Bang! 101 Songs about Nuclear War from the 1980s18 Mai

Flash, Blinding Flash, then there's Nothing to See

Welcome to Episode 9 of Season 2. The UK punk scene was far from over in the early 80s. But the songs had moved on from general nihilism and frustration to a heavier tone, with more urban political and anti-war sentiments.

We start by going through our own Top 20 of UK 80s punk nuclear songs. Thanks to our long-time listener and future guest Dave (aka Steel City Vegan) for his wonderful input. We have put all 20 into a separate playlist (linked below) for you.

We then focus on 5 of the best. We start with Trowbridge’s punk heroes Subhumans, with their caustic “Human Error” – we switch off the bad news to make us feel better while there’s an arms race going on.

We then move on to “Last Rockers” by Bristol heroes Vice Squad, fronted by the fantastic Beki Bondage – one of the great female vocalists of the era.

At 1.22, “One Nation Under the Bomb” by Conflict. The late Colin Jerwood crams furious verses into a few short seconds. It’s fantastic.

Our 4th song is “No Doves Fly Here” by The Mob (from Yeovil). What an epic, slow burner of a track, full of ominous threat.

We finish our discussion with the extraordinary “Nagasaki Nightmare” by Crass – a Penny Rimbaud masterpiece in numerous parts, with Japanese tones, a koto and high speed drums and guitars.

The playlists are updated on Apple and Spotify and we have a special playlist of the punk top 20:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/376cRLM0lUCDMt6ZVeP3gC?si=nmRnF4u7SUSeNGIBbCurkA&pi=XPKRxf0NQfCIJ

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aHCNYfoQ2gtko5z6pwS9O?si=81bce0c59ff2470d

https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/bang-101-more-songs-about-nuclear-war-from-the-1980s/pl.u-vxy6L76uzVzd8Zl

Keep in touch via socials and emails:

Blue Sky: @bangpodcast.bsky.social

Facebook: Bang Nuclear Podcast

Reddit: r/bangnuclearpodcast

Email: bangnuclearpodcast@gmail.com

Opening and closing music: (Waiting for the) Heatwave – Fay Ray, appears courtesy of Fay Ray. Written by John Lovering

Artwork: Rachel Malbon

Assistant Producer: Shivam Pathak

Opening words: Richie Wheeler

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