Ripcord

Ripcord was a seminal UK hardcore punk band formed in 1984 in Weston-Super-Mare, England. Emerging from the vibrant British hardcore scene of the 1980s, the band quickly established a reputation for their intense, up-tempo sound, heavily influenced by pioneers like Siege and Discharge. Despite a relatively short lifespan, Ripcord shared stages with notable acts such as Napalm Death, Heresy, and Doom.

The band's origins trace back to Steve "Baz" Ballam and John Millier. They assembled the initial lineup from members of Ballam's previous bands, recording their first demo, In Search of a Future, in 1985. This early material showcased an abrasive, fast hardcore sound with thrash elements. The original lineup, featuring Ballam on bass, Millier on drums, Malcolm on guitar, and Jimmy on vocals, was short-lived, lasting only for this demo and a few live performances. Following Malcolm's departure, Ballam took over guitar and bass duties for a second demo, with Jimmy leaving soon after, leaving the band as a duo.