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.
Crime
Anti-Nowhere League Lyrics
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Man to man
Nation to nation
We enter the age of...Crime
I see the shadows of the rising sun
I stand aside as the deed is done
And I have wandered through the darkest nights
And I have walked across the waters
To hear the voices of the battle song
And I have coveted the daughters
Of the women of Babylon
And I have seen them fall
Without emotion
And I have tasted wealth
God knows it's a crime
I see religion cut a land in two
I turned away as the violence grew
I saw a man reach for the stars
As hunger raged down in Africa
And I have walked across the waters
To hear the voices of the battle song
And I have coveted the daughters
Of the women of Babylon
And I have seen them fall
Without emotion
And I have tasted wealth
God knows it's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
I am the soldier of a hundred shores
I bear the scars of a thousand wars
I was the child who cried alone
I am the seed that you have sown
And I have walked across the waters
To hear the voices of the battle song
And I have coveted the daughters
Of the women of Babylon
And I have seen them fall
Without emotion
And I have heard the call
Without devotion
And I have tasted wealth
God knows it's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
It's a crime
The Perfect Crime
The lyrics of Anti-Nowhere League’s “Crime” express the idea that crime is a ubiquitous problem that exists not only within nations but also between nations, leading to the rise of conflicts, wars, and discriminations. The song emphasizes the consequences of the human desire for power, possession, and control. The opening lines “Brother to brother/Man to man/Nation to nation/We enter the age of...Crime” suggest that crime has been and will continue to be a prevalent issue across all levels of society. The following lines give examples of the corrupt and immoral acts that men have committed throughout history. The reference to the Israelites refers to the group’s liberation from slavery, which suggests the song is not necessarily anti-Semitic but anti-oppression. The reference to religion cutting a land in two is likely a reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The chorus and the repeated phrase “It’s a crime” serves as a reminder that no matter how trivial or grand the act of criminality may be, there are always consequences. The lyricist’s personal experience as a soldier and a witness to numerous wars and conflicts often described symbolically in the lyrics demonstrate the shared human experience of violence, loss of innocence and betrayal. The line “I am the seed that you have sown” implies that the violence and the greed that cause crime are ingrained into human nature and are passed down generation after generation.
Overall, the song’s lyrics paint a bleak picture of humanity's dark tendencies, urging the listener to recognize that all human beings are capable of both great good and great evil.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother to brother
Addressing fellow human beings and acknowledging the bond between them.
Man to man
Recognizing that all individuals are equal and have the same fundamental rights.
Nation to nation
Highlighting the divide between different countries and the conflicts that ensue from it.
We enter the age of...Crime
Implying that the world has regressed to a state of chaos and disorder, where criminal activities are prevalent.
I see the shadows of the rising sun
Observing the early signs of change or danger in the world.
I stand aside as the deed is done
Choosing to remain passive in the face of wrongdoing, perhaps out of fear or apathy.
And I have wandered through the darkest nights
Experiencing periods of despair and uncertainty.
To see the coming of the Israelites
Anticipating a moment of triumph or deliverance, similar to the Biblical account of the Israelites' liberation.
And I have walked across the waters
Travelling to distant lands and experiencing different cultures.
To hear the voices of the battle song
Being exposed to the sounds of war, conflict or struggle.
And I have coveted the daughters
Lusting after the women of another society, perhaps hinting at cultural appropriation or imperialism.
Of the women of Babylon
Referencing the ancient Babylonian civilization, which was renowned for its wealth and civilization.
And I have seen them fall
Witnessing the downfall of individuals or societies, devoid of any personal attachment or emotion.
Without emotion
Lacking empathy or compassion for the suffering of others, especially in the face of large-scale conflicts.
And I have tasted wealth
Indulging in the spoils of success or power at the expense of others.
God knows it's a crime
Acknowledging the immorality of such actions, perhaps referring to a divine judgment or conscience.
I see religion cut a land in two
Noting the ways in which religious beliefs often exacerbate political or social divides.
I turned away as the violence grew
Choosing to disengage or ignore a situation where violence or conflict is escalating.
I saw a man reach for the stars
Witnessing someone striving for greatness or success, and perhaps pushed to extremes in order to achieve it.
As hunger raged down in Africa
Highlighting the stark inequality between different regions of the world, and the suffering that comes with it.
I am the soldier of a hundred shores
Asserting a sense of global citizenship or belonging to multiple cultures.
I bear the scars of a thousand wars
Experiencing significant trauma and injury as a result of conflicts and battles.
I was the child who cried alone
Recounting a moment of vulnerability or sadness that left a deep impact.
I am the seed that you have sown
Acknowledging the impact of one's upbringing or environment on their present identity.
And I have heard the call
Being summoned or urged to take action, especially in a crisis or moment of change.
Without devotion
Lacking a strong commitment or sense of duty towards the cause or issue at hand.
It's a crime
Reiterating the immoral or unjust nature of the situation being described.
The Perfect Crime
Emphasizing the idea that the injustices and crimes being committed are fundamentally wrong and cannot be easily rectified.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JONATHAN BIRCH, CLIVE HARVEY BLAKE, NICK JOHN CULMER, CHRIS DAVID EXALL, MARK GILHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind