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{{Short description|Welsh anarcho-punk band}}
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{{Refimprove|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
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{{More citations needed|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Icons of Filth
| name = Icons of Filth
| image = File:Icons_of_Filth_logo.jpg|thumb|right
| image = Icons of filth live 1980's.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Icons of filth live in the 1980s
| image_size = 200
| image_size = 200
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
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| label = [[Mortarhate]]
| label = [[Mortarhate]]
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website =
| website = https://www.IconsofFilth.com
| current_members = Stiggy Smeg<br>Daffy Marshall<br>Sab Hunt<br>H. Unky Punky<br>Ed
| current_members = Daffy Marshall<br>Fish<br>Lance<br>Dan
| past_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}


'''Icons of Filth''' are an influential Welsh anarcho-punk band that were formed in 1979 and who campaigned via their lyrical content and their support to various causes to effect positive social, political and environmental change. The issues the band promoted included [[animal rights]], [[anarchism]], [[environmentalism]], [[anti war]], [[vegetarianism]], [[veganism]], [[antiglobalisation]], [[feminism]] and the negative effects of [[organised religion]].
'''Icons of Filth''' are a Welsh anarcho-punk band that were formed in 1979. The issues the band promoted through their lyrics included [[animal rights]], [[anarchism]], [[environmentalism]], [[anti war]], [[vegetarianism]], [[veganism]], [[antiglobalisation]], [[feminism]], and the negative effects of [[organised religion]]. Live shows were often used to raise money for these causes and also others including [[Rock Against Racism]] and the [[UK miners' strike (1984–85)]].

Members of the band were involved with various campaign groups such as [[Solidarity Federation|The Direct Action Movement]], [[Hunt Saboteurs Association|Hunt Saboteurs]], [[Animal Liberation Front]], [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]] (CND), [[London Greenpeace]], [[Peace Pledge Union]] and gave support to the women campaigning at [[Greenham Common]] cruise missile base. Live shows were often used to raise money for these causes and also others including [[Rock Against Racism]] and the [[UK miners' strike (1984–85)]].
[[File:Icons_of_Filth_artwork_from_the_album_Onward_Christian_Soldiers.jpg|thumb|rleft|Onward_Christian_Soldiers]]

Due to the anti-establishment stance of the band many shows were banned by local authorities across the UK and gigs attracted a heavy Police presence often in full riot gear. Various far right groups also attempted to disrupt the band playing, and many shows were marred by violence from right wing skinheads.




==Early history==
==Early history==
'Icons of Filth' started life as '''Mock Death''' in [[Cardiff]] in 1979 with Aitch on [[Drum kit|drums]], Daffy on [[guitar]], Socket on [[bass guitar|bass]] and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After several gigs in the local area, Mock Death called it a day after one year.
Icons of Filth started life as '''Mock Death''' in [[Cardiff]] in 1979, with Aitch (Mark Wilson) on drums, Daffy (Simon DeManuel) on guitar, Socket (Tony Watts) on bass and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After a year of local performances, the band dissolved.

[[File:Icons of filth live 1980's.jpg|Icons of filth live 1980's]]

⚫
'Atomic Filth' formed shortly afterwards with Socket (Tony Watts), Daffy (Simon DeManuel) and Aitch (Mark Wilson) from Mock Death and Stig ([[Andrew Sewell]]) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to '''Icons of Filth''' and Socket had left to be replaced on bass by Ed. After gigging extensively, the [[compact audio cassette|cassette]] LP “Not On Her Majesty’s Service” was recorded in September 1982 by Pete Fender at Xntrix Studios, becoming the first release on [[Conflict (band)|Conflict's]] [[Mortarhate Records|Mortarhate]] label (Mortarhate M1). This first release showcases Stig’s intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics, which are lined up as a full-frontal attack on those in positions of authority. This was followed up by the May 1983 recording "Used · Abused · Unamused" which was released as a 7" EP on [[Corpus Christi Records]]. Ed left after this to be replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards) on bass. In December 1983, ''Onward Christian Soldiers'' was recorded and released the following March on Mortarhate records. This LP featured a strong [[animal rights]] theme. After extensively gigging during 1984, usually with Conflict, the "Brain Death" 7" EP was recorded in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the "Filth & the Fury" EP.

[[File:Icons_of_Filth_artwork.jpg|thumb|left|Icons of Filth artwork]]

==Artwork==
Icons of Filth may have been as well known for their record sleeve artwork as they were for their music. Most of the artwork, which was rather intricate and quite dark in tone, was drawn by Squeal who also invented the "scratchy" calligraphy that has since been used by many bands and artists.

