Subhumans [Canada]

 

Influential Vancouver punk band who did much of the groundwork for later Canadian left-field outfits. However, the Subhumans are possibly more famous for their contribution to and inclusion in 'ecological terrorism' activities. Charges included bombing a plant that made guidance systems for nuclear-missiles, dynamiting a hydropower station and fire-bombing pornography shops. Gerry 'Useless' Hannah (bass) was the band member implicated and tried, along with four others, and received a 10-year custodial sentence. The Subhumans had already marked out their ability to challenge the conventions of the punk movement with Incorrect Thoughts' "Slave to My Dick", an indictment of male stupidity that went against the grain of the macho ethos of 'hardcore' music. The rest of the original band featured Brian 'Wimpy Boy' Goble (vocals, ex-Skulls), Mike Graham (guitar) and Greg 'Dimwit' james (drums). James was replaced by Jim Iwagama on drums when he joined Pointed Sticks, until he returned when that band split. Gerry Useless would quit that band after this sentence as he became more interested in environmental issues (he wanted to become a forest warden). Iwagama also chose this moment to depart, for reasons of pure lethargy. The returning James was joined by a new bass player, Ron, again from Vancouver. Goble and James would go on to pursue a lengthy career in D.O.A. James is the elder brother of original D.O.A. drummer Chuck Biscuits (later Cirlce Jerks, Black Flag, Danzig, etc.). Historically, the 'guerilla' activities overshadowed the career of one of the few hardcore capable of writing bracing, fully realized songs with a rare lyrical poignancy.