Formation Year: 1978
Origin: Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres: Street punk, oi! hardcore punk, crossover thrash
Key Members: Wattie Buchan, Wullie Buchan, Irish Rob (Robert Halkett), Steve Campbell
Last Album: Fuck the System, 2003
Labels: Nuclear Blast, Secret Records, Rough Justice, Captain Oi!, Cleopatra Records, Exploited
Years Active: 1978–present
If you’re into punk rock (and I’m guessing you are), you’ve probably heard of The Exploited. These guys are punk rock legends. Formed in 1978 in Edinburgh, Scotland, they’ve been screaming, swearing, and smashing their way through the punk scene for over 40 years. Their sound is raw, their shows are chaotic, and their message is loud and clear: “Punks Not Dead!”
Band Members: The Chaotic Cast of Characters
The Exploited has had a revolving door of band members over the years (a punk band staple, right?), but a few key names stand out. Wattie Buchan, the band’s fiery, mohawked frontman, is at the heart of it all. If anyone screams “punk icon,” it’s him.
Here’s a quick rundown of some notable members:
- Wattie Buchan (vocals, 1979-present): The soul of The Exploited. Wattie’s been there from day one, and even though he’s in his 60s now, he’s still raging on stage like it’s 1981. That mohawk? Legendary.
- Wullie Buchan (drums, on and off from 1983-present): Wattie’s brother, who’s been pounding the drums for years. There’s nothing like keeping it in the family.
- Irish Rob (Robert Halkett) (bass, 2017-present): The current bass player holding the low end.
- Steve Campbell (guitar, 2020-present): A more recent addition to the band, but already shredding with that ferocious Exploited sound.
Past members include a long list of punk veterans, with Big John Duncan (guitar, 1980-1983) and Gary McCormack (bass, 1980-1983) being early members who helped shape the band’s aggressive sound. Fun fact: Duncan later became a guitar tech for Nirvana—talk about punk credentials!
From Street Punk to Crossover Thrash: The Exploited’s Sound Evolution
The Exploited started as pure street punk—simple, fast, and aggressive. But their sound evolved (or exploded, more accurately) as the years went by. Their early records were raw, like a punch to the face. By the mid-1980s, they added more thrash metal elements, creating this gnarly crossover thrash vibe. Think of it as punk with metal’s speed and brutality.
- Early 1980s: Straight-up, no-frills punk. Songs like “Punks Not Dead” and “Dead Cities” are short, angry, and aimed right at the establishment.
- Mid-1980s: Albums like Troops of Tomorrow show the band playing faster and more complex stuff, hinting at the thrash direction they’d later fully embrace.
- Late 1980s onward: Full-on crossover thrash. Death Before Dishonour (1987) is a perfect example of this fusion of punk energy and thrash metal riffs.
Whether they were doing street punk or thrash, one thing’s certain: The Exploited have always been loud, fast, and furious.
The Exploited T-Shirts
Looking to rock out in true punk style? These Exploited t-shirts are perfect for hardcore fans who want to wear their rebellious spirit. Whether it’s the iconic “Let’s Start a War” design, the fierce skull mohawk from their “MMXX Tour,” or the unforgettable “Punks Not Dead” statement, each shirt captures the raw energy of Wattie Buchan and his legendary band. These tees aren’t just clothes—they’re a way of life for anyone who lives and breathes punk rock.
Albums That Defined a Movement
With nine studio albums, The Exploited has no shortage of anthems. Here are a few records that you need to check out (if you haven’t already):
- Punks Not Dead (1981): Their debut and a huge middle finger to anyone who thought punk was over. It reached #20 on the UK charts, which for a band this abrasive is insane.
- Troops of Tomorrow (1982): A tighter, more polished sound without losing any of the anger. It’s home to classics like “UK 82” and the title track.
- Let’s Start a War (1983): Released when the band underwent lineup changes, but it didn’t stop them from making another hard-hitting record.
- Death Before Dishonour (1987): The thrash album that brought The Exploited into crossover territory.
Their last album, Fuck the System (2003), is exactly what you’d expect—loud, aggressive, and full of anti-authority messages. They might be older, but the fire hasn’t gone out.
Most Popular Songs by The Exploited
“Sex and Violence” (1981)
“Punks Not Dead” (1981)
“I Believe In Anarchy” (1981)
“Army Life” (1980)
“Cop Cars” (1981)
“Alternative” (1982)
“Dogs of War” (1981)
“Exploited Barmy Army” (1980)
“Dead Cities” (1981)
“Troops of Tomorrow” (1982)
Controversies and Chaos: The Exploited’s Punk Legacy
No true punk band can escape controversy, and The Exploited has been deep in it. Wattie Buchan’s not exactly a quiet guy, and his onstage antics have earned the band quite the reputation.
- Banned in Holland: The band’s rowdy reputation got them blacklisted from performing in Holland for a time. They were a little too wild for the Dutch authorities.
- Tear-gassed in Germany: Yeah, the German police once hit them with tear gas during a show. Punk shows can get crazy, but that’s next-level chaos.
- Riots and arrests: The Exploited have seen their fair share of riots at gigs, including a particularly violent one in New Jersey in 1988. Also, there’s the time they were arrested in Spain. Rock and roll, huh?
Then there’s their appearance on Top of the Pops. For many hardcore punk fans, this was a betrayal. The idea of their beloved underground band going on mainstream TV? Blasphemy! Wattie and the boys didn’t care—they were there to spread the punk gospel, TV or no TV.
Best Songs to Shout Along To
Want to blast some of The Exploited’s best tracks? Here’s a list of songs that’ll get you stomping around in no time:
- Punks Not Dead: The anthem of a movement.
- Dead Cities: Fast and Furious—pure Exploited mayhem.
- Fuck the System: Exactly what it says on the tin.
- Maggie (You Cunt): Their famous anti-Margaret Thatcher track, which they re-released when she passed away in 2013 (because, of course, they did).
The Exploited’s Influence: Punk Lives On
You can’t talk about punk (or metal) without giving The Exploited a nod. They’ve been a massive influence on everyone from Nirvana to Metallica. Their slogan, “Punks Not Dead”, became a rallying cry for the entire punk movement, and their brutal, uncompromising sound laid the groundwork for many of the hardcore and thrash bands that followed.
Whether you’re a diehard fan of early punk or a metalhead who loves blistering thrash, The Exploited has probably shaped some of the music you love today.
So, throw on Punks Not Dead, spike your hair, and crank the volume up to 11. The Exploited are here to remind us that punk isn’t just music—it’s an attitude, a way of life, and it sure as hell isn’t dead.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exploited
https://the-exploited.net/band-history
https://genius.com/artists/The-exploited
https://www.exitfest.org/en/the-exploited-punk-history-live
http://kindredspiritfanzine.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-exploited
https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%8D%94%20%EC%9D%B5%EC%8A%A4%ED%94%8C%EB%A1%9C%EC%9D%B4%ED%8B%B0%EB%93%9C
