“Five thousand’s a crowd (four thousand nine hundred and ninety nine more than I imagined were going to buy the record), but two’s company (I knew for certain that my Mum would want one), so it was on the plate, ready to serve, The Feeding of the Five Thousand.”
The Crassical Collection is finally here, and the first release is the newly remastered The Feeding of the Five Thousand. After several years of being out of print, this legendary album has been been restored from the original analogue studio tapes, repackaged and bolstered by rare and unreleased tracks, and stunning new artwork from Gee Vaucher, who has lovingly created what could only be considered a real artefact. Included in this package is a 64-page booklet featuring all lyrics along with extensive liner notes from band members Penny Rimbaud and Steve Ignorant, which shed light on the making of the record. Also included is CD-sized recreation of the iconic original fold-out poster sleeve.
“We were setting out as purists: hard, uncompromising and utterly bemused.”
The Feeding of the 5000 is the first album by Crass, released in 1978. The record came to be made when Pete Stennett, owner of Small Wonder Records, heard a demo that the band had recorded. Impressed by all of the material, he decided that rather than release a conventional single by the band, he would put all of their set onto an 18 track 12 inch EP.
“Easy listening? You ain’t heard nothing yet.”
However problems were encountered when workers at the Irish pressing plant contracted to manufacture the disc refused to handle it due to the allegedly blasphemous content of the track “Reality Asylum” (referred to as “Asylum” on the record sleeve). The record was eventually released with this track removed and replaced by two minutes of silence, retitled “The Sound Of Free Speech”. This incident also prompted Crass to set up their own record label in order to retain full editorial control as well as political and legal responsibility for their material, and “Reality Asylum” was shortly afterwards issued in a re-recorded and extended form as a 7 inch single. A later repress of The Feeding Of The 5000 (subtitled The Second Sitting) released on Crass records in 1981 restored the missing track.
“On one thing we were very clear, in bringing a prosecution of Criminal Blasphemy against us the authorities would have been giving us the kind of publicity which overnight would have made us a household name. They were aware of this , and so were we. It was a situation that allowed us carte blanche to say pretty much whatever we wanted without any real fear of incrimination, a situation which over the next seven years we exploited to the hilt.”
This signals the first in a series of remastered versions of each of Crass’ now legendary albums, each one including bonus tracks and brand new artwork.
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The Feeding Of The Five Thousand release comprises: new masters of original track listing, sourced from analogue master tapes; 16 rare and unreleased tracks from the same period (also sourced from original tapes); all new artwork from band member Gee Vaucher (aka G Suss), liner notes from band founders Steve Ignorant and Penny Rimbaud, CD in digiwallet, 64 page perfect-bound book of lyrics/liner notes/art/photos, miniature recreation of original fold-out poster sleeve, all in a cardboard slip-case.
For the full track listing and to order, visit the Southern Web Shop.
Thanks.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by julie weir, Damon Allen Davison. Damon Allen Davison said: http://bit.ly/dC4dks The Feeding Of The Five Thousand (Remastered). Major event! #crass @southernrec [...]
THIS SOUNDS INCREDIBLE…. !!! what will christ the album sound like or yes sir i will?
ive ordered…. look out for mark worth allison…. markus xxxx
gggggggggggggggggreat!!!!!! love it!!!
Brilliant!! it sounds so fresh and alive, cant wait for the rest of them especialy Christ The Album
love.
drum intro dead loud took me surprise
Sound Fantastic…Still loving and playing to the vinyl albums.
Can’t wait to get these as well…..bonus tracks Brilliant….!
These remastered versions really should be released on vinyl with the bonus tracks and book (CD size is fine) and with download coupons. Yes, they will cost much more to produce and purchase than they originally did with the higher costs of manufacturing and the additional record(s) for the extra tracks, but if Crass and Southern don’t do it, bootleggers will. Plus, with the random availability of the records in recent years, people have already been paying shops and dealers inflated prices.
