View source for The Exploited

{{Short description|Scottish punk rock band}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = The Exploited
| background       = group_or_band
| image            = The Exploited onstage 2014 (cropped).jpg
| landscape        = yes
| caption          = The Exploited in 2014
| origin           = [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
| genre            = {{flatlist|
* [[Street punk]]
* [[oi!]]
* [[hardcore punk]]
* [[crossover thrash]]
}}
| discography      = [[The Exploited discography]]
| years_active     = 1978–present
| label            = {{flatlist|
* [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]]
* [[Secret Records|Secret]]
* {{nowrap|Rough Justice}}
* [[Captain Oi! Records|Captain Oi!]]
* [[Cleopatra Records|Cleopatra]]
* Exploited
}}
| website          = {{URL|the-exploited.net}}
| current_members  = [[Wattie Buchan]]<br /> Gary gman Sullivan<br />Irish Rob (Robert Halkett)<br />Steve Campbell
| past_members     = [[The Exploited#Timeline|See timeline]]
}}

'''The Exploited''' are a Scottish [[punk rock]] band from [[Edinburgh]], formed in 1978 by Stevie Ross and Terry Buchan, with Buchan soon replaced by his brother [[Wattie Buchan]]. They signed to [[Secret Records]] in March 1981,<ref name=The-Exploited1>[http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm The Exploited +++ Real Punk Rock Since 1980] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718110322/http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm |date=18 July 2019 }}. ''The-Exploited.net''. Retrieved 11 April 2012.</ref> and their debut EP, ''Army Life'', and debut album, ''[[Punks Not Dead]]'', were both released that year.<ref name=The-Exploited1/> The band maintained a large [[cult following]] in the 1980s among a hardcore [[working class]] punk and [[skinhead]] audience. Originally a [[street punk]] band, the Exploited eventually evolved into a [[crossover thrash]] band with the release of their album ''[[Death Before Dishonour]]'' in 1987.

Although the Exploited continue to perform live, they have not released any studio material since their 2003 album, ''[[Fuck the System]]''. Their songs have been covered by [[Slayer]] and others. Despite numerous lineup changes, Wattie has remained the Exploited's singer and leader.

==Career==

===Formation and early days (1979–1980)===

The original line-up consisted of Terry Buchan (vocals), Stevie Ross (guitar), Colin Erskine (bass) and Andy McNiven (drums). After a few gigs in and around [[Edinburgh]], Stevie Ross left following an appearance in [[Aberdeen]] supporting the [[UK Subs]].

Stevie Ross was briefly replaced by guitarist Stevey Hay (Hayboy), who died on 14 July 2013 after a successful career as a blues musician.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/obituary-stevey-hay-musician-1-2996306 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215075936/https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/obituary-stevey-hay-musician-1-2996306 | archive-date=15 February 2020 | title=Obituary: Stevey Hay, musician - the Scotsman }}</ref> Guitar duties were then taken over by Big John Duncan.{{fact|date=March 2024}}

Stevie Ross continues to write songs and, in addition to solo performances, he also plays in The Station Road Band.{{fact|date=March 2024}}

===Early releases and ''Punk's Not Dead'' (1980–1981)===
{{Listen|filename=The Exploited Punks not dead.ogg|title="Punks Not Dead" (1981)|description=A sample of The Exploited's song "Punks Not Dead" from their album of the same name|format=[[Ogg]]}}

