The Downward Spiral: The Story of Discharge's "Grave New World" and its Legendary Fallout
Released in 1986, Discharge's "Grave New World" has been universally panned, slammed, and derided and is arguably the most controversial punk album of all time. It was an about face by the band, eschewing all semblance of their hardcore punk roots in favor of glam metal and cock rock more befitting of what was coming out of the LA's Sunset Strip than Stoke-On-Trent.
It wasn't only about the music: it was that Discharge's hardcore fanbase, which had grown accustomed to their outspoken political thrash, felt that the change was a betrayal of the highest order. Accusations of selling out and going commercial were fervent. But fans also felt caught off guard. Although lead singer Cal had been moving away from the gruff bark employed on the earliest recordings for several years, there was no way they could have been prepared for his falsetto vocal approach on "Grave New World."
The album was self-sabotage for the reputation and credibility they'd been building since they first burst on the scene in 1980. Discharge were the Captains of UK hardcore, and the album incited a mutiny against them. After its release, the band went on a US tour, where things only got worse. The band were heckled off stage, subjected to all kinds of verbal abuse, and essentially embarked on a cross-country campaign to tarnish their name.
But while it's easy to dismiss the album, one can't help but wonder how it came to be. What were the reasons for the abrupt shift in direction? Were there no checks in place for quality control? Did anyone try to rein it in? Was it hubris, obliviousness, or just a grave miscalculation? How did the album go from an informal concept to a bankrolled and fully realized release on a reputable label? And how could the fan reaction not have been able to be anticipated by the band?
In a new interview, Steve "Fish" Brookes (previously of the Skeptix), who joined the band in 1985 on guitar, candidly dispels the myths surrounding it and adds much needed context to how it came to fruition. One can't help but feel sympathetic for the barrage of backlash the band faced as he explains the entire experience.
Steve "Fish" Brookes
When did you first meet the members of Discharge? Were they older than you? Did the Skeptix play many shows with them seeing as you were both from Stoke-On-Trent?
I met them in the early days, when Tez was singing for them, late '70s I'd say at a guess.
How did you come to replace Pooch, and what were your feelings upon being chosen to be in the Discharge?
To be honest, I didn't ask for the job with Discharge. I kept presenting Mike Stone at Clay Records with Skeptix demos. The Skeptix were not really doing much and we needed a good punk label to release a new album on. Mike told me that they didn't really have the finances to invest in another band, but Discharge were looking for a guitarist, and would I like to have a jam with them.
Press clipping from Fish joining the band
Were the songs for the "Grave New World" album all written prior to you joining, or did you help write them?
"Grave New World" was an odd way of working for me. Previously I'd always gone into the rehearsal situation with songs already written, but there were no songs written for the "GNW" album. Rainy would start to play a bass riff, and Garry and myself would put our own bits to it. Cal didn't add any vocals at the start, so no one really knew what was coming next.
Did you actually play on "Grave New World," or was it recorded prior to you joining?
Yes, I played on it. I'm still quite happy with some of my guitar work on there to be honest.
Fish laying down guitar tracks for "GNW"
Garry Maloney, in studio, during the recording of "Grave New World"
Did Rainy or Garry ever express any reservations about Cal's new vocal style? Or at least keeping it more in line with things like "The More I See"?
That's the odd thing. Once he started to sing, I thought he was taking the piss. Garry and Rainy didn't say anything, not to Cal anyway (as far as I am aware). I was the new guy, it wasn't my place to say anything. I just assumed, "Hey, it's Discharge, they know what they're doing." Right?
At any point, was there any talk of ever just going back to the classic Discharge sound or even stuff like "The Price Of Silence" by Rainy or Garry?
Rainy left very soon after "GNW" was released, so he didn't say anything at all. We all wanted to play the classic stuff.
When did Rainy leave the band and why?
Rainy left right after "Grave New World" was released. He was pissed off with the album. Also, he wasn't happy when he discovered that Cal had "pinched" the lyrics to "Downward Spiral" from a magazine called "Punk Lives."
Rainy was replaced by a fellow named Nick Bushell. Who was he, and had he played in any previous bands?
Nick Bushell was a friend of Garry, so that's how he came to be in the band. I'm not sure if he played in any bands before. He was a great musician, and a really nice chap. Him and me became great friends.
Fish's personal notation on Rainy leaving Discharge
Rainy leaving Discharge press writeup
What bands were the biggest influences on the "Grave New World" LP?
I was told to listen to Sabbath and Zeppelin. I have no idea what actually influenced Cal. I was listening to "False Gestures" by The Blood a lot at that time, but obviously nothing from that influenced "GNW."
