by David Pratt
4 non-white punk bands you should know.
Punk has always been regarded as a socially conscious subculture, with bands such as The Clash, Conflict and Crass putting out some of the most politically charged music of their time, calling out racism, sexism, animal abuse and challenging the British state, but despite the progressive ideology promoted by many of these bands there is still one thing that is missing.
The punk scene is still very white, although better than other music genres, punk still struggles with a representation problem, so we have complied a list of 4 Punk bands from the UK and further abroad that we think are worth checking out.
Big Joanie
Big Joanie are a feminist punk band from London, formed in the summer of 2013 and described on their Bandcamp as ‘like The Ronettes filtered through 80s DIY and Riot Girl with a sprinkling of dashikis’. Their lyrics cover various issues such as politics, race and gender, and with a sound reminiscent of the riot girl feminist bands of the 80s, Big Joanie are one of the most interesting punk bands currently on the live circuit.
For fans of: Bikini Kill, The Gits, PJ Harvey (the early years)
Negro Terror
Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Negro Terror are a Hardcore Punk band, they made waves on the internet last year for covering a song by the racist punk band ‘Skrewdriver’ but changing some of the lyrics, something that made them very unpopular with local right-wing groups around Tennesse. They are the brain child of bassist and reggae frontman, Omar Higgins, who unfortunately passed away in 2019.
With an old school hardcore punk sound but with a clear skinhead ‘Oi’ influence, Negro Terror are definitely worth checking out. That said you won’t be able to hear them live as unfortunately since Omar’s death, they aren’t playing any more gigs, but you can buy their music and they have a documentary out now which shows the band’s rise.
For fans of: Agnostic Front, Madball, Warzone
Fight Rosa Fight
Fight Rosa Fight are a Riot Girl feminist punk band from south West England. like Big Joanie, they have lyrics that cover various topics such as sex, gender, race and hating the Tories. The band have a very minimal sound which works really well sonically, they also have a strong DIY ethos with their first EP ‘Step one make a band’ being recorded, mixed and mastered by them all.
Although Fight Rosa Fight are no longer playing any gigs, they have various EP’S on their Bandcamp. PLUS, as their Bandcamp states, they are ‘Unapologetically feminist’ – something that is very clear in their lyrics.
For Fans of: Big Joanie, The Ethical Debating Society, Skinny Girl Diet
Nekra
From London, Nekra are a Hardcore punk band who, over recent years, have made waves in London’s DIY hardcore punk scene. With abrasive vocals, tight guitar riffs and short, snappy songs, Nekra are one of the most interesting hardcore punk bands around at the moment,
With each song on their first demo from 2017 no longer than one minute and 50 seconds, Nekra’s songs might not be lengthy, but the frantic speed of their songs sound like a perfect merge of 80s hardcore punk and more modern bands such as C.H.E.W.
For fans of: Exit Order, P.M.S, Krimewatch.
Can’t get enough of these bands? Check out our Spotify playlist for even more non-white punk rockery.
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