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.
We're the League
Anti-Nowhere League Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another boring night and I'm feeling pissed
My head's fucked up and I'm in a mess
Too many drugs, they make me high
I wanna cause havoc, I wanna die
We are the League, and we're the extra man
And don't you say you're feeling bored
The League are here and we are scorned
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
The Anti-Nowhere League
You criticise us, you say we're shit
But we're up here and we're doing it
So don't you criticise the things we do
No fucker pays to go and see you
We are the League and we are mad
We are the League and the music's bad
Fuck-up noise like you've never known
We'll make you wish you'd stayed at home
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
The Anti-Nowhere League
But we ain't no dogs, we ain't no man
We hate the things we don't understand
A time for love, but that ain't class
If you don't fucking like it stuff it up your arse
We are the League and we are mean
We are the League and we're obscene
Don't give a toss what you think
And all your views they fucking stink
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
And don't fuck with the League!
The Anti-Nowhere League's song "We're the League" is a punk rock anthem that expresses the band's rebellious and anti-establishment attitude. The lyrics portray the singer as feeling frustrated and disillusioned with society, looking for an outlet to cause chaos and destruction. They take pride in being an "extra man" and an "anti-band," indicating that they stand apart from mainstream music and culture. Despite being criticized and deemed "bad," the League boldly defends their unique sound and style, warning detractors not to mess with them.
Throughout the song, the League establishes themselves as a group that rejects societal norms and values, and instead embody a more anarchic philosophy. They are loud, angry, and unapologetic. Particularly notable is the refrain of "We are the League," which serves as a powerful rallying cry for the band and their fans. The song's overall message suggests that the League and their music represent a kind of societal rejection, giving a voice and a sense of belonging to those who may feel ostracized or marginalized.
In conclusion, "We're the League" is a quintessential punk rock anthem that captures the spirit of nonconformity, rebellion, and anti-establishment sentiment. The lyrics paint a picture of a band that rejects societal norms and values, choosing instead to embrace chaos and destruction. At the same time, however, the song gives a voice to those who feel similarly disenfranchised or ostracized, creating a sense of belonging and community around the League's unique style and sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Another boring night and I'm feeling pissed
The singer is feeling fed up with life and is in a bad mood.
My head's fucked up and I'm in a mess
The singer is mentally and emotionally distressed.
Too many drugs, they make me high
The singer has taken too many drugs and is feeling the effects of being high.
I wanna cause havoc, I wanna die
The singer has a desire to create chaos and is feeling hopeless about life.
We are the League, and we're the extra man
The band sees themselves as an additional force, standing out against the norm.
We are the League, and we are the anti-band
The band is the opposite of traditional musical groups.
And don't you say you're feeling bored
The band challenges anyone who claims to be bored to deny their presence.
The League are here and we are scorned
The band acknowledges that they are disliked and possibly even hated by some.
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
The Anti-Nowhere League
The band affirms their identity.
You criticise us, you say we're shit
The band claims that they are often criticized and called names.
But we're up here and we're doing it
The band is proud to be performing onstage despite criticism.
So don't you criticise the things we do
The band tells critics to stop finding fault with them.
No fucker pays to go and see you
The band argues that there are people who want to see them perform, but nobody wants to watch their critics.
We are the League and we are mad
The band admits to being a little crazy and unconventional.
We are the League and the music's bad
The band admits that they are not the best musicians out there.
Fuck-up noise like you've never known
The band's music is unique and possibly unpleasant to some listeners.
We'll make you wish you'd stayed at home
The band is confident that their music will leave a lasting impression on the audience, whether good or bad.
But we ain't no dogs, we ain't no man
The band asserts that they are not like ordinary people or animals.
We hate the things we don't understand
The band dislikes what they don't comprehend.
A time for love, but that ain't class
The band believes that love is not classy or sophisticated.
If you don't fucking like it stuff it up your arse
The band doesn't care if someone doesn't like their music and tells them to leave.
We are the League and we are mean
The band admits to being rude and unpleasant sometimes.
We are the League and we're obscene
The band admits to engaging in lewd and shocking behavior.
Don't give a toss what you think
The band doesn't care what others think of them.
And all your views they fucking stink
The band thinks that people who criticize them have terrible opinions.
And don't fuck with the League!
The band warns others not to interfere with them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Davey Zane
Superb. One of my favorite songs. It's so touching & emotional.
6RID8U6
Will always be a stellar jam. Ageless, takes no prisoners. The kids just don't know.
Jeff Povey
Bikers here bikers there bikers are every where from jeff povey
fake company
Ehhh… one kid knows 😂
TIMyTruth
I remember when this album came out in 1982, 30 years ago - I loved it - listened to it constantly, it was almost like a religion - I worshiped it.
Steve Benson
First heard this band in 1983. Been hooked ever since. Some say punk,some say protest music. I say THE TRUTH
BuffaloGoodman
Yeah, 27 years for me...blasted it in college, annoyed everyone on the floor. Great stuff, timeless. I think I still have the vinyl around somewhere!
rene deweger
Great band!! Great song!! GREAT TIMES!!
Claudio Silva
Very good Mix ....❤❤❤🌹
Mark Greet
Nick lead singer is a very clever man he's an architect now as well as playing gigs with the band there's been loads of lune up changes but nick remains loyal.line up I liked was Magoo Winston and pj and animal