Crass Records to release MDC & Hit Parade as part of vinyl reissue series

‘2 By 2 And Back Again’   Crass Records 12” vinyl reissue series #8 out November 8th   MDC – ‘Multi-Death Corporations’ EP (1983) Hit Parade – ‘Plastic Culture’ single (1984)   Stream ‘Multi-Death Corporations’ Stream ‘Product of The Troubles’

“[MDC are] one of the world’s leading political bands, in terms of both beliefs and commitment” – Maximum Rocknroll   “The furiously political British anarchist collective Crass lived their dogma with admirable rigor” – Rolling Stone   Punk pioneers Crass continue their vinyl reissue series, re-pressing their limited releases by adjacent artists through Crass Records, in association with One Little Independent. The series, including over twenty bands and solo artists recorded at the legendary Southern Studios and produced by Penny Rimbaud, continues with two more historic pieces from the Crass Records catalogue; ‘Multi-Death Corporations’ by MDC and ‘Plastic Culture’ by Hit Parade.   They follow records from the likes of Captain Sensible, Omega Tribe, Honey Bane, Jane Gregory, Lack of Knowledge, Sleeping Dogs, Rudimentary Peni, Zounds, Flux Of Pink Indians, Annie Anxiety, D&V, Alternative, The Cravats and Rubella Ballet. First released on 7” vinyl, limiting the sound, the new series has been remastered for 12” by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios, allowing them to be heard as never before. This, plus enlarged replicas of the original covers, brings new gusto to their already radical sound.   1983's 'Multi-Death Corporations' broke new ground by addressing, in the lengthy liner notes and artwork, the growth of corporations and the violent suppression of left-wing politics in Central America. The Austin-based band released material through ex-Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra, cited influences such as Black Flag and D.O.A, as well as working with Crass Records.    Penny Rimbaud tells us; “MDC were one of the first American bands to follow the political mantle set by Crass in the UK. Straight-edge purist to the last mouthful of sprouted grass, MDC were equally fierce with their polemic and uncompromising politics. Sharp as a blade, they cut through the crap. ‘They meant it, ma’am’, and some.”   Hit Parade was a one-man anarchist band, the brainchild of Dave Hyndman (aka P. Checkoff and Rik O’che) a member of the Anarchist Collective in Belfast. Being a left-wing socialist, Checkoff’s songs were highly political by nature and concentrated on life in Northern Ireland. Subject matter ranged from the evils of television to H Blocks; the RUC to housing problems, and of course unemployment.   Penny continues; “Hit Parade was one troubled man’s attempt to deal with and describe the ‘troubles’ that surrounded him in Belfast where he lived with family, friends and comrades. In the seventies and eighties, divided Ireland was never far from the distortions of the UK’s daily headlines, all of which toeing the predictable Protestant party line. Meanwhile, Hit Parade had to suffer the daily indignities of military oppression and religious bigotry. Shouting out from a wilderness of human stupidity, Hit Parade looked to put the record straight from the trenches; one man’s voice touching the multitude. Listen and learn. It’s still going on and on and on…”   Penny finally notes that “Our (Crass’) interest was never in personalities, profits or power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle, not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference – rather than looking only to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out on the street.”   In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect, Crass’ classic line, “There is no authority but yourself”, makes its point. Crass sought to empower others, and the output of Crass Records does much to confirm this, while ‘2 By 2 And Back Again’ seems to nail it – “get out of your own way, we’re all in this together”.   Tracklist   MDC – ‘Multi-Death Corporations’ EP   Multi-Death Corporations Selfish Shit Radioactive Chocolate No Place To Piss   Hit Parade – ‘Plastic Culture’ single   Product of The Troubles Media Song   Follow Crass   Website Bandcamp Facebook Instagram Twitter Spotify