The Stupids

The Stupids, from Ipswich, England, formed in 1984 and played some blazingly fast US-influenced (particularly Boston style à la Gang Green) hardcore punk/thrash in a time and place that was mostly filled with crusty metal punk, UK82, and anarcho punk. Along with fellow UK bands like A.O.A., Heresy (whom they toured with), and Ripcord (whom they also toured with), The Stupids took US hardcore to a new level, making it faster and more intense. But where other such bands had mainly poignant and political lyrics, the Stupids wrote silly, less serious lyrics about such things as an elephant man, love (jokingly of course), hating everyone, hating new wave, skateboarding, and more.

The band, whose "core" lineup featured Tommy Stupid on drums and vocals, Wolfie Retard on bass and vocals, and Marty Tuff on guitar, recorded and released a demo tape in 1984 that they called "Leave Your Ears Behind." The band was picked up by UK label Children of the Revolution, who put out the Violent Nun EP (consisting of tracks from the demo) and the Peruvian Vacation LP in 1985. While preparing for their next LP, the band lost Wolfie on bass and acquired Ed Shred (who would later move to guitar). Retard Picnic came out in 1986, whereby The Stupids were signed by Vinyl Solutions.

Stupids The next two years saw The Stupids play shows around Europe and tour the United States and Australia. Their lineup was less stable, though, but always included Tommy Stupid on drums and vocals. The Stupids released several records on Vinyl Solutions, culminating with 1987's Jesus Meets The Stupids LP. The band was big those days, appearing on the covers of NME and SOUNDS and recording two sessions for John Peel (compiled on a 12").

After the Stupids broke up, Tommy Stupid went on to drum in That's It, with the Stern brothers (of Youth Brigade) - a very rock affair. Ed Shred formed Sink, Big Ray, and even later on Chocolate, who were more pop-punk. Recently Ed played in K-Line (who alledgedly sound like Dag Nasty, Rites of Spring and a hint of indie). Nowadays Tommy Stupid (or Tom Withers as he is really called) is a famous drum'n'bass artist "Klute" and as far removed musically from the hardcore punk music as you can be. (But then again, in his music mentality he is still very "core". If you're open minded, check him out!)