Description

Exploited – Punks Not Dead – Compact Disc

Punks Not Dead is the debut studio album by the Scottish punk rock band The Exploited, released in 1981. This album is a landmark in the hardcore punk scene, embodying the anger, energy, and DIY ethos of punk at the turn of the decade. It came at a time when punk music was believed by some to be dwindling, and its title serves as a defiant declaration to the contrary.

The Exploited’s Punks Not Dead is raw, fast-paced, and aggressive. The album’s style is straightforward punk with loud guitars, rapid drums, and shouted vocals. It is characterized by its simplicity and directness, with songs that are short, sharp, and often politically charged. The band, led by vocalist Wattie Buchan, did not shy away from controversial topics and anti-authoritarian themes, making them icons in the punk subculture.

Key Tracks
‘Punks Not Dead’ – The title track is a raucous anthem rejecting the notion that the punk movement had faded away. It’s a rallying cry for punk’s relevance and resilience.
‘Mucky Pup’ – A song that reflects the band’s unpolished and rebellious spirit, discussing social alienation and defiance.
‘Cop Cars’ – This track showcases the band’s typical anti-establishment sentiment, with a fast tempo and lyrics critical of police presence and brutality.

Upon its release, Punks Not Dead received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom found its style too abrasive and its production quality lacking. However, the album resonated strongly with the punk community, quickly becoming a defining album of the 80s punk scene. It cemented The Exploited’s reputation as a leading voice in what would come to be known as street punk or Oi!.

The album’s raw sound and defiant lyrics influenced countless punk and hardcore bands around the world. It helped to spur a resurgence in punk music, especially in the UK, and solidified the genre’s continuing cultural and musical influence.

Punks Not Dead is more than just an album; it’s a statement about the enduring nature of punk as a cultural and musical force. The Exploited’s debut remains a significant reference point in the history of punk music, noted for its uncompromising sound and its impact on the development of harder punk styles, including hardcore. It is celebrated not only for its musical content but also for its role in the punk movement’s ongoing narrative, inspiring new generations of punk bands to carry the torch forward with the same raw energy and rebellious spirit.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

Original Masters Records

Track Listing
1. Punks Not Dead
2. Mucky Pup
3. Cop Cars
4. Free Flight
5. Army Life
6. Blown To Bits
7. Sex And Violence
8. S.P.G.
9. Royalty
10. Dole Q
11. Exploited Barmy Army
12. Ripper
13. Out Of Control
14. Son Of A Copper
15. I Believe In Anarchy