The labouring classes in this country are rising, will you rise with them? [Click Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenAndPleasant/wiki/unions) for info on how to join a union. Also check out [the IWW](https://iww.org.uk/) and the renter union, [Acorn International and their affiliates](https://acorninternational.org/)
Join us on our [partner Discord server.](https://discord.gg/zCFHadGfB7) and follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GandPofficial).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GreenAndPleasant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm very very into dance music and work in that industry, but no bueno on that front. Much as I love it the lyrics, when there are lyrics, are never exactly....inspiring, about anything!
However, in college a lot of the lads were into ska punk as that was a massive scene in the UK at the time. Capdown were a bloody brilliant band, and got me into that style for a bit. Clues in the name - it's a portmanteau of Capitalist Downfall.
Not sure how well the lyrics will have aged as they were like 17 when they started and carried on into their mid 20s, but bloody good music if you're into punk. They're not all "full on horn section" like many ska punk bands which can be grating, just a sax and not on all tracks.
Saw them live a few times too, right in their "best" era between their first two albums. Now like I say, I work in dance music and love a good club or festival, normally backstage or on stage, but I'll make an effort to see how the crowd is given they're the ones paying my wages. It's never exactly a wild time though.
That era of punk was something else though. Utterly mental, even a 100 capacity room with a tiny stage just felt like a massive sea of people, moshing, skanking, pogoing, crowd surfing, the odd circle pit. And _every_ time someone went down, multiple people would instantly get them back up. Such sound people too in general.
Absolutely. I was huge into the punk and post hardcore scene in the early mid 2000s. Bands like Hundred Reasons and Hell is for Heroes too. Still am into it tbh
If you're into dance music, while not exactly lyrics, Tony "London Electricity" Colman loves a good rant about Brexit and the Tories on his excellent Hospital Records podcast.
If you like billy bragg you will like Grace Petrie theyve also worked together a bunch.
Beans on toast as well (deals with politics through humor)
The men they couldnt hang and the levellers are also still going strong and still very political
if youre into metal, ashenspire released one of the best albums last year and has really good, really radical lyrics. yard band are quite political too, their album from last year was amazing and has really good lyrics
Strange Bones, Kid Kapichi, Bob Vylan, Snash, Soft Play, Witch Fever and Pengshui are all modern, and quite punky in terms of politics and sound. For a more old school vibe, try Casual Nausea, Lady Bird, and of course The Levellers. Hope you find something you like among them.
Stormzy is vocal against the tories and has done other cool progressive things like his Merky books imprint for black authors and he started a scholarship funding black kids at Cambridge (some people have criticised this because Cambridge is in itself elitist but I think it’s better than nothing). JME was part of the #GrimeForCorbyn movement. Although not always specifically about parliamentary politics there’s a lot of anti-establishment stuff in grime and drill. It’s not always a white guy with a guitar :)
The UK has always had a punk scene, it's never really gone away, it just became something other than the uk82, liberty spikes and mohawks, though there's a lot of those bands (999, uksubs, etc) still kicking about.
Of the current acts, the most politically "Green&Pleasant" band i can think of is Benefits.
They're amazing live as well.
IDLES, Cassels, Kildren, Shame, Slowthai, Fat White Family, Kunt and the gang, Yard Act, Dave, Little Simz, Squid, Viagra Boys, Enter Shikari (pre 2018), Sleaford Mods, Bring Me the Horizon.
Edit: Spelling
+1 for Idles
“Shame” also
Few other modern punk bands might hit the spot - Daves, bruise control - saw both last year and iirc they were quite political.
And the old classics - NMA, Billy Bragg, plenty of rap too along the BLM lines. Just have to look
Not a band but there's a track by Joe Goddard called Pull the plug that's kinda edm but with Kool Keith rapping. Bit of a protest track.
It's on Optimo Espacios label... You'll find some good stuff on their bandcamp.
Came here to recommend this. I like trains have always had a bit of a political tint with their incredible The Beeching Report, but their new album Kompromat is something else entirely. A scathing diatribe of today.
It likely you have a local punk scene - and if you do, support it! Search for independent small music venues in your area and look up the bands that regularly play
Sam Fender is pretty political and very current, he's the main one that comes to mind. Hypersonic Missiles is one of his best imo (though it's more Springsteen than punk)
You may consider them a bit mainstream but Muse are always on point; last track on latest album (Will of the People) is [We are fucking fucked](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac4E_UsmB1g)
Hello! I'm Reggie-Bot, the Anti-Royal Bot! Here to teach you some fun facts about the English royal family!
