The Exploited

Biography

The Exploited are a Scottish punk rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1978 by Stevie Ross and Terry Buchan, with Buchan soon replaced with his brother, Wattie Buchan. They signed to Secret Records in March 1981, and their debut EP, Army Life×Army Life15 July 1980 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAArmy Life2:29B1Fuck the Mods2:01B2Crashed Out2:35, and debut album, Punks Not Dead×Punks Not Dead4 May 1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracksA1Punk's Not Dead1:48A2Mucky Pup1:41A3Cop Cars1:50A4Free Flight3:32A5Army Life2:37A6Blown to Bits2:38A7Sex and Violence5:09B1SPG2:06B2Royalty2:05B3Dole Q1:52B4Exploited Barmy Army2:28B5Ripper2:02B6Out of Control2:54B7Son of a Copper2:40B8I Believe in Anarchy2:01, were released that year. The band maintained a cult following in the 1980s among hardcore working class punks and skinheads. Originally a street punk band, the Exploited evolved into crossover thrash with their album Death Before Dishonour×Death Before Dishonour15 April 1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Anti UK3:03A2Power Struggle3:34A3Scaling the Derry Wall3:59A4Barry Prossitt3:50A5Don't Really Care3:12A6No Forgiveness3:36B1Death Before Dishonour3:05B2Adding to Their Fears2:40B3Police Informer2:42B4Drive Me Insane3:44B5Pulling Us Down4:16B6Sexual Favours3:40 in 1987.
Although the Exploited continue to perform live, they have not released studio material since their 2003 album Fuck the System×Fuck the System17 February 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Fuck the System4:152Fucking Liar2:343Holiday in the Sun2:244You’re a Fucking Bastard2:385Lie to Me2:166There Is No Point2:067Never Sell Out2:358Noize Annoys2:079I Never Changed1:5910Why Are You Doing This to Me2:2511Chaos Is My Life2:1112Violent Society2:1413Was It Me4:32. Their songs have been covered by Slayer and others. Despite numerous lineup changes, Wattie has remained the Exploited's singer and leader.

Formation and early days (1979–1980)

The original line-up consisted of Terry Buchan (vocals), Stevie Ross (guitar), Colin Erskine (bass) and Andy McNiven (drums). After a few gigs in and around Edinburgh, Stevie Ross left following an appearance in Aberdeen supporting the UK Subs.
Stevie Ross was briefly replaced by guitarist Stevey Hay (Hayboy), who died on 14 July 2013 after a successful career as a blues musician. Guitar duties were then taken over by Big John Duncan.
Stevie Ross continues to write songs and, in addition to solo performances, he also plays in The Station Road Band.

Early releases and Punk's Not Dead (1980–1981)

