List of anarchist musicians explained

The following is a list of anarchist musicians, which details the instruments such musicians use, musical genres they perform, and, if applicable, bands they are members of.

An anarchist is a person who rejects formalized hierarchy and supports its elimination. Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates self-governed societies with voluntary institutions.This list only deals with individual, self-identified anarchists who are musicians. Musicians who have not self-identified as anarchists are not included; nor are bands and music collectives who collectively identify as anarchist, although individual members thereof may be.

A

• Jude Abbott: English singer; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba (1996–2012)^[1]
• Sid Ation: English drummer; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Sherman Austin (1983–present): American rapper; performs hip hop music

B

• Louise Bell: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Pascal Benvenuti (1980–present): French singer and bass, guitar, drums, ukulele, mandolin, and concertina player; performs jazz punk and folk punk music; current member of Les Louise Mitchels and occasional member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]
• Derek Birkett: English bassist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Björk: Icelandic singer and songwriter; prominent purveyor of art pop; involved in anarcho-punk and anarchist poetry during the 1980s; aligned with the anarchist Crass Collective as part of post-punk group KUKL; signed to One Little Indian since the 1980s, set up by members of various anarcho-punk bands.^{[4] [5] [6]}
• Johnny Blackburn: English bassist; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Omega Tribe^[2]
• Georges Brassens (1921–1981): French singer, songwriter, and guitarist; performed folk music^[7]
• Bob Brozman (8 Mar 1954 – 23 Apr 2013): American blues and world guitarist and ethnomusicologist; described himself in an OC-TV program as a "guitarist, anarchist, anthropologist"^[8]
• Dunstan Bruce: English singer; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1]
• Graham Burnett (1960–present): English drummer; performed punk rock and post-punk; former member of Stripey Zebras (1980–1981), Autumn Poison (1980–1985), and Love Over Law^[9]

C

• John Cage (1912–1992): American composer; composed chance and experimental music^[10]
• Neil Campau (1980–present): American guitarist, autoharpist, and singer; former member of World History and current member of Electrician^[11]
• Daniel Carter (1945–present): American saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, and trumpeter; performs free jazz^[12]
• Pat Carter: English vocalist; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Omega Tribe^[2]

• Holger Czukay (1938–2017): German composer and bassist; performs krautrock and experimental music; member of the "anarchist community" Can^[13]

D

• Lance D'Boyle: English drummer; performed punk rock; former member of Poison Girls (??–1995)^[2]
• Fabrizio De Andre (1940–1999): Italian singer-songwriter
• Mavis Dillon: English trumpeter; performed punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba (–1995)^[1]
• Peter Dolving: Swedish vocalist; performed thrash metal; member of thrash metal band The Haunted
• Emmett Doyle: American folk/folk-punk singer-songwriter, former member of the Wooden Shoe Ramblers.^{[14] [15] [16]}

E

• Robert Eggplant
• Andrew Eldritch
• Dave Ellesmere: English drummer; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]

F

• Richard Famous: English singer and guitarist; performed punk rock; former member of Poison Girls (1978–1995)^[2]
• Neil Ferguson: English bassist and audio engineer; performs punk rock; member of Chumbawamba^[1]
• Léo Ferré (24 August 1916 – 14 July 1993): French singer-songwriter, poet, composer, orchestra conductor and pianist; one of France's most well-known and influential singers; a self-proclaimed anarchist who sang irreverent and highly confrontational songs
• Phil Free: English guitarist; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]
• Sheena Fulton: English singer; performed punk rock and post-punk; former member of Stripey Zebras (1980–1981) and Autumn Poison (1980–1985)^[9]

G

• Patricio García (28 Oct 1977–present): Argentinian composer; former member of rock band Los Chicles (1995–2002), writes music for film.
• Laura Jane Grace (8 Nov 1980–present): American guitarist and vocalist of punk rock band Against Me!^[17]
• Graham: English drummer; performs punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band The Mob (1979–1983)
• Eric Green (19 January 1993–present): American guitarist and vocalist for California-based emo/post-hardcore band Problem Dog. Previously a member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Danny Discord and the Misanthropists (2012–2015).^[2]

H

• Travid Halton; Houston singer/songwriter a.k.a. Jacob Hilton^[18]
• Harry Hamer: English drummer; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1]
• Gene Hugh: English guitarist; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Omega Tribe^[2]
• Kevin Hunter: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]

