Icons of Filth
Encyclopedia
Icons of Filth were an influential British anarcho-punk
band that disbanded in 2004, after the unexpected death of its lead singer Andrew Sewell, or Stiggy Smeg.
in 1979 with Aitch on drums
, Daffy on guitar
, Socket on bass
and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After several gigs in the local area, Mock Death called it a day after 1 year.
'Atomic Filth' formed shortly afterwards with Socket (Tony Watts), Daffy (Simon DeManuel) and Aitch (Mark Wilson) from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket had left to be replaced on bass by Ed. After gigging extensively, the cassette LP “Not On Her Majesty’s Service” was recorded in September 1982, becoming the first release on Conflict's
Mortarhate label (Mortarhate M1). This first release showcases Stig’s intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics, which are lined up as a full-frontal attack on those in positions of authority. This was followed up by the May 1983 recording "Used · Abused · Unamused" which was released as a 7" EP on Corpus Christi Records
. Ed left after this to be replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards) on bass. In December 1983, Onward Christian Soldiers was recorded and released the following March on Mortarhate records. This LP featured a strong animal rights
theme. After extensively gigging during 1984, usually with Conflict, the "Brain Death" 7" EP was recorded in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the "Filth & the Fury" EP. Not long after this the different members drifted apart due to family and job commitments.
and many gigs in the UK, most of which were benefits for various causes.
gig in Hackney
, London on October 23, 2004 Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died abruptly of a heart attack
shortly afterwards. The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and LA, after which they decided to disband indefinitely.
Compilations:
Anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk is punk rock that promotes anarchism. The term anarcho-punk is sometimes applied exclusively to bands that were part of the original anarcho-punk movement in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
band that disbanded in 2004, after the unexpected death of its lead singer Andrew Sewell, or Stiggy Smeg.
Early history
'Icons of Filth' started life as Mock Death in CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
in 1979 with Aitch on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, Daffy on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Socket on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties. After several gigs in the local area, Mock Death called it a day after 1 year.
'Atomic Filth' formed shortly afterwards with Socket (Tony Watts), Daffy (Simon DeManuel) and Aitch (Mark Wilson) from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals. Within a year the name had been changed to Icons of Filth and Socket had left to be replaced on bass by Ed. After gigging extensively, the cassette LP “Not On Her Majesty’s Service” was recorded in September 1982, becoming the first release on Conflict's
Conflict (band)
Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band originally based around Eltham in South London. Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood , Francisco 'Paco' Carreno , Big John , Steve , Pauline , Paul aka 'Nihilistic Nobody' . Their first release was the EP "The House That...
Mortarhate label (Mortarhate M1). This first release showcases Stig’s intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics, which are lined up as a full-frontal attack on those in positions of authority. This was followed up by the May 1983 recording "Used · Abused · Unamused" which was released as a 7" EP on Corpus Christi Records
Corpus Christi Records
Corpus Christi Records is an independent record label started by some of the members of Crass and their recording engineer and business partner John Loder, to release records by artists who did not perhaps fit in with some of the stricter ideals of the Crass Records label.Several of the artists on...
. Ed left after this to be replaced by Fish (Richard Edwards) on bass. In December 1983, Onward Christian Soldiers was recorded and released the following March on Mortarhate records. This LP featured a strong animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
theme. After extensively gigging during 1984, usually with Conflict, the "Brain Death" 7" EP was recorded in October 1984. This was followed in April 1985 by the "Filth & the Fury" EP. Not long after this the different members drifted apart due to family and job commitments.
Artwork
Icons of Filth may have been as well known for their record sleeve artwork as they were for their music. Most of the artwork, which was rather intricate and quite dark in tone, was drawn by Squeal who also invented the "scratchy" calligraphy that has since been used by many bands and artists.Recent history
After a long hiatus 'Icons of Filth' reformed with the original recording line-up (Stig, Aitch, Daffy and Ed) and in 2001 recorded "Nostradamnedus" for Go-Kart records. Pete from Spite/In The Shit joined as a second guitarist and Icons of Filth started gigging extensively again, doing 2 tours of the U.S., played a festival in SloveniaSlovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and many gigs in the UK, most of which were benefits for various causes.
Death of Stig
While playing at a squatSquatting
Squatting consists of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied space or building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use....
gig in Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, London on October 23, 2004 Stig complained of feeling unwell. He died abruptly of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
shortly afterwards. The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and LA, after which they decided to disband indefinitely.
Albums
- Not On Her Majesty's Service (1982), Mortarhate
- Onward Christian Soldiers (1984), Mortarhate - UK Indie #7
- Nostradamnedus (2002), Go-Kart
Compilations:
- The Mortarhate Projects (1995), Mortarhate
EPs
- Used, Abused, Unamused (1983), Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi RecordsCorpus Christi Records is an independent record label started by some of the members of Crass and their recording engineer and business partner John Loder, to release records by artists who did not perhaps fit in with some of the stricter ideals of the Crass Records label.Several of the artists on...
- UK Indie #20 - Brain Death (1984), Mortarhate - UK Indie #3
- The Filth and the Fury (1985), Mortarhate - UK Indie #9
- Show Us You Care (1999), BBP