Anti-Heros

Anti-Heros were an American Oi!/street punk band from Georgia, active primarily in the 1980s and 1990s. Known for their hard-hitting music and controversial associations, the band went through several lineup changes but maintained a consistent presence in the punk rock scene, recording multiple albums and EPs. Despite taking a hiatus between 1989 and 1993, they returned to the stage and studio in the mid-90s and continued to release new music. In 2023, the band began performing again after an extended hiatus.

History

Formation and Early Years (1984–1989)

The Anti-Heros were formed in 1984 by Mark Noah (vocals), Jay Jones (bass), Tim Spier (drums), and Joe Winograd (guitar). They quickly became a key part of the Oi! and street punk movement in the U.S. In 1987, they released their debut album That’s Right! on Link Records, followed by Don’t Tread on Me in 1988, both produced by John Blackwell. However, they later had disputes with the label’s manager, Mark Brennan, over unpaid royalties, which led to a challenging relationship with the label.

Hiatus and Return (1989–1993)

Following the release of their second album, the Anti-Heros took a hiatus from 1989 until 1993. During this period, the band members pursued other projects, and it wasn’t until the early 1990s that they reformed, recording new material and playing live shows again. Their comeback was marked by the 1995 mini-CD Murder One and the 1996 release American Pie on Taang! Records.

Controversy and Lawsuit

The Anti-Heros became the subject of controversy due to their association with Oi! music and its connections to the skinhead subculture. Although the band explicitly denounced racism, their live performances included a song titled “Anti-Hero,” which used the tune of “Anti-Social” by Skrewdriver, a band associated with neo-Nazism. In the late 1990s, the Anti-Heros were embroiled in a legal battle with New Line Cinema when their logo was used in the film American History X, which portrays white supremacy. The band sued to prevent any association with racist ideologies, and the logo was eventually removed from subsequent releases of the film.

Later Years and Reformation (1997–2023)

In the late 1990s, Anti-Heros continued to tour and release music, with drummer Mark McClusky joining in 1997. Their last studio album, Underneath the Underground, was produced by Lars Frederiksen of Rancid in 1999. The band gradually slowed down in the 2000s, but in 2023, after more than two decades of inactivity, they reformed and played their first live show in twenty-one years on May 27, 2023, reigniting interest in their music.

Discography

Albums and EPs

• That’s Right! (1987, Link Records)
• Don’t Tread On Me (1988, Link Records)
• Election Day 7-inch (1992, GMM Records)
• Murder One mini-CD (1995, GMM Records)
• American Pie (1996, Taang! Records)
• Live on a Five 5″ (1997, Headache Records)
• Truck Stop Toilet split 7-inch with Blanks 77 (1997, Taang! Records)
• Anti-Heros vs. Dropkick Murphys split (1998, TKO Records)
• Underneath the Underground (1999, GMM Records)
• 1000 Nights of Chaos LIVE (2000, Taang! Records)

Compilation Appearances

• U.S. of Oi!, Volume 1 (Link Records)
• U.S. of Oi!, Volume 2 (GMM Records)
• Oi! That’s What I Call Music! (Link Records)
• Oi! Glorious Oi! (Link Records)
• Drunk and Disorderly (Step-1 Records)
• Backstreets of American Oi! (Sta-Prest Records)
• Punk Uprisings Volume 2
• Skins and Pins (GMM Records)
• Punch Drunk (TKO Records)

GMM Records

Anti-Heros’ frontman Mark Noah founded GMM Records, an influential label in the punk and Oi! community. The label was responsible for releasing some of the earliest recordings by Dropkick Murphys, as well as albums from bands like Iron Cross, Oxymoron, Agnostic Front, The Ducky Boys, and The Templars.