Doom

Doom are a hardcore punk band from Birmingham, England, whose original lineup was active from 1987 to 1990. Though short-lived, the band is often credited with helping define crust punk, a raw style that blended punk aggression with elements of extreme metal. Recording for Peaceville Records and championed by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, Doom became an early reference point for both crust and grindcore.

Early History

Doom began under the name The Subverters with Jon Pickering on bass and vocals, Bri Doom on guitar, and Jason Hodges on drums. After Hodges was replaced by Mick Harris, the group adopted the name Doom. Their initial approach leaned toward crossover thrash, but Bri and Jon shifted direction to follow a Discharge-influenced crust sound. At this point, Pickering focused solely on vocals, Pete Nash joined on bass, and Tony “Stick” Dickens replaced Harris on drums. This mid-1987 lineup became the core of Doom’s identity.

The band quickly attracted Peaceville Records, contributing to the A Vile Peace compilation in 1987. With Napalm Death’s Jim Whitley temporarily filling in on bass, Doom made their recording debut. Soon after, they released the War is Big Business demo, followed by their landmark 1988 debut LP War Crimes (Inhuman Beings). Gigging constantly across the UK, Doom built a reputation as a fierce live act. In 1989, they issued the Bury the Debt – Not the Dead split with Sweden’s No Security and the Police Bastard EP, while also recording two Peel Sessions. Bri left the band in 1989 following a European tour, but the group pressed on with new members until splitting in 1990.

Reformation and 1990s Work

Doom reunited in 1992 with Bri, Jon, Pete, and Stick, touring Japan and releasing a 12-inch on Vinyl Japan. After Jon’s departure, Bri and Stick recruited Tom Croft on vocals and Paul “Mall” Mallen on bass, later replaced by Scoot. This era saw prolific collaborations, including splits with Selfish, Hiatus, and Extinction of Mankind, as well as the Fuck Peaceville double LP. Videotaped tours further spread their notoriety, particularly Videodoom, filmed on their 1994 European run.

By 1995, Denis Boardman and Wayne Southworth joined, forming a stable lineup that recorded Rush Hour of the Gods in 1996. Subsequent years included more recordings and tours, though lineup changes persisted. Members also launched or joined other projects: Bri in Khang, Stick with DIRT, Pickering with Police Bastard, and Nash with Corvus.

2000s and Tragedy

Doom carried their influence into the 2000s, but tragedy struck when vocalist Wayne Southworth died in 2005 following an epileptic seizure. The band played a tribute performance at Bradford’s 1 in 12 Club, honoring his memory. After a period of inactivity, Doom resurfaced again, drawing both veteran fans and new listeners from the resurging interest in crust punk.

2010s Onward

Reuniting once again, Doom solidified a lineup with Bri Doom on guitar, Stick on drums, Scoot on bass, and Denis Boardman on vocals. In 2013, they toured Canada and released Corrupt Fucking System, their first full-length album in over a decade. The album reaffirmed their stance as uncompromising veterans of the genre. They later followed with Consumed to Death in 2015, proving their commitment to politically charged, heavy crust punk remained intact.

Members

Current members

• Brian “Bri Doom” Talbot – guitar (1987-1989, 1992-2005, 2010-present)
• Tony “Stick” Dickens – drums (1987-1990, 1992-2005, 2010-present)
• Michael “Scoot” Gladok – bass (1992-1995, 2010-present)
• Denis Boardman – vocals (2010-present); guitar (1995-2000); bass (1995)

Former members

• Jon Pickering – vocals (1987-1990, 1992); bass (1987); guitar (1989-1990, 1992)
• Pete Nash – bass, vocals (1987-1990, 1992)
• Jason Hodges – drums (1987)
• Mick Harris – drums (1987)
• Jim Whitely – session bass (1988)
• Paul Halmshaw – vocals (1989)
• David Talbot – guitars (1989)
• Paul “Mall” Mallen – bass (1992)
• Tom Croft – vocals (1992-1995)
• Chris Gascoigne – bass (1995-2004)
• Wayne Southworth – vocals (1995-2005; died 2005)
• Andy Irving – bass (2004-2005)
• David “Sned” Sneddon – drums

Discography

Albums

• War Crimes (Inhuman Beings) (1988, Peaceville Records)
• Bury the Debt – Not the Dead (split LP with No Security, 1989, Peaceville Records)
• The Greatest Invention (1993, Vinyl Japan)
• Pro-Life Control (split LP with Selfish, 1994, Ecocentric Records)
• Rush Hour of the Gods (1996, Flat Earth)
• World of Shit (2001, Vinyl Japan)
• Corrupt Fucking System (2013, Black Cloud)

EPs and Demos

• War is Big Business (1987 demo)
• Police Bastard 7-inch (1989, Profane Existence)
• Lost the Fight 7-inch (1993, Flat Earth/Nabate)
• Doomed to Extinction (split 7-inch with Extinction of Mankind, 1994)
• Hail to Sweden 7-inch (1995, Pandora’s Box)
• Pissed Robbed & Twatted – Live in Slovenia 7-inch (1996, Nuclear Sun Punk)
• Monarchy Zoo 7-inch/CD (1996, Vinyl Japan)
• Split 10-inch with Cress (1998, Flat Earth)
• Consumed to Death (2015, Black Cloud)