Influenced by 1970s punk rock music, such as that by the Sex Pistols, the quartet developed a straightforward, no-frills sound characterised by speed and aggression. In 1980, the group founded their own independent record label, Exploited Records, and released their debut EP Army Life×Army Life15 July 1980 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAArmy Life2:29B1Fuck the Mods2:01B2Crashed Out2:35, which ranked #6 in the Indie/Independent charts for eight weeks and remained in the Top 20 for eighteen months. The B-side was titled Fuck the Mods / Crashed Out, and the record's back cover featured the message, "To all the Edinburgh punks and skins - keep on mod-bashing!!".
They then released another single, "Barmy Army", which ascended the independent charts and remained there for 53 weeks, peaking at #4. Their single "Dead Cities×Dead Cities30 September 1981 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksADead Cities1:57B1Hitler's in the Charts Again2:38B2Class War1:21" reached #31 on the UK Charts. Their single "Exploited Barmy Army×Exploited Barmy Army11 October 1980 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAExploited Barmy Army2:15B1I Believe in Anarchy1:46B2What You Gonna Do2:17" peaked at #4 on the Independent/Indie chart.
In March 1981, the band signed to Secret Records and spent a month recording their debut album, Punks Not Dead×Punks Not Dead4 May 1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracksA1Punk's Not Dead1:48A2Mucky Pup1:41A3Cop Cars1:50A4Free Flight3:32A5Army Life2:37A6Blown to Bits2:38A7Sex and Violence5:09B1SPG2:06B2Royalty2:05B3Dole Q1:52B4Exploited Barmy Army2:28B5Ripper2:02B6Out of Control2:54B7Son of a Copper2:40B8I Believe in Anarchy2:01. The Exploited released the single "Dogs of War×Dogs of War28 March 1981 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksADogs of War1:42BBlown to Bits1:29", which peaked at #2 on the Independent charts and #63 on the UK Charts. Also in 1981, the band released their first live album, On Stage×On Stage9 November 1981 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracksA1Cop Cars2:29A2Crashed Out2:49A3Dole Q2:30A4Dogs of War2:26A5Army Life3:59A6Out of Control2:57A7Ripper2:45B1Mod Song2:35B2Exploited Barmy Army2:53B3Royalty2:41B4S.P.G.2:27B5Sex and Violence4:15B6Punks Not Dead1:28B7I Believe in Anarchy2:09, recorded during a concert in Edinburgh. Subsequently, the band toured with Discharge, Anti-Nowhere League, Anti-Pasti and Chron Gen on a tour titled Apocalypse Now, which was recorded and released as a live album. Their album Punks Not Dead, released in April 1981, reached #20 in May, and then climbed to number 1 on the Independent Charts. During this period, the Exploited appeared on the popular mainstream TV programme, Top of the Pops. Many fans of the Exploited were unhappy with the band's decision to appear on the show. The hardcore punk band Conflict wrote the song "Exploitation" about this appearance, which led to a long-standing rivalry between Conflict and the Exploited, dividing the punk fan base.

Troops of Tomorrow, Let's Start a War, and Horror Epics (1982–1986)

The band released the albums Troops of Tomorrow×Troops of Tomorrow15 May 1982 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracksA1Jimmy BoyleA2Daily NewsA3DisorderA4Alternative (remix)A5USAA6RapistA7Troops of TomorrowB1UK 82B2Sid Vicious Was InnocentB3WarB4They Won't StopB5So TragicB6GermsB7(Hey You) in 1982, Let's Start a War in 1983 and Horror Epics×Horror Epics1 March 1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1Horror EpicsA2Don't Forget the ChaosA3Law and OrderA4I Hate YouA5No More IdolsA6MaggieB1Dangerous VisionsB2Down BelowB3Treat You Like ShitB4Forty Odd Years AgoB5My Life in 1985. The period between these albums was marked by severe discord over the band's musical direction: guitarist Big John Duncan and bassist Gary McCormack both left to form new bands—"bands with disco beats and guitar solos, total shit", in Wattie's words—and the band experienced a rapid succession of drummers, one of whom allegedly left after a "nervous breakdown". The band was driven away from the Secret label by new management who demanded unrealistic changes in style and personnel. Their next label, a small enterprise named Pax Records, folded after its owner fled with all its assets.
The concert album Live at the Whitehouse×Live at the Whitehouse1985 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracksA1Let's Start a WarA2Jimmy BoyleA3Don't Forget the ChaosA4I Believe in AnarchyA5God Save the QueenA6AlternativeA7Horror EpicsA8WankersB1Dead CitiesB2Rival LeadersB3I Hate YouB4Dogs of WarB5Army LifeB6Sex and ViolenceB7Daily NewsB8Punks Not Dead was recorded in Washington, D.C., in 1985 at the 9:30 Club and was released the following year in 1986. They also released the studio EP Jesus Is Dead in 1986, followed by Live and Loud×Live and Loud1987 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracksA1Law and Order2:32A2Let's Start a War2:27A3Horror Epics3:09A4Cop Cars2:00A5Blown to Bits1:55A6Hitler's in the Charts Again2:49A7Belson Was a Gas1:09B1Alternative1:48B2I Hate You1:30B3UK 821:46B4Rival Leaders1:42B5Maggie You Cunt1:49B6Troops of Tomorrow2:54B7Sex and Violence4:30, a videography of the Exploited performing across Europe and the United States. During the US tour, Wattie and Karl Morris had an altercation on stage, and Karl left shortly afterwards. He was briefly replaced by Mad Mick, who then disappeared without trace. Nigel Swanson was then appointed as the new guitarist.

Death Before Dishonour, The Massacre and Beat the Bastards (1987–2002)

"Sexual Favours×Sexual FavoursAugust 1987 · Other · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Sexual Favours3:462War Now (+ Interview)4:353Let's Start a War2:234Dogs of War1:305Jesus Is Dead3:576Alternative1:517Rival Leaders2:188Drug Squad Man2:419Dead Cities1:3510Army Life1:3011Interview3:5812Punk's Not Dead1:04", a single from the album Death Before Dishonour×Death Before Dishonour15 April 1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Anti UK3:03A2Power Struggle3:34A3Scaling the Derry Wall3:59A4Barry Prossitt3:50A5Don't Really Care3:12A6No Forgiveness3:36B1Death Before Dishonour3:05B2Adding to Their Fears2:40B3Police Informer2:42B4Drive Me Insane3:44B5Pulling Us Down4:16B6Sexual Favours3:40, was released in 1987. The album only ranked in the top 200 of the British Alternative Music chart. However, the album sold out quickly. The album's cover featured artwork from the American punk artist Pushead, who complained that he was neither paid nor credited for the work.
In 1990, the Exploited released their album The Massacre×The Massacre1 September 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Massacre3:062Sick Bastard3:593Porno Slut3:124Now I’m Dead3:445Boys in Blue3:566Dog Soldier3:067Don’t Pay the Poll Tax4:278Fuck Religion3:139About to Die3:3110Blown Out of the Sky4:1611Police Shit3:5212Stop the Slaughter3:36. The album is a crossover thrash album. The band went on to release a Singles Collection album in 1993. The Exploited also released the videography Live in Japan in 1993. Their album Beat the Bastards×Beat the Bastards23 April 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Beat the Bastards4:212Affected by Them3:053Don't Blame Me5:004Law for the Rich3:205System Fucked Up2:486They Lie2:457If You're Sad5:208Fight Back3:259Massacre of Innocents4:0110Police TV3:4511Sea of Blood3:571215 Years3:0513Serial Killer6:45 was released in April 1996.

Fuck the System and next album (2003–present)

In early 2003, the band released the album Fuck the System×Fuck the System17 February 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Fuck the System4:152Fucking Liar2:343Holiday in the Sun2:244You’re a Fucking Bastard2:385Lie to Me2:166There Is No Point2:067Never Sell Out2:358Noize Annoys2:079I Never Changed1:5910Why Are You Doing This to Me2:2511Chaos Is My Life2:1112Violent Society2:1413Was It Me4:32 on Dream Catcher Records, and in the following year, they toured the UK and the US. On 14 October 2003, around 500 fans sparked a riot in Montreal, Canada after an Exploited concert was cancelled due to the band being denied entry into the country. Rioters overturned and set fire to eight cars, broke eleven shop windows, and caused other damage. The band was banned from performing in Mexico City as a result of the riot.

In a 2012 interview, Wattie Buchan stated that a new album was nearing completion. In February 2014, Wattie Buchan suffered a heart attack on stage during a performance in Lisbon as part of the band's Taste of Chaos Tour with Hatebreed and Napalm Death. He was taken to hospital, where he was expected to remain for at least a week for treatment. The band signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records, and it was planned that many of their albums would be reissued in March 2014. The band also confirmed that their first album in a decade would be released during the 2010s.
In March 2020, Wattie Buchan responded to the coronavirus outbreak that was forcing bands to cancel or postpone tours. He made a pointed remark about Green Day (a band he had frequently stated he disliked), saying, "Fuck coronavirus! I have had 5 heart attacks, a quadruple heart bypass and a heart pacemaker fitted. Cancel gigs for a virus? We ain't fucking Green Day piss – We are the real deal. No danger will we be cancelling our upcoming gigs. Punks Not Dead!" The Australian leg of the tour was cancelled four days later, although the band completed all the scheduled New Zealand gigs.

