STEVE IGNORANT BIOGRAPHY

Birth name              Stephen Williams

Born                        Dec. 31, 1957 Stoke-on-Trent, England

Genres                    Anarcho-Punk, Punk Rock, Post Punk

Occupation             Singer-songwriter

Instruments             Vocals

Years Active            1977-present

Labels                     Crass Records, Small Wonder Records, Stay Free Recordings,

One Little Independent, Overground Records, Dimlo Productions

Steve Ignorant was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1957 but grew up in Dagenham, East London. In 1976 he moved to Essex and lived at Dial House, which is a self-sustaining anarchist-pacifist open house in Epping Forest. He has been living in Norfolk since 2007.

Steve is a singer-songwriter, author and artist.

1977-1984 Crass

Steve co-founded the anarcho-punk band with Penny Rimbaud. Steve was 15 to 20 years younger than the rest of the band. As the lead singer, he performed on the frontline of music’s politics, helping extend punk rock beyond the shock of the Sex Pistols. Crass forged a politics of anarcho-punk that influenced a generation. Their singles/records regularly held the number one spot in the then important Alternative Charts.

Wikipedia – List of UK Independent Singles Chart Number ones of the 1980’s:

Mar. 07, 1981 Nagasaki Nightmare

Nov. 06, 1982 How Does It Feel To Be The Mother Of 1000 Dead

July 02, 1983 Sheep Farming In The Falklands

Mar. 31, 1984 You’re Already Dead

1984-1984 Current 93

He joined Current 93, an English experimental music group since the early 1980’s.

1987-1989 Conflict

Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band formed in 1981. Steve did the vocals together with Colin Jerwood.

1992-1995 Schwartzeneggar

Anarcho-punk band formed by Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant, Thatcher On Acid members, Ben Corrigan (guitar, b. vocals), Andi Tuck (drums), Bob Butler (bass), and former Conflict member Mark Pickstone (keyboards/guitar).

1996-2000 Stratford Mercenaries

An English punk rock band that was formed in late 1995.

2000-2007

During this time Steve featured as guest vocalist in various other bands, for example the US punk band Thought Crime, as well as occasional solo performances.

He was able to be more creative as a wood sculptor, painter and performed traditional Punch and Judy shows using the name Professor Ignorant.

In 2007 he moved to the Norfolk coast where he volunteered on the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat in 2008 for several years.

2007 Steve Ignorant & Friends

They performed Crass’ entire Feeding Of The 5000 album with additional favourites for 2 nights at the sold-out Shepherds Bush Empire.

2010-2011 Steve Ignorant – The Last Supper Tour

The band: Steve Ignorant-vocals, Beki Straughn-vocals (2010), Carol Hodge-vocals (2011), Gizz Butt-guitar, Bob Butler-bass (2010), Pete Wilson-bass (2011), Spike T Smith-drums

Touring in the: UK, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

2011-present Steve Ignorant’s Slice Of Life

Acoustic Post punk

The band: Steve Ignorant-vocals, Carol Hodge-vocals, Pete Wilson-guitar, Lucas Martin-Upright bass (2012-2014), Pete Rawlinson-bass (2015)

Built on an acoustic arrangement, it allows for the more contemplative site of Steve’s song writing but retains the emotional impact and compassion that has long distinguished Steve’s work.

2012-2018 Steve Ignorant With Paranoid Visions

Anarcho-punk

They performed all over the world and recorded several albums. It was there that he met Jay Bagnall-drums (2013)

2019-present Steve Ignorant Band

Anarcho-punk

The Band: Steve Ignorant-vocals, Carol Hodge-vocals, keyboard and samples, Jay Bagnall-drums, Pete Rawlinson-bass and backing vocals, Pete Wilson-guitar and backing vocals

Performing the Crass songs with its unique sound and intricate drumbeats can only be done justice and performed by the original lead singer Steve Ignorant and the very talented Carol Hodge, JayBagnall, Pete Rawlinson and Pete Wilson through their long working relationship with Steve himself.

The 2020-21 Tour had to be rescheduled due to the pandemic. Their first gig was Sep. 24, 2021 at The Old Cold Store in Nottingham. The sold-out show was a huge success and was followed by North East Calling Festival and the Great British Alternative Festival at Butlins in Skegness

In 2022 they toured the UK, Ireland & Northern Ireland and Europe. Due to their success the band was fully booked in 2023 performing in Finland, UK and the USA. Playing at several major festivals e.g. Rebellion Festival, Blackpool & Riot Fest, Chicago.

2024 - 2025 the band continued to play gigs and festivals across the globe: UK, Europe, Mexico and the US.

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Punk Rock Movement. To celebrate this the band has played headline shows in the UK / Europe. They will be headlining at the Festival Du Gibloux in Switzerland.And as a one-off in the UK perform the iconic album in the Crass catalogue - The Feeding Of The Five Thousand at the biggest indoor independent festival in Europe

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