[[File:Icons_of_Filth_artwork_from_Onward_Christian_Soldier_album.jpg|thumb|right|Icons of Filth]]


⚫
Atomic Filth formed shortly afterwards with Socket, Daffy and Aitch from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket had left, to be replaced on bass by Ed. They recorded the [[compact audio cassette|cassette]] LP ''Not On Her Majesty's Service'' in September 1982, becoming the first release on [[Conflict (band)|Conflict's]] [[Mortarhate Records|Mortarhate]] label (Mortarhate M1). This was followed up by the May 1983 recording ''Used · Abused · Unamused'' which was released as a 7-inch EP on [[Corpus Christi Records]]. Ed left after its release and was replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards) on bass. In December 1983, ''Onward Christian Soldiers'' was recorded, and was released the following March on Mortarhate records. This LP featured a strong [[animal rights]] theme. After a series of performances in 1984, usually with Conflict, the ''Brain Death'' 7-inch EP was recorded in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the ''Filth & the Fury'' EP.
==Recent history==
After a long hiatus 'Icons of Filth' reformed with the original recording line-up (Stig, Aitch, Daffy and Ed) and in 2001 recorded "Nostradamnedus" for Go-Kart records.<ref name="Gordon">Gordon, Keith A. "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/nostradamnedus-r595183/review ''Nostradamnedus'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2011-05-13</ref> Pete from Spite/[[In The Shit (band)|In The Shit]] joined as a second guitarist and Icons of Filth started gigging extensively again, doing 2 tours of the U.S., played a festival in [[Slovenia]] and many gigs in the UK, most of which were benefits for various causes.


==Death of Stig==
==Death of Stig==
While playing at a [[squatting|squat]] gig in [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]], London on October 23, 2004 Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died abruptly of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] shortly afterwards. The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and LA, after which they decided to disband indefinitely. They recently reformed for two gigs in Cardiff for the ten year commemoration of Stig's death, on the 14/15th of November 2015, and played alongside both of Stig's son's bands.
While playing at a [[squatting|squat]] gig in [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]], London on 23 October 2004, Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died abruptly of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] shortly afterwards. The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and Los Angeles, after which they decided to disband indefinitely. They reformed for two performances in Cardiff to commemorate the ten year commemoration of Stig's death, and played alongside both of Stig's son's bands.

After this tragic event members of the band continued to have involvement in work and organisations to effect positive social change but Icons of Filth rarely played, other than coming together for significant occasions and to raise money for various causes. On these occasions the band featured vocalists standing in on a temporary basis.

After a concert arranged to mark the anniversary of Stig's passing in 2014 band members once again decided to reform. The being heavily motivated by their commitment to contribute to the movement to effect positive change and to seek to raise ethical, social, political and environmental issues. The band are now working with a new singer who is a permanent addition, and are due to release a new album in 2017 and have been playing various live dates in the UK and Europe.

==Influence and Imagery==

Various artists and bands have cited Icons of Filth as having been influential on their sounds and politics. Similarly the band's logo and imagery has been used in a variety of places.

[[File:Candy_Brooke_-_Opulence_video.png|thumb|right|Candy Brooke]]

In the video "Opulence" Candy Brooke wears a jacket with the Icons of Filth logo on the arm along with the lyrics to "Death is the Only Release".


After a concert arranged to mark the anniversary of Stig's passing in 2014, the band members decided to reform.<ref name="OrganThing"/> After several lineup changes they eventually settled and released a 10-inch EP 'Plight' on Grow Your Own Records in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/icons-of-filth-plight-album-review/|title = Icons of Filth: Plight - album review|date = 22 July 2021}}</ref>


==Legacy==
In an interview with [[The Guardian]] in 2016, the band was citied along with a number of other British [[Anarcho-punk]] bands of the early 80s as being an influence to the American avant-garde metal group [[Neurosis (band)|Neurosis]].<ref name="Deller1">{{cite web |last1=Deller |first1=Alex |title=Neurosis: 'Crass were the mother of all bands' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/nov/03/neurosis-crass-bands-anarcho-punk-steve-von-till |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129004419/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/nov/03/neurosis-crass-bands-anarcho-punk-steve-von-till |archive-date=29 November 2022 |location=[[Kings Place, London]] |language=British English |date=3 November 2016}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Albums===
===Albums===
*''Not On Her Majesty's Service'' (1982), [[Mortarhate Records|Mortarhate]]
*''Not On Her Majesty's Service'' (1982), [[Mortarhate Records|Mortarhate]]
*''Onward Christian Soldiers'' (1984), Mortarhate - [[UK Independent Chart|UK Indie]] No.&nbsp;7<ref name="Lazell">Lazell, Barry (1998) ''Indie Hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, {{ISBN|0-9517206-9-4}}, p. 117</ref>
*''Onward Christian Soldiers'' (1984), Mortarhate - [[UK Independent Chart|UK Indie]] No.&nbsp;2<ref name="Lazell">Lazell, Barry (1998) ''Indie Hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, {{ISBN|0-9517206-9-4}}, p. 117</ref>
*''Nostradamnedus'' (2002), Go-Kart
*''Nostradamnedus'' (2002), Go-Kart


