Conflict star Colin Jerwood dies at 63 as tributes pour in for punk rockstar: ‘Struggling to find the words’
Colin Jerwood, the 63-year-old frontman of punk band Conflict, has died after a short illness. The sad news was confirmed on Tuesday through the band’s social media channels.
A statement from his family opens: “It is with a very heavy heart to announce Colin passed away after a short illness. We know for his supporters that this is difficult news to hear.”
An official statement from Conflict adds: “As you can imagine we are struggling to find the words to describe how sad and upset we feel upon hearing of the loss of our band member and dear friend Colin.
“We extend our deepest condolences to James, Georgia and the rest of Colin’s family and friends.”
Colin Jerwood’s family have asked fans not to attend the funeral, stating: “His family will be reading through any comments on the memorial page and your presence will be felt.”
Conflict emerged from Eltham in South London, part of a coterie of bands blending street punk styles with lyrics that openly questioned capitalist society under Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government.
The band formed part of the anarcho-punk movement that challenged the political establishment of the era.
Releasing their debut EP on Crass Records in 1982, Conflict would later form their own Mortarhate Records label, which became a key crucible for the anarcho-punk movement in the UK.
Despite being antagonised by authorities and shunned by the mainstream music industry, Conflict nonetheless had a lasting impact on British music.
Their direct action ethics in the field of veganism and anti-capitalism caused numerous alienated souls to become drawn into their orbit.
Working continuously over the decades, the band maintained their uncompromising stance despite industry rejection.
Their influence extended far beyond commercial success, with their confrontational approach to political and social issues resonating with generations of punk musicians and activists.
The band’s commitment to their principles remained unwavering throughout their career, even as they faced opposition from both authorities and the mainstream music establishment.
Their legacy within the anarcho-punk scene proved enduring, inspiring countless other acts to adopt similar direct action approaches to their music and messaging.
Conflict’s impact on British punk culture extended well beyond their recorded output, establishing them as key figures in the underground movement.
Conflict’s latest line-up coalesced in 2021, working on new music in the process.
The band’s latest work, This Much Remains was released in May this year, demonstrating their continued creative output even in recent months.
In recent years, Jerwood had been working on a huge memoir, described as a comprehensive account encompassing “Conflict, the movement, and me.”
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The project represented his attempt to document not only the band’s history but the broader anarcho-punk movement they helped define.
The band have set up an online memorial page where supporters can contribute condolences and make donations to charities in Colin’s memory, acknowledging the support fans have shown for both Colin and Conflict over the years.