Steve Ignorant was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1957 but grew up in Dagenham, East London. He later lived at Dial House, which since 1967 has been a self-sustaining anarchist-pacifist open house in Epping Forest, Essex; it was here where he met Penny Rimbaud, one of the founders of the Dial House project.
Steve is a singer/songwriter and artist. He co-founded the anarcho-punk band Crass with Penny Rimbaud in 1977. As the lead singer, Steve performed on the frontline of music’s politics, helping extend punk’s rebellion beyond the shock of the Sex Pistols. Between 1977 and 1984, Crass forged a politics of anarcho-punk that influenced a generation. Their records – including the Falklands War protest ‘How Does it Feel (To Be The Mother Of A Thousand Dead)’ – regularly held the number one spot in the then-important Alternative Charts. Songs such as ‘Do They Owe Us A Living’ and ‘Big A Little A’ retain their seditious power today.
After Crass stopped performing in 1984, he went on to perform with other bands: Current 93 (1984-1985), Conflict (1987-1989), Schwartzeneggar (1993-1995), Stratford Mercenaries (1996-2000), and US punk band Thought Crime, as well as occasional solo performances.
He is also a sculptor, painter and has worked as a traditional Punch and Judy performer using the name Professor Ignorant. He moved to the Norfolk coast in 2007 and started volunteering on the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat in 2008 for several years.
On 24th and 25th November 2007 Steve & Friends performed Crass’s entire Feeding of the 5000 album with additional favourites live at the Shepherds Bush Empire. The band: Steve Ignorant -vocals, Sadie Nine -vocals, Gizz Butt -guitar, Steve Whale -guitar, Bob Butler -bass guitar, Vom Ritchie -drums, Julian Siegel -tenor sax, Dave Priseman -trumpet, Jason Yarde -alto/bass sax, Alice Wilkins -intro vocals on Big A Litlle a.
He has written his autobiography –All The Rest Is Propaganda- and his Song/story book -References-.
Throughout 2010-2011 presented The Last Supper, touring/celebrating the songs of Crass around the globe, ending with a farewell gig (or so he thought) at Shepherds Bush Empire in November 2011.
From 2012-2018 Steve performed with Paranoid Visions all over the world. They recorded several albums: 2012 -Rock n Roll n Revolution (7″) / 2013 -If Ignorance Is Bliss (7″) & -When…? / 2016 -The Height Of Ignorance (10”) & -Now And Then…! / 2018 -1977220174U (Live Album @Rebellion 2017).
On the way home from the Australian & New Zealand Last Supper Tour in 2011; Carol Hodge, Pete Wilson and Steve found themselves stranded due to the Chile ash cloud. During the long night looking at the lights of Sydney while drinking beers, the idea of starting a new band named “Slice Of Life” was born.
Slice Of Life is an opportunity for Steve to explore the more contemplative side to his songwriting. A far cry from the aggression of Crass, nevertheless compelling with powerful songs delivered in an acoustic style.
“Impossible to categorise, Slice Of Life’s music is up-front and soul-baringly personal. It’s a mixture of songs and spoken word that draws you in and stays with you long after the final note has been played.” (Wipe Out Music)
Steve Ignorant’s Slice Of Life Releases: Love and a Lamp-post (Overground Records, 2014) / Live At The Forum 2015 (Overground Records, 2015) / Just Another (7″ Harbinger Sound, 2017) / Don’t Turn Away (Overground Records, 2019) / Live At Ramsgate Music Hall 2019 (Overground Records, 2020)
In 2019 Steve started to rehearse with the ‘Steve Ignorant Band’ (Carol Hodge-vocals & keys, Jay Bagnall-drums, Peter Rawlinson-bass guitar, Pete Wilson-guitar) with the plan to start performing Crass songs in April 2020. Due to the pandemic their first performance was at the Old Cold Store in Nottingham on 24th September 2021 and was a huge success followed by the North East Calling Festival in Newcastle and the Great British Alternative Festival at Butlins Skegness.
All being well 2022 will be a year filled with live music both with Slice Of Life and the Ignorant Band.
