818064"