Biography
British punk outfit Broken Bones earned a lasting reputation as fixtures of the U.K. hardcore circuit while attracting metal listeners through the sheer force of their sound. Former Discharge guitarist Anthony "Bones" Roberts has remained the lone unchanging member across countless lineup changes, guiding a lean, riff-driven approach shaped by the second and third waves of British punk yet sharpened by his own playing and the caustic tone of the lyrics, an edge that foreshadowed thrash metal and drew acknowledgments from both Metallica and Slayer. Their opening statement came with the 1984 debut Dem Bones, after which the 1987 follow-up F.O.A.D. brought metal elements to the foreground, a direction that would define their output for years afterward.
The group took shape in 1983 when guitarist Anthony "Bones" Roberts and bassist Terence "Tezz" Roberts, both founding members of Discharge, recruited vocalist Nick "Nobby" Dobson and drummer Darren "Baz" Burgress. Their debut single, "Decapitated," surfaced in January 1984, followed by the May release "Crucifix." Later that year the band issued Dem Bones, though Tezz had already departed for the U.K. Subs, with roadie Paul "Oddy" Hoddy assuming bass duties. European and American tours ensued, and before year's end the German imprint Aggressive Rock Produktionen compiled the first two singles onto the EP I.O.U. Nothing.
After additional U.S. shows, Nobby opted to remain stateside, prompting the trio format with Oddy handling both vocals and bass. Under that configuration they released the 1985 single "See Through My Eyes," which reached number six on the U.K. independent chart, and the album Bonecrusher, initially issued stateside via Combat Core Records. By late 1985 Oddy had exited and Tezz returned, yielding the 1987 album F.O.A.D. and its heightened metal leanings along with that year's Trader in Death EP. That lineup dissolved soon after, and when the band reconvened for 1989's Losing Control, Bones had assembled an entirely new roster featuring vocalist Quiv, bassist Darren "Thrasher" Harris, and drummer Cliff. The 1991 album Stitched Up and the 1992 single "Religion Is Responsible" followed.
Activity then paused until 1996, when Bones, Quiv, Oddy, and drummer Dave resumed live performances, restoring a stronger hardcore emphasis while retaining metal touches. Studio work resumed with 2001's Without Conscience and 2004's Time for Anger, Not Justice. The confrontational Fuck You and Everything You Stand For appeared in 2009, supported by U.K. Subs dates. That configuration fractured in 2010, leading Bones to rebuild once more with Tezz returning on bass, rhythm guitarist Karl "Egghead" Morris of the Exploited, drummer Andy Dawson formerly of Billy Club, and vocalist Jeff "JJ" Janiak. Further touring followed, though Morris soon departed and Dawson yielded the drum stool to the returning Dave. In 2018 the band issued the archival collection Broken Bones, gathering the albums Dem Bones, Decapitated, F.O.A.D., and Bonecrusher alongside the live recording Live at the 100 Club.
The group took shape in 1983 when guitarist Anthony "Bones" Roberts and bassist Terence "Tezz" Roberts, both founding members of Discharge, recruited vocalist Nick "Nobby" Dobson and drummer Darren "Baz" Burgress. Their debut single, "Decapitated," surfaced in January 1984, followed by the May release "Crucifix." Later that year the band issued Dem Bones, though Tezz had already departed for the U.K. Subs, with roadie Paul "Oddy" Hoddy assuming bass duties. European and American tours ensued, and before year's end the German imprint Aggressive Rock Produktionen compiled the first two singles onto the EP I.O.U. Nothing.
After additional U.S. shows, Nobby opted to remain stateside, prompting the trio format with Oddy handling both vocals and bass. Under that configuration they released the 1985 single "See Through My Eyes," which reached number six on the U.K. independent chart, and the album Bonecrusher, initially issued stateside via Combat Core Records. By late 1985 Oddy had exited and Tezz returned, yielding the 1987 album F.O.A.D. and its heightened metal leanings along with that year's Trader in Death EP. That lineup dissolved soon after, and when the band reconvened for 1989's Losing Control, Bones had assembled an entirely new roster featuring vocalist Quiv, bassist Darren "Thrasher" Harris, and drummer Cliff. The 1991 album Stitched Up and the 1992 single "Religion Is Responsible" followed.
Activity then paused until 1996, when Bones, Quiv, Oddy, and drummer Dave resumed live performances, restoring a stronger hardcore emphasis while retaining metal touches. Studio work resumed with 2001's Without Conscience and 2004's Time for Anger, Not Justice. The confrontational Fuck You and Everything You Stand For appeared in 2009, supported by U.K. Subs dates. That configuration fractured in 2010, leading Bones to rebuild once more with Tezz returning on bass, rhythm guitarist Karl "Egghead" Morris of the Exploited, drummer Andy Dawson formerly of Billy Club, and vocalist Jeff "JJ" Janiak. Further touring followed, though Morris soon departed and Dawson yielded the drum stool to the returning Dave. In 2018 the band issued the archival collection Broken Bones, gathering the albums Dem Bones, Decapitated, F.O.A.D., and Bonecrusher alongside the live recording Live at the 100 Club.
Albums
