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Agitpop is back at the Brits

Leeds-based Chumbawamba were formed in 1984 and positively revel in their anarchist status.

Quite what Mr Prescott's soaking will do to bring about social change is uncertain.

It is unlikely to result in an invitation to a Downing Street drinks party. Not that Chumbawamba would accept. The British prime minister has set a trend of entertaining Britpop stars, but the group, as their latest hit Amnesia details, feel betrayed by New Labour.

Politicians who have hitherto been eager to ally themselves with the Cool Britannia renaissance in British popular culture may also think twice.

Mr Prescott condemned as "deplorable" the incident in which band member Danbert Nobacon leapt on the table he was sharing with his wife Pauline at the ceremony.

Band with a mission

Nobacon's father Roy Hunter, who revealed his son's original name was Nigel, defended the incident.

He said: "Chumbawamba want to open up debate.

"They're in the position, with recently having a big hit, that they can do that and they see it as part of their job."

However, Mr Hunter, from Burnley, was unable to say what debate the band wanted to ignite. "I have no idea until I speak to him."

Chumbawamba have frequently accused "New" Labour of selling out.

Message 'diluted'

But the band are beginning to face the same accusations from fellow anarchists who feel their message is less potent now they are reaping the rewards of being pop stars.

There is even a Boycott Chumbawamba webpage.

The eight members of the band, made up of squatters and punk rockers, originally lived together in a commune.

They now live separately and have signed up to a major label, EMI, but maintain their principles remain the same.

Singer Alice Nutter, said after the band hit the charts: "We're still anarchists. We still carry the idea we had 12 years ago that no one should have to go to work 40 hours-a-week and do a crap job."

Their hit - Tubthumping - with its chorus "I get knocked down, but I get up again" was the breakthrough single last summer that propelled the group to pop stardom.

Joy of getting drunk

Celebrating the joys of drinking, it initially plunged the band into controversy because it extols the virtues of whisky, lager, cider and vodka.

It was condemned by Alcohol Concern as irresponsible.

But it became a big hit in America and has achieved anthem status, being played in baseball and football stadia to motivate teams and the crowds.

The band has also been involved in high-profile stunts, including their own fly-posting campaign featuring Ecstasy victim Leah Betts and the slogan "Distorted" - a wordplay on the government drug information campaign "Sorted".

They produced their own anti-Band Aid album, lambasting the music industry for profiting from starvation. They called it Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records.

Their Anarchy album was also banned because the cover, featuring a baby being born, was branded pornographic.

Last month their records were banned from Virgin stores in the US after the band told fans to steal them because big shops "can afford the loss".

Relevant Stories

The Verve and All Saints walk off with the Brits (10 Feb 98 | UK)
Profile: The Verve claim their place in pop history (07 Feb 98 | UK)
Stars jostled at Brits (09 Feb 98 | UK)
Bands snub the Brits (09 Feb 98 | UK)
Pop world lines up to discover who is best of Brits (07 Feb 98 | UK)

Internet Links

The Verve
1998 Brit Awards
Chumbawumba fan page

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