The Snipers

   The Snipers formed in late 1979 in Oxfordshire. The band compromised of Russel Bowers on vocals, Dave 'Bungi' Hounslow on guitar, Steve 'Wacker' Harris on bass and Mark Taplin on drums. They were inspired by Crass to start a band, even though none of them could play and none of them had any equipment(what they did find was crap, such as a Colombus bass, homemade guitar, half a drum set and a 15 watt practice amp). They were going to originaly be called The Sinyx, but changed it to The Snipers upon finding out that it had already been taked. Early practices were done at Russel's parents garage.

     It took at least ten months of writing songs and practicing before they played their first gig at a Christmas party in the Victory Hut, a community centre from Brize Norton(a leftover hut from World War II). The Snipers then recorded their first demo in Bourten, Gloucestershire possible around 1980. They shared it with their friends and sent one to Crass. Crass pulled their track 'War Song' for Bullshit Detector 1. A second Demo was recorded, three of those tracks ended up on their 1981 7" 'Three Piece Suite' for Crass Records, and the other three on a compilation they were to release later on during 1982.

     The 'Spirit of an Old Age Anthem' tape was released in 1982, and was the last thing the band released. They played their last gig at the Wapping Anarchy Centre with Failing Parachutes in support, a band that is included in their compilation tape. Mark eventually moved to Telford, and this led to the band becoming less active, and ultimately, their demise. They had no interest in replacing Mark, since the band was made out of friendship.

The following song 'Hate' I have no idea where it came from.

'Hate'

Some people seem so full of hate/But they'de better learn before its too late/They 

need escapes to take their blame/Can't make out that they've been tamed (Chorus) It 

never did no-one no good/But you thought that it would/Hate breeds hate/That's a fact/

It all mounts up until impact/ Anxious minds don't see straight/blind rage, its a

human trait/ Gotta take it out on some pooe sod/ Politician, Paki or maybe God//(CH)//

Hate don't answer noones whys/Just stirs up trouble and spreads lies/Hate for you

and hate for them/Hate for the whole system////

"Parents of God"

Religion

Religion

Religion

Hell

Death

Wars

Gimme Religion

Die like Christ

Go to church

Pray for forgiveness

Eat the bread

Drink the wine

Commit no evil

Repent ye sinner

OR live in hell

Heaven

Hell

Good

Evil

Amen

Amen

Amen

"Nothing New"

I see so many words

predicting gloom now,

posters on the walls

around my room now,

every time around

the stakes get higher

who's to take the blame

but there's no buyer

Chorus

I know what you're thinking

when your looking at my eyes

I know what your thinking

When your telling me your lies

I see so many words

predicting gloom now

posters on the wall

around my room now

it wasn't like this when

you captured my mind

the threat seemed so distant

I must have been blind

Chorus

I see so many words

predicting gloom now

posters on the walls

around my room now

enjoy what you got

while you can

it's all sewn up

says the media man.

'3, Piece"

Mixed up kids

they just dont care,

don't like your clothes

or the color of your hair,

wont give you none

of their precious time,

but let them screw

their won lives, not mine.

Chorus

jobs for the boys

we've got no choice

you try your best

but they drown your voice,

you scratch their backs

and they'll stab yours

they don't give a damn

those 3 piece bored.

they stroll around

in their pinstripe shit

only in it for what they can get

you're out of place

'cos your aims aint the same

still playing their sam

old money game.

Downloads:

1st demo 1980?
http://www.box.net/shared/axiunez1sz
Bullshit Detector 1 track 1980
http://www.box.net/shared/5oamvik59d

Three Piece Suit 7" 1981
http://www.box.net/shared/uq4idsv3k6

Spirit of an old Age Anthem cassette 1982
http://www.box.net/shared/ys0q9kbp73