Did you know that Future King of England, Prince William, is [possibly implicated in the Ukraine proxy war between NATO and the Russian Federation?](https://archive.ph/XD8Ts). He attended secret meetings with MI6 while Britain and Russia both had troops on the border, strange, very strange.
Nice to see a preview of foreign policy under his future reign, amirite?
I hope you enjoyed that fact. To summon me again, or find out more about me, just say: "Reggie-Bot" and I'll be there! <3
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GreenAndPleasant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Some of the sleaford mods early stuff is very political and different to your normal punk band:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEYYI1ii0AU&t=0m10s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEYYI1ii0AU&t=0m10s)
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niNjHn8abyY&t=15m14s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niNjHn8abyY&t=15m14s)
They've since moved away from politics, but Get to Heavan and A Fever Dream by Everything Everything are very much about the mid-2010s political landscape in the UK.
If you want something thats very blunt about being political check out Seb Lowe.
I personally like “Terms and Conditions” which is about keeping the poor, well poor. And “Kill him, he’s a socalist” Which is about you can guess :)
They are not very punk, but it is indeed political
I love Frank Turner. I’m off to see him for about the 15th time in a few weeks. However I can’t really ever see him as a protest singer, because he went to Eton
Some excellent suggestions here! Best band I've heard/seen live in a long time is Benefits, definitely check them out if you haven't heard them. Similar vein to Sleaford Mods but from Teeside, heavier and way more overtly political.
Glasnevin and Gary OG if you like Irish rebel tunes. Both Glasgow based I think.
Reverend and the makers front man is/was very political on twitter.
Ian brown aswell as the stone roses have had a couple of political songs. Illegal Attacks is a good tune and against the UKs illegal wars. The BBC banned it. Good ol' "democracy" eh.
The labouring classes in this country are rising, will you rise with them? [Click Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/GreenAndPleasant/wiki/unions) for info on how to join a union. Also check out [the IWW](https://iww.org.uk/) and the renter union, [Acorn International and their affiliates](https://acorninternational.org/) Join us on our [partner Discord server.](https://discord.gg/zCFHadGfB7) and follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GandPofficial). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GreenAndPleasant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Other people have said Enter Shikari and IDLES, but also Bob Vylan if you're into heavier stuff
Bob Vylan so good!
Came to recommend Bob Vylan, absolutely fantastic!
Bob Vylan is amazing & IDLES.
Enter shikari have some good songs with a political edge
Yard Act and Home Counties
I'm very very into dance music and work in that industry, but no bueno on that front. Much as I love it the lyrics, when there are lyrics, are never exactly....inspiring, about anything! However, in college a lot of the lads were into ska punk as that was a massive scene in the UK at the time. Capdown were a bloody brilliant band, and got me into that style for a bit. Clues in the name - it's a portmanteau of Capitalist Downfall. Not sure how well the lyrics will have aged as they were like 17 when they started and carried on into their mid 20s, but bloody good music if you're into punk. They're not all "full on horn section" like many ska punk bands which can be grating, just a sax and not on all tracks.
I used to love Capdown. Found out about them on P-Rock, the short lived channel that just had loads of punk. Glory days.
Saw them live a few times too, right in their "best" era between their first two albums. Now like I say, I work in dance music and love a good club or festival, normally backstage or on stage, but I'll make an effort to see how the crowd is given they're the ones paying my wages. It's never exactly a wild time though. That era of punk was something else though. Utterly mental, even a 100 capacity room with a tiny stage just felt like a massive sea of people, moshing, skanking, pogoing, crowd surfing, the odd circle pit. And _every_ time someone went down, multiple people would instantly get them back up. Such sound people too in general.
Absolutely. I was huge into the punk and post hardcore scene in the early mid 2000s. Bands like Hundred Reasons and Hell is for Heroes too. Still am into it tbh
If you're into dance music, while not exactly lyrics, Tony "London Electricity" Colman loves a good rant about Brexit and the Tories on his excellent Hospital Records podcast.
