The Snipers

The Snipers formed in late 1979 in Oxfordshire. The band compromised of Russel Bowers on vocals, Dave 'Bungi' Hounslow on guitar, Steve 'Wacker' Harris on bass and Mark Taplin on drums. They were inspired by Crass to start a band, even though none of them could play and none of them had any equipment (what they did find was crap, such as a Colombus bass, homemade guitar, half a drum set and a 15 watt practice amp). They were going to originaly be called The Sinyx, but changed it to The Snipers upon finding out that it had already been taked. Early practices were done at Russel's parents garage. 

 
It took at least ten months of writing songs and practicing before they played their first gig at a Christmas party in the Victory Hut, a community centre from Brize Norton (a leftover hut from World War II). The Snipers then recorded their first demo in Bourten, Gloucestershire possible around 1980. They shared it with their friends and sent one to Crass. Crass pulled their track "War Song" for 'Bullshit Detector 1'. A second Demo was recorded, three of those tracks ended up on their 1981 7" 'Three Piece Suite' for Crass Records, and the other three on a compilation they were to release later on during 1982.

 
The 'Spirit of an Old Age Anthem' tape was released in 1982, and was the last thing the band released. They played their last gig at the Wapping Anarchy Centre with Failing Parachutes in support, a band that is included in their compilation tape. Mark eventually moved to Telford, and this led to the band becoming less active, and ultimately, their demise. They had no interest in replacing Mark, since the band was made out of friendship. [SOURCE: LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND]