Over four CDs and 114 tracks, Burning Britain: the story of independent UK Punk 1980 – 1983 catalogues the vital scene that reignited in the aftermath of Thatcher's 1979 election victory.
Covering a wide spectrum, the anthology not only reflects the impact of the anarcho scene, but also alights on Oi, pathetique and other sub-genres, drawn from the catalogues of such labels as Riot City, No Future, Fallout, Clay, Mortarhate, Anagram, Step-Forward, Small Wonder, WXYZ, Rondelet, Spiderleg and Flicknife.
Bands featured include THE TOY DOLLS, POISON GIRLS, DISCHARGE, THE MOB, ANIT-PASTI, INFA RIOT (pictured), G.B.H., VICE SQUAD, 4 SKINS, CHRON GEN, COCKNEY REJECTS, THE BUSINESS, ACTION PACT, DESTRUCTORS, PETER & THE TEST TUBE BABIES, CHAOS U.K., THE EXPLOITED, SUBHUMANS, THE DEFECTS, NEWTOWN NEUROTICS, SPECIAL DUTIES and THE PARTISANS, while major players from the first time round - THE DAMNED, CHELSEA, THE LURKERS, U.K. SUBS, ANGELIC UPSTARTS - also get a look in.
The set is completed by a 64-page book with a foreword by punk historian Ian Glasper, author of the essential book Burning Britain, from which the anthology takes its name.
Set for release on 27 April, it's available to pre-order here.
