Later that year, they also opened for The Damned on a short tour round the north of England. November 1981 saw the release of their first single, a cover version of Ralph McTell's 'Streets of London', with the song that was to become the group's anthem, 'So What' on the B side.
In 1982, things were looking good for the band, with the 'So What Tour' in the company of such groups as Chelsea, Chron Gen and the Defects, and the release of their debut album We Are...The League. However, the Obscene Publications Squad seized all copies of their records, which were removed from shops and they were banned from TV and Radio. To top it all, they were thrown out of the Top Of The Pops studio...just because Animal happened to be carrying a 3ft axe around with him! However the year finished on a high, with the 'Hardcore Storms America' tour with the UK Subs.
Anti-Nowhere League LogoGilly (real name Mark Gilham) joined the band in 1983 as an extra guitarist, which according to the bands website,[1], was because Magoo was drinking heavily and was often unable to carry out his commitments as guitarist. The band went to Yugoslavia to record a live album, imaginatively called Live In Yugoslavia, but even this was dogged by problems with the authorities insisting that references that Animal had made about recently deceased president Tito be removed from the master tapes, and any language which they deemed to be offensive be bleeped (including a few "when’s", "it’s" and "ands" according to Animal!).
By 1984, things were not looking too good. PJ quit, unable to cope with the pressures of the drugs and alcohol lifestyle the band were now leading and they were musically inactive. 1985 saw Michael Bettel on the drums, followed in 1986 by JB (Jonathan Birch). During this time they signed for GWR Records, and recorded the Perfect Crime album. However, once again there were problems, when GWR refused to put up the money to finish the album once they heard its rough cut, and it was released unfinished to try to get back some of the money already invested in it. This was the final straw, and in 1987 ANWL disbanded. There was a "Farewell" show in 1989.
Fast forward to 1992, and Animal was working on his car, in the rain. The phone went, and it was JB, with the news that Metallica wanted Animal to guest at Wembley Arena, when they did their cover of 'So What'. Apparently Animals response was "Who the fuck are Metallica?, and anyway I'm working on my car!!" JB phoned back later, and managed to persuade Animal to do the slot. Animal put it thus on ANWL's website. "As I waited on the edge of the stage waiting to go on it suddenly dawned on me I was just about to stand in front of 10,000 punters who didn’t know me from Adam and sing a song that I couldn’t fucking remember………….all that kept running through my head was RUN you silly old fucker!". However, after the show, the bug had bitten again. Mark joined that year on Lead Guitar, and 1993 - 1995 was spent playing gigs in the small venues the band had started out in. In 1996, they signed up with Impact Records and recorded their next album Pig Iron. Beef also joined the band after Mark's departure.
1997 saw another personnel change when Winston left the band to be replaced by Jon Jon, and recording the album Scum.
Danny joined on drums in 1998.
The album Out Of Control was released a year later in 1999 2001 Magoo quit playing live shows.
2002 - now.... Jon Jon, Beef and Danny all left, to be replaced by PJ (original drummer), Jez, and Shady. This lineup of the band is still going as of April 2006.
'Reck-A-Nowhere
Anti-Nowhere League Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want some girl to 'reck it for me
And if she's ugly I don't mind (They're all ugly)
She does upon want to grind,
Want to grind, want to grind
And let her 'reck it for me
My dick is in eternal state
Gonna love my dick, love me grind
I have my dick, let me push it your way
Push it your way, let it stay
And let her 'reck it for me
Don't wanna lie awake in bed
I killed my body, I killed my head
'Recking's good but I have much to see
I have a penis so let me be (boss)
Let me be (boss), let me be
And let her 'reck it for me
'Recking (??) is so very nice
'Recking (??) is so my advice
Will you 'reck it by night, will you 'reck it by day?
Will you 'reck it too much and wear it away
Wear it away, wear it away
And let her 'reck it for me
I want some girl to 'reck it for me
I'll get some girl to 'reck it for me (Take that, take that, take that)
And if she's ugly I don't mind
She does upon want to grind,
Want to grind, want to grind
And let her 'reck it for me
And let her 'reck it for me
And let her 'reck it for me
Will she 'reck it for me?
The lyrics of "Reck-A-Nowhere" by the Anti-Nowhere League are vulgar and explicit, describing a sexual encounter in which the male protagonist wants a woman to "reck it" for him, or engage in rough sex. He expresses a preference for an "ugly" woman and boasts about the size of his penis, urging the woman to pleasure him. The lyrics also make oblique references to drug use and suggest that the singer has a self-destructive streak. While the song's lyrics are offensive and objectifying, they could also be seen as a form of social commentary, critiquing a culture in which men are encouraged to objectify and exploit women.
The song was recorded by British punk band the Anti-Nowhere League and released in 1982. It was included on the band's debut album, "We Are the League," which was controversial and widely criticized for its explicit lyrics and violent themes. Despite this, the album reached number 48 on the UK charts and the band went on to achieve a cult following.
Line by Line Meaning
I want some girl to 'reck it for me
I am seeking a girl to engage in sexual activity with me
And if she's ugly I don't mind (They're all ugly)
Physical appearance is not a concern for me when seeking a sexual partner
She does upon want to grind, Want to grind, want to grind
She should be willing to engage in grinding, which is a type of sexual activity
My dick is in eternal state
My penis is always ready for sexual activity
Six inches long I cannot with wait (???)
My penis is six inches long and I am eager to engage in sexual activity
Gonna love my dick, love me grind
I will enjoy sexual activity with my penis and grinding
I have my dick, let me push it your way
I have an erect penis and I want to engage in sexual activity with another person
Don't wanna lie awake in bed
I do not want to be alone and sexually frustrated
I killed my body, I killed my head
I have engaged in self-destructive behavior
I have a penis so let me be (boss)
I have a penis and I am in control of my sexual desires
'Recking's good but I have much to see
Sexual activity is enjoyable, but I also want to experience other things in life
'Recking (??) is so very nice
Engaging in sexual activity is pleasurable
Will you 'reck it by night, will you 'reck it by day?
Are you willing to engage in sexual activity at any time?
Will you 'reck it too much and wear it away
Are you willing to engage in sexual activity frequently, even if it may become physically painful or harmful?
I'll get some girl to 'reck it for me (Take that, take that, take that)
I am confident that I will find a girl to engage in sexual activity with me, despite any potential objections
And let her 'reck it for me
I want her to engage in sexual activity with me
Will she 'reck it for me?
I am hopeful that I will find a sexual partner
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Damon Macready
Fantastic cover of the old Wreck A Pum Pum by Prince Buster!
Stiubhart 5
Saw these guys for about 15 minutes , if that , back in 1985 at The Prince of Wales in St.Kilda , Australia. Animal gave out a warning to the crowd that if there was any shit (Trouble) started that they would walk off and not return , Lo and behold some idiots pushed the envelope and sure enough they ANWL walked off and the show was cancelled.
The Man from Epsilon Crucis
"She has a pom and I want to grind" - what does "pom" mean? That is what Aussies call English people.
The Man from Epsilon Crucis
@Richard Hughes cheers
Richard Hughes
It’s Jamaican slang for a lady’s front bottom.
TS50ER
Check out Prince Buster's Wreck A Pum Pum.
Carina Ballerina
Best cover!
M M
Soul Sisters on ANL way !! :)
Damon Macready
Fantastic cover of the old Wreck A Pum Pum by Prince Buster!
Damon Macready
@David Erlstoke Actually Buster's song was the original. It got banned due to its explicit content, and Nora Dean and the Soul Sisters made a response release same year! Be that as it may, it's still a hit song in its own right.