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Steve Ignorant biography

Birth name Stephen Williams
Born 31 Dec. 1957, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Genres Anarcho-punk, punk rock, post-punk
Occupation Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1977-present
Labels Crass Records, Small Wonder Records, Stay Free Recordings, One Little Independent, Overground Records, Dimlo Productions

Steve Ignorant was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1957 but grew up in Dagenham, East London. In 1976 he moved to Essex and lived at Dial House, which is a self-sustaining anarchist-pacifist open house in Epping Forest. He has been living in Norfolk since 2007. Steve is a singer-songwriter, author and artist.

1977-1984 Crass
Steve co-founded the anarcho-punk band with Penny Rimbaud. Steve was 15 to 20 years younger than the rest of the band. As the lead singer, he performed on the frontline of music’s politics, helping extend punk rock beyond the shock of the Sex Pistols. Crass forged a politics of anarcho-punk that influenced a generation. Their singles and records regularly held the number one spot in the then important Alternative Charts.
Mar. 7, 1981 Nagasaki Nightmare
Nov. 6, 1982 How Does It Feel To Be The Mother Of 1000 Dead
July 2, 1983 Sheep Farming In The Falklands
Mar. 31, 1984 You’re Already Dead

1984-1984 Current 93
He joined Current 93, an English experimental music group since the early 1980s.

1987-1989 Conflict
Conflict is an English anarcho-punk band formed in 1981. Steve did the vocals together with Colin Jerwood.

1992-1995 Schwartzeneggar
An anarcho-punk band formed by Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant, Thatcher On Acid members Ben Corrigan (guitar, backing vocals), Andi Tuck (drums), Bob Butler (bass), and former Conflict member Mark Pickstone (keyboards, guitar).

1996-2000 Stratford Mercenaries
An English punk rock band that was formed in late 1995.

2000-2007
During this time Steve featured as guest vocalist in various other bands, for example the US punk band Thought Crime, as well as occasional solo performances. He was able to be more creative as a wood sculptor, painter and performed traditional Punch and Judy shows using the name Professor Ignorant. In 2007 he moved to the Norfolk coast where he volunteered on the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat in 2008 for several years.

2007 Steve Ignorant & Friends
They performed Crass’ entire Feeding Of The 5000 album with additional favourites for 2 nights at Shepherds Bush Empire.

2010-2011 Steve Ignorant – The Last Supper Tour
The band:
- Steve Ignorant – vocals
- Beki Straughn – vocals (2010)
- Carol Hodge – vocals (2011)
- Gizz Butt – guitar
- Bob Butler – bass (2010)
- Pete Wilson – bass (2011)
- Spike T Smith – drums

Touring in the UK, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

2011-present Steve Ignorant’s Slice Of Life
Acoustic post-punk.
The band:
- Steve Ignorant – vocals
- Carol Hodge – vocals
- Pete Wilson – guitar
- Lucas Martin – upright bass (2012-2014)
- Pete Rawlinson – bass (2015)

Built on an acoustic arrangement, it allows for the more contemplative side of Steve’s song writing but retains the emotional impact and compassion that has long distinguished his work.

2012-2018 Steve Ignorant With Paranoid Visions
Anarcho-punk.
They performed all over the world and recorded several albums. It was there that he met Jay Bagnall – drums (2013).

2019-present Steve Ignorant Band
Anarcho-punk.
The band:
- Steve Ignorant – vocals
- Carol Hodge – vocals, keyboard and samples
- Jay Bagnall – drums
- Pete Rawlinson – bass and backing vocals
- Pete Wilson – guitar and backing vocals

The 2020-21 tour had to be rescheduled due to the pandemic. Their first gig was Sep. 24, 2021 at The Old Cold Store in Nottingham. The show was followed by North East Calling Festival and the Great British Alternative Festival at Butlins in Skegness.

In 2022 they toured the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Europe. The band was fully booked in 2023 performing in Finland, UK and the USA, playing at several major festivals such as Rebellion Festival in Blackpool and Riot Fest in Chicago. In 2024-2025 the band continued to play gigs and festivals across the globe: UK, Europe, Mexico and the US.

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the punk rock movement. To celebrate this the band has played headline shows in the UK and Europe. They will be headlining at the Festival Du Gibloux in Switzerland and, as a one-off in the UK, perform the album in the Crass catalogue The Feeding Of The Five Thousand at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.

2027 marks the year of Ignorant’s 50th anniversary as a singer-songwriter. He will celebrate “Fifty Years of Noise, Rebellion and Crass Spirit” by performing, all over the world including Japan, classic tracks that span his career.

Steve Ignorant Band discography:
Live In Nott’s 2021
Released: CD Dec. 2021, vinyl June 2022
Record label: Overground Records

The Kids Was Just Crass
Released: 10” EP 18 Mar. 2022
Record label: Stay Free Recordings

Live In Bristol 2023
Released: CD 25 Aug. 2023, vinyl 24 Nov. 2023
Record label: Overground Records

Live In Tampere 2023
Released: vinyl 5 May 2024
Record label: Stay Free Recordings

Crass Songs At The 100 Club
Released: CD, vinyl 19 July 2025
Record label: Dimlo Productions

Live In Barcelona
Released: vinyl 21 Nov. 2025
Record label: Kasba Music

Steve Ignorant books:
The Rest Is Propaganda
Autobiography
Revised edition – Dimlo Productions, 2014

References
Song book
Dimlo Productions, 2017

The Story Continues
Autobiography part 2, 2010 onwards
Dimlo Productions, 2022

Doing It Our Way
Tour book
Dimlo Productions, 2023