Legacy

The Exploited are one of the iconic bands of the UK 82 punk movement, alongside Charged GBH and Discharge. The term "UK 82" was derived from the Exploited's song "UK 82". AllMusic described the Exploited as "one of the most riveting British punk rock units of the early 1980s".
The Exploited have influenced Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Discharge, Stormtroopers of Death, Agnostic Front, Exodus, the Virus, Napalm Death, Terrorizer, NOFX, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, the Casualties, Pennywise, 7 Seconds, Anti-Flag, Blanks 77, Atari Teenage Riot, Death Angel, and Total Chaos.

Musical style and influences

The Exploited has been categorised as crossover thrash, punk rock, thrash metal, speed metal, punk metal, anarchist punk, hardcore punk, street punk and oi!. Originally playing street punk and oi!, The Exploited evolved into a crossover thrash band with their album Death Before Dishonour×Death Before Dishonour15 April 1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Anti UK3:03A2Power Struggle3:34A3Scaling the Derry Wall3:59A4Barry Prossitt3:50A5Don't Really Care3:12A6No Forgiveness3:36B1Death Before Dishonour3:05B2Adding to Their Fears2:40B3Police Informer2:42B4Drive Me Insane3:44B5Pulling Us Down4:16B6Sexual Favours3:40. The Exploited's influences include Sex Pistols, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, the Vibrators, the Threats, Alternative, the Belsen Horrors, and Johnny Moped. Wattie Buchan has also mentioned being influenced by James Brown and has expressed his admiration for The Cure's first four albums.

Lyrics

The Exploited have been controversial for their aggressive lyrics and rowdy gigs. Ian Glasper described them as "cartoon punks." Glasper wrote: "For many, the Exploited were the quintessential second wave punk band with their senses-searing high-speed outbursts against the system, and wild-eyed frontman Walter 'Wattie' Buchan's archetypal orange mohican."
The Exploited are known for their lyrics addressing anarchy, politics and anti-authority themes. During a 1983 interview, the Exploited stated that they were not a political band, but their lyrics became increasingly political in the late 1980s. Wattie Buchan noted in the documentary Punk's Not Dead that punk is defined by its politics. As a band with anarchist-themed lyrics, the Exploited's vocalist Wattie Buchan identifies as an anarchist and has openly expressed disdain for politics. The Exploited have written songs about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and have conveyed a negative view towards her. The song "Maggie" from the band's album Horror Epics×Horror Epics1 March 1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1Horror EpicsA2Don't Forget the ChaosA3Law and OrderA4I Hate YouA5No More IdolsA6MaggieB1Dangerous VisionsB2Down BelowB3Treat You Like ShitB4Forty Odd Years AgoB5My Life is specifically about Thatcher. The Exploited's third studio album, "Let's Start a War... (Said Maggie One Day)," centres on Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands War. Other themes explored in the album include police-led riots, war, unemployment, and a sense of hopelessness. Many songs from the mid-1980s focus on the threat of nuclear war.
The fans of the Exploited were nicknamed the Barmy Army. During the rivalry between the Exploited and Conflict, there were occasional clashes with fans of Conflict, known as "the Conflict Crew". In addition to the anti-social behaviour of the band and some of their fans, the Exploited would often cancel gigs at short notice in the 1980s, which led many venues to refuse to work with them.
After the 1981 Southall riot, Oi! bands, in general, became associated with racism, and the Exploited were sometimes believed to be a racist band due to Wattie's swastika tattoo, an incident in the early 1980s where Wattie fought with a group of Asians in a café, and in 1985 when "Deptford John" joined from the skinhead band Combat 84. The band has denied all accusations of racism.
As of August 2017, the band's website includes a history that mentions some of the issues surrounding their gigs, such as a riot after a show at the Rainbow in Finsbury Park, London, when the Jam were playing nearby and Wattie incited fans to attack the Mods, and a statement made onstage in Argentina that the Falkland Islands are British forever. George Same has written about the fighting after the Finsbury Park gig in his book on modern music, Backward Moddy Boy. In a documentary about the band, former manager Gem Howard stated that he would often sneak the band out of hotels late at night, as they would frequently vandalise the hotel and steal items from the rooms.

Current members

Wattie Buchan – vocals 1979–present
Irish Rob – bass 2004–present
Steve Campbell – guitars 2020–present
Gary "G-Man" Sullivan – drums 2024–present