‘They’ve got a bomb’: sounding anti-nuclearism in the anarcho-punk movement in Britain, 1978–84

George Mckay

doi:10.1080/19401159.2019.1673076

‘They’ve got a bomb’: sounding anti-nuclearism in the anarcho-punk movement in Britain, 1978–84

George Mckay

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

56 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article explores the links and tensions in Britain between a musical subculture at its height of creative energy – anarcho-punk – and the anti-nuclear movement, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It identifies and interrogates the anti-nuclear elements of anarcho-punk, looking at its leading band, Crass. At the center is an exploration of the sounds of Crass’ music and singing voices – termed Crassonics – in the context of anti-nuclearism: if the bomb changed music and art, what did the new music sound like?

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	217-236
Number of pages	20
Journal	Rock Music Studies
Volume	6
Issue number	3
Early online date	3 Oct 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/19401159.2019.1673076
Publication status	Published - 2019

Keywords

punk rock
anarchism
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
anti-nuclear
1980s
popular music
protest
social movements

Access to Document

10.1080/19401159.2019.1673076

RockMusicStudies_MackayAccepted author manuscript, 727 KB

3 Citations (Scopus)
1 Book
1 Chapter (peer-reviewed)
1 Article

Editors' Foreword to The Oxford Handbook of Punk Rock
McKay, G. & Arnold, G., 2025, The Oxford Handbook of Punk Rock. McKay, G. & Arnold, G. (eds.). New York: Oxford University Press, p. ix-xvi 8 p. (Oxford Handbooks).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Open Access
File
The Oxford Handbook of Punk Rock
McKay, G. (ed.) & Arnold, G. (ed.), 2025, Oxford University Press. 590 p. (Oxford Handbooks)
Research output: Book/Report › Book

1 Citation (Scopus)
Was punk DIY? Is DIY punk? Interrogating the DIY/punk nexus, with particular reference to the early UK punk scene, c. 1976–1984
McKay, G., Apr 2024, In: DIY, Alternative Cultures and Society. 2, 1, p. 94-109 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File

90 Downloads (Pure)

1 Public lecture/debate/seminar

London Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament evening on peace and protest traditions
George McKay (Speaker)
2021
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Public lecture/debate/seminar

Cite this

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abstract = "This article explores the links and tensions in Britain between a musical subculture at its height of creative energy – anarcho-punk – and the anti-nuclear movement, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It identifies and interrogates the anti-nuclear elements of anarcho-punk, looking at its leading band, Crass. At the center is an exploration of the sounds of Crass{\textquoteright} music and singing voices – termed Crassonics – in the context of anti-nuclearism: if the bomb changed music and art, what did the new music sound like?",

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‘They’ve got a bomb’: sounding anti-nuclearism in the anarcho-punk movement in Britain, 1978–84

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Research output

Editors' Foreword to The Oxford Handbook of Punk Rock

The Oxford Handbook of Punk Rock

Was punk DIY? Is DIY punk? Interrogating the DIY/punk nexus, with particular reference to the early UK punk scene, c. 1976–1984

Activities

London Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament evening on peace and protest traditions

Cite this