The Varukers
Punk Hardcore Band from United Kingdom formed in 1979
Band Members : Les Doherty, Anthony Martin, Ian Smith, Kev Frost, Mattias Kennhed, Andy Baker, Graham Kerr, Garry Maloney, Damien Thompson, Bruce Riddell, Sean Duggan, Tony May, Warren Beecham, Justin Greaves, Tony Dickens, Les Duly, Mark Greenwell, Tom Lowe, Marvin Gauntlett, Kieran Plunkett, Brian Ansell, George Jenkins, Keith Gilbert, Mark Briscoe, Todd A. Ciavarella, Brian Roe, Paul Miles
The Varukers are a British punk rock band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin. They produced their most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band play in D-beat, the musical style of Discharge. Also like Discharge, the Varukers' lyrics carry an anarchist political ideology.
History
Initially known as the Veruccas, the band altered the spelling of their name to the Varukers to convey more aggression. When recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "UK 82", Second Generation Punk, or UK Hardcore. Bands such as the Varukers, Discharge, Chaos UK, Amebix, the Exploited, and Charged GBH took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) bands such as Motörhead. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.
While the Varukers split in 1989, vocalist Rat and guitarist Biff put the band back together in 1991. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals while guitarist Biff has been with the band since 1985. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.
Even with Rat splitting his time between the Varukers and Discharge and Biff splitting his time with Sick on the Bus. The Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California, which ended in rioting.
Guitarist Sean is the manager of a public house in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
They are currently writing new material for a new album.
Members
Anthony "Rat" Martin - Vocals
Ian "Biff" Smith - Guitar
Brian Ansell - Bass
Kevin Frost - Drums
History
Initially known as the Veruccas, the band altered the spelling of their name to the Varukers to convey more aggression. When recording in the early 1980s, they were part of a broader trend known as "UK 82", Second Generation Punk, or UK Hardcore. Bands such as the Varukers, Discharge, Chaos UK, Amebix, the Exploited, and Charged GBH took the existing 1977-era punk sound and melded it with the incessant, heavy drumbeats and "wall of sound" distortion guitar sound of new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) bands such as Motörhead. The new, harder-edged style also tended to use much darker, more nihilistic, and more violent lyrics, and vocals were often shouted rather than sung.
While the Varukers split in 1989, vocalist Rat and guitarist Biff put the band back together in 1991. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on. The band has gone through many line-up changes over the years with the only constant member being Rat on vocals while guitarist Biff has been with the band since 1985. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.
Even with Rat splitting his time between the Varukers and Discharge and Biff splitting his time with Sick on the Bus. The Varukers continue to tour. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California, which ended in rioting.
Guitarist Sean is the manager of a public house in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
They are currently writing new material for a new album.
Members
Anthony "Rat" Martin - Vocals
Ian "Biff" Smith - Guitar
Brian Ansell - Bass
Kevin Frost - Drums
View full biography
Band Members : Les Doherty, Anthony Martin, Ian Smith, Kev Frost, Mattias Kennhed, Andy Baker, Graham Kerr, Garry Maloney, Damien Thompson, Bruce Riddell, Sean Duggan, Tony May, Warren Beecham, Justin Greaves, Tony Dickens, Les Duly, Mark Greenwell, Tom Lowe, Marvin Gauntlett, Kieran Plunkett, Brian Ansell, George Jenkins, Keith Gilbert, Mark Briscoe, Todd A. Ciavarella, Brian Roe, Paul Miles
- Biography -
39 albums

Split
2020 - United KingdomHardcore, Punk, Grindcore
CDr Album ⎯ 7 Tracks
No Name Distro/label

The Demos - Anniversary Edition
2020 - United KingdomHardcore, Punk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 9 Tracks
Criminal Attack Records

More Religion - More War (Anniversary Edition)
2019 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 15 Tracks
Death Rattle Records

Killing Ourselves To Live / Music For Losers
2018 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 21 Tracks
Papagájův Hlasatel Records, Mass Production...

Die For Your Government
2017 - United KingdomPunk
Lathe Cut 7" ⎯ 2 Tracks
Urinal Vinyl Records

Damned And Defiant
2017 - United KingdomHardcore, Punk
CD Album ⎯ 15 Tracks
Criminal Attack Records

Blood Money
2016 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 3 Tracks
Negative Insight Zine

1984-2000
2013 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 63 Tracks
Antisociety

The Damnation Of Our Species
2011 - United KingdomHardcore, Punk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 44 Tracks
Candlelight Records Usa

No Masters No Slaves
2007 - United KingdomPunk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 32 Tracks
Estajanovismo Records

Live: Protest And Survive
2005 - United KingdomPunk
DVD Album Compilation ⎯ 30 Tracks
Cherry Red Films

Massacred Millions
2001 - United KingdomPunk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 17 Tracks
Fallout Records

The Riot City Years '83-'84
2001 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 25 Tracks
Punkcore Records

Vintage Varukers - Rare And Unreleased - 1980 - 1985
2001 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl LP ⎯ 13 Tracks
Punkcore Records

The Retch Files Volume 1
2000 - United KingdomPunk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 34 Tracks
Retch Records

Humanity
1996 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 5 Tracks
Not On Label (the Varukers Self-released)

The Punk Singles 1981-1985
1996 - United KingdomPunk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 24 Tracks
Anagram Records

Bloodsuckers / Prepare For The Attack
1995 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 29 Tracks
Anagram Records

Still Bollox But Still Here
1995 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 15 Tracks
We Bite Records

Live In New York
1994 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
VHS PAL ⎯ 1 Tracks
Not On Label (the Varukers Self-released)

Nothings Changed EP
1994 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 4 Tracks
Weird Records

Deadly Games
1989 - United KingdomPunk
Vinyl Album Compilation ⎯ 22 Tracks
Abstract Sounds

Prepare For The Attack
1986 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl LP ⎯ 15 Tracks
Attack Records

One Struggle One Fight
1985 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl LP ⎯ 13 Tracks
Liberate Records

Led To The Slaughter
1984 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 3 Tracks
Riot City Records

Another Religion Another War
1984 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 12" ⎯ 8 Tracks
Riot City Records

I Don't Wanna Be A Victim!
1982 - United KingdomPunk, Hardcore
Vinyl 7" ⎯ 3 Tracks
Inferno

The Demos Anniversary Edition
- United KingdomHardcore, Punk
Vinyl LP ⎯ 9 Tracks
Nunny Dave Records

1980-2005 : Collection Of 25 Years
- United KingdomPunk
CD Album Compilation ⎯ 25 Tracks
Sos Records
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Last Update : 01 March 2021
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