The Exploited is a Scottish punk band that formed in Edinburgh in 1979. The band was one of the most influential and controversial punk bands of the 1980s, known for their aggressive and politically charged music. The Exploited's music and live shows were heavily influenced by the DIY ethos of punk rock and the band's working-class roots.
The Exploited was formed by frontman Wattie Buchan and guitarist Big John Duncan. The band's early music was heavily influenced by the punk and oi! scenes of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the band quickly gained a reputation for their intense live shows and confrontational lyrics.
The Exploited's early albums, including "Punks Not Dead" and "Troops of Tomorrow," were seminal releases in the punk rock scene. The band's music was characterized by fast, aggressive guitar riffs, driving drum beats, and Buchan's snarling vocals. The lyrics of many of the band's songs were politically charged and often dealt with issues like poverty, unemployment, and police brutality.
The Exploited's music and live shows were often controversial, with many critics accusing the band of promoting violence and extremism. However, the band's fans saw the band's music as a cathartic release from the frustrations of everyday life and as a way to express their anger at the state of the world.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, The Exploited continued to release music and tour, gaining a dedicated following in the punk rock scene. Despite the band's popularity, they never achieved mainstream success, and their music remained underground and outside of the mainstream.
In recent years, The Exploited's music has continued to inspire a new generation of punk rock fans. The band's influence can be heard in the music of modern punk bands like Rancid and The Offspring.
Overall, The Exploited is one of the most important and influential punk bands of all time. Their music and live shows were characterized by an unapologetic and uncompromising attitude, and their lyrics spoke to the frustrations and struggles of working-class people around the world. Although the band's music was often controversial and divisive, their influence on the punk rock scene cannot be overstated.
