• 1981-
• The band formed in May 1981, by Nic Bullen and Miles Ratledge, while they were 13 and 14 years old, respectively.
• In January 2003, Miles Ratledge opened the Ashtanga Yoga centre in Aarhus, Denmark.
• The band have had frequent lineup changes, with all its founding members having left by 1988. There have been more than 20 members in total.
• Napalm Death have long been very politically conscious, having emerged from the Anarcho-Punk scene of the late 1970s. Their only gig during their 1984 hiatus was a benefit concert for striking mine workers, while the proceeds of their 1993 EP, Nazi Punks F--k Off, were donated to anti-fascist organisations.
• The band once appeared on an episode of the 1989 BBC kids TV show, What's That Noise, hosted by Craig Charles (of Red Drawf, Robot Wars and Craig Charles' Funk and Soul Show fame). To add to the bizarreness of their appearance, they follow a teenage orchestra playing classical music.
• Actor Jim Carrey once confessed to liking Napalm Death, having heard their first album, Scum. Despite mocking the vocals of metal music, he later asked for Cannibal Corpse to feature in his film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?Culture Club

"Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" was written by Boy George about his relationship with Culture Club's drummer Jon Moss.

Country Grammar (Hot S--t)Nelly

Nelly's "Country Grammar" is a celebration of his hometown of St. Louis, which some folks from the coasts consider "country" because it's in the Midwest.

No More DramaMary J. Blige

Mariah Carey and P. Diddy show up in the Mary J. Blige "No More Drama" video, since they were going through Shakespeare-level drama.

Six Months In A Leaky BoatSplit Enz

The Split Enz song "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" is about the journey explorers made from Europe to colonize Australia and New Zealand, where the band is from.

Killing In The NameRage Against the Machine

Tired of X-Factor winners getting the UK Christmas #1, British Facebook users staged a successful campaign to download "Killing In The Name" by Rage Against The Machine enough times to boost the song to the top in 2009, blocking the X-Factor single by Joe McElderry.

TrueSpandau Ballet

"True" by Spandau Ballet is about chief songwriter Gary Kemp's unrequited love for Altered Images singer and Gregory's Girl star Clare Grogan.

Editor's Picks

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.