Formed: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Alongside D.O.A., whom vocalist Roy 'Wimpy' Goble and drummer Dimwit later joined, The Subhumans was Canada's foremost punk/hardcore band, both forming at roughly the same time in the same city (Vancouver). Both bands were highly politicised, although D.O.A. tempered their views with large doses of drunken behaviour and hedonistic fun. The Subhumans were more serious, though not without a sense of humour, brandishing a slightly more conventional musical attack that bore some similarities with Stiff Little Fingers, a comparison accentuated by Goble's throaty growl, which made him sound like Jake Burns with a Canadian accent. Their lasting contribution to society was their genuine, grassroots political activities, which placed them alongside Crass as one of the few punk bands who walked it like they talked it. Their music mixed power, anger, energy, humour and melody with intelligent, thoughtful lyrics and beautiful, simple yet effective song-structures.
In 1983 bassist Gerry Useless (not his real surname, it's Hannah) was one of five people arrested for taking part in terrorist activities, being charged with firebombing shops selling pornographic material, dynamiting a nuclear power plant and bombing a plant that designed guidance systems for Cruise missiles. The Vancouver Five (as they became known) were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison stretches. While in prison he contributed a beautiful song ('Living With The Lies') to the soundtrack album for Terminal City Ricochet (1989).
Never big sellers in their heyday, they nonetheless reformed in 2005 (Goble, Graham, Useless, and Jon Card) and have made new records.
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Lineup 1 (1978):
Brian "Wimpy Roy" Goble (R.I.P. 2014) - vocals
Mike Graham - guitar
Gerry Useless (real name Gerry Hannah) - bass
Dimwit (real name Kent Montgomery) - drums
Dimwit is older brother of Chuck Biscuits.
Lineup 2 (1979-1980):
Brian "Wimpy Roy" Goble - vocals
Mike Graham - guitar
Gerry Useless - bass
Jim Imagawa (aka Koichi Imagawa) - drums
Lineup 3 (1983):
Brian "Wimpy Roy" Goble - vocals
Mike Graham - guitar
Ron Allan - bass
Randy Bowman - drums
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DISCOGRAPHY
Subsequent studio albums: New Dark Age Parade (2006), Same Thoughts, Different Day (2010).
Singles & Albums
Death To The Sickoids (7", 1978)
The Subhumans (12", 1979)
Firing Squad (7", 1980)
Incorrect Thoughts (LP, 1980)
No Wishes, No Prayers (LP, 1983)
Extraneous Releases
Pissed Off...With Good Reason! (CD, 1996)
Death Was Too Kind (LP/CD, 2008)
Various Artists
Vancouver Complication Canada LP 1979 (Pinned): Death To The Sickoids / Urban Guerilla
Let Them Eat Jellybeans! US LP 1981 (Alternative Tentacles): Slave To My Dick
Vancouver Independence Canada LP 1981 (Friends): Behind The Smile / Out Of Line
Killed By Death #4 (Raw Rare Punk Rock 77-82) US LP 1989 (Redrum): No Productivity
Last Call: Vancouver Independent Music 1977-1988 Canada 2xCD 1991 (Zulu): Slave To My Dick
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Links
Subhumans Canada - Official Website
Another Useless Subhuman - Gerry Hannah’s blog
Record Collectors Of The World Unite
Huffington Post - Canadian Punk Legend Brian 'Wimpy Roy' Goble Dead At 57, Member Of D.O.A., Subhumans
