TO COINCIDE WITH the re-release today (9 June 2023) on Crass Records of all three albums in the Bullshit Detector series, it seemed timely to unearth from the archives the correspondence through which – in a wholly analogue age – Crass liaised with bands and artists selected for inclusion on on these unparalled and extraordinary punk compilations.
The letters below are from the files of this site editor’s own band Metro Youth, whose song ‘Brutalised’ was included on Bullshit Detector 2. Yet they are typical of the letters that countless other bands and solo artists would have received before and after the release of all three records.
The first letter was sent in February 1982 to all bands who had submitted tapes for consideration, with details of their acceptance added by hand for those selected for inclusion on Bullshit Detector Two.
If you haven’t had a tape included on BULLSHIT TWO here are some of the possible reasons why.
We received over 200 tapes, and only had room for around 25.
The recording quality of some tapes was too poor to be useable. Although some of the tracks may sound worse recorded than the one you sent in, the chosen ones will have been picked because of the lyrics, ideas or just the feel of the track.
We tried to choose as wide a variety of subjects as possible, but by far the most popular was anti-war, so this may tend to dominate the record.
We also tried to include a variety of styles (e.g. punk, poetry, musical, etc).
If your tape hasn’t been used, we’re sorry and hope you’re not too disappointed.
It was really interesting hearing all the stuff you’ve been doing, keep going and we hope whether or not you’re on the record, that you’ll enjoy it.
–
We would like to use the track ‘Brutalised’ off the ‘Metro Youth’ tape you sent us on BULLSHIT 2.
If this is alright with you all, please write to us at ‘BULLSHIT 2’, P.O. Box 279, LONDON N22, enclosing your telephone no. if possible, so that we can contact you quickly when we have decided the format of the cover. We will then let you know sizes of artwork etc.
Please write back as soon as you can, so that we can start getting it all put together.
Thanks. ANARCHY-PEACE
Eve Libertine, Crass
The second letter was sent in April 1982, to all bands and artists included on the compilation, with news of progress on the production side and details of how royalties would be calculated.
This letter really only serves to let you know what is going on, and to return your tape – please excuse the fact that it is copied.
We have now transferred all the tapes ready to be taken to the cutting studio, which we will be doing towards the end of May. Thirty-five bands will be included on the record which will be a double 12″ L.P (33 rpm).
We are at present working on the cover, which is quite a major task, though not as much work as the initial selection – we received over 250 tapes.
We have not worked out exactly how much the project will cost yet, so are not able to estimate how much each band will be payed – but it will be one-thirty-fifth of the gross profit, which, on the first Bullshit, amounted to more than the standard mechanical royalty (the legally corrected method of payment).
It is difficult to tell when the record will be in the shops as there are so many unpredictable processes that it has to go through, but, in the meantime, if there is anything you want to know, please write; if not we will be in touch again near the time.
Thank you for your co-operation,
love, peace and freedom.
Andy Palmer, Crass
The third letter was sent out in January 1983 (not 1982, as dated) a few months after the release of Bullshit Detector Two detailing how the payment process would work, asking for bank details, and mentioning the positive feedback around the record.
On 31 March 1983, Crass sent out a chaser letter to bands who had yet to supply bank details. (Astute readers will recognise that the fact that I know this means that Metro Youth were amongst the tardy ones.)
Discussions about the possibility of a second gig in Exeter (mentioned in the P.S.) continued in the months ahead – with the gig taking place in May 1984, during the band’s final tour.
We have now reached the point where we can start paying you for your involvement in ‘Bullshit 2’.
Obviously, this task is not an easy one, and it would help us a lot if you could send us the following info:
Firstly: a name (a real one!) to whom we can make a cheque payable (ie: with a current bank account) – who can receive the money on behalf of the whole band.
Secondly: a permanent address to which the cheque can be sent.
The record is going well, and has sold about ten thousand copies to date. Feedback from it has also been good and there has been a lot of post to all the bands. We are currently putting together ‘Bullshit 3’!
Thanks for your help,
love, peace and freedom, Andy
PS: We are gigging again in May I hope – maybe we could do another gig! Sorry for the formality of all this [above] – see you soon, love, NANA.
Andy Palmer (aka Nana), Crass
The fourth and final letter was sent out to all Bullshit Detector Two artists late in 1983, complete with a royalty cheque covering existing and expected sales, and encouragement for bands to share the receipts amongst all original participants in the track.
Enclosed is a cheque for ‘Bullshit Detector 2’ which has now sold around 10,000 copies. The profits, when divided between all the bands, amount to £40 per band.
The record will probably now sell at a slower pace, so we have added £10 to the money to save sending out a small amount in a few months time.
As some of the bands are no longer together, it would be good if you could find a way of sharing it with all the original participants.
We’ve been really happy with the results of the ‘Bullshit’ project, and are working on ‘Bullshit Detector 3’ at the moment.
We’ve had lot of letters saying how much people like it, and hope that the feedback you’ve had has been equally exciting.
Keep in touch.
Andy Palmer, Crass
WITH THE BACKING of the One Little Independent label, all three albums in the Bullshit Detector series are now available to buy, in reissued format, on both black and grey vinyl.
The Hippies Now Wear Black 