I

• Steve Ignorant: English singer; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk bands Crass, Schwartzeneggar, Stratford Mercenaries, Current 93, Thought Crime^[2] and Paranoid Visions

J

• Darren Johns: British singer, guitarist, lyricist and composer; performs punk rock, Americana and folk-roots; current member of Crazy Arm (2005–present) and Warshy (2017–present).
• Chris Johnston ("Chris Clavin"): American guitarist, singer, and harmonicist; performs pop punk and folk punk music; former member of pop-punk band The Devil Is Electric (2000–2003); current member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]
• Hannah Jones: American violinist and singer; performs pop punk and folk punk music; former member of pop-punk band The Devil Is Electric (2000–2003) and current member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]

K

• Michael Karoli (1948–2001): German guitarist and violinist; performed krautrock and experimental music; former member of the "anarchist community" Can^[13]
• Tim Kelly: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister (1945–2015): English singer, bassist, guitarist, and harmonicist; performs Rock 'N' Roll, space rock, and punk rock; has associated with various acts, including Motörhead, Hawkwind, Ramones, and The Rockin' Vickers^[19]

L

• Nomy Lamm (1976–present): American singer-songwriter; performs punk rock, and queercore; liner notes of her debut album, Anthem, state that she is an anarchist
• Colin Latter: English singer; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Eve Libertine: English singer; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]
• Yegor Letov (1964–2008): Russian experimental musician and singer-songwriter; performed post-punk and psychedelic rock; founder and leader of the band Grazhdanskaya Oborona; adherent of green anarchism as stated in 2007 interview^[20]
• Jaki Liebezeit (1939–2017): German drummer; performs free jazz, krautrock and experimental music; member of the "anarchist community" Can,^[13] who suggested the backronym "communism, anarchism, nihilism" for the band's name^[21]
• Austin Lunn: American vocalist, guitarist and drummer; sole member of the band Panopticon, and has also been a member of several other bands as various roles.

M

• Andy Martin
• Terence McKenna

ethnobotanist and philosopher; spoken word on Alien Dreamtime with Spacetime Continuum & Stephen Kent

• Efrim Menuck: Canadian guitarist and singer involved with the bands Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra^[22]
• Simon Middlehurst: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Marc Mob: English guitarist and singer; performs punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band The Mob (1979–1983)^[2]

N

• Nikolas Asimos (20 August 1949 – 17 March 1988): Greek composer and singer
• Nil Wright English (1952–present): bassist and electric violinist; performed punk rock; former member of Poison Girls (1980–1995)^[2]
• Danbert Nobacon (1958–present): English singer and keyboardist; performs punk rock and folk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1]
• Alice Nutter: English singer and percussionist; performs punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1]

O

• Joey Only: guitarist and singer; performs folk punk music^[23]

P

• N. A. Palmer

English guitarist; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass

• Pat "The Bunny" Schneeweis

American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and trumpet player; Formerly lead anarcho-punk/folk groups Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, Wingnut Dishwashers Union, and Ramshackle Glory, as well as a solo career. Retired from music in February 2016, due to a change in ideologies^[24]

• Erik Petersen: singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Philadelphia anarcho-punk band Mischief Brew^[25]
• Utah Phillips (1935–2008): American singer, poet, storyteller and guitarist; performed folk music and spoken word;^[26] retired on 11 October 2007, due to poor health,^[27] before passing away on 23 May 2008
• Matty Pop Chart: American accordionist and drummer; performs folk punk music; occasional member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]
• Josef Porta: English guitarist, drummer, and singer; performs punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band The Mob (1979–1983), Blyth Power (1983–present), and Zounds (1977–1982, 2001–present)^[2]
• Promoe (1976–present): Swedish rapper; performs hip hop; member of rap group Looptroop^[28]
• Neil Puncher: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]

R

• Bernhardt Rebours: English bassist, synthesizer player, and pianist; performed punk rock; former member of Poison Girls (??–1995)
• Wesley Richards: American songwriter, guitarist and singer; writes and performs with the anarcho-metal band Fortunate Fall (band) and also with the anarcho-punk band Dr. Ghost
• Lily Richeson: American cellist; performs folk punk music; occasional member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]
• Penny Rimbaud: English drummer; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]
• Zack de la Rocha, vocalist of Rage Against the Machine. Performs; Hip Hop, Rock, Nu Metal, Punk Rock, Metal
• David Rovics (1967–present): American singer, guitarist, and songwriter; performs folk music^[29]