Influenced by 1970s punk rock music, such as that by the [[Sex Pistols]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.red-mag.com/RED/sep18/exploit.html |title=RED magazine |website=Red-mag.com |date=18 September 2003 |access-date=30 January 2013 |archive-date=24 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924083732/http://www.red-mag.com/RED/sep18/exploit.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> the quartet developed a straightforward, no-frills sound characterised by speed and aggression. In 1980, the group founded their own [[independent record label]], Exploited Records, and released their debut EP ''Army Life'', which ranked #6 in the Indie/Independent charts for eight weeks and remained in the Top 20 for eighteen months.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=https://files.nyu.edu/cch223/public/uk/exploited_main.html |title=KFTH - The Exploited Page |website=Files.nyu.edu |access-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112913/https://files.nyu.edu/cch223/public/uk/exploited_main.html |archive-date=28 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="cherryred1">{{cite web |url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=524 |title=Cherry RedRecords - Exploited, Punk's Not Dead / On Stage, Anagram |website=Cherryred.co.uk |access-date=30 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112023949/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=524 |archive-date=12 January 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The B-side was titled ''Fuck the Mods / Crashed Out'', and the record's back cover featured the message, "To all the Edinburgh punks and skins - keep on mod-bashing!!".

They then released another single, "Barmy Army", which ascended the independent charts and remained there for 53 weeks, peaking at #4.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Their single "Dead Cities" reached #31 on the UK Charts.<ref name="cherryred1"/> Their single "Exploited Barmy Army" peaked at #4 on the Independent/Indie chart.<ref name="cherryred1"/>

In March 1981, the band signed to [[Secret Records]] and spent a month recording their debut album, ''[[Punks Not Dead]]''.<ref name="reocities1">{{cite web |url=http://www.reocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/5763/singles.htm |title=Exploited Singles Collection Page |website=Reocities.com |access-date=30 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131539/http://www.reocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/5763/singles.htm |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The Exploited released the single "Dogs of War", which peaked at #2 on the Independent charts and #63 on the UK Charts.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="reocities1"/><ref name="cherryred2">{{cite web |url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/anagram-exd.asp?id=524 |title=Cherry Red Records - Exploited, Punk's Not Dead / On Stage, Anagram |website=Cherryred.co.uk |access-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727230316/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/anagram-exd.asp?id=524 |archive-date=27 July 2013 }}</ref> Also in 1981, the band released their first live album, ''On Stage'', recorded during a concert in Edinburgh. Subsequently, the band toured with [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]], [[Anti-Nowhere League]], [[Anti-Pasti]] and [[Chron Gen]] on a tour titled ''Apocalypse Now'', which was recorded and released as a live album. Their album ''Punks Not Dead'', released in April 1981, reached #20 in May,<ref>Buckley, Peter. ''The Rough Guide to Rock''. London: [[Rough Guides|Rough Guides Ltd]], 2003. pg 350. {{ISBN|1-84353-105-4}}.</ref> and then climbed to number 1 on the Independent Charts.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="cherryred2"/> During this period, the Exploited appeared on the popular mainstream TV programme, {{nowrap|''[[Top of the Pops]]''.<ref name=Ian>{{harvnb|Glasper|2004|page={{page needed|date=January 2022}}}}</ref><ref name=KFtH>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080118010947/http://www.killfromtheheart.com/bands.php?id=2228 The Exploited]}} at Kill From the Heart</ref>}} Many fans of the Exploited were unhappy with the band's decision to appear on the show.<ref name=KFtH/> The hardcore punk band [[Conflict (band)|Conflict]] wrote the song "Exploitation" about this appearance, which led to a long-standing rivalry between Conflict and the Exploited, dividing the punk fan base.<ref name=Documentary/>

[[File:Young mohawk punk c1984.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A young punk wearing an Exploited T-shirt in 1984]]