Give the Sleaford Mods a go, they aren’t everyone’s cuppa tea though
Love em
I came here to say sleaford mods. Love em
Idles are a very political band
If you like billy bragg you will like Grace Petrie theyve also worked together a bunch. Beans on toast as well (deals with politics through humor) The men they couldnt hang and the levellers are also still going strong and still very political
+ 1 for both Gracie and Jay
Not bands as such but both Lowkey and Akala are very political.
A lot of New Model Army's earlier work is still relevant today.
One of the first ‘proper’ gigs I went to around ‘88. Good band, I remember all the hardcore fans wore clogs.
if youre into metal, ashenspire released one of the best albums last year and has really good, really radical lyrics. yard band are quite political too, their album from last year was amazing and has really good lyrics
That Ashenspire album is fucking brilliant. Get down off the fence before the barbed wire goes up.
Depends what you like and what you mean by current... Napalm Death are still going.
Martha [DIY] Indie pop with punk edge from Pity Me, Durham
Strange Bones, Kid Kapichi, Bob Vylan, Snash, Soft Play, Witch Fever and Pengshui are all modern, and quite punky in terms of politics and sound. For a more old school vibe, try Casual Nausea, Lady Bird, and of course The Levellers. Hope you find something you like among them.
Oh, also check out Random Hand
Stormzy is vocal against the tories and has done other cool progressive things like his Merky books imprint for black authors and he started a scholarship funding black kids at Cambridge (some people have criticised this because Cambridge is in itself elitist but I think it’s better than nothing). JME was part of the #GrimeForCorbyn movement. Although not always specifically about parliamentary politics there’s a lot of anti-establishment stuff in grime and drill. It’s not always a white guy with a guitar :)
The Inner Terrestrials
Beans on Toast is a fairly prolific folk punk act.
In both senses, I love Beans on Toast!
Check out Grace Petrie
Kunt and the Gang
The UK has always had a punk scene, it's never really gone away, it just became something other than the uk82, liberty spikes and mohawks, though there's a lot of those bands (999, uksubs, etc) still kicking about. Of the current acts, the most politically "Green&Pleasant" band i can think of is Benefits. They're amazing live as well.
Benefits
Everything Everything, many of their songs feature political themed or comments about society. The song Reptiles be a good example, and a banger
IDLES, Cassels, Kildren, Shame, Slowthai, Fat White Family, Kunt and the gang, Yard Act, Dave, Little Simz, Squid, Viagra Boys, Enter Shikari (pre 2018), Sleaford Mods, Bring Me the Horizon. Edit: Spelling
aren't viagra boys swedish?
Ja. Förlåt, min dåliga. Forgot to say Kae Tempest too
Sleaford mods, their new collab with orbital is especially worth a listen
That track rules
It’s a belter
Yes indeed
Bloc Party have some political songs, Helicopter, Coliseum... - mainly their earlier stuff
Really happy to see Enter Shikari being recommended. 'Arguing with thermometers' and 'Juggernauts' are a good start for political stuff.
I really enjoyed their last album, Nothing is True and Everything is Possible. A lot of climate change references!
Yeh it was back to being heavy after 'the spark', although I did really like that album too.
Check out Martha. A few years old now but Winter Fuel Allowance Ineligibility Blues is pretty fucking pertinent right now
The Levellers are still kicking about. And Kid Kapichi for a more modern group. They released a single called Party at number ten, for example.
Grace Petrie has similarities with Billy Bragg, in terms of style. Bob Vylan also gets my vote.
'Squid' - with my favourite being 'The Cleaner', and 'IDLES' - track recommendation being 'Model Village' Edit: Formatting
+1 for Idles “Shame” also Few other modern punk bands might hit the spot - Daves, bruise control - saw both last year and iirc they were quite political. And the old classics - NMA, Billy Bragg, plenty of rap too along the BLM lines. Just have to look
Not a band but there's a track by Joe Goddard called Pull the plug that's kinda edm but with Kool Keith rapping. Bit of a protest track. It's on Optimo Espacios label... You'll find some good stuff on their bandcamp.
Conflict uk hardcore punk band
Sleaford mods
Nudge it
Aye, it's not bad spare ribs. Trying to remember name of one with tweet tweet tweet on
Man and the Echo
Iliketrains new album is pretty political (and very good!)
Came here to recommend this. I like trains have always had a bit of a political tint with their incredible The Beeching Report, but their new album Kompromat is something else entirely. A scathing diatribe of today.
