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.