I fairly recently joined the semi-discerning group of American musicologists who is late to the idea that that obnoxious "Tubthumping" band was actually a radical collective that operated more like Amon Duul or Crass. I recently dove into their somewhat lauded Slap and found it more interesting than enjoyable.

I hear connections to The Ex in the cyclical rhythm repetition, XTC in the hypercolor pop elements and surprisingly Manu Chao in the late 20th century basic sampling, kind of primitive digital seasoning.

All said it made me want to listen to The Ex, XTC or Manu Chao instead. What do you make of this iconic, popularly misunderstood anarcho one hit wonder?

Have to admit to not knowing anything about them other than the aforementioned "Tubthumping", which has not inspired me to look deeper. Due to my lack of knowledge on the topic, no vote.

Yeah, I listened to some stuff after Ian Mackaye talked about them with that Irish kid. (was aware of the band's history but never bothered to investigate). Quick, possibly unfair impression: dance pop that hasn't aged very well.

Like nearly all anarcho-punk (Crass pretty much the only exception to the rule), interesting story, cool aesthetic, dddddddreadful music.

Kool they made some kash doing it by forcing the sugared pill, but like KLF, the successful stuff is particularly ghastly.

Crap.

Yeah, I heard they were anarchists or something, but that song is so shit, I cannot dig deeper. I rather listen to Len. Also their name is horrible, and the songas name is horrible. 0/10.

I get that song is kinda fun. Ok. I also heard a couple of earlier tracks and it sounded shitty. Not enough to vote but ...

I checked out a few songs I kind of liked. But they sound like Ace of Base. Not for me.

never listened to anything past tubthumping but their final show is cool to see



they really seem like a good bunch

Early Chumbawamba is similar to what the Ex was doing roughly around the same time or a bit earlier...noisy political punk with post-punk clanging. I really like the first EP. After that, they convinced themselves they were a punk Fairport Convention for a small while before settling on the dance thing. NC at the Waffle House HQ for being good peeps and trying something different. The execution of that though...

Their early stuff was okay, but what a weird fucking transformation to Smash-Mouth-esque pablum. Gonna go crap.