Here’s a little rare Gem from one of the greatest Anarcho Punk bands Chumbawamba playing a live set on John Peels studio on the 2nd of August 1992. They were asked by the BBC to participate on the show. The Beeb obviously thought they were gonna get a free pillage of their political songs, twist them and murder them like they usually do. Instead the band took them to the Fairground with this.
Chumbawamba ◾ The John Peel Show ◾ 2nd of August, 1992
The Tunes They Played
- Knock Three Times.
- The Birdie Song
- Viva Espana
- Agadoo
Who Were Chumbawamba?
Chumbawamba were an Anarcho-Punk music group from the town of Burnley in the North of England. They were originally formed in the 1980s by a group of friends. They had all been living together in Squats and so decided to put a band together. It was a bit of a Mish mash to begin with and they never really settled on a name for the first while. Instead, they play under different names from gig to gig. Their style would also rotate from gig to gig. Both the music and performance. They are almost like a travelling stage show circus.
Chumbawamba consisted of Alice Nutter, Danbert No-Bacon, Dunstan Bruce, Daz Hamer, Mave Dillon , Lou Watts., Jude, off Whalley and Simon Lanzon. However, their members have come and gone over the years. Sometimes they’d have members for one show Only. They’d also have guest appearances on stage with them in many of their live shows. The band release their debut album ‘History Luddite’ in 1984 on Crass records. Following the DIY ethic of Punk like their Anarcho-Punk predecessors Crass, the group recorded on their own label. Singing lyrics with strong political opinion and message.
For most of the groups existence, they’ve been out of the mainstream as their lyrics are too political for that. The mainstream doesn’t want music that makes people think. It doesn’t help encourage the Idiocracy that Mainstream Music Industry fuels. However, they did get a Top Ten hit with their Chart busting song ‘Tubthumping’ in 1997. Sadly, this is the song that people best remember Chumbawamba for. But really, it’s their crappest. All it did was sing about someone falling on their ass and getting up again. Singing “They ain’t ever gonna keep me down” it’s hardly deep. But that’s the mainstream for ya I guess.
Chumbawamba on the BBC
In 1992, Chumbawamba were asked to come into the BBC studios in Maida Vale and perform a live set on the Peel Sessions. These were live sessions done by the late and legendary John Peel who hosted the long running John Peel Show. He would often host live acts on the show and do live studio sessions. However, you may or not know that when a group does a Live session the BBC studios, then the music belongs to the BBC. Not to the group. But Chumbawamba weren’t about to be suckered I to giving their music to the BBC to cannibalise.
So, they decided to go into the studio and play their usual Anarcho songs, they decided to play this little Medley of Spanish Holiday stroke Butlins music. A wee bit of this and a wee bit of that and a wee bit of this and shake yer arse.
What do you think?
Well then. What did you think of that? Did you enjoy it? Or didnt you like it? Whatever your thoughts and opinions are on it, we’d love to hear them in the comments below. Here at The Collective Jukebox, we just love to chat about music and always keen to read what others have to say about the music we share.
Actually, if youre a music lover like us, who loves to share their favourite tunes as well as discovering new stuff, then why not join us. We’re the world’s Number One Online Music Community and we’re always keen to hear what everyone likes. We also beleive that Music should be available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation or status. So it’s absolutely FREE to join and always will be. Just click the button below to become part of the community. See you Inside!