Anti-Nowhere League, Robin 2, Bilston - review with pictures
In a week where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the use of the word 'Mankind' was no longer appropriate, and we should all now use 'Peoplekind' in its place, the political incorrectness of The Anti-Nowhere League - that shocked even the most hardcore punk in the early 80s - was alive, and offending, at Bilston's Robin 2
With a band line-up of the aptly named Animal on lead vocals, backed by Tommy H, Carnage and Shady, they proved that old punks age disgracefully.
From the moment The Anti-Nowhere League gave Ralph McTell’s Streets of London a very particular makeover in 1981, their motto has best been summed up by the title of their shock filled, Obscene Publications Squad investigated, B-side to that first single – So What.
But, somewhat disappointingly, Animal actually owns up to the fact that he is really 'quite a nice guy', and has never committed any of the grossly offensive misdemeanours his lyrics claim.
The band were, and are, so much better than the perceived 'shock only' approach many have of them - testimony to decades of performing to live crowds.
Hailing from the seemingly unlikely town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, the band performed to a very appreciative, and very boisterous, crowd.
An enthusiastic mosh pit at the front of stage sent people ducking for cover, in the best possible spirit of punk.
By Dave Cox
