#Sothira Pheng

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"SEARCHING FOR THE SUN IN THIS FUCKING DIRTY WORLD!"

NOTE: Never seen this one before, and I doubt they ever returned to Texas before their breakup in '84.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on 3/4 of SF peace punk/hardcore/D-beat band CRUCIFIX (Matt, Sothira, & Drew), performing live at Club Foot in Austin, TX, USA, c. 1983. 📸: Pat Blashill.

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3441296525752028039.

[encyklopediakoval]

172) CRUCIFIX - amerykańska formacja hardcore / punk założona w 1980 roku w San Francisco na bazie garażowej grupy Subsidize Mess. Działali w składzie: Sothira Pheng (śpiew), Jimmy Crucifix (gitara), Matt Borroso (bass) i Chris Douglas (perkusja). Grupa przedstawiła apokaliptyczny, antywojenny i antysystemowy repertuar łączący hardcore z fascynacją ówczesnym brytyjskim punk rockiem i anarcho punkiem. Do tego załoga prezentowała nie tylko przekaz ale image spod znaku Discharge, Varukers, Conflict, Chaos U.K. i innych kapel brytyjskich czy skandynawskich, co w USA nie było wówczas wcale tak powszechne. Po latach - także z uwagi na agresywny styl grania Jimmy’ego - wymieniani są często jako pionierzy dis-core. Autentyczność Crucifix polegała przede wszystkim na tym, że ich przekaz wynikał z osobistych doświadczeń i dramatów jakie przeżył i o jakich słyszał Sothira Pheng, który do USA uciekł z rodziną z Kambodży - przed wojną i morderczym reżimem Czerwonych Khmerów. W kapeli punk chciał wykrzyczeć swój ból i ostrzec przez dehumanizacją i zagładą cywilizacji. Zespół debiutował maksisinglem „Crucifix“ (1981), a utwór „Annihilation“ zamieśćił na kultowej składance „Not So Quiet On The Western Front“ (1982). Następnie ukazał się singiel „1984„ (1983) i jedyny - wydany w Anglii - album „Dehumanization“ (1983), który przeszedł do klasyki punk rocka. Rozpadli się w 1984 roku po trasie w USA i w Europie. Sothira i Jimmy grali później w formacji Proudflesh, a Matt i Chris w Loudspeaker. Po latach także ukazała się kompilacja „Exhibit A“ (1997) zawierająca rzadkie nagrania singlowe i live.

[profane-existence]

Available now! Link in bio CRUCIFIX -"Nineteen Eighty Four" LP Limited reissue Euro press that includes: "S/T" 12" from 1981, "Nineteen Eighty-Four" 7" from 1982 and 2 tracks from the "Not So Quiet On The Western Front" Dbl LP and the "Rat Music For Rat People" LP Compilations both from 1982 Crucifix 12" EP 1981- Capitulation You're Too Old Religion Kills Permanently Damaged Brazen Hell Nineteen Eighty-Four 7" EP 1982 Prejudice Steel Case Enclosure Rise And Fall From The "Not So Quiet On The Western Front" 2xLP Comp. 1982- Annihilation From The "Rat Music For Rat People" LP Comp. 1982- Steel Case Enclosure CRUCIFIX was an American hardcore punk band from Berkeley, California, active from 1980 to 1984. They were among the most popular acts of the San Francisco punk scene of the early 1980's. Crucifix was founded and fronted by Cambodian-born singer Sothira Pheng, whose family had fled the country when the Khmer Rouge seized power. They were distinct among American underground bands for their strong D-beat musical characteristics and anarchist content. The band's debut 1983 full-length album "Dehumanization" on Corpus Christi Records, an offshoot of Crass Records, is often considered to be a cornerstone of political punk. #profaneexistence #crucifix1984 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JIWOoj3YH/?igshid=3etfm4jwvw9r

[actdog]

crucifix

[nakedilife]

Sothira Pheng and members of Crucifix in Amherst Ma. circa 1983

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

SELLING THE UK BACK ITS OWN SOUND, TO AN EXTENT -- WELCOME TO 1984.