===''Troops of Tomorrow'', ''Let's Start a War'', and ''Horror Epics'' (1982–1986)===
The band released the albums ''[[Troops of Tomorrow]]'' in 1982, ''[[Let's Start a War]]'' in 1983<ref>{{cite web|author=J. Scott McClintock |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-start-a-warsaid-maggie-one-day-mw0000651849 |title=Let's Start a War...Said Maggie One Day – The Exploited : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and ''[[Horror Epics]]'' in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/horror-epics-mw0000195522 |title=Horror Epics – The Exploited : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> The period between these albums was marked by severe discord over the band's musical direction: guitarist [[Big John Duncan]] and bassist Gary McCormack both left to form new bands—"bands with [[disco]] beats and guitar [[solo (music)|solos]], total shit", in Wattie's words—and the band experienced a rapid succession of drummers, one of whom allegedly left after a "[[nervous breakdown]]".<ref name="Flipside43">{{Cite journal |url=http://killfromtheheart.com/interviews.php?id=89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324035325/http://www.killfromtheheart.com/interviews.php?id=89 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=24 March 2016 |title=The Exploited Interview |last=Kowalewski |first=Al |journal=[[Flipside (fanzine)|Flipside]] |issue=43 |date=September 1984 |publisher=Kill From The Heart |access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> The band was driven away from the Secret label by new management who demanded unrealistic changes in style and personnel.<ref name="Flipside43"/> Their next label, a small enterprise named Pax Records, folded after its owner fled with all its assets.<ref name="Flipside43"/>

The concert album ''[[Live at the Whitehouse]]'' was recorded in [[Washington, D.C.]], in 1985 at the 9:30 Club and was released the following year in 1986.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> They also released the studio EP ''Jesus Is Dead'' in 1986, followed by ''Live and Loud'', a videography of the Exploited performing across Europe and the United States. During the US tour, Wattie and Karl Morris had an altercation on stage, and Karl left shortly afterwards.<ref name=Documentary/> He was briefly replaced by Mad Mick, who then disappeared without trace.{{fact|date=March 2024}} Nigel Swanson was then appointed as the new guitarist.{{fact|date=March 2024}}

===''Death Before Dishonour'', ''The Massacre'' and ''Beat the Bastards'' (1987–2002)===
[[File:The Exploited (37398720906).jpg|thumb|Wattie Buchan performing with the Exploited in Japan, 1991]]
"Sexual Favours", a single from the album ''[[Death Before Dishonour]]'', was released in 1987. The album only ranked in the top 200 of the British Alternative Music chart. However, the album sold out quickly.<ref name=MTV>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/matt-mcguire/biography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212110300/http://www.mtv.com/artists/matt-mcguire/biography/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2013 |title=Matt McGuire Bio &#124; Matt McGuire Career |work=[[MTV]] |access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref> The album's cover featured artwork from the American punk artist [[Pushead]], who complained that he was neither paid nor credited for the work.<ref name=Documentary/>

In 1990, the Exploited released their album ''[[The Massacre (The Exploited album)|The Massacre]]''. The album is a [[crossover thrash]] album.<ref name=Massacre>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-massacre-mw0000674282|title=The Massacre - The Exploited &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> The band went on to release a ''Singles Collection'' album in 1993. The Exploited also released the videography ''Live in Japan'' in 1993. Their album ''[[Beat the Bastards]]'' was released in April 1996.<ref>{{cite web|last=Torreano |first=Bradley |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beat-the-bastards-mw0000184880 |title=Beat the Bastards - The Exploited : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=23 April 1996 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

