Flux of Pink Indians
Background information
Also known as	Flux
Origin	Bishop's Stortford Hertfordshire  England  United Kingdom
Genre(s)	punk rock anarcho-punk post-punk
Years active	1980–1986
Label(s)	Crass Records Spiderleg Records Overground Records One Little Indian Records
Associated acts	Discharge Epileptics Hotalacio The Insane Rubella Ballet
Former members
Colin Latter Derek Birkett Andy Smith Neil Puncher Sid Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere Simon Middlehurst Kevin Hunter Martin Wilson

Flux Of Pink Indians was an anarcho-punk/post punk band that originated from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England.

Biography

Flux of Pink Indians performing live at Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham, 1981

The band formed from the remaining members of the Epileptics (who later changed their name to Epi-X due to letters of complaint from The British Epilepsy Association) by Colin Latter (vocals) and Derek Birkett (bass guitar) with guitarists Andy Smith, Neil Puncher, and drummer Sid Ation (who was also a member of Rubella Ballet). Their debut EP "Neu Smell" was released on Crass Records in 1981. This included songs promoting vegetarianism and anti-war ideas, as well as "Tube Disasters", which featured a vein of black humour that was unusual amongst their peers.

Sid departed FOPI to work full time with his other band Rubella Ballet, and was soon replaced by Bambi, formerly of Discharge, while Andy was replaced by Simon Middlehurst. However, both departed quickly for their original band, The Insane. While auditioning for their replacements, Neil also left, and the line up was completed by old Epileptics guitarist Kevin Hunter and drummer Martin Wilson. The Indian's debut album, Strive to Survive Causing the Least Suffering Possible, confirmed the promise of the EP, and premiered the band's own Spiderleg label. Alongside the more conventional punk songs were a number of highly perceptive attacks on consumer society. The anti-religious "Is Anybody There" was a particularly effective example, using simple but jarring lyrics to emphasize its point.

Flux performing material from Uncarved Block, University of London, 1986 (final performance)

The band's second LP, The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks, was banned by retailers HMV, and copies were seized by Greater Manchester police from Eastern Bloc record shop, which was charged with displaying "Obscene Articles For Publication For Gain". The album concerned violence between men and women, based on the experiences of a band member who had been sexually assaulted.

By 1986 the band had shortened their name to Flux and released their 3rd album Uncarved Block. This featured more philosophical lyrics, largely inspired by influences such as Zen Buddhism and Benjamin Hoff's book The Tao of Pooh, coupled to percussion-heavy dance and funk based rhythms. Produced by Adrian Sherwood, and featuring several members of the On-U Sound Records label.

Birkett, making use of his experiences with Spiderleg, has gone on to set up the highly successful One Little Indian Records, and still uses the Flux title for occasional projects. Latter went on to form the dance-influenced Hotalacio and was joined by drummer Martin and guitarist Simon.

Members

Original lineup

• Colin Latter (vocals)
• Derek Birkett (bass guitar)
• Andy Smith (guitar)
• Neil Puncher (guitar)
• Sid Ation (drums)

Later members

• Dave "Bambi" Ellesmere (drums)
• Simon Middlehurst (guitar)
• Kevin Hunter (guitar)
• Martin Wilson (drums)

Discography

• Neu Smell (EP, Crass Records, 1981) cover art
• 1970s Have Been Made in Hong Kong (EP, Spiderleg Records, 1981 (released under the name of 'The Epileptics', this record was a re-recording of an earlier release made following a dispute with the Epileptics' old label Stortbeat. This EP also features Penny Rimbaud of Crass on drums)
• Strive to Survive Causing the Least Suffering Possible (LP, Spiderleg Records, 1983)
• The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks (LP, Spiderleg Records 1984)
• LiveStatement (LP, Overground Records date unknown)
• Taking a Liberty (EP, Spiderleg Records, 1985)
• Uncarved Block (LP, released under the name 'Flux', One Little Indian Records, 1986)
• Not So Brave (CD, Overground, 2003)

External links

• Flux of Pink Indians on the AllMusic Guide