Hatchets
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Hatchets

Hatchets formed in London during the early 1980s new wave scene, with Pete Wylie on vocals, Tony Bowers on bass, Dave Kilminster on drums, and Dave Cusick on...

album16 lyric pages photo_library9 photos groups24 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
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Editor's note

Hatchets' new wave politics and London grit

A London band whose 1980s songs tackled nuclear war, class, and city life with sharp guitars.

If you want the Hatchets sound, start with 'Atomic Bomb' and 'Plain.' That's the band in two songs, one loud and political, the other quieter but just as sharp.

Hatchets mattered because they wrote songs about real things people were living through. 'Atomic Bomb' wasn't just a hit, it was a protest song about nuclear fear that actually got played on the radio. Tracks like 'My Posh Slum' and 'Living In the City' kept that same clear-eyed look at how class and place shape a life.

They came out of London's early-80s new wave scene and hit fast with 'Atomic Bomb' in 1982. Four albums followed in quick succession before lineup changes and changing tastes led to a quiet fade by the early 1990s.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 19
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Hatchets formed in London during the early 1980s new wave scene, with Pete Wylie on vocals, Tony Bowers on bass, Dave Kilminster on drums, and Dave Cusick on guitar. Their 1982 debut single 'Atomic Bomb' became an immediate hit, its lyrics about nuclear war resonating with listeners and pushing the band to international attention. They followed with four studio albums: 'Hatchets' in 1982, 'Cake Walk' in 1983, 'Four Minutes' in 1984, and 'Now' in 1986.

Their songs often took on social and political themes, from the anti-war stance of 'Atomic Bomb' to tracks like 'My Posh Slum' and 'Living In the City' that addressed class and urban life.

By the late 1980s, Hatchets' popularity had faded amid lineup changes and shifting musical tastes. The band disbanded in the early 1990s. Songs like 'Atomic Bomb,' 'Plain,' and 'Chinese New Year's Love' remain their most remembered work.

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Where should I start with Hatchets on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with We're A Lie, Atomic Bomb, and Living In the City so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Hatchets?

LyroVerse currently has 16 visible lyric pages for Hatchets.

Does Hatchets have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 9 photos available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Hatchets?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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