I remember being given this album by a school friend back in about 1980 or 81 and I still have it complete with the rather ragged looking fold out poster! I think I will have to go out and buy this and all the other re-releases as it’s the only real punk out there alongside the Dead Kennedys amongst others.
[...] FROM SOUTHERN RECORDS [...]
holy crap this sounds good! i’m going to ask one stupid question… are you going to release it in the usa too??? cause the taxes kill me.
Very impressive – I was always of the opinion that the Crass sound was extremely sophisticated anyway – these remasters have enhanced greatly what was always an impressive soundscape….can’t wait to hear the rest of the LP.
I’m with those calling for a vinyl release also.
Good work
Bout bloody time !!!
Ah so what!
Sorry I couldnt resist.
lol.
£12? Whatever happened to pay no more than £2?
What a rip-off.
Dear Anon. Unfortunately it’s not 1980 anymore, and the cost of production and distribution has gone up. The new CDs cost around £6 to produce, which is just a little less than we get back from the distributor. We do make a profit on mail order sales for which we are very grateful, though it’s a fraction of what we press. If you have any suggestions about how we can bring the price down we’d love to hear them. Thanks. Allison
“If you have any suggestions about how we can bring the price down we’d love to hear them” – shop around a bit more for pressing plant and broker deals – even with the lovely packaging & quality booklet paper, the average DIY band could get the same package for a cost price of £3-ish by using Mobineko or Dual Plover. With higher quantities being pressed of this than of underground releases that cost price should come down even further for Southern.
Dear Nonny, thanks for that – however those are both short-run printers based in the USA who cannot handle this type of work – we have approached Mobineko before on a similar project and it came in over $10!. Not to mention that we are the UK and want to use someone in the UK where we can proof on press. We have been doing this for 30 years and are pretty good at getting deals you know.
But still… if you can find a printer to do that job for £3, I’ll pay you a finder’s fee! Thanks A.
just received it today, awesome sound and packaging !!!!
can’t wait for the 5 others…
fuck me ! – how can you complain, top tunes, top art work and packaging – this has been so long coming!!!! it aint 1980 any more! shame there was such dischord in the crass camp, those ‘members’ who opposed this should have really listened. cheers pen, gee and steve for persuing this
If I buy Crass downloads on iTunes do the band members or Southern get a cut of that? If not I’m not buying on there.
are you kidding me? i wear my crass tat with pride because of what it once meant but in shame for what i see here. this remaster fuck all is being sold like every other useless product. whats wrong with the old tracks? “If I buy Crass downloads on iTunes do the band members or Southern get a cut of that?”-hey buddy here’s a question for you, if you buy off itunes, does apple get a cut? i don’t care what year it is, this is stupid and wrong. perhaps we can’t live our whole lives staying perfectly true to our ideals, but surely this total and complete hypocrisy is going too far. shame on you.
To number 20:
How is it hypocrisy when Crass reissue their own material?
It’s all “being sold” – the only thing that changed this time is the “pay no more than” slogan is gone. Even before 1984, that “pay no more than” went up by a quid on repressings of some Crass records.
As Allison said above: costs go up! That was as true before 1984 as it is now.
Would you prefer out-of-print Crass records and CD’s to remain changing hands for silly money, so that some record label can justify doing a dodgy reissue to fill the void?
If you buy from itunes, Apple gets a tiny cut. This is thanks to all the major labels being as greedy as they could when negotiating with Apple. We also have major labels to thank for the shambles that itunes was a few years ago, when you could get stuff only in certain countries.
In fact the cut Apple gets is so small, the only way they don’t lose money is because the itunes store runs on Apple servers (so they can get the computers from themselves at cost price, and only as many as they need).
“manvsmaritoni”, number 20, is absolutely right! It’s a crying shame! I’ve now been forced to buy Feeding AGAIN, when I have already bought it on vinyl (twice) and once on CD. If Crass were true to their ideals they would offer me the remasters for free. It’s a fucking sell-out. I’ve already given them loads of money and still they want more! And why use iTunes and mail order? Aren’t the big corporations making enough money as it is? The former Crass members can easily distribute the CDs themselves. They like to travel, don’t they? Just hitchhike across Europe with your CDs and give them to your fans. And why aren’t the CDs made of recycled, biodegradable plastic?