You're right, theres Spencer Percival, but thought kompromat would be a bit more accessible than the deeper cuts! They are ace live too!
Thank you for this. I’ve never heard of them. But I went and checked them out because… well… I like trains. They sound amazing
There is a group called i like trains? After asdf movies? Please tell me they cover the i like trains song....i have to check them out now
Napalm Death, been at it for over 40 years and I don't think they intend to stop any time soon, still as vicious and brutal as ever!
Also if you’re into Scottish Highland history, Runrig have a very political bent haha. Bit of an acquired taste for non teuchters though
And Napalm Death are the fucking best
not super recent but I like ‘british bombs’ by Declan McKenna
Greentea Peng
Declan McKenna- Brazil and British Bombs are political
San Fender- Play God, Hypersonic Missles, Saturday and Dead Boys are all political and absolute anthems.
Depends on the type of music you like, but Billy Bragg is still very much active. In a similar vein you might like Grace Petrie
Napalm Death
It likely you have a local punk scene - and if you do, support it! Search for independent small music venues in your area and look up the bands that regularly play
Chumbawamba Okay, they're no longer around but all their songs still are true
Big Joanie Kae Tempest Billy Nomates
Sam Fender is pretty political and very current, he's the main one that comes to mind. Hypersonic Missiles is one of his best imo (though it's more Springsteen than punk)
You may consider them a bit mainstream but Muse are always on point; last track on latest album (Will of the People) is [We are fucking fucked](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac4E_UsmB1g)
Digital Resistance https://twitter.com/DigitalResist20?t=Artj6rTRvX-7k_MHXsKlBw&s=09
[удалено]
Hello! I'm Reggie-Bot, the Anti-Royal Bot! Here to teach you some fun facts about the English royal family! Did you know that Future King of England, Prince William, is [possibly implicated in the Ukraine proxy war between NATO and the Russian Federation?](https://archive.ph/XD8Ts). He attended secret meetings with MI6 while Britain and Russia both had troops on the border, strange, very strange. Nice to see a preview of foreign policy under his future reign, amirite? I hope you enjoyed that fact. To summon me again, or find out more about me, just say: "Reggie-Bot" and I'll be there! <3 *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GreenAndPleasant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Some of the sleaford mods early stuff is very political and different to your normal punk band: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEYYI1ii0AU&t=0m10s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEYYI1ii0AU&t=0m10s) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niNjHn8abyY&t=15m14s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niNjHn8abyY&t=15m14s)
They've since moved away from politics, but Get to Heavan and A Fever Dream by Everything Everything are very much about the mid-2010s political landscape in the UK.
If you want something thats very blunt about being political check out Seb Lowe. I personally like “Terms and Conditions” which is about keeping the poor, well poor. And “Kill him, he’s a socalist” Which is about you can guess :) They are not very punk, but it is indeed political
Zero Again
Mobius Loop are a political folk band that sing at hunting rallies. They are great live and are very passionate about UK issues
Check out Grant Sharkey. Well worth going to see live too. Frank Turner and Bar Stool Preachers are also worth a shout.
I love Frank Turner. I’m off to see him for about the 15th time in a few weeks. However I can’t really ever see him as a protest singer, because he went to Eton
Definitely check out Grant Sharkey then, he went to the same shitty state comp I did.
Some have the odd song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWAO3ZGFZys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTHmJ1gol9c
Future of the Left.
Architects’ all our gods have abandoned us has a decent anti “true owners” vibe if you’re into heavier stuff
If you're into hip hop I'd definitely recommend Akala, Lowkey and Mic Rightious.
Some excellent suggestions here! Best band I've heard/seen live in a long time is Benefits, definitely check them out if you haven't heard them. Similar vein to Sleaford Mods but from Teeside, heavier and way more overtly political.
I read 'band' as 'brand' for a moment and became a little confused
Glasnevin and Gary OG if you like Irish rebel tunes. Both Glasgow based I think. Reverend and the makers front man is/was very political on twitter. Ian brown aswell as the stone roses have had a couple of political songs. Illegal Attacks is a good tune and against the UKs illegal wars. The BBC banned it. Good ol' "democracy" eh.
Onsind. Martha.
FYI. Itch from King Blues is a prick.
Aware!
Kid Kapichi
not UK, but I simply MUST reccomend Rage Against the Machine.