Conflict

Conflict is a UK anarcho-punk band from Eltham, in south London, formed in 1981 and active from then to the present. They work in the anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and punk styles, and are associated with Mortarhate Records, the label they establish themselves.

Formation and early line-up

The original line-up includes Colin Jerwood on vocals, Paco on drums, Big John on bass, Steve on guitars, Pauline on vocals, and Paul, also known as “Nihilistic Nobody”, handling visuals. The band’s early work appears on Crass Records, including the EP The House That Man Built, which is their first release.

Albums, label and associated acts

By the time Conflict release their debut album It’s Time To See Who’s Who on Corpus Christi Records, Pauline and Paul have left the group. Conflict then sets up Mortarhate Records, which releases their own material and records by other anarcho-punk artists including Hagar The Womb, Icons of Filth, Lost Cherrees, The Apostles and Admit Your Shit.

Collaboration and political themes

In 1983 Steve Ignorant, then a member of Crass, guests on Conflict’s pro-animal rights single “To A Nation of Animal Lovers”. After Crass dissolves, Ignorant becomes a second vocalist for Conflict on a semi-permanent basis, following a 1986 gig in Brixton where he joins the band on stage. The group is outspoken on anarchism, animal rights, anti-war politics and support for Class War, and some of its 1980s shows are followed by riots and disturbances.

Logo and identity

The Mortarhate logo, designed by “Nihilistic Nobody”, is often mistaken for a reference to CND, but is described as a nihilist symbol. It incorporates two “A”s for anarchy and autonomy, and an “N” for nihilism. The symbol first appears around 1980 in Thanatos, a pamphlet produced by Toxic Graffity fanzine editor Mike Diboll.

Later activity

The band continues to exist, though its releases and live performances are sporadic.