[sarcasm ends here]
I knew some Crass fans have pretty strong ideas but I didn’t know some of them are approaching Taliban-like narrowmindedness. “Stupid”, “wrong”, “shame”, “hypocrisy”? My, my…
No, watching old Crass albums being sold at inflated prices on Ebay, that’s a nice sight.
Crass have remastered their own work (and about time because the “old tracks” sound like AM radio, always have) and are distributing it as efficiently as possible. It’ll even make them some much needed money. Good on them. You rant as if they have sold their soul to Apple because Southern uses iTunes. Here’s a question for YOU “buddy”, don’t you think the companies that distributed the vinyls in the 1980s took a cut? Of course they did. And so did the record shops that sold them to you. Nothing new here. Nothing bad, either.
rather pathetically used the intro to banned as my phones ring – people react with either – wow not theard that in ages or what the hell is that – glad it still iritates the hell out of people!
Superb recording,see the man in Bristol Friday just gone 24/9 great gig,good to see the venue and local pub The Hatchet packed out with punks (Takes me back) Happy days.
Cheers for the book signing Steve..
Three years ago I decided to remaster ‘Ten Notes On A Summer’s Day’ because artistically I felt it had never really had its say. Once back in the studio, I was excited by the quality of sound possible with new digital technology, and spoke with Allison (of Southern) about the possibility of remastering the whole CRASS catalogue. At that time the tapes were stored away in a musty warehouse, slowly depreciating, so if nothing else, at least I could save the material from becoming unusable by future generations.
With the help of archivist Gordon Wilkins, I was able to locate everything that CRASS had ever recorded, including a rewrite version of ‘Sheep Farming’ which had never even been mixed (it’s a future project which I’m greatly looking forward to doing). At this time I had no idea that this would turn into a major project resulting in the ‘Crassical Collection’. All I’d really wanted to do was to salvage ‘Ten Notes’ from the obscurity into which it had drifted (and yes, it’s true that Steve and most of the other members of the band had never much liked it, but to me it remained a worthwhile statement and a poignant ‘goodbye’ at a time when no one else in the band seemed interested in making a musical statement about our disbanding).
Looking back on it now, it comes as no surprise that on hearing what I was doing in the studio, Gee should have wanted to match my efforts and redesign what by then had become rather tired looking product. CRASS had always done better than that, and we felt that we owed it to ourselves, each other, and to the thousands of people who love our work to come up with something new, radical and freshly challenging. At the time, it all seemed incredibly natural and organic. We were doing what we’d always done – just getting on with it. It was an exciting time. Southern Studios was buzzing. Allison was thrilled. And the results as they filtered out of the the studio and from the desk of Gee’s study felt to us like a real and valuable reappraisal of everything that was good about the band.
And then the shit hit the fan. Other members of the band objected to what Gee and myself had done. The whole thing became messy. Letters flew backwards and forwards, but there seemed to be no chance of agreement between us. Allison felt obliged to put everything on hold and then, under pressure from the recession coupled with the financial effects of the deadlock between the band, was forced to seriously pair down her operation. Jobs were lost. The studio fell silent, and dust began to gather on the whole project. If John Loder had still been alive, he’d have cried. Two and a half years of hard work down the drain.
And then the endless debates between Allison, Gee and myself. Should we just do it regardless? What might the consequences be if we did? Months and months and months of agonizing. We discussed it with Allison’s lawyer, discussed it with those from the band who supported the project (and wished we could discuss it with those who didn’t). Meetings we called with the band, but didn’t happen. Every time we thought ‘YES, let’s do it’, some other force came into play and we backed off.