After it was recorded, but prior to it's release, was each member pleased with how "Grave New World" sounded?
No, not at all. The production was great, but the vocals grated.
What was the reaction in England to the "Grave New World" LP from both the punk scene and metal scene?
Pretty much the same from the USA scene, everyone hated it.
Reviews of "Grave New World" from an unknown publication (left), Kerrang! (Issue 128, pictured center) and The Sentinel (right)
Had you played the songs live in England prior to the US tour? What were the crowd reactions?
See above, haha. Everyone hated it.
The US tour in promotion of the "Grave New World" LP is as legendary as it seems it was disastrous. What were your thoughts on the experience?
It was my first time in USA, so it was a big thing for me (I was 22), and a bucket list tick. We played 17 shows in five weeks, so we had plenty of time to chill. The gigs were horrible, but the other 23 hours and 30 minutes of each day that we had a gig on were great.
Fish and Cal in Miami Beach
Garry relaxing poolside
Fish and Nick visiting NASA in Florida (don't know about those sandals Fish is wearing……)
Fish visiting Niagara Falls
Was there any thought given to canceling the tour as it was happening?
No, I don't think so. We pleaded with Cal from day one to play some old songs, but he refused bluntly. When we reached San Diego, he agreed to play State Violence (result), but he sang it in the new falsetto style. It angered the kids even more (us too).
Which was the hardest point for you on the tour?
Staying sober, I failed.
Did you feel badly or sympathize for Cal at all with the abuse he took on stage, or did you feel he brought it on himself by his refusal to not at least somewhat appease the fans by playing the earlier material?
No, not at all. We thought he was a twat. He was destroying the band. No sympathy from any of us. We had all invested a lot of time and money into doing the album (it took about a year of jamming to record it). We saw it all going down the pan.
Did the band members get along, or was there tension in the group?
Garry, Nick and myself had a lot of fun. When we weren't onstage, we got on very well.
Fish, Kev, Nick
Other bands, such as the English Dogs, were doing a style similar to Discharge during the same time, but were better received. Why do you think that was, and were the guys in Discharge aware of that?
Everything negative and shitty about "GNW" was related to the vocals. Personally, I'd have preferred to have done a punk album and not a rock album. I didn't hear the English Dogs album, so I can't comment, but I doubt Wakey did a falsetto though? (Did he?)
Was there any other material written that never got recorded or perhaps got recorded but went unreleased during that period? If so, do you recall what it sounded like?
Yes, we recorded a song called "Taste The Burning." It was the first song that we jammed. I actually liked that one the best. It was more uptempo, same vocal style though, so it wouldn't have been received positively.
How long were you actually in the band for?
About two years. A year jamming/recording then a year after.
Can you recount the events after the US tour? Weren't there also dates booked for tours in Japan and Europe?
Apparently there was a European and Japan tour booked, but we didn't do it. After USA we carried on for a while without Cal, just jamming with different singers.
Press clipping for the Discharge Japan tour that never happened (from unknown publication)
Did Cal have complete control of the band's decisions?
Yes, absolutely. No one had any say in any decisions.
Why did Cal quit? Were the other guys surprised?
After the USA tour, we had planned on kicking him out. Midway through the USA tour, we would go back onstage after he had finished and play some old songs, but without vocals. When we got back home, we just carried on without him. Having insight, a pretty dumb decision, but we were young and saw the potential of Discharge, had Cal not screwed it up. I've toured a lot with different punk bands, none of them compare to some of the crowds Discharge pulled on that tour.
Press clipping reporting on Cal leaving Discharge
Did you have a hand choosing Rocky Shades to replace Cal in 1987? How did Rocky fit in with the band, and do you have any recollections about working with him?
A friend of Nick Bushell put Rocky Shades (Rob Barker), I think his name was. Rob is a great singer, and a nice chap, but it was very short lived, only a few weeks. We got on fine with him.
Press clipping reporting on Cal quitting and announcing "Rob from Birmingham" (Rocky Shades) as the replacement
There was a semi-recent interview with Rocky Shades where he discusses some of the music that was written while he was in the band. Do you remember any of the songs or what they may have sounded like?
We did some Portastudio demos. I really can't remember if the songs were very good or not. They didn't sound like "classic" Discharge though.
Do you recall why Rocky Shades left Discharge? Was any of the material with him ever recorded?
Apparently his commitments to Wrathchild were still under contract, and his label told him that he couldn't sing for Discharge. I think the word "injunction" was used?
After the departure of Rocky Shades, was there ever talk of a new singer, a return of Cal, or did the band fall apart at that point?
