D&V - The Nearest Door

D&V - The Nearest Door 

Punk pioneers Crass continue their vinyl reissue series,
re-pressing their limited releases by adjacent artists through
Crass Records, in association with One Little Independent. The
series, including over twenty bands and solo artists recorded at
the legendary Southern Studios and produced by Penny Rimbaud,
continues with two more historic pieces from the Crass Records
catalogue; ‘The Nearest Door’ by D&V and ‘In Nomine Patri’ by
Alternative.

“D&V brought out one of the most original and exciting releases I’ve heard on
Crass Records in ages” Expletive Undeleted Zine

D&V were a duo formed in Sheffield by Andy Leach on drums and Jef Antcliffe on
vocals. The group released their first EP ‘The Nearest Door’ on Crass Records.
With Penny Rimbaud as producer, their musical simplicity was combined with
uncompromising avant-gardism to achieve new heights. The group would go on
to release a second album in 1984 entitled ‘Inspiration Gave Them Motivation To
Move On Out Of Their Isolation’ with a more refined sound and additional vocals
by Crass' Eve Libertine and Joy de Vivre.

Penny Rimbaud tells us; “D&V are so named because they turned up to play at
the now legendary squat gig of 1982 at the Zig Zag Club in North London. At that
time, they didn’t have a moniker, so they were chalked up on the day’s order of
play as D&V (drums and vocals) because that’s what they were and that’s how
they remained. Simple and to the point, they were precursors to rap which later
both rhythmically and vocally came to mirror their fierce rhetoric. A northern band
with streetwise sentiments, they spoke loud and clear of disenfranchisement (call
it slavery) and the vicious class system which created it. From street to stormy
skies, D&V were on the up, and hard rains began to fall.”

Penny finally notes that “Our (Crass’) interest was never in personalities, profits or
power, and neither did we have time for reformist liberals. Our position was
solidly revolutionary; we took no prisoners. Ours wasn’t a show, it was a battle,
not a living, but a lifestyle, a lifestyle with a difference – rather than looking only
to ourselves, we sought to share our gains. I feel that this willingness added
great strength to the form of anarchism that we practiced both on stage and out
on the street.”

In giving a platform to an impressive array of other bands, Crass Records
broadened the front of what popularly became known as anarcho-punk. Not, it
must be said, a moniker that Crass themselves much favoured. In this respect,
Crass’ classic line, “There is no authority but yourself”, makes its point. Crass
sought to empower others, and the output of Crass Records does much to
confirm this, while ‘2 By 2 And Back Again’ seems to nail it – “get out of your own
way, we’re all in this together”.

Tracklisting

Jekyll and
Hyde

Wake Up

High Above

Today’s
Conclusion

Step Inside

Dignity

S21PN

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:

- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.

- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.

- The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions.

- We unfortunately don't offer tax/vat outside of the UK via the website so please keep in mind that when the items arrives in your country you may be liable to pay a further charge before delivery. (all UK orders the price you see is the price you will pay). Please also note that we are unable to adjust the declared value on items sold internationally.