Subhumans (Canadian band)

This page is about the Canadian band called The Subhumans. For information about the UK band, see Subhumans

The Subhumans are a punk band formed in 1978. Along with friends D.O.A., they were largely responsible for introducing punk music to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Known by pejorative, punk rock nicknames, members were called "Useless" (Gerry Hannah), bass, "Dimwit" (Ken Montgomery), drums, "Wimpy" (Brian Goble), singer and "Normal" (Mike Graham), guitar. They were best known for their song on the compilation Let Them Eat Jellybeans, "Slave To My Dick", which addressed the issue of men's attitudes towards women. Dimwit quit the band shortly after their first 7" was released and was replaced by Koichi (Jim) Imagawa on drums.

File:Subhumans-Incorrect-Thoughts.jpg

Incorrect Thoughts, the Subhuman's landmark LP

In 1981, Hannah left the band and gradually became involved with a small group of underground activists calling themselves Direct Action. In the alternative media they were referred to as the Vancouver 5, but in the mainstream press they were dubbed the Squamish 5. The group, composed of ecologists and feminists, were responsible for a number of actions, including the 14 october 1982 bombing of the Litton Industries plant in Ontario which made guidance systems for cruise missiles. The Litton bombing hurt several plant workers and a police officer was also injured. While Gerry was not part of the Litton bombing, he supported it, and did take part in other actions, as well as planning to rob a Brinks truck to fund future actions. He was arrested on 23 January 1983, along with the four other members of Direct Action. Many benefits were arranged for the group by people such as Jello Biafra and Joey Shithead of D.O.A. to pay lawyers fees but, in the end, Hannah pled guilty to avoid years in prison. He received a 10 year sentence and was released after serving 5 years. During his time in prison, he began writing a column for the fanzine Maximum RocknRoll which helped maintain his connection to the punk scene. A number of years after his release he was the subject of a documentary film made by B.C. filmmaker Glen Sanford, called Useless.

After Hannah left the band, the Subhumans re-formed with Ron Allan on bass. After Imagawa left the band, Randy Bowman joined in his place. During the line up of Wimpy, Mike Graham, Ron Allan, and Randy Bowman, the Subhumans recorded the album 'No Wishes, No Prayers' for Black Flag's SST Records. Ron Allan and Randy Bowman later went on to form the premier Vancouver band The Scramblers.

The Subhumans finally broke up, with the singer joining D.O.A. on bass. However, their songs have been covered by many other bands, including D.O.A., four-stroke (band), and Vancouver all-women band Cub, and they are highly regarded within the punk community.

In 2005 the Subhumans reunited with the following lineup: Gerry Hannah bass, Jon Card (ex of Personality Crisis (band), Stretch Marks (band), SNFU and DOA) drums, Brian Goble vocals and Mike Graham on guitar. They signed to Alternative Tentacles and G7 Welcoming Comittee. A new album, "New Dark Age Parade", will be released in September 2006. The Subhumans also plan to re-release their earlier recorded material, which is no longer available.

Discography

"Death To The Sickoids/Oh Canaduh" 7" (1978)
Untitled 12" EP on Quintessence Records (1979)
"Firing Squad/No Productivity" 7" on Quintessence Records (1980)
Incorrect Thoughts LP on Friends Records (1980)
No Wishes, No Prayers LP on SST (1983)
Pissed off... with good reason CD (1996) (This CD was a compilation of material from all Subhumans releases (except for No Wishes, No Prayers) along with unreleased live and studio material, including live material from the band's reunion tour in 1995.)
Subhumans Limited Edition Demo EP(2005)
New Dark Age Parade LP on Alternative Tentacles and G7 Welcoming Comittee (2006).

Bootlegs

Unauthorized versions of the "Death To The Sickoids/Oh Canaduh" 7", Incorrect Thoughts, and No Wishes, No Prayers have been released at various times.

Compilations

"Death To The Sickoids" and "Urban Guerilla" on Vancouver Complication (1979)
"Out of Line" and "Behind The Smile" on Vancouver Independence, Friends Records (1980)
"Slave To My Dick" on Let Them Eat Jellybeans, Alternative Tentacles (1981)
"No Productivity" on Killed By Death vol. 2
"Firing Squad" on Faster & Louder: Hardcore Punk, Vol. 2, Rhino Entertainment (1993)

Discography

Bootlegs

Compilations

See also