NOTE:^It's never been outright admitted, but I like to believe that CRUCIFIX impacted the incoming mid to late '80s UKHC scene that was about to take root in the wake of their '84 mini UK tour.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on shots of SF hardcore/anarcho punk band CRUCIFIX, performing live in London, UK (ANTISECT supported), during the band's mini English tour, c. early 1984. 📸: Mick Slaughter (of "Obituary" fanzine).

Rest in noise, Drew Bernstein, another legend lost -- Source: www.picuki.com/media/3006367532418323096.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"WAR IS SO EASY, PEACE IS SO HARD."

PIC INFO: Spotlight on a previously unpublished shot of Cambodian-American vocalist/lyricist of SF hardcore/anarcho punk band CRUCIFIX, performing live in the early '80s, c. 1983, possibly '84. 📸: Bill Halen.

"IT'S YOUR CHOICE -- PEACE, OR ANNIHILATION?!"

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3491961350060409252.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

CHARGED HAIR, BROTHEL CREEPERS, CRASS TATTOO -- UK-STYLE NUKE WAVE/ANARCHO RAGES IN L.A.

NOTE: Check out the ever ubiquitous "Three Skulls" DISCHARGE tee in the background, being worn by the photographer. Fuck, yeah!

PIC INFO: Spotlight on previously unseen shots of SF hardcore/peace punk/D-beat band CRUCIFIX, performing live at Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, CA, on October 2, 1982 (opening for DISCHARGE and THE MISFITS, no less). 📸: Alison Braun

Dis nightmare still @!¢*%#$& continues!!

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3458275444437125076.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

UNLEASHED IN THE EAST -- THE SCORCHING, SEARING, SLAUGHTERING "DEHUMANIZATION" LINE-UP.

PIC(S) INFO: "How, When, Where…" -- Mega spotlight on a recently unearthed treasure trove of live CRUCIFIX shots, from the Rock Against Reagan gig at U. Mass in May 1983. Also on the bill that day were THE DICKS, MDC, & D.R.I. 📸: Lisa Putignano. Shots made courtesy of @suburban_voice (Al Quint).

EXTRA INFO: Audience shots from the band's set, a.k.a., early circle-pitting in Reagan's America. 📸: Lisa P. -- "It's your choice... peace or annihilation?!

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3400663887462756841.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

CALLING IT QUITS IN THE SAME YEAR AS THEIR CRASSTIC FOREBEARS -- WELCOME TO 1984.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on the fourth and final line-up of Bay Area anarcho/ hardcore punk band, CRUCIFIX, performing live at The Bierkeller in Leeds, England, on March 7, 1984. 📸: Nick Ramone.

Sothira Pheng - vocals/lyrics

Drew Bernstein - guitar (1963-2014)

Matt Borruso - bass guitar

Christopher Douglas - drums

Sources: CVLT Nation, Degenerik, & www.picuki.com/media/3367992434987463345.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

BASTARD CHILDREN OF DISCHARGE/ G.B.H./ EXPLOITED -- BAY AREA HARDCORE '82.

NOTE: Never seen these any of these before, but what about the rest of you?

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on Berkeley-based anarcho/hardcore punk band CRUCIFIX, performing live somewhere in the Bay Area, c. 1982, during the band's Jimmy Crucifix (guitarist) line-up. 📸: Greg Gaar.

Dis nightmare still @$!*#&% continues!!

Source: https://opensfhistory.org/opensf/search/index.php.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

SF KIDS OFF TO SEE THE WORLD IN AN APOCALYPSE PUNK BAND -- WELCOME TO 1984.

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on candid shots of Bay Area hardcore/anarcho punk band CRUCIFIX during their mini English tour with scuzz metal-punkers ANTISECT (and D.I.R.T. for a few dates, too, I believe), c. early 1984. 📸: Mick Slaughter (I think).

Dis nightmare still @$!*%#& continues!! Rest in dis-noise, Drew Bernstein (1963-2014), another legend lost.

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3006367532418323096.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

THE FINAL DAYS OF A BAY AREA HARDCORE BAND -- WELCOME TO 1984.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on SF hardcore/Berkeley anarcho punk band CRUCIFIX, playing one of their final live performances; before their breakup in the same year c. late '83-1984. Venue and photographer unknown.

