Ignorant's latest ensemble, the Stratford Mercenaries, has already
successfully toured the U.S. twice without a record label or even an
album. Once again Ignorant has assembled an awe-inspiring crew, this time
including Phil Barker on drums (who also plays in the Buzzcocks),
Ed da Fed on bass and Gagsy (from Dirt) on roaring guitar. No
spring chickens, the Mercenaries nevertheless rip shit up like an army of
mutant zombies attacking a beach party. During their last tour they
released a 7-inch, Live in the USA 1997, that
showed off their furiously raging new sound. On "Knuckle Under,"
Ignorant shouts, "If you don't want no more problems/become one of the
many led by the few/there's no point in trying to escape/you'll have the
bastards after you/you've got to knuckle under."
The band's first EP, No Sighing Strains of
Violins, should be arriving on these shores soon. Live, Ignorant isnt
know for giving passionate speeches about smashing the state. For that,
you'll have to check the lyric sheets and booklets included in his long
discography. Instead, the Mercenaries are one of the most thrilling, raw
and unpretentious punk acts around.