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 Are the League
Anti-Nowhere League Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heads fucked up and I'm in a mess
Too many drugs have made me high
I want to 'cause havoc, I want to die.
We are the League, with the extra man
We are the League, we are the anti band
So don't you say you're feeling bored
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
The Anti Nowhere League
You criticize us, you say were shit,
but were up here and were doing it
So don't you criticize 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 our musics bad
Well fuck noise like you've never known
And make you wished you'd stayed at home
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League
The Anti Nowhere League
We hate the dogs, we hate the man,
We hate the things we don't understand
No time for love, 'cause 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 were obscene
We don't give a toss for what you think
'cause all your views, they fucking stink
We are the League
We are the League
We are the League .
So don't fuck with the League!
The lyrics of Anti-Nowhere League's song We Are the League depict the nihilistic and rebellious attitude of the punk movement of the 1980s. The singer is clearly under the influence of drugs and feeling restless, wanting to cause chaos and destruction. The chorus proudly proclaims the band's identity as the "anti-band", the League, with an extra man, representing their opposition to the mainstream culture and music.
The lyrics are confrontational and aggressive towards those who criticize the band's music and lifestyle. The band takes pride in being "mad" and "obscene", and their disdain for society is evident in their hatred for authority (the "dogs" and the "man") and their rejection of conventional values like love. They outright refuse to care about the opinions of others, as they believe that their views "fucking stink".
Overall, the lyrics of We Are the League are an expression of the punk rock subculture's rejection of the status quo and the desire to break free of societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Another boring night and I'm feeling pissed,
I am disgruntled and unhappy on this mundane evening,
My heads fucked up and I'm in a mess
I am struggling mentally and emotionally
Too many drugs have made me high
I have consumed too many drugs and am now feeling the effects
I want to 'cause havoc, I want to die.
I have the desire to cause chaos and to end my life.
We are the League, with the extra man
Our organization, The League, has a dedicated and enthusiastic supporter base
We are the League, we are the anti band
Our band defies common conventions and subverts expectations
So don't you say you're feeling bored
Do not express your boredom in our presence
The League are here and we have scored
We, The League, have arrived and achieved success
We are the League
We, The League, are a force to be reckoned with
You criticize us, you say were shit,
You have offered negative opinions on our performances
but were up here and were doing it
We are succeeding and performing on stage
So don't you criticize the things we do
You are not permitted to critique our actions
No fucker pays to go and see you.
Nobody would even consider attending your shows
We are the League and we are mad
We, The League, are angry and mentally unstable
We are the League and our musics bad
Our musical compositions are not of high quality
Well fuck noise like you've never known
We create noise that is unfamiliar and shocking to some
And make you wished you'd stayed at home
Our performance will make you regret that you even attended
We hate the dogs, we hate the man,
We hold disdain for dogs and certain people
We hate the things we don't understand
We dislike and reject any concepts or ideas that we struggle to comprehend
No time for love, 'cause that ain't class
We have no time for love, as it is not relevant to our values
If you don't fucking like it, stuff it up your arse.
If you dislike our approach, please keep it to yourself
We are the League and we are mean
We, The League, are cruel and unkind
We are the League and were obscene
Our behavior is indecent and repulsive
We don't give a toss for what you think
We do not care about your opinions
'cause all your views, they fucking stink
Your viewpoints are unpleasant and distasteful
So don't fuck with the League!
Do not interfere with or try to oppose The League
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLIVE HARVEY BLAKE, NICK JOHN CULMER, CHRIS DAVID EXALL
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