Their final line-up was 3/4 the "Dehumanization" one, with Sothira Pheng (vocals), Drew Bernstein✝ (guitar), Matt Borruso (bass), and Chris Smith (drums).

OVERVIEW: "Perhaps one of the most prevalent points of inspiration for the early punk and hardcore movement was George Orwell's eternally-relevant novel: "1984." The influence of this ominous book was so deeply woven into the ethos of punk that even pioneers like Crass viewed the impending year as the ultimate end, structuring their entire career around it.

In the United States, 1984 welcomed the second presidential election Ronald Reagan, and with it came the slow spike in radical right wing religious fanaticism, systematic neglect of disparaged communities, not to mention the looming threat of nuclear annihilation. 

1984 would also mark the end of San Francisco's iconic political group CRUCIFIX. Negative Insight is proud to share this set of previously unpublished photos of a small gig and afterparty from 1983-1984. These photos provide an intimate look into the final days of the band."

-- NEGATIVE INSIGHT, "Three Miles To Oblivion: Rare Unpublished Photos from the Final Days of CRUCIFIX," February 22, 2022

Source: www.negativeinsight.com/niblog/three-miles-to-oblivion-rare-unpublished-photos-from-the-final-days-of-crucifix.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"FROM DEHUMANIZATION TO ARMS PRODUCTION..." -- WELCOME TO 1984.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on a live shot of American hardcore/anarcho punk band CRUCIFIX, performing live during the band's 1984 UK tour, undisclosed venue & city. 📸: John, a.k.a., "convergent_evolution."

Bonus flyers from the band's various dates (January-Feb. 1984) in Kent, London, & Bristol, UK.

Sources: www.flickr.com/photos/74495375@N07/9577046712 & Picuki (3x).

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

DISCHARGE-STYLE PUNK IN LONE STAR STATE -- HARDCORE AT ITS PEAK IN '83.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on Bay Area hardcore punk/D-beat band CRUCIFIX, performing at Club Foot in Austin, Texas, on August 7, 1983. 📸: Pat Blashill. 

Dis nightmare still @$!*#&% continues!!

Source: www.picuki.com/media/3094637263979501900 & No Idols (Substack).

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"...THEN STUDS, SPIKES AND G.B.H. BEGAN TO HEAVILY INFLUENCE US. IT WAS SO ENGLISH, A SYMBOL THAT PROCLAIMED YOU WERE PUNK."

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on the mighty Sothira Pheng, Cambodian-American (entered the country as a political refugee) vocalist/songwriter of the rockin' Bay Area anarcho/hardcore punk band CRUCIFIX, c. 1983-'84.

"By the summer of 1980, the band were coming off the BLACK FLAG California-punk tail. “[BLACK FLAG] hold a spot in my memory as being kings,” Pheng says. “Then studs, spikes and G.B.H. began to heavily influence us. It was so English, a symbol that proclaimed you were punk.”

Tim Kerr of the BIG BOYS recounts, “They were some of the first kids with the G.B.H. liberty spikes and strong hairspray smell. There definitely were bands taking political stances during that time in the U.S., but CRUCIFIX had the British CRASS punks look, so they stood out from the others.”

They weren’t initially well-received. CRUCIFIX would get shit from bands they looked up to, including BLACK FLAG, who once called them EXPLOITED clones. “As kids, you don’t take that lightly,” Pheng says.

“The shows back then were mainly kids between 15 and 22 years old in T-shirts, Vans and Levi’s,” says punk photographer Edward Colver, whose photo of CRUCIFIX is featured in Hardcore California. “CRUCIFIX looked like English street punks. I think that was their initial problem in California. People were like, "What’s up with that?’ "Cause people weren’t doing that at all.""

-- MEDIUM, "Members of Legendary Bay Area Band CRUCIFIX Flash Back With 1984," by Naheed Simjee, June 13, 2014

Dis nightmare still @$*#!&% continues!!

Sources: Flickr, CVLT Nation, Pinterest, Twitter, & https://medium.com/@naheedsimjee/members-of-legendary-bay-area-band-crucifix-flash-back-with-1984-cc863a3f87b3.