===''Fuck the System'' and next album (2003–present)===
In early 2003, the band released the album ''[[Fuck the System]]'' on Dream Catcher Records,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=7364 |title=THE EXPLOITED Return To Action With 'Fuck The System' |website=Blabbermouth.Net |date=3 November 2002 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and in the following year, they toured the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=11618 |title=THE EXPLOITED Announce U.K. Dates |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=29 April 2003 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=13055 |title=THE EXPLOITED Announce First U.S. Tour In Over A Decade |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=25 June 2003 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> On 14 October 2003, around 500 fans sparked a riot in [[Montreal]], Canada after an Exploited concert was cancelled due to the band being denied entry into the country.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alex |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/montreal-also-hearts-riots/ |title=Montreal Also Hearts Riots |website=Vice.com|date=13 May 2010 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="blabbermouth1">{{cite web |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15960 |title=Cars Overturned, Set On Fire After THE EXPLOITED Cancel Concert In Montreal |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221071832/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15960 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479764/fans-riot-due-canceled-punk-show.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206015004/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479764/fans-riot-due-canceled-punk-show.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 December 2011 |title=Fans Riot In Montreal Due To Canceled Exploited Show - Music, Celebrity, Artist News |website=MTV.com |date=15 October 2003 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Rioters overturned and set fire to eight cars, broke eleven shop windows, and caused other damage.<ref name="blabbermouth1"/><ref name="autogenerated2"/> The band was banned from performing in [[Mexico City]] as a result of the riot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=16290 |title=THE EXPLOITED Banned From Mexico City |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=28 October 2003 |access-date=30 January 2013 |archive-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221172815/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=16290 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:ExploitedVorselaar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The Exploited performing in 2018]]
In a 2012 interview, Wattie Buchan stated that a new album was nearing completion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzZR94bI34s  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/MzZR94bI34s| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Interview with Wattie Buchan of The Exploited 2012 |date=5 October 2012 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=26 July 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In February 2014, Wattie Buchan suffered a heart attack on stage during a performance in [[Lisbon]] as part of the band's ''Taste of Chaos'' Tour with [[Hatebreed]] and [[Napalm Death]]. He was taken to hospital, where he was expected to remain for at least a week for treatment.{{fact|date=March 2024}} The band signed a deal with [[Nuclear Blast Records]], and it was planned that many of their albums would be reissued in March 2014. The band also confirmed that their first album in a decade would be released during the 2010s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-exploited-forced-to-cancel-remainder-of-tour-after-singer-wattie-falls-ill/#poEh5tWwoPIVzeyd.99 |title=The Exploited Forced to Cancel Remainder of Tour After Singer Wattie Suffers Heart Attack |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=14 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/the-exploiteds-wattie-buchan-suffers-heart-attack-on-stage/ |title=The Exploited's Wattie Buchan suffers heart attack on stage |author=Scott Rowley|website=Classicrockmagazine.com |date=14 February 2014}}</ref>

In March 2020, Wattie Buchan responded to the [[Coronavirus disease 2019|coronavirus outbreak]] that was forcing bands to cancel or postpone tours. He made a pointed remark about [[Green Day]] (a band he had frequently stated he disliked), saying, "Fuck coronavirus! I have had 5 heart attacks, a quadruple heart bypass and a heart pacemaker fitted. Cancel gigs for a virus? We ain't fucking Green Day piss – We are the real deal. No danger will we be cancelling our upcoming gigs. Punks Not Dead!"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/the-exploited-refuse-cancel-tour-coronavirus/|title=The Exploited Refuse to Cancel Tour: F--k Coronavirus, We Ain't F--king Green Day|first=Graham|last=Hartmann|website=Loudwire.com|date=13 March 2020 |access-date=10 June 2020}}</ref> The Australian leg of the tour was cancelled four days later, although the band completed all the scheduled New Zealand gigs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DRW.ENT/posts/3021586971235626 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/338490322878651/3021586971235626 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=DRW Entertainment|website=Facebook.com|access-date=10 June 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The Exploited are one of the iconic bands of the [[Street punk#UK 82|UK 82]] punk movement, alongside [[Charged GBH]]<ref>{{harvnb|Glasper|2004|p=44}}</ref> and {{nowrap|[[Discharge (band)|Discharge]]}}.<ref name=Diehl>Matt Diehl, "The Young Crazed Peeling", ''My So-Called Punk: Green Day, Fall Out Boy, The Distillers, Bad Religion—How Neo-Punk Stage-Dived Into the Mainstream'', New York: Macmillan, 2007, {{ISBN|0-312-33781-7}}, {{ISBN|978-0-312-33781-0}} p. 107.</ref> The term "UK 82" was derived from the Exploited's song "UK 82".<ref>{{cite web|title=UK82|url=http://www.uk82.com/|website=Uk82.com|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] described the Exploited as "one of the most riveting British punk rock units of the early 1980s".<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-stage-mw0000677260 On Stage - The Exploited] - [[AllMusic]]</ref>