And THEN, the threat of litigation, an injunction (which still hangs over us). We called a meeting with Allison’s lawyer and the rest of the band. It turned out to be a farce. I walked out because I really couldn’t stand the stupidity of it all (CRASS and lawyers? It really didn’t make sense). I caught the train home and then walked back over the sun-drenched fields feeling a terrible sadness. I felt that nothing at all could make all this better. I’d set about the remastering project in all good faith: it would be a gift to the band and to those thousands of people around the world who support us. Never in a million years could I have imagined the awfulness of what had eventually happened. For the time-being, I felt beaten. But then, later that evening, I spoke with Allison. She said that she wanted to do it, wanted to release the remasters. ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ I responded, ‘but ultimately it has to be your decision because it’s you who will suffer most if an injunction goes through. Think about over the weekend, but whatever your decision, it’ll have my whole-hearted support’.
Two weeks later, the first of the remasters, ‘Feeding’, had gone into production. The wheels were turning once more.
So now, the reason that I chose to write this note. It is because I want publicly to thank Allison for everything that she has done. Throughout all this, her belief firstly in CRASS and then in the value of what Gee and myself came up with has been unwavering. Without her support (both financial and moral) the project would still be gathering dust.
From the very start I believed that the project was worthwhile, believed that the catalogue deserved to be reconsidered, believed that we owed our public (new and old)a better deal. Never did I believe that it could cause the animosity between the band that it has, but given that that is the case, I can only say that I deeply regret it, and hope that one day those wounds may be healed.
For the time-being, let me thank Allison once again for her courage, her help, her friendship and her love (and with thanks also to Damon her partner for being solid as a brick).
There is no authority but yourself, but it’s bloody nice when you realise that you’re not on your own.
There IS love if we make it – yours, Penny.
More power to ya! Now if Pete and the others would get their heads out of their corporate-sponsored asses! Steve from LA
love and support Penny !!! you and Alison have done the right thing, CRASS deserve the new mastering.
The feeding never sound better than now, it recapture the power of the live performances – I’ve seen CRASS once back to the 80′ with Poison Girls -…
Francis from France.
Penny THANK YOU SO MUCH ,Crass meant so much to me as a teenager from a tiny North Wales village , openning my eyes to the possibilities within us all, Anarchism became the defining thread within me and is still there burning as bright as ever , what you , Gee and Steve have re-ignited in me , perhaps Pete and the rest of the band will also rediscover , more power to your elbow commrade I love you
P.S. I still think the Zig Zag squat gig was the best Crass gig I ever saw
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by dales lass, dales lass. dales lass said: excellent stuff Crass catalogue being remastered starting with the feeding of the 5 thousand http://tinyurl.com/2auezf8 [...]
The reissuing of The Feeding of the five thousand is totally the right decision,
Crass meant and still means so much to so many and to deprive future generations to listen and
question the issues as we did when we were teenagers listening it for the first time would be a loss.
The original vinyl releases now reach crazy prices on the internet auction sites and the CDs which the download
files came from were not the best, but the the quality of the reissue is great, things that I haven’t heard in years just pop out
into your ears, all the subtle little samples and noises sit perfectly on this sea of tone, beautifully balanced. As for the packaging well I can’r think of anyone who could make the original better, but Gee has produce another beautiful piece of art that happens to wrap a CD.
I very much look forward to the next releases and much as I looked forward to the original vinyl ones.
I really hope that the band members who didn’t want the release come to realise that these reissues do not degrade the legacy of Crass, but only enhances it and allows another generation to become Crass fans
Penny first class comments and I totally appreciate the shit and hard work Alison, Southern and those Crass members willing to be invloved in the project have done to ensure we get to hear the Crassical Collection releases.
With the shit plastic pop our ears are subjected to everyday I’m looking forward to the next release in October.
And to those who still want to prevent it from happening ‘Oh What a Shame’.
A&P
Just followed the link above to see/read what people are saying about Crass and the remasters in particular. It is unbelievable to me that people can be so narrow minded and even hateful to the Crass legacy. It seems to me that a lot of people romanticise the whole Crass scene a bit to much. I can understand the appeal it has, but after reading the book by George Berger I got the feeling that the slogan ‘There is no authority but yourself’ was true for everyone but the Crass memebers themselves as the found themselves trapped inside the public image of what Crass was supposed to be. The so-called anarcho-punks who contribute to the link above all still very much insist on those very ideas and images. Flexibility in ideas and mind is very difficult for people, I guess.
