An extremely radical punk band founded in late 1977 in Stoke-on-Trent, England, under the influence of Morris' Sex Pistols. The band was composed of Royston "Rainy" Wainwright, guitarist Anthony "Bones" Roberts, and drummer Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere. With fast and furious music and extremely ferocious lyrics against war and authority, Discharge created a cult following before signing with independent label Clay Records in late 1979. The first single from this label, the unleashed "Realities Of War", made a big impression, as did the subsequent singles "Fight Back" and "Decontrol", and Discharge thus became one of the best and most important second-wave punk bands. This status was highlighted when the band participated in the legendary Apocalypse Now tour in May 1981 (with Anti-Pasti, Chron Gen, and The Exploited). In late '81, the ten-track 12-inch 'Why' was released, with which the band topped the independent charts for weeks in the UK. Shortly after, Bambi was replaced by Garry Maloney, and in May 1982, 'Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing' was released. With this album, the band reached a saturation point textually and musically, although this did not affect their popularity at all. In late 1982, guitarist Anthony "Bones" Roberts left the band and, with his brother Tezz, formed his own band, Broken Bones.
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