S

• Chicho Sánchez Ferlosio (1940–2003): leftist militant Spanish singer-songwriter whose politics gradually moved from communism to anarchism.
• Irmin Schmidt (1937–present): German keyboardist; plays krautrock and experimental music and composes film scores; member of Can who described the group as an "anarchist community"^[13]
• Pete Seeger

had many anarchist and communist beliefs

• Otep Shamaya (1979–present): American metal musician, singer-songwriter and lyricist/poet
• Andy Smith: English guitarist; performs punk rock; former member of Flux Of Pink Indians^[2]
• Sole: American rapper and producer^[30]
• Vi Subversa (1935–2016): English singer-songwriter, and guitarist; performed punk rock; former member of Poison Girls (1978–1995)^[2]

T

• Scott Thomas: English drummer; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Omega Tribe
• Tõnu Trubetsky (1963–present): Estonian singer and poet; performs punk rock; member of punk band Vennaskond
• Kevin Tucker: American vocalist and guitarist of the anarcho-primitivist death metal band Peregrine^[31]

V

• Gee Vaucher: English pianist; also created album cover art and stage montages; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]
• Joy De Vivre: English singer; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]

W

• Jason Walsh: English guitarist; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Omega Tribe^[2]
• Lou Watts: English singer and keyboardist; performs punk rock; member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1]
• Dorian Wallace (1985–present): American composer and pianist.^[32]
• Greg Wells: American vocalist (described as "howling and breathing"); performs folk punk music; occasional member of anarcho-punk/folk punk band Ghost Mice (2002–present)^[3]
• Boff Whalley: English guitarist and singer; performs punk rock and folk; member of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba^[1] and founding member of Commoners Choir.
• Chris Willsher (1971–present): English drummer, singer, songwriter; performs punk rock; member of Bus Station Loonies and former member of Oi Polloi and Disorder
• Martin Wilson

English drummer; performs punk rock; former member of Flux of Pink Indians^[2]

• Pete Wright: English bassist and singer; performed punk rock, hardcore punk, and art punk; former member of anarcho-punk band Crass^[2]

Y

• Gino Srdjan Yevdjevich: former Yugoslav vocalist of gypsy punk band Kultur Shock^[33]
• Curtis Youé: English bassist; performs punk rock; former member of anarcho-punk band The Mob (1979–1983) and Blyth Power (1983–??)^[2]

