This page is about the Canadian band called The Subhumans. For information about their UK namesakes see The Subhumans

The Subhumans were a punk band formed in 1978. Along with friends D.O.A., they were largely responsible for introducing punk music to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Known by perjorative, punk rock nicknames, members were called "Useless", bass, "Dimwit", drums, "Wimpy", singer and "Normal", guitar. They were best known for their song on the compilation Let Them Eat Jellybeans, "Slave To My Dick", which addressed the issue of men's attitudes towards women. On October 14,1983 bass player Gerry Useless, whose real name was Gerry Hannah, was arrested and charged with bombing the Litton Industries plant in Ontario that makes guidance systems for the cruise missile, along with four other members of a group that called themselves Direct Action, composed of ecologists and feminists. In the alternative media they were referred to as the Vancouver 5 but in the mainstream press they were dubbed the Squamish 5. Many benefits were arranged for the group by people such as Jello Biafra and Joey Shithead of D.O.A. to pay lawyers fees but, in the end, Hannah pled guilty to avoid years in prison. He received a 10 year sentence and was released after serving 5 years. During his time in prison, he began writing a column for the fanzine Maximum RocknRoll which helped maintain his connection to the punk scene. A number of years after his release he was the subject of a documentary film made by B.C. filmmaker Glen Sanford , called Useless.

After his arrest, the Subhumans broke up, with the singer joining D.O.A. on bass. However, their songs have been covered by many other bands, including D.O.A. and Vancouver all-women band Cub, and they are highly regarded within the punk community.

Discography

"Death To The Sickoids/Oh Canaduh" 7" (1978)

Death Was Too Kind 12" EP (1979)

Subhumans LP on Quintessence Records (1979)

"Firing Squad/No Productivity" 7" on Quintessence Records (1980)

Incorrect Thoughts LP on Friend Records (1980)

No Wishes, No Prayers LP on SST (1983)

From The Cradle To The Grave on Bluurg Records (1983)

Compilations

"Death To The Sickoids" and "Urban Guerilla" on Vancouver Complications (1979)

"Out of Line" and "Behind The Smile" on Vancouver Independence, Friend Records (1980)

"Slave To My Dick" on Let Then Eat Jellybeans, Alternative Tentacles (1981)

"No Productivity" on Killed By Death

See also

• List of musicians in the first wave of punk music