Destructors

A punk outfit from Peterborough, England, the Destructors issued a steady stream of recordings that aligned with the dominant third-wave concerns of pacifism, anarchism and human rights. Notably absent from their agenda was any engagement with animal rights, a stance later explained by the revelation that vocalist Allen Adams held a post at an animal-research facility. The group coalesced in 1977 from the remnants of two earlier Peterborough acts. Guitarist Phil Atterson and vocalist Allen Adams recruited bassist Dip, formerly of Now, for their initial six performances, still lacking a fixed drummer. Andy Jackson briefly filled the rhythm-guitar chair before departing with Atterson to launch the Blanks; before leaving, however, Jackson recommended Andy Butler as permanent drummer. Adams himself exited in 1979, joining Butler in the Blanks. That band attracted brief attention with the provocative single “The Northern Ripper,” issued amid the Yorkshire Ripper investigation; the release prompted Adams to be questioned by the dedicated police task force. Following a calamitous support slot for Discharge, the Blanks folded, prompting Adams, drummer Andy McDonald, rhythm guitarist Dave Ithermee and lead guitarist Dave to revive the Destructors name. Their renewed debut took place in August 1981. Over the ensuing years they produced a substantial catalogue of routine, slogan-driven punk distinguished only by sporadic moments of sharper lyricism.