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Conflict (band)

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Conflict
Colin Jerwood performing with Conflict in 1986
Colin Jerwood performing with Conflict in 1986
Background information
OriginEltham, London, England
GenresAnarcho-punk, hardcore punk
Years active1981–present
LabelsCrass Records
Corpus Christi Records
Mortarhate Records
Go-Kart Records

Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band originally based in Eltham in South London.[1]

Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood (vocals), Francisco 'Paco' Carreno (drums), John (bass guitar), Steve (guitars), Pauline (vocals), Paul a.k.a. 'Nihilistic Nobody' (visuals).[1] Their first release was the 1982 EP "The House That Man Built" on Crass Records.[1] By the time they released their first album, 1983s It's Time to See Who's Who, on Corpus Christi Records, Pauline and Paul had left the band.

In 1983 Conflict set up their own Mortarhate Records label, which put out their own records as well as releases by other artists including Hagar the Womb, Icons of Filth, Lost Cherrees, The Apostles, and Stalag 17. A sub-label Fightback Records, was active from 1984-1986.[2]

In 1983, Steve Ignorant, who was at the time a member of the band Crass, guested on the band's pro-animal rights single "To A Nation of Animal Lovers".[1] After the dissolution of Crass, Ignorant later became second vocalist for Conflict on a semi-permanent basis until the mid 1990s.

The band's "Mighty and Superior" was voted #53 best song of the year by the John Peel Festive Fifty radio show audience in 1985, a year that show played the top 70.[3]

Conflict has always been outspoken regarding issues such as anarchism, animal rights, the anti-war movement and in their support for the organisation Class War. A number of their gigs during the 1980s were followed by riots and disturbances.[1] On Saturday 18th April 1987 Conflict appeared at the Brixton Academy in London as part of a benefit event titled "The Gathering of the 5000" which intended to raise money for causes including the Animal Liberation Front, London Greenpeace, Hunt Saboteurs Association, Class War, Housmans Bookshop and Anti-Fascist Action. According to the band, fans leaving the event were attacked by the police, which led to a riot culminating in 52 arrests and several police officers being injured.[4]

In a 2016 primer on anarcho punk for The Wire magazine, the band were described as:

"Rejecting hippy anarchism for direct action, particularly on the topics of animal rights and corporate globalisation, Conflict came to replace Crass as anarcho-punk's ethical template."[5]

Former band drummer, Francisco "Paco" Carreno, died on 20 February 2015, at the age of 49.[6][7] In August 2019 long-term bassist, Hoddy, decided to step down from bass duties after over 30 years. Later that year Fran Fearon was recruited on bass and additional vocalist, Fi.

The current line-up of Colin, Gav, Stu, Fran and Fi have been touring since 2021 and are currently rehearsing and recording new material. A new live album "Live in Dublin" was released in 2024[8] and the first new studio material for over 20 years, a 7" single entitled "THIS IS CONFLICT", was released November 2024.[9] A full studio album is expected to be released in early 2025.

Members

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Original line up

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  • Colin Jerwood (vocals)
  • John Clifford (bass guitar)
  • Kenny Barnes (drums)
  • Graham Ball (guitar)
  • Paul Fryday, a.k.a. 'Nihilistic Nobody' (visuals)

Later members

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  • Francisco "Paco" Carreno (drums)
  • Steve Gittins (guitar)
  • Mandy Spokes (vocals)
  • Kevin Webb (guitar)
  • Paul Hoddy (bass guitar)
  • Chris Parish (guitar)
  • Kerry B (vocals)
  • Steve Ignorant (vocals)
  • Ferenc Collins (guitar)
  • Marshall Penn (guitar)
  • Derek Reid (bass)
  • Mark Pickstone (keyboards)
  • Jackie Hanna (vocals)
  • Sarah Taylor (vocals)
  • Eve Scragg (vocals)
  • Matthew Zilch (guitar)
  • Gav King (guitar)
  • Jeannie Ford (vocals)
  • Stuart Meadows (drums)
  • Fiona Jayne Friel (vocals)
  • Fran Fearon (Bass)

Current members

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  • Colin Jerwood (Vocals)
  • Stuart Meadows (Drums)
  • Gav King (Guitar)
  • Fiona Jayne Friel (Vocals)
  • Fran Fearon (Bass Guitar)

Discography

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Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[10]

Studio albums

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EPs

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  • "The House That Man Built" EP (June 1982, Crass Records) (#3). Later re-issued on Mortarhate Records.
  • "To a Nation of Animal Lovers" EP (October 1983, Corpus Christi Records) (#4). Later re-issued on Mortarhate Records.
  • "The Serenade is Dead" EP (January 1984, Mortarhate Records) (#5)
  • "This is Not Enough, Stand Up and Fucking Fight" 7" (March 1985, Mortarhate Records) (#3)
  • "The Battle Continues" 7" (October 1985, Mortarhate Records) (#1)
  • "The Final Conflict" 12"(1988, Mortarhate Records)
  • "These Colours Don't Run" 7" / CD (October 1993, Mortarhate Records)
  • "BBC1" 7" (1995, Mortarhate Records)
  • "Now You've Put Your Foot in It" 7" / CD (2001, Mortarhate Records)
  • "Carlo Giuliani" 7" / CD (April 2003, Mortarhate Records)
  • "THIS IS CONFLICT" 7" (November 2024)

Compilations

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  • Who? What? Why? When? Where? LP / CD (1984, Mortarhate Records). The album had little circulation on its initial release, but gained greater currency when re-released in 2003.
  • Employing All Means Necessary LP / CD (1985, Mortarhate Records)
  • Standard Issue 82–87 LP / CD (February 1989, Mortarhate Records)
  • Standard Issue II 88–94 LP / CD (1996, Mortarhate Records)
  • Deploying All Means Necessary (February 1997)
  • There Must Be Another Way (January 2001)

Live

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  • Live at Centro Iberico EP (October 1982, Xntrix Records) (#7). Later re-issued on Mortarhate Records.
  • Live at Brest, France (March 1983)
  • Only Stupid Bastards Help EMI LP (1986, New Army Records) (#5)
  • Leeds University (April 1986)
  • Turning Rebellion into Money Double LP / CD (1987, Mortarhate Records) (#1)
  • In The Venue (April 2000)
  • In America CD (2001, Go-Kart Records 83)
  • Live in London (2004)
  • Live in Dublin (2024)

Other

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  • Rebellion Sucks! (Anthology and DVD of live in London 2004)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 124/5. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  2. ^ "Fightback Records". Discogs. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Keeping It Peel: Festive Fifties: 1985". BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Conflict - The Gathering of the 5000". uncarved.org. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  5. ^ Pattison, Louis (June 2016). "The Primer: Anarcho Punk". The Wire (388): 35.
  6. ^ Brown, Nathan (21 February 2015). "RIP Paco Carreno drummer with Conflict and Inner Terrestrials". Louder Than War. John Robb. Retrieved 21 June 2015. Punks around the world were saddened at the news yesterday of the death at the age of 49 of Francisco "Paco" Carreno. Paco was a man who redefined punk rock drumming with the band's Conflict and Inner Terrestrials.
  7. ^ Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  8. ^ Cross, Rich. "Conflict limited edition live album from February 2024 Dublin gig". The Hippies Now Wear Black. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  9. ^ Cross, Rich. "New Conflict single – 'This is Conflict'". The Hippies Now Wear Black. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  10. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
  11. ^ It's Time To See Who's Who Now at Discogs (list of releases)
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