When Curtis Mayfield dared to sing doo-wop that wasn’t about loving his baby and feeling “da waa ooh yeah,” he was vilified. Negroes weren’t allowed to say shit like, “We’re a Winner.” So he started his own label and single handedly began what was known back then as “message music.” This changed popular music forever.
Crass were the message musicians of the punk movement. While the Sex Pistols were fun to look at and had great stylists, Crass started a label that anyone could put a record out on and a squat anyone could stay at. They practiced what they preached 24 hours a day and still do. Despite having the most popular logo since The Ramones, the band never made a cent off licensing and as recently as a few years ago, was yet to pay a cent for living at Dial House. There is no band or group of activists on earth as infallible as Crass and maybe that is their only flaw. Maybe they should have sold out just a teensy bit.
Leave a Reply
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
STREET BONER 1319
All Tomorrow’s Parties is a great place to see people passed out on couches while their favorite band plays down the hall.
Bad Behavior has blocked 3305 access attempts in the last 7 days.
Crass had/have total integrity that was never the issue. I just wish the music had been consistently better.
07.28.08 at 10:58 am
Get Stations of the Crass, Penis Envy and, of course, Best Before and you’ll still have 10 times the jams the Sex Pistols ever had.
07.28.08 at 11:03 am
The only band I know of that’s been banned in the states.
07.28.08 at 3:59 pm
DO THEY OWE US A LIVING?
OF COURSE THEY DO, OF COURSE THEY DO.
07.28.08 at 6:00 pm
thanks for that
was always embarrassed that i gave away my crass records (and the first mdc) in the early 80’s trying to a skinhead etc. but then crucifix rolled through town and i realized i was being weird and starting listening to crass again.
anyone read “the story of crass”?
07.28.08 at 7:19 pm
If there is no authority but yourself,then no one owes you shit.
07.28.08 at 8:45 pm
I’m very happy that when I discovered punk rock this was the band I absolutely worshipped. once again I’m right about EVERYTHING! thanks for sharing this!!!!
07.29.08 at 9:08 am
weird, somebody please tell penny about the “crown colonies” I don’t want to ever be smarter than crass!
07.29.08 at 9:43 am
why are you guys so far up crass’ butt? they sucked? there were lots of better peace punk bands around at the time. Read a maximum rocknroll once in a while.
07.29.08 at 12:55 pm
Curtis Mayfield was in CRASS? Loved him.
09.03.09 at 5:24 pm