At this point, I'd had enough myself. I quit, but they carried on after with a couple of new guitar players.
Were you also asked to play guitar in Discharge when it was restarted for the "Massacre Divine" era?
No, I didn't speak to anyone from that incarnation of Discharge after that, except Nick Bushell. Not seen Garry and Cal since 1986.
Do you have any final thoughts or reflections looking back at your time in Discharge?
Yep, they fucked up, the band could have been huge(!!) had they stuck to their roots.
Photos
These photos come from the personal archives of Steve "Fish" Brookes. They capture candid behind the scenes moments from the tour supporting their "Grave New World" album in 1986. We greatly appreciate Fish allowing us to publish these photos and share them.
Photos taken in the Studio for the Recording of "GNW"
Above photos:
In the studio for "GNW" (L to R): Fish, Mike Stone of Clay Records, Rainy, Cal, Garry Maloney
Amazon Studios mixing desk during the recording of "GNW"
Fish taking a break during the recording of "GNW"
Fish recording tracks for "GNW"
Fish's gear in the studio
Garry monitoring things in the captain's chair during the recording of "GNW"
Garry laying down drum tracks
Garry drumming
Garry drumming
Garry drumming
Rainy, in studio, during the recording of "Grave New World"
Rainy
Rainy
Mike "Stoney" Stone of Clay Records making sure his money is being well spent during the recording of "Grave New World"
Keith Andrews, engineer on "Grave New World"
Promotional Photos
L to R: Garry Maloney, Steve "Fish" Brookes, Cal, Rainy
"Grave New World" touring lineup (L to R): Nick Bushell, Cal, Garry Maloney, Fish
Tour Photos (non-live)
asdf
Discharge on a plane: "We're coming to America!"
The itinerary
The map
When the Miami, Florida gig was cancelled (intended for September 30th), the band hung around Florida for a few days. So here's some pics of Discharge at Miami Beach, the pool, and on a visit to NASA.
Fish and Cal in Miami Beach
Fish and Garry in Miami Beach
Fish in Miami Beach
Fish in Miami Beach
Garry looking good in Miami Beach
Fish in the water
Poolside (probably in Miami)
Garry poolside taking in the tour life
Fish and Nick Bushell visiting NASA Space Center in Florida
Kev the roadie and Fish in front of a space shuttle
Fish, shirtless, walking around NASA
Fish (still shirtless) and Kev checking out NASA rockets
Above photos:
Atlanta, Georgia
Bambers
Fish posing with a cactus
Garry at cactus
Fish at Native American memorial
Fish in front of mountains
Fish with another scenic view
Fish in front of an old car
Fish in car pictured above
Cal and Garry
Fish and Cal showing off their tour bods
Above photos:
Fish and Garry outside the van
Fish in a hotel room
Garry and Bamb in kicking back in the hotel room
Fish, Kev, and Nick Bushell
Garry and Fish
Garry having a smoke on the ride
Fish at Niagara Falls
Above photos:
Fish at Niagara Falls
Kev at Niagara Falls
Kev somewhere out there, probably the Southwest
Kev getting a rude awakening
Kev bleary eyed
Fish and Kev fucking around in Yuma, Arizona
Tour ride shenanigans
Kev and Nick Bushell in between stops
Joel Peskin, tour manager for the US tour
Several more photos of Joel Peskin throughout the tour, including one of Garry and Joel
Tour Photos (live)
Fish
Nick Bushell
First stop on the tour: live at the Ritz in New York City
Garry banging 'em out
San Diego gig (September 5th) photos:
Photos from an unknown gig (possibly the San Diego one):
Tour Flyers
Pre-US tour gigs in the UK
The Ritz gig in New York City (August 23)
The Ritz gig in New York City (August 23)
The Fallout Shelter gig in Raleigh, North Carolina (August 26)
The Metro gig in Phoenix, Arizona (September 4)
Fender's Ballroom gig in Los Angeles, CA (September 6)
The Farm gig in San Francisco, CA (September 7, courtesy of Nate Wilson)
Discharge live at the Farm in San Francisco
Along with the above photos and interview, longtime underground maniac Nate Wilson of the True Punk & Metal site was the guy in the audience with a walkman at the notorious show at The Farm in San Francisco during Discharge's tour. He has made the recording available for download (complete with tons of distinguishable crowd banter) on his site here:
Discharge - live at the Farm in S.F. September 7, 1986 (getting heckled)
All photos from the personal archives of Steve "Fish" Brookes and used with permission. A massive thanks to him for all his help and participation in this feature!
