Bad Breeding - Exiled

The UK punk scene has always been strong, but in the last few years we got a heap of awesome new records from bands like Sleaford Mods, Idles, Slaves, Higher Power, and many more – each one of them sounding different, adding a certain something to the sonic diversity of today’s punk scene. Politics in post-Thatcher and pre-Brexit Britain leave many Britons angry, disillusioned, and helpless. Austerity policies and severe cuts in benefits have created an even bigger gap between the rich and poor – and while the rich just keep getting richer, the poor keep getting poorer.

It’s not surprising that an environment like this, with politics that seemingly work against the people rather than for them, the punk scene has come to new heights. And with their latest album “Exiled”, Stevenage anarcho-punks Bad Breeding point a big middle finger at the corrupt establishment, at Tories who destroy the country, and Labourers who quietly sit there and watch.

Bad Breeding formed in 2013 in Stevenage, a town for commuters in the belt of London. They grew up on the council estate, and have experienced austerity first hand. 

“Exiled” is an absolute steam train of power. The 12 tracks are no-compromise, straight-in-your-face hardcore punk with inklings of noise and crust punk. Imagine British crust masters Doom teamed up with Crass, Slaves, and Idles: that’s probably the closest you get to describing Bad Breeding’s sound. Take “Clear Blue Water”, for example. The opening riff and chorus have the pop-punky qualities of Slaves,  while the verse could be taken straight from Doom’s “Corrupt Fucking System” – with Steve Ignorant’s voice.

It’s not surprising to hear an album like this in times like these. Bad Breeding have taken the frustration of a whole generation of young people and put it into sounds. But even with the immediacy, this album is destined to become one for the ages. Upon first listening, you feel at home. Especially if you are a fan of bands like Concrete Sox, Scarred Society, Doom, and the likes.

Listen to the first single “Whose Cause” below (and notice yet another Slaves-like riff):