Anti-Pasti

Anti-Pasti

Anti-Pasti are a punk group from Derby, England, formed in 1979 and active until 2022. The line-up changes over time include Martin Roper on vocals, Dugi Bell on guitar, Stu Winfield on bass and Stan Smith on drums, with later members including Kev Nixon, Will Hoon, Ollie Hoon and Ben Hanson. The group is associated with punk and anarcho-punk, and comes from the UK82 era.

Early releases and local following

The group releases its debut EP, Four Sore Points, on its own Dose label, with the song "No Government" becoming one of its best-known tracks. After playing frequently in and around Derby, it builds a strong local following. Winfield and Smith are later replaced by Kev Nixon on drums and Will Hoon on bass.

Rondelet Records and chart success

Anti-Pasti signs to Rondelet Records and reissues Four Sore Points, alongside the single "Let Them Free" in January 1981. Later that year, the band releases its debut album, The Last Call, which reaches number 1 in the Indie Charts and stays in the UK Albums Chart for seven weeks, peaking at number 31. The single "Six Guns" follows and also reaches number 1 in the UK Indie Chart.

Collaborations and later releases

The band issues the 12-inch single EP Don't Let 'Em Grind You Down with The Exploited. Anti-Pasti also tours the UK in 1981 as part of the Apocalypse Now Tour with The Exploited and Discharge. In 1982, it releases "East To The West", followed by the final Anti-Pasti album and single, both titled Caution In The Wind, which feature Ollie Hoon on guitar.

Split and reunion

A self-titled singles retrospective appears a year later. The group splits in 1983 after Martin Roper leaves, then reunites in 1995 for mini-tours in the UK and Germany. A 2012 line-up includes Martin Roper, Kev Nixon, Olli Hoon and Ben Hanson, described as three of the original five members.