Z

• ZSK

German punk-rock band

See also

• List of anarcho-punk bands
• List of crust punk bands
• Music and politics

Notes and References

1. Sinker, Daniel. We Owe You Nothing: Punk Planet: The Collected Interviews, Chicago: Akashic Books, 2001, page 125, .
2. Glasper, Ian. The Day the Country Died: A History of Anarcho Punk 1980 to 1984, Cherry Red Books, 2006, .
3. Web site: Interview with Ghost Mice. 27 December 2007. "i will not vote because i am an anarchist, and there is no one worth voting for and voting does not work here.". dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090221070609/http://punknews.co.uk/article.php?filter=interview&view=view&id=92. 21 February 2009.
4. Web site: Vidar Ringstrøm. Kukl. Hanshan.org. 9 January 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110117192723/http://www.hanshan.org/musikk/kukl.php. 17 January 2011.
5. Book: Gittins, Ian. Björk. Giunti Editore. it. 2004. 72–73. 9788809034969. 8 January 2015.
6. News: Walker. Tim. 8 March 2008. Björk : fire and ice. The Independent.
7. Web site: Georges Brassens: English version. 22 April 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150312023530/http://www.projetbrassens.eclipse.co.uk/pages/georgesbrassens.html. 12 March 2015.
8. Web site: Bob Brozman on OC-TV.net . YouTube . 12 September 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120822165645/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oPXRWRxda8 . 22 August 2012 .
9. Web site: Autumn Poison: The Story.... 27 December 2007. "Autumn Poison were an anarcho punk group...". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055801/http://www.southendpunk.com/html/autumnwp.html. 28 September 2007.
10. Cage self-identified as an anarchist in a 1985 interview: "I'm an anarchist. I don't know whether the adjective is pure and simple, or philosophical, or what, but I don't like government! And I don't like institutions! And I don't have any confidence in even good institutions." John Cage at Seventy: An Interview by Stephen Montague. American Music, Summer 1985. Ubu.com. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
11. News: Newman. Brad. Folk-pop duo World History sing about historical events. 16 August 2012. Amarillo Globe-News. 17 February 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140227154042/http://amarillo.com/entertainment/get-out-music/2011-02-17/folk-pop-duo-world-history-sing-about-historical-events . 27 February 2014.
12. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/iviews/dcarter.htm Daniel Carter Interview
13. Czukay, Holger (20 October 2000). Can . czukay.de. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
14. Web site: Emmett Doyle sings “Rust Belt Ballads” on the Scenic Route. Moore. Will. 2023-08-30. WTIP. 2024-08-20.
15. News: The Singing Left. Kelly. Kim. 2021-09-21. The Baffler. 2024-08-20.
16. Web site: Folk Punks Reunite!. Kurmis. Lucas. Perrizo. Andrew. 2023-03-20. melodicnoisemedia.com. 2024-08-20.
17. 10 Great Modern Punk Bands. Rolling Stone. 13 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170908184240/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/10-great-modern-punk-bands-20160413. 8 September 2017.
18. Non Serviam Podcast #35 - Myth Busting and World Building with Travid Halton . 2021-11-06 . Non Serviam Media . 2024-08-07 . YouTube.
19. Web site: Eddy . Chuck . Damage Case: Lemmy and Motörhead . Motörhead Forever . 1997 . 9 February 2007 . dead . https://archive.today/20120526042049/http://www.motorhead.ru/art11damagecase.htm . 26 May 2012 .
20. Сорокин, Кирилл Егор Летов. Средства «Обороны». Rolling Stone Russia, July 2007
21. http://www.playlouder.com/feature/+revival2004can Can
22. Web site: The Rumpus Interview with Efrim Menuck. April 1, 2014. The Rumpus.net. 8 January 2021.
23. News: Krista . Johnston . Review of Joey Only's Performance in Wilno Ontario . Barry's Bay This Week . 19 March 2005 . I'm am an anarchist. I believe in cooperation and problem solving and that record is a tribute to a lot of problem solvers who want to get issues (such as poverty, deportation, homelessness and cuts to services) resolved..
24. Web site: Young and Miserable and Right: Pat the Bunny, a Retrospective for the Apocalypse. 24 April 2019. PopMatters. 20 August 2019.
25. Web site: Erik Petersen (Mischief Brew) . 18 May 2011 . Punknews.org . 12 September 2012.
26. Web site: Voting For the First Time. 27 December 2007 . I'm an anarchist and I've been an anarchist many, many years. .
27. Web site: Utah Phillips Podcast No. 2 . 27 December 2007 . Philips . Bruce "Utah" . 11 October 2007 . I've simply decided that I had to leave the trade. That the time has come for me to... to walk away from it. . https://web.archive.org/web/20080227205154/http://www.utahphillips.org/podcast/utah20071011.mp3 . 27 February 2008 . dead .
28. Web site: Promoe Live auf dem Loop . 31 December 2007 . Andreas . Margara . 4 December 2006 . Regioactive magazine . regioactive.de . de . Mårten Edh aus Schweden ist Anarchist. Ungewöhnlich dabei ist, dass er sich nicht wie die meisten Gleichgesinnten in der autonomen Punkszene bewegt, sondern unter dem Pseudonym Promoe HipHop als sein Kommunikationsmittel nutzt. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090130001957/http://www.regioactive.de/story/5129/promoe_live_auf_dem_loop.html . 30 January 2009 .
29. Web site: A-Infos (en) Alt. Media: David Rovics – the anarchist troubadour – Songs of Social Significance. 22 April 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194615/http://www.ainfos.ca/07/may/ainfos00256.html. 3 March 2016.
30. Web site: Rapper Sole Thinks He's Emma Goldman in New Song . Huffington Post Denver . 7 March 2013 . 30 April 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130515065704/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/07/rapper-sole-thinks-hes-em_n_2830791.html . 15 May 2013 .
31. Mincemoyer, John. "Breaking Faces: Peregrine " (Issue 175, September 2008). Terrorizer
32. Web site: DORIAN WALLACE - composer.
33. Web site: Kultur Shock bio -Oficial Page. Kultur Shock. 5 July 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184713/http://www.kulturshock.com/bio. 14 July 2014.