Omega Tribe (British band)

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Omega Tribe
Also known asThe Tribe
Origin Barnet, London, England
Genres Anarcho-punk, post-punk
Years active1981–1988, 1995, 2016–present
Labels Crass Records
Corpus Christi Records
MembersHugh Vivian, Daryl Hardcastle
Past membersPete Fender, Pete Shepherd, Sonny Flint, Jane Keay

Omega Tribe are an English anarcho-punk band, formed in Barnet, London [1] in 1981. With the roles of Hugh Vivian on guitar and vocals, Daryl Hardcastle on bass, Pete Fender on guitar and Pete Shepherd on drums, their first EP, Angry Songs, was produced by Penny Rimbaud and Pete Fender for Crass Records in 1982.

Contents

Their subsequent LP, No Love Lost, (released by Corpus Christi Records, 1983) won the hearts of many hardened anarchos and secured their place in anarcho-punk history. A far more melodic style, encouraged by producer and new guitarist Pete Fender (from Rubella Ballet), created a highly influential template that many other bands were to build on.

They released a cassette only live release on BBP tapes (www.bbprecords.co.uk) in 1984.

In 1984 Sonny Flint joined on drums, and they took on a sax and flute player Jane Keay. Pete Shepherd the original drummer switched to playing percussion.

Pete Fender departed early in 1984. Line-up changes were fairly frequent after this period and a 12" EP, "(It's a) Hard Life"/"Young John", was finally released in 1985 that showed a complete change of direction. By 1986, after the departure of vocalist and founder-member Hugh, the band was known simply as The Tribe. The band continued to maintain a presence on the UK live circuit for a further year or so but recording opportunity evaded them. Sonny Flint departed in 1987 and the band split in 1988.

Omega Tribe reformed briefly to play guest spot at Vi Subversa's 60th Birthday Bash at London's Astoria 2 in June 1995. A short incognito tour under the name of Charlie showed promise, but the band's members had other interests and the project was short-lived.

A compilation CD, Make Tea Not War, was released in 2000 on Rugger Bugger Records and a cut-down vinyl LP version was also pressed. Both albums quickly sold out.

In August 2016, Daryl Hardcastle, Hugh Vivian and Sonny Flint reunited and performed a limited number of dates between December 2016 and March 2017, including Vi Day at the 2017 AWOD Festival. At the end of March 2017, Sonny Flint left the band.

Discography

Compilations

Compilation appearances

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References

  1. "Interview With 80s Anarcho-Punk Legends Omega Tribe". Louderthanwar.com. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.