Tribute to Colin Jerwood

I didn't know you personally but i loved your music. Your voice will be heard, your lyrics will be listened to.

Rest in Power Colin Jerwood. Une voix, des albums écoutés en boucle, encore et encore. Le premier groupe anarcho-punk découvert à 15 ans avec le surpuissant Increase the Pressure. Magistral ! Critique infatigable de la folie du pouvoir... Thanx 4 all that !!!

I was so saddened to hear of Colin's death. What a powerhouse he was, what a force for good. I saw Conflict in The Mermaid in Birmingham in 86 or 87, I was a young lost kid really, and it blew my mind. I felt like I had found my people, had come home. It was an awakening moment of such power. And joy. It is impossible to describe the influence it had on me. That's what Colin brought to the world.

Thank you Colin. Conflict and Crass entered my life when I was 13 and this was the best thing that ever happened to me. I became a vegetarian when I got "To a nation of animal lovers" EP. Thank you thank you thank you.

R.I.P Colin. You truly made your mark in the music world. Uncompromising to the very end. The music of Conflict will inspire and influence many generations to come.

Colin and his bandmates had a huge influence on me, exspecailly that one melody got stuck in my head for decades. Trying to learn that melody on guitar, I stumbled over their YT channel and his childrens video, during my research. After just learning, the band still exists and hearing their new songs, I had to find out, that Colin had passed away, My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. I somehow learned to play the melody, that had become the soundtrack of my life, used it to make a little video, as a tribute for Colin. It was upöoaded here to the Gallery, but it`s still not published, due to a lack of storage space. So, everybody is invited, to watch the vid on my YT channel, it`s nothing fancy, only 2;24 long, but I made it out of respect for Colin, I wanna thank him for the music and the influence, he had on me, during difficult years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ3_1WEhwrY&ab_channel=Ho_Lee_Fuk_ger I still hope, the video will appear in the gallery here one day. May you all find the strength you need, in these difficult hours. Sincerely, Joerg

I am deeply saddened to hear about your dad Your dad was an amazing man, what an inspiration he truly is, with all my xxx. Without your Dad Colin, Conflict wouldn’t of happened and without conflict I would never have found or tasted freedom. Because of your Dad I have spent my life trying to do good in the world Because of your dad I will never give in, and yes, I may have sold out… just a little, just a little but you’re Dad from heaven if he listens hard, you will hear a low whispering sound. That noise is ME still kicking at the fence. Your dad changed my life for good and all the wonderful work I do in this world is because of him, Colin you give me focus and when people ask “where did you develop such intensity, focus and stage presence? ” I always reply to that question by saying watching Colin Jerwood on stage so many times” you give the world so mush but most of all you gave the world two beautiful children. In your own beautiful words One love Colin Jerwood RIP Syd Manchester

Colin you changed my life forever. Because of your music I could no longer ignore the suffering of all the sentient beings who don’t want to be murdered for humans to feast on their rotting flesh. An absolute legend and I’m truly heartbroken at your far too early departure. You will live on in my heart everyday I’m vegan because that is thanks to you and I celebrate what you brought on me through the music, through the demos, through the campaigns, through the barricades, vegan for the animals 🙏🏽💫

I've loved Conflict's/Colin's music since the 80s. It had a huge effect on me and Colin, along with my maternal grandmother (he would have loved her), were the two people who led me to anarchism. No gods, no masters!

I came to your music late but it made a momentous and lasting impact. The first time I saw Conflict (supporting Steve Ignorant's Feeding of the 5000 gig in London in 2007), I was hit by a juggernaut by the lyrical energy of the set. Since then I've been fortunate enough to see you with Conflict many more times. The last time was last year when my partner and I spoke to you afterwards, as we'd done a few times in recent years. You were so excited and proud of the (then, forthcoming) new album This Much remains. Your last gigs were incredible - your passion, conviction, anger for all the injustices and shit going on in the world was amplified by the fierce energy of the band lineup, Fi, Gav, Stu and Fran. I was mesmerised by each and every gig and you became a beacon in the dark for my own activism. I, like many, many others, am still struggling to process a world without you in it. A gaping hole remains. But, let that chasm be filled by all these voices that are remembering you, celebrating you, carrying on tiny acts of rebellion and defiance and activism, led by your voice and words that will never be erased. I was lucky to know you a little and cannot begin to fathom the deep loss felt by those closest to you. I give them all my love. Always yours.

So saddened and shocked. Colin was a true rebel and a genius, a true punk. He was so inspirational, the torch carrying on from crass, with no compromise. A big hole left in the movement. Thoughts with his family.

