The UK, late 1970s, and a post-punk movement that wasn't new wave, but a a parallel universe of extreme left wing bands united almost solely a disgust for the ravishes of Capitalism. Somewhat presciently in light of the recent collapse of the banking system.
Lead by Gang Of Four, the young Human League, but including bands like the Au Pairs, Throbbing Gristle, even the Fall and PiL, it was one last gasp of the other before the 1980s kicked in. And at the forefront was the Popgroup -a funky, skronky, expermental jazz art damaged up against the wall ravishing tirade lead by Mark Stewart.
I guess the times called for his return. Next year, Mark Stewart will be releasing a new album, and pon December 2nd you can download a new indictment of modern economics, Here is what the press release has to say:
"Mark Stewart (The Pop Group) makes an apocalyptic return amidst an increasingly agitated atmosphere. On December 2nd, Mark will release “Nothing Is Sacred” as a free download. The track is a damning indictment of greed in a year riddled by riots, revolutions, occupations and increasing collapse of the global financial system. A collaboration with Crass vocalist Eve Libertine, German electro monsters Slope and Dan Catsis from the Pop Group on bass “Nothing Is Sacred”’s howling funk-rock and unyielding political attack evolved from the sessions for Mark’s forthcoming album, and is the now-deleted AA of his limited 7” cover of the T.Rex classic “Children of the Revolution”.
Mark Stewart is one of those rare artists that has not only remained steadily prolific over the course of three decades, he continues to inspire with his pioneering sonics, viciously astute social observations and uncompromising manifestos. Nick Cave, Alec Empire, Bobby Gillespie, Trent Reznor and Tricky amongst many others have cited him as a major influence, as well as a host of current provocateurs like Factory Floor, fellow Bristol producers Kevin Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound) and Kahn. His 11th-hour appearance at St. Vincent’s recent London show duetting on his early Pop Group track, “She’s Beyond Good and Evil” elicited a breathless response from critics (“a firefight of vocoder-distorted vocals and funk-rock rhythms”– The Guardian) and St. Vincent herself: “I did not want that song to end ever! It’s crazy to get to play with one of my heroes, I kinda can’t believe it.”
“Nothing Is Sacred” is available as a free download from www.markstewartmusic.com
on 2nd December 2011.
www.facebook.com/markstewartmusic
www.twitter.com/_markstewart
www.livestream.com/globalrevolution"