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Angelic Upstarts

Angelic Upstarts are an English punk rock-Oi! band formed in South Shields in 1977. The band espoused an anti-fascist and socialist working class philosophy, and have been associated with the skinhead subculture.
Angelic Upstarts: A Punk Band with a Powerful Message
Punk rock brought an anti-establishment ethos that shook the foundations of rock and roll music in the late 70s. And amidst the burgeoning punk scene in England, a band known as Angelic Upstarts emerged. Fronted by lead singer Mensi, Angelic Upstarts had a message to deliver through their music. They were unapologetically political, tackling controversial topics like racism, fascism, sexism, and economic inequality. This blog post is dedicated to the punk band, Angelic Upstarts - who they are, their music biography, their music genre, some of their best songs, their famous concerts, and a critical analysis of their music.
Biography
Angelic Upstarts was formed in South Shields, England, in 1977 by lead singer Thomas Mensforth (Mensi) and guitarist Ray Cowie (Mond Cowie). The band was initially influenced by bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, and The Stooges. The band's name derives from two different sources; firstly from the Upstarts, a Kingston-upon-Hull based band formed in 1976, and also from a shop in South Shields called 'Angelic Studios'.
Music Genre
Angelic Upstarts' music was a blend of punk rock, new wave, and working-class poetry. Their raw sound captured the essence of working-class struggles, which they pointed out in their music. The band's music style was distinctive, characterized by Mensi's snarling vocal delivery and the raucous power-chord-based punk guitar sound created by bassist Ronnie Rocker and drummer Decca Wade.
Best Songs
Angelic Upstarts produced a wide range of songs throughout their career. But some of their best songs include I'm an Upstart, Teenage Warning, Never Had Nothing, Solidarity, and Police Oppression. These songs resonate with the working-class struggles, and they draw attention to important social issues that continue to affect society today.
Famous Concerts
Famous Concerts
Angel Upstarts' performances were electric, and their concerts were a true expression of punk rock energy. The band lives on through their music, and their legacy is cemented in their famous concerts, demonstrating the power of punk rock music as an instrument for real social change. Their iconic performance at the 100 Club Punk Festival in 1976 and their tour with The Clash in 1978 typified their musical rebellion against the status quo.
Critical Analysis
Angelic Upstarts' music was not only about punk rock anarchy; it was also deeply political and used their platform to speak out against injustice. Their music was not just a sound; it was a message. Angelic Upstarts' music has stood the test of time and has been covered by many bands and musicians across different genres, showing the band's influence on contemporary music.
Angelic Upstarts went down in the pages of punk rock history as not just a band that was part of a movement but one that forcefully used their music to highlight social and political issues and bring change. Although their music was rebellious, anarchic, and in your face, the message it carried still resonates today. Angelic Upstarts had a powerful message, and the voice of Mensi still rings clear: ...we were trying to go somewhere with the music—a sense of political identity, of ourselves as people. Punk rock is not dead, and Angelic Upstarts' music continues to inspire new generations of political activists and artists across the globe.
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LISTEN THE BEST ANGELIC UPSTARTS SONGS IN STREAMING

2022-11-01

The Rise and Legacy of Angelic Upstarts: A Musical Biography

From the working-class suburbs of South Shields, Tyne and Wear, came a band that would become one of the most iconic street punk bands to emerge from the UK punk rock scene. Angelic Upstarts was formed in 1977 by lead singer Mensi (Mick Sanders) and guitarist Mond Cowie, who wanted to bring their message of anti-racism, anti-fascism, and working-class pride to the forefront of punk rock. Over the years, Angelic Upstarts became known for their raw, anthemic sound that gave a voice to the underrepresented and marginalized. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the musical biography of Angelic Upstarts, from their beginnings to their most famous albums and songs.

Formed in 1977, Angelic Upstarts burst onto the punk rock scene with a mission to spread an important message. The band’s early influences came from a combination of punk rock and reggae music, which blended together to form a unique sound that became known as street punk. Their first single, The Murder of Liddle Towers, was an anti-police brutality anthem that quickly gained popularity and set the tone for the band’s message.

Their debut album, Teenage Warning, released in 1979, was a powerful statement that tackled social and political issues head on. The title track became an anthem for the youth of the UK and beyond, with its message of rising up against authority. Another standout track from the album was Police Oppression, a song that protested police brutality and abuse of power. Teenage Warning established Angelic Upstarts as a band with a political conscience and a voice for the working class.

During the 1980s, Angelic Upstarts continued to release albums that drew from a variety of musical influences. They experimented with new wave, hard rock, and even heavy metal sounds, while always remaining true to their punk rock roots. Notable albums from this period include Reason Why? (1983), Blood on the Terraces (1987), and Bombed Out (1989). These albums continued to tackle important social issues, with songs like Brighton Bomb condemning terrorism and Never ‘Ad Nothing telling the story of a young man’s life of unemployment and poverty.

While Angelic Upstarts’ music often dealt with serious topics, they were never afraid to have fun and experiment with different styles. One of their most popular songs, Woman in Disguise, is a catchy pop-punk tune with a chorus that’s impossible not to sing along with. The band also dipped their toes into the world of punk rock covers, with their version of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World becoming a fan favorite.

Angelic Upstarts were not only pioneers in the punk rock scene, but they were also a band with a message to spread. Their uncompromising stance against social injustice and their ability to blend different genres together set them apart from their peers. Throughout their career, they remained true to their working-class roots and continued to be a voice for the oppressed. Today, their music still resonates with a new generation of fans who are seeking a message of hope and change. So if you want to experience the raw power of street punk, give Angelic Upstarts a listen- you won’t be disappointed.
Tag: Angelic Upstarts, musical biography, best songs, playlist
SONGS OF ANGELIC UPSTARTS - THE BEST SONGS OF THE ARTIST
1 - Never Come Back
2 - Last Night Another Soldier
3 - Solidarity
4 - Teenage Warning
5 - Two Million Voices
6 - I'm An Upstart
7 - England
8 - Police Oppression
9 - Guns For The Afghan Rebels
10 - Kids On The Street
11 - Woman In Disguise
12 - I Understand
13 - Leave Me Alone
14 - Machine Gun Kelly
15 - Ghost Town
16 - Brighton Bomb
17 - Student Power
18 - The Murder Of Liddle Towers
19 - You're Nicked
20 - The Young Ones
21 - Lust For Glory
22 - We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
23 - Heath's Lament
24 - I Won't Pay For Liberty
25 - We Are The People
26 - Never Again
27 - We're Gonna Take The World
28 - When Will They Learn
29 - White Riot (live)
30 - Shotgun Solution
31 - Soldier
32 - Do Anything
33 - 42nd Street
34 - Liddle Towers
35 - A Young Punk
36 - Youth Leader
37 - Jimmy
38 - Small Town Small Mind
39 - Let's Speed
40 - Never Return To Hell
41 - Mensi's Marauders
42 - Not Just A Name
43 - Dollars And Pounds
44 - I Stand Accused
45 - Leave Me Alone (live)
46 - I Wish
47 - Different Strokes
48 - Never Say Die