Line 74: Line 48:
*''The Filth and the Fury'' (1985), Mortarhate - UK Indie No.&nbsp;9<ref name="Lazell" />
*''The Filth and the Fury'' (1985), Mortarhate - UK Indie No.&nbsp;9<ref name="Lazell" />
*''Show Us You Care'' (1999), BBP
*''Show Us You Care'' (1999), BBP
*''Plight'' (2021), Grow Your Own<ref name="OrganThing">{{cite web |title=Welsh anarcho punks Icons Of Filth are back with a positively powerful new album |url=https://organthing.com/2021/07/14/organ-thing-welsh-anarcho-punks-icons-of-filth-are-back-with-a-positively-powerful-new-album/ |website=Organ Thing |date=14 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="HippiesBlack">{{cite web |last1=Cross |first1=Rich |title=Icons of Filth release Plight – new eight-song album |url=https://thehippiesnowwearblack.org.uk/2021/07/13/icons-of-filth-release-plight-new-eight-song-album/ |website=The Hippies Now Wear Black |date=13 July 2021 |access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 79: Line 54:


==External links==
==External links==
*https://www.facebook.com/IconsOfFilth/
*{{Official website|https://www.iconsoffilth.com}}
*{{Facebook|IconsOfFilth}}
*[http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Saints/Musicians/IconsofFilth.htm Tribute to Stig at the Animal Liberation Front web site]
*[http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Saints/Musicians/IconsofFilth.htm Tribute to Stig at the Animal Liberation Front web site]
*[http://www.iconsoffilth.info/ Icons of Filth]
*[http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/mainindexpages/icons.htm Art of the State]
*[http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/mainindexpages/icons.htm Art of the State]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Musical groups established in 1979]]
[[Category:Anarcho-punk groups]]
[[Category:Anarcho-punk groups]]
[[Category:Welsh punk rock groups]]
[[Category:Welsh punk rock groups]]
[[Category:Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Welsh anarchists]]

Latest revision as of 09:10, 26 September 2023

Icons of Filth
Icons of filth live in the 1980s
Icons of filth live in the 1980s
Background information
OriginCardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
GenresAnarcho-punk
Years active1979–present
LabelsMortarhate
MembersDaffy Marshall
Fish
Lance
Dan
Websitehttps://www.IconsofFilth.com

Icons of Filth are a Welsh anarcho-punk band that were formed in 1979. The issues the band promoted through their lyrics included animal rights, anarchism, environmentalism, anti war, vegetarianism, veganism, antiglobalisation, feminism, and the negative effects of organised religion. Live shows were often used to raise money for these causes and also others including Rock Against Racism and the UK miners' strike (1984–85).

Early history[edit]

Icons of Filth started life as Mock Death in Cardiff in 1979, with Aitch (Mark Wilson) on drums, Daffy (Simon DeManuel) on guitar, Socket (Tony Watts) on bass and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After a year of local performances, the band dissolved.

Atomic Filth formed shortly afterwards with Socket, Daffy and Aitch from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket had left, to be replaced on bass by Ed. They recorded the cassette LP Not On Her Majesty's Service in September 1982, becoming the first release on Conflict's Mortarhate label (Mortarhate M1). This was followed up by the May 1983 recording Used · Abused · Unamused which was released as a 7-inch EP on Corpus Christi Records. Ed left after its release and was replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards) on bass. In December 1983, Onward Christian Soldiers was recorded, and was released the following March on Mortarhate records. This LP featured a strong animal rights theme. After a series of performances in 1984, usually with Conflict, the Brain Death 7-inch EP was recorded in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the Filth & the Fury EP.

Death of Stig[edit]

While playing at a squat gig in Hackney, London on 23 October 2004, Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died abruptly of a heart attack shortly afterwards. The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and Los Angeles, after which they decided to disband indefinitely. They reformed for two performances in Cardiff to commemorate the ten year commemoration of Stig's death, and played alongside both of Stig's son's bands.

After a concert arranged to mark the anniversary of Stig's passing in 2014, the band members decided to reform.[1] After several lineup changes they eventually settled and released a 10-inch EP 'Plight' on Grow Your Own Records in July 2021.[2]

Legacy[edit]

In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, the band was citied along with a number of other British Anarcho-punk bands of the early 80s as being an influence to the American avant-garde metal group Neurosis.[3]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Not On Her Majesty's Service (1982), Mortarhate
  • Onward Christian Soldiers (1984), Mortarhate - UK Indie No. 2[4]
  • Nostradamnedus (2002), Go-Kart
Compilations
  • The Mortarhate Projects (1995), Mortarhate

EPs[edit]

  • Used, Abused, Unamused (1983), Corpus Christi - UK Indie No. 20[4]
  • Brain Death (1984), Mortarhate - UK Indie No. 3[4]
  • The Filth and the Fury (1985), Mortarhate - UK Indie No. 9[4]
  • Show Us You Care (1999), BBP
  • Plight (2021), Grow Your Own[1][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Welsh anarcho punks Icons Of Filth are back with a positively powerful new album". Organ Thing. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Icons of Filth: Plight - album review". 22 July 2021.
  3. ^ Deller, Alex (3 November 2016). "Neurosis: 'Crass were the mother of all bands'". The Guardian. Kings Place, London. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Lazell, Barry (1998) Indie Hits 1980-1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4, p. 117
  5. ^ Cross, Rich (13 July 2021). "Icons of Filth release Plight – new eight-song album". The Hippies Now Wear Black. Retrieved 18 July 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Icons_of_Filth&oldid=1177152363"