Conflict (band)

Conflict
Colin Jerwood performing with Conflict in 1986
Colin Jerwood performing with Conflict in 1986
Background information
OriginEltham, London, England
GenresAnarcho-punk, hardcore punk
Years active1981–present
LabelsCrass Records
Corpus Christi Records
Mortarhate Records
Go-Kart Records

Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band originally based in Eltham in South London.[1] Formed in 1981, the band's original line up consisted of: Colin Jerwood (vocals), Francisco 'Paco' Carreno (drums), John (bass guitar), Steve (guitars), Pauline (vocals), Paul a.k.a. 'Nihilistic Nobody' (visuals).[1] Their first release was the EP "The House That Man Built" on Crass Records.[1] By the time they released their first album, It's Time to See Who's Who, on Corpus Christi Records, Pauline and Paul had left the band. Conflict later set up its own Mortarhate Records label, which put out releases by other artists including Hagar the Womb, Icons of Filth, Lost Cherrees, The Apostles, and Stalag 17.

In 1983, Steve Ignorant, who was at the time a member of the band Crass, guested on the band's pro-animal rights single "To A Nation of Animal Lovers".[1] After the dissolution of Crass, Ignorant later became second vocalist for Conflict on a semi-permanent basis. Their song "Mighty and Superior" was voted #53 best song of the year by the John Peel Festive Fifty radio show audience in 1985, a year that show played the top 70. This followed a 1986 gig in Brixton, London, when he had joined the band on stage for a few numbers.

The band has always been outspoken regarding issues such as anarchism, animal rights, the anti-war movement and in their support for the organisation Class War, and a number of their gigs during the 1980s were followed by riots and disturbances.[1]

Former band drummer, Francisco "Paco" Carreno, died on 20 February 2015, at the age of 49.[2][3] In August 2019 long-term bassist, Hoddy, decided to step down from bass duties after over 30 years. Later that year Fran Fearon was recruited on bass and additional vocalist, Fi.

The current line-up of Colin, Gav, Stu, Fran and Fi have been touring since 2021 and are currently rehearsing and recording new material. A new live album "Live in Dublin" was released in 2024 and the first new studio material for over 20 years, a 7" single entitled "THIS IS CONFLICT", was released November 2024 A full studio album is expected to be released in early 2025.

  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 124/5. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  2. ^ Brown, Nathan (21 February 2015). "RIP Paco Carreno drummer with Conflict and Inner Terrestrials". Louder Than War. John Robb. Retrieved 21 June 2015. Punks around the world were saddened at the news yesterday of the death at the age of 49 of Francisco "Paco" Carreno. Paco was a man who redefined punk rock drumming with the band's Conflict and Inner Terrestrials.
  3. ^ Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 23 February 2015.