The Varukers are a UK anarchist hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s.

History

When the Varukers were 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, 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 1988, vocalist Rat put the band back together in 1993. 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. They have recently released a retrospective CD on SOS Records.

Even with Rat splitting his time between The Varukers and Discharge, 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.

They are currently writing new material for a new album.

Discography

1981

• Protest and survive EP Inferno Records

1982

• ''I Don't wanna be a victim EP Inferno Records
• Die for your government single Riot City Records
• Bloodsuckers LP Riot City Records

1983

• Bloodsuckers LP

1984

• Led to the slaughter EP Riot City Records
• Another Religion Another War EP Riot City Records
• Massacred millions EP Rot Records
• Live Album Retch Records
• One Struggle One Fight LP Liberate Records

1985

• Live In Holland LP Rot Records. Limited edition of 1500

1986

• Prepare For The Attack LP Attack Records. Limited edition of 1000

1994

• Nothing changed EP Weird Records
• Deadly Games LP, CD (compilation) Abstract Sounds

1995

• Still bollox but still here (re-release of old tracks) CD We Bite Records

1996

• Varukers - Protest and Survive: The Varukers Live CD
• One Struggle, One Fight CD re-release

1998

• Murder LP, CD Asylum Records

1999

• Bloodsuckers / Prepare For The Attack CD re-release

2000

• How Do You Sleep? Go Kart Records

2001

• Massacred Millions
• Riot City Years: '83-'84 CD Punk Core Records
• Vintage Varukers: The Rare and Unreleased CD Punk Core Records

2003

• Live in Holland

2005

• Punk Singles 1981–1985 CD Anagram Records
• 1980–2005: Collection Of 25 Years CD

External links

• The Varukers on allmusic.com
• The Varukers on Myspace
• Interview with Marvin