Anti-Nowhere League

Anti-Nowhere League are a British punk group from Royal Tunbridge Wells, in the United Kingdom. The band forms in 1979 and remains active. Their line-up changes frequently over the years, and members listed across its history include Animal, Magoo, Bones, Baggy, Gooky, Hopper, Clive “Winston” Blake, PJ, Mark Gilham, Michael Bettell, Jonathan Birch, Beef, Danny, Jez, and others.

Early line-up and first releases

The band begins with lead singer Animal, whose real name is Nick Kulmer, rhythm guitarist Magoo, whose real name is Chris Exall, drummer Bones, and bassist Baggy Elvy. Its first gig takes place in Tunbridge Wells during the annual carnival and ends with the band being arrested. Local press describes the performance as a “cacophany of noise”.

In 1981, Gooky joins on lead guitar, Hopper on drums, and Clive “Winston” Blake on bass, although Hopper is soon replaced by PJ, also known as “Persian John”, whose real name is Djahanshah Aghssa. The group then plays a slot on the Apocylypse tour with The Exploited, Chron Gen and Anti Pasti, which leads to a recording contract with John Curd’s label WXYZ, with Curd and Chris Gabrin co-managing the band. Later that year, they support The Damned on a short tour of northern England.

The band’s first single appears in November 1981. It is a cover of Ralph McTell’s “Streets of London”, with “So What” on the B-side. “So What” becomes one of the band’s best-known songs.

Albums, censorship and touring

In 1982, Anti-Nowhere League release their debut album, We Are...The League. In the same period, they tour with Chelsea, Chron Gen and the Defects on the “So What Tour”, and also tour the United States on the “Hardcore Storms America” tour with UK Subs.

The band then faces censorship problems when the Obscene Publications Squad seizes copies of its records, removes them from shops, and bans the group from TV and radio. It is also removed from the Top Of The Pops studio. Their live work and recordings continue to attract attention despite these difficulties.

In 1983, Mark Gilham, also called Gilly, joins as an extra guitarist. The band records a live album in Yugoslavia, released as Live In Yugoslavia, but authorities require references to recently deceased president Tito to be removed from the master tapes and insist that other language is bleeped.

Later 1980s, split and reunion

By 1984, PJ leaves and the band becomes musically inactive. Michael Bettel joins on drums in 1985, followed by Jonathan Birch, also known as JB, in 1986. During this period the band signs to GWR Records and records Perfect Crime, but the album is released unfinished after the label refuses to fund completion. Anti-Nowhere League then disbands in 1987, with a farewell show in 1989.

In 1992, Animal appears with Metallica at Wembley Arena when they perform their version of “So What”. The performance leads to renewed activity for Anti-Nowhere League, with Mark returning on lead guitar. From 1993 to 1995, the band plays small venues similar to those of its early years.

1990s and beyond

In 1996, the band signs to Impact Records and records Pig Iron. Beef joins after Mark leaves. In 1997, Winston leaves and Jon Jon replaces him, and the band records Scum. Danny joins on drums in 1998, and Out Of Control follows in 1999. In 2001, Magoo stops playing live shows. By 2002, Jon Jon, Beef and Danny have left and are replaced by PJ, Jez and Shady. The line-up described at that point continues into the mid-2000s.