But I digress:
I haven’t bought the Crass remaster yet, but I definitely will. Thanks for preserving the material for future use/generations.
Yours sincerely,
Erwin
The Netherlands
I also followed the link to the anarcho-punk.net website and was pretty pissed off with what I saw and read as it was post after post of mindless rants with no real value. When anyone had tried to defend the remasters etc..it was followed with abuse.
I for one am looking for to the next release as well as buying Steve’s book.
A&P
Just read some of that thread and gotta say, it’s pretty childish stuff from a lot of people who seem to be in the ‘I’m more punk than you’ brigade. That’s putting it mildy. Craig, like you say, anyone who kinda had anything good to say about the rereleases or have any kind of reasonable debate with people was just abused by keyboard hardmen. Got tae be honest, the boy fae San Diago, jeezuz, whit a total clown, comin oot wi stuff about ‘Typical British’ and other xenophobic p*sh. Sounds a bit of ‘I wasn’t there, so I’ll slag it off’ to me. Erse. The entire thread smacked of elitist jealousy, and the whole ‘OMG The CD costs £15!’ was bizarre. Actually quite funny these folk, if not so sad. I couldnae gie a monkeys how much the reissues cost or how much, Southern, Steve, Penny, or any of the rest of the band members make, good luck tae all of them. It’s just a shame there’s been a fall out and by sounds of it, a bit of animosity about the whole thing. Hope they can patch up their differences, but I’m not gonnae judge anyone, they all have their own reasons for doing what they want to do. I’ll be buying the 1st release when it comes oot on vinyl, and also Steve’s book, good luck to everybody.
BigALittleA – Edinburgh.
Compulsiononline.com has just posted a review of this:
http://www.compulsiononline.com/crass_feeding.htm
It’s just been pointed out to me that £2.99 in 1979 is the equivalent of £12.65 in 2010. So we are actually selling this CD cheaper than the original vinyl issue of the album. Now that’s some kind of feat, innit?
Oh my god, are you deaf? This remastered version is over compressed and the sound is distorted and awful, there are no dynamics. I’m so disapointed, Crass is now victim of the “loudness war”.
Seriously Robert? Are you listening to a CD or to a downloaded bootleg? We took great care with the mastering and are as keen to avoid the “loudness war” as we are the plague. All of the reviews agree that the mastering job is fantastic.
Ok, i downloaded flac files to hear it, not shity mp3s, thinking i’ll have a good idea of the sound with this format before to buy it or not . And i listened to it on good equipment.
So i trust you and i ordered the original CD today, i’ll let you know my opinion after listening to it in the same conditions.
I listened to the original CD. Mea culpa, actually you were right, the sound is good. Still don’t know if i prefer the original ones or the remastering, i have to listen to it a few times, but this is not the shit that i downloaded. I don’t understand how someone can fuck up so much the sound extracting a CD in flac files, but they did.
Cheers Robert, I appreciate you coming back and letting us know. I suppose that’s our argument against downloading then: Never Trust An Encoder!
Im one of them there folks that want vinyl reissues not cd’s..
cd’s to me, have no worth…
Id also like to know why the advert for the recent reissues make a vinyl statement at the bottom of the advert???
very miseleading…i came straight to the southern site to order the vinyl…like a fool
Hi fil. We’ve had some problems with the test pressings but Feeding and Penis Envy and Yes Sir have just been repressed and will be available from our web shop later today. Thanks.
Amazing that some gits still have the time to come & hack away at the most important of cult bands EVER, ANYWHERE, STILL!
Unbelievable that the ghost of a parsons & gal bullshit still permeates.
Where do some people get off?
Mad that they still feel the need to hunt down Crass forums & spout their reactionary tugidity (if that’s a word?).
In a word, to coin a phase, CRASS!
APF
…T.V.BaBiES!.. (copyright control)