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Discharge

ABOUT

Formed in 1977 by percussionist Terry “Tezz” Roberts and bassist Roy “Rainy” Wainright in Staffordshire, England, the band Discharge is characterized by heavy, distorted guitar and raw, screamed vocals. On the forefront of a punk movement towards heavier material, their song lyrics centered on dark, nihilistic, violent material often over topics such as nuclear warfare and the troubles with capitalism. Their darkly themed music didn’t deter their success, as they were signed in 1980 by Clay records and were quickly followed with songs on the upper reaches of both the UK indie charts and UK top hits. The group began with strong influences from Punk Rock group the Sex Pistols, but began to find their own music personality later on in the 1980s. One of the legacies of the group was the development of the D-beat, named for the band, this was a characteristic drum beat that found its way into many of the band’s songs.

What's a D-beat?

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1980s
Discography

ALBUMS

 

Fistful of Metal (1984)

Spreading the Disease (1985)

Among the Living (1987)

State of Euphoria (1988)

1980s
Discography

ALBUMS

 

Why - 1981

Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing - 1982

Never Again - 1984

Grave New World - 1986

1980s
Band Members

MEMBERS

 

Kelvin "Cal" Morris - vocals

Tony "Bones" Roberts - guitar

Roy Wainwright - bass

Terry Roberts - drums

Peter "Pooch" Purtill

Discharge1.jpg

By GothEric (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing"

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Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing  - 1982

All the songs on the album Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing are short, abrasive, and high speed. This song is no different. The lyrics are simple and to the point: the government is evil and lying to its citizens. The shouted lyrics are harsh, matching the equally harsh accusations they make.

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LYRICS

Lied to, threatened, cheated and deceived
Hear nothing see nothing say nothing
Led up garden paths and into blind alleys
Hear nothing see nothing say nothing

An accusation against the government for using force and deception

Lied to, threatened, cheated and deceived

Hear nothing see nothing say nothing

Led up garden paths and into blind alleys

Hear nothing see nothing say nothing

At first it seems that the government has its citizens interests in mind, but in the end they bring them to a “blind alley.”

VIDEO

"Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing" performed live at Victoria Hall on Mach 11, 1983. This video captures the constant intensity of Discharge's music and the equally intense reaction of the band's fans in the mosh pit.

"Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing"
"Protest and Survive"

"Protest and Survive"

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Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing  - 1982

Another song that is short, repetitive, and harsh, “Protest and Survive” carries the characteristic D-beat drums and nihilistic attitude. The lyrics emphasize protesting and standing up against institutions and the government despite the inevitable destruction of all humans in the end.

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It is up to us to change that course 

Protest and survive 

Protest and survive

The savage mutilation of the human race is set on course
Protest and survive
Protest and survive

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LYRICS

Here there is an embrace of what is coming: an inevitable defeat of humans due to the political authorities if nothing is done about it.

Despite previous nihilistic attitudes, there is a chance for change, if people continue to protest and create that change.

An example of nihilism. Despite attempts to protest, there is little hope for change, only survival.

VIDEO

Live performance of "Protest and Survive." 

"The Nightmare Continues"

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Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing  - 1982

Continuing with the nihilistic theme, this song focuses on the monotonous existence of the human race in a trance, blinded by the political authorities. Discharge outlines a miserable human existence in the current society, scarred by a drive towards war and violence.

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Blinded disfigured and mentally scarred

The nightmare continues

And still men and women drag out their lives in misery
The nightmare continues

LYRICS

People are living miserable lives because of political control and a drive towards war.

More nihilism. This is a statement that nothing is changing and the actions that political figures are taking are not improving the situation.

A grotesque image, this lyric is likely referencing a push towards war and the horrific events that it can lead to.

VIDEO

An excerpt from a news piece on Discharge with parts of "The Nightmare Continues." The band members talk of their violent sound and their relatively peaceful fans.

"The Nightmare Continues"
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