100,000 BodyBags are a punk/melodic hardcore band with many influences. Blackwood-based, they were formed by the lead singer from Funeral in Berlin and are well-known amongst Manic Street Preacher fans as the early rivals.
100,000 BodyBags have played nationwide and had several singles and an 11-track compilation CD released by various labels. The BodyBags write about everyday anxiety and politics is never far beneath the surface.
Signed up with the Damaged Goods label, things were looking good for the trio. The first single had some serious critical success within the underground fanzine network and was voted into the year’s Top Ten releases in Maximum Rock’n’Roll‘s end-of-year polls. A second single was scheduled and released but after a minor riot at a gig in London, they were dropped by the label. Weird Records offered to release their next single, and an initial pressing of 500 was made. This sold well and a fourth single was commissioned by a Welsh company. It unfortunately went bust before the release date. Since that time the band have been self-releasing CDs, until signing with Death Monkey Records in 2012 to release their album Breaking Something Beautiful
100,000 BodyBags picked up a reputation for outrageous comments and frenetic live performances. Here’s a review of a gig from the local paper, South Wales Argus.
“A lethal cocktail of Vodka and arsenic, with the odd grenade thrown in. Sounds about right for the BodyBags gig at TJ’s, last night. The [band’s] name probably refers to those who don’t survive their gigs.” If you hear of them playing in your area, see them while you can.”
Some reviews of the single.
Cellotape Fanzine.
“Nirvana have done it for the USA, and 100,000 Bodybags should do it for the U.K. The most politically-aware band since Crass, like Fugazi on acid. The former top-of-the-bill on Manic Street Preachers night of support have hit the right spot, they are sure to surpass The Manics quite simply because they are better than them. Oh! And why have I written twice as much about them than any other band? Cos they’re twice as good as any other band I’ve heard. 5 stars.”
SleeZine
“Problem kicks you in the balls, while No Better lays into you when you’re down. Earth-shattering.”
“The debut single from these Welsh political punks. A fantastic 7″ with a Dead Kennedys feel.”
PhlemGodZine
“The low-down dirty production reminds me of the Spermbirds. Can’t have my copy. No! No! No!”
“Loud and Noisy.” [Just as Punk Rock should be.]
Weird Records
“Great sing-along tunes. Infectious. You’ll be humming this at work.”
Know Records
“Early South California style Surf Punk similar to the band Agent Orange.”
NNNW
“Two powerful catchy 80’s style tunes.”
Happy-House
“100,000 BodyBags? Sounds like they’re a raging holocaust of noise, which couldn’t be further from the truth! What this power-pop-punk combo give you are two gems harking back to Guns ‘N’ Wankers, The Queers, The Wildhearts, and shades of The Pixies. This is real, boppy, summertime punk, which you’ll play over and over again.”
Cream of the Crop – a Welsh fanzine.
“Self-financed, this time. It looks the package, all right, and the sound of the band since Mad Ant has joined has become something special. More fierce, yet more melodic, yet more power. It sees the ‘Bags stepping up that gear, to what they’ve always deserved. I know the ethics of this band has never been to sell out. What’s come to them has always been on their terms. Bow down to ya lot.
The CD has loads of political artwork, and lyrics that will provoke you. Adore is punk. And Simon knows how to talk a song with his drums. “You blue-eyed Satan’s whore” is paired with a picture of a Hitler Youth. Jail is my fave because of the dub drum sounds. Does remind me of the late great Blaggers ITA, its on a par and should be noticed. Father of Lies has Manics guitar licks, but when you’ve taught them all you know, Brewer, why not use the sound yourself. There isn’t a bad song on this. It’s time for a full studio album.”