Tag Archives: Streets of London

Anti-Nowhere League – Album Review

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Anti-Nowhere League – We Are… The League 

Cherry Red Records 

Release date: 15/08/2025 

Running time: 37 mins approx 

Review by: Alun Jones 

9.5/10  

Well, well – here we are again taking an all too brief sojourn into Platinum Al’s Punk Rock Corner.  This time, a band that many of you may well be aware of, thanks to some fairly successful Metal overlords by the name of Metallica covering one of their filthy little ditties.  Yes, it’s the incomparable Anti-Nowhere League!  Anyone with a sensitive disposition should look away now, things are about to get very, very messy. 

Our old pals at Cherry Red Records have seen fit to reissue the Anti-Nowhere League’s debut album from 1982, “We Are… The League”.  Just in time too, ‘cos my old copy is absolutely knackered and would be more use for shovelling horse poo than listening to. Now I only have MP3 files to review the music – and this release is of course, on big sexy vinyl – so we’ll have to trust that the physical version will be up to scratch (no pun intended).  From what I can see though, the final package itself looks bloody good. 

And musically?  Well, if you’re the type of music fan who likes Tech Symphonic Death Metal Opera, you may be confused.  The lack of virtuosity on display here will make your jaw drop, the crude musical renderings and disgusting lyrics will make you nauseous.  But don’t worry, I’m sure there’s some new Nightwish album or whatever for you to enjoy instead. 

‘We Are The League’ is a great rabble-rousing opener: setting out the bands lewd manifesto right from the start, with self-deprecating glee.  And the filthy fun doesn’t stop there, with classic pogo inducing mayhem in the likes of ‘I Hate People’ and the delightfully crude ‘Animal’.  The “serious music” fans will be aghast at the mauling of Ralph McTell’s ‘Streets of London’ and then probably run for cover and bolt the door, when ‘Let’s Break the Law’ comes on. 

There are two bonus tracks added to this release. ‘Rocker’ is tagged on the end of Side 1, and the infamously obscene ‘So What’ (the afore mentioned Metallica cover) on Side 2.  Though the latter song doesn’t appear to be available on the pre-release download?  Strange.  If any readers are still unfamiliar with this particular ode to debauchery, oh boy – I wish I could see your faces when you hear it… 

Whether the humour in this recording has stood the test of time is for those wiser than me to discuss.  If a bunch of uncouth punks cranking out obscenity ridden, buzz-saw guitar rock music sounds like a good time, you’re gonna love “We Are… The League”.  It’s not big and it’s not clever, but it is a raucously fun time from start to finish.   

Have a look at what Anti-Nowhere League are up to on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify pages.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Anti Nowhere League – Gig Review

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Anti Nowhere League + Red or Dead

Friday 21st April 2023

Buckley Tivoli

The crowds were thin at first at The Tivoli in Buckley, North Wales, for this evening’s entertainment – but that changed soon enough. Happily, the situation started to develop during the opening set, meaning that support band Red or Dead were able to play to fair sized crowd.

I say happily, ‘cos Red or Dead deserved to play to a decent size audience. Hailing from a bit further up the road in Conwy, the fourpiece are an accomplished group of musicians who are obviously inspired by classic 70’s punk, such as The Clash. Very impressive, with catchy tunes and a message, Red or Dead easily grabbed my attention and refused to hand it back. Definitely a band to keep an eye on, there’s a variety in sound and musicianship that hinted at an even wider repertoire – some research reveals they often play acoustic sets, which sounds very tempting.

Anti Nowhere League shouldn’t really require any introduction. I became aware of these deviants thanks to their association with The Damned many years ago, tales of debauchery spreading ahead of them like a bushfire. Now with just head lunatic Animal remaining in the band, he’s backed by a great, well tenured group of musicians who can really deliver on the band’s legacy, performing it with the respect – and ferocity – it deserves.

Hit singles aren’t really the order here, but of course ANL give us their wonderfully raucous treatment of “Streets of London” (yes, that one) in a set riddled with classics. That songs infamous B-side, the still unbelievably filthy “So What” makes an appearance too, earlier than I’d expected, complete with a concise history lesson from Animal, covering police raids and the later Metallica renaissance. The song still raises a smile and rocks like a nun on a washing machine.

The whole band play brilliantly, the result being a set that was even better than expected. For the uninitiated, Anti Nowhere League live in the corner of punk that’s largely UK Subs with a big, fat dollop of Motorhead. From “I Hate People”, “Let’s Break the Law”, a cover of Del Shannon’s “Runaway” (my Mother-in-Law wouldn’t dig it) and through to “We Are The League”, song after song is fast and furious with never a dud.

As anticipated, the audience loved it and the atmosphere in the Tiv was one not to be missed. Classic punk rock from Anti Nowhere League, who gave us quality tunes performed with the zeal and attitude it deserved. So glad I was there.