Two years ago, I asked the organizers of the Riot over the River festival to let me remember the hardcore singer Yarda, who had left us a few days earlier. They told me to go on stage after the Conflict show ended. So I waited backstage. I was quite nervous and didn't know if I would be in the way. Suddenly Colin walked by - he looked more like a manager in his dark shirt - and greeted me and smiled as if he had seen an old friend. It was only for a few seconds, but I was really impressed by how happy and composed he seemed, with a kind fluid radiating from him. A person you want to meet again and at least have a little chat with. I only met him once, but I can imagine how much he must be missed by those who knew him closely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N4fOYm27rM Před dvěma lety jsem požádal pořadatele festivalu Riot over the River, aby mi dovolili vzpomenout na hardcorového zpěváka Yardu (Red Silas, Bez milosti, Angry Brigade), který nás pár dní předtím opustil. Řekli mi, ať jdu na podium až skončí show Conflict. Takže jsem čekal v zákulisí. Byl jsem dost nervozní a nevěděl jsem, jestli tam nějak nepřekážím. Najednou šel kolem Colin - v tmavé košili působil spíš jako nějaký manažer - pozdravil mě a usmál se jako kdyby viděl starého kamaráda. Byla to pár vteřin, ale opravdu na mě zapůsobil, jak působil šťastně a vyrovnaně až z něj vyzařovalo nějaké fluidum laskavosti. Člověk, kterého chcete znovu potkat a alespoň na chvíli se s ním bavit. Setkal jsem se s ním jen jednou, ale dovedu si představit, jak musí chybět těm, kdo ho znali zblízka.

Goodbye Colin, And thanks a lot, for your lyrics, your words are still in my mind and in my heart. You and Conflict were filling our hears with Anarchy, Revolution, ALF ... when others were sitting in hotels with champagne and salami. You poticized so many young people since the 80's, still you were on the front scene those last years. And still the young of today knows you, and your songs. Comrade, it's time to rest in peace, rest is resistance. From france, and from my heart, even if I'm sad, I love you.

Col Truly lost for words, thanks to you and Conflict for everything past present (and future) much love to your family /all, and this loss. Always had time for us all, thanks for the chats when you played up in Manchester back in the 80s and inspiration to do more and take a look inwards, turned a corner for me, I am sure your having a pint with Stig and Paco down on planet punk, thanks also for awakening many to the plight of innocent sentient beings it takes more than music and more than words.............. rest in peace brother

Met Colin 3 times and he was always gracious and courteous. RIP you were a true gentleman and you will always be remembered x🌹

The guvn'r has left the building , but he will live on in the brilliant music of Conflict for ever,my thoughts are with his family and friends RIP Colin, gutted to not be able to see you perform live again.

I saw Colin and Conflict play Dublin in May on their tour and they were fantastic. New songs and old, both played with intensity and joy. I've been a fan of Conflict since the 1980s and rate Colin as the greatest political lyricist and Conflict as the best band. He always seemed such a decent and kind individual and he will be missed tremendously but his legacy is great for a new generation to take up. My son is now also a big fan after seeing them play. Sincere condolences on the loss of a punk legend and to his family on the loss of a truly great human being.

Nothing much shocks me anymore but this sad news really has, the ungovernable force and certainly an unforgettable force we thank you, Dave & Lesley x

I will miss your voice at concerts. I will carry you in my heart so you haven't died for me by now. In this sense to everyone stay rude, stay rebel, no authority but you.

So sorry to hear this. He was a hero to my brother and I, that is to say him and his band Conflict. We lived very, very far away in Houston, Texas, but his voice and power spoke clearly. He will be missed.

I’ve left this a few days because I simply couldn’t find the words. And as a writer, that’s a tough situation to be in. The bands you’re lucky enough to collide with in your youth are the bands who shape you forever. And the band I collided with and found a home with was Conflict. My first faltering steps into vegetarianism, direct action, critical thinking and anti-war were supported, illuminated and strengthened by Conflict. The songs taught me a fresh way of thinking and also expressed venomously and beautifully the frustration I was feeling. And it’s never left me. I could bang on endlessly but I’ll simply say thank you to Colin and the rest of the band for screaming down the barriers so I could see more clearly. Never underestimate your influence and how much you mean to me, and people like me. Your work has made a real difference. With love and sympathy to you all at what must be the toughest of times. I hold you in my heart. X

Sad to hear about this passing. All my thoughts to Colin's family. Love from France

So sorry to hear of Colin's passing. My brother and I bought "The House that Man Built" EP in 1982, and it didn't come off the turntable for 6 weeks! Saw them later in the '80s live, phenomenal. Rest in Power, Colin, and sincere condolences to all the family.

(Thanks to 'Send a Thought' for making me write this again!) Having been an Anarchist since my teens, an anti-war campaigner, and a Vegan for over forty years, the music and content of Conflict has always resonated with me. One of the highlights of Rebellion was always their set. One year, I found myself sat next to Colin, over the road, in a hotel opposite the Winter Gardens. We spoke for a good while about music and our beliefs/influences. It is something I've never forgotten; such an honour; such a pleasure. As I said on my FB tribute; Rebellion wont be the same this year. Someone once told me that Colin wasn't too fussed on Scousers; well, they could have fooled me! My thoughts and love go out to Colin's family; his friends, and to the other members of Conflict. The movement has lost a champion and a shining light, especially in theses darkest of times, but I hope Colin's legacy shines on through our memories of him, and through a continuing Conflict. R.I.P. Comrade/Brother.