The Exploited have influenced [[Metallica]],<ref name="t-e.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm|title=THE EXPLOITED +++ REAL PUNKROCK SINCE 1980 +++|website=The-exploited.net|access-date=4 May 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718110322/http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="tattoo.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.tattoo.com/blog/interview-exploited-punk-rock-bowling-2016/|title=Exclusive Interview: The Exploited – Punk Rock Bowling 2016|website=Tattoo.com|date=20 June 2016|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[Slayer]],<ref name="t-e.net"/><ref name="tattoo.com"/> [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]],<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-exploited-mn0000759491/related|title=The Expolited - Similar Artists|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]],<ref name="t-e.net"/> [[Queens of the Stone Age]],<ref name="t-e.net"/> [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]],<ref name=ToT>{{cite web|author=Bradley Torreano |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/troops-of-tomorrow-mw0000311005 |title=Troops of Tomorrow - The Exploited &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> [[Stormtroopers of Death]],<ref name=ToT/> [[Agnostic Front]],<ref name=ToT/> [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thezephyr.com/tunetime/garyholt.htm|title=Gary Holt of Exodus|website=Thezephyr.com|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[The Virus (band)|the Virus]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.viruspunks.com/first-virus-interview/|title=First Virus Interview « The Virus|website=Viruspunks.com}}</ref> [[Napalm Death]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/napalm-death-mn0000371258/related|title=Napalm Death - Similar Artists|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[Terrorizer]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/TERRORIZER--7673.html|title=TERRORIZER |website=Voicesfromthedarkside.de|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[NOFX]],<ref name="allmusic"/> [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]],<ref name="allmusic"/> [[Dropkick Murphys]],<ref name="allmusic"/> [[the Casualties]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.artistopia.com/the-casualties/biography | title=The Casualties Biography | website=Artistopia.com}}</ref> [[Pennywise (band)|Pennywise]],<ref name="allmusic"/> [[7 Seconds (band)|7 Seconds]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/7-seconds-mn0000573241/related|title=7 Seconds - Similar Artists|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> [[Anti-Flag]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anti-flag-mn0000924780/biography|title=Anti-Flag &#124; Biography & History|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> [[Blanks 77]],<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/killer-blanks-bonus-tracks-mw0000189137 Killer Blanks &#91;Bonus Tracks&#93; - Blanks 77] - Allmusic</ref> [[Atari Teenage Riot]],<ref name="t-e.net"/> [[Death Angel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/71004.death-angel.html|title=DEATH ANGEL - Nuclear Blast USA|publisher=[[Nuclear Blast|Nuclearblast.com]]|access-date=4 May 2019|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115205045/https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/71004.death-angel.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Total Chaos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/warped-tour-2009-lineup-2803274|title=2009 Warped Tour Lineup|website=Thoughtco.com|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref>

==Musical style and influences==
The Exploited has been categorised as [[crossover thrash]],<ref name=Croatia>{{cite web |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/punk-legends-the-exploited-coming-to-croatia/ |title=Punk Legends The Exploited Coming to Croatia |work=Croatia Week |date=15 April 2015 |access-date=15 September 2018}}</ref> [[punk rock]],<ref name=Massacre/> [[thrash metal]],<ref name=AllMusic1/> [[speed metal]],<ref name=Mark>{{Cite web|url=http://www.markprindle.com/exploited.htm|title=The Exploited|website=Markprindle.com}}</ref> [[punk metal]],<ref name=ToT/> [[anarchist punk]],<ref name=Anarchist>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/anarchist-punk-ma0000011967|title=Anarchist Punk Music Genre Overview |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> {{nowrap|[[hardcore punk]],<ref name=AllMusic1>{{cite web|last=Huey |first=Steve |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-exploited-mn0000759491 |title=The Exploited - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=Ultimate>{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/exploited-singer-heart-attack/ |title=Exploited Singer Wattie Buchan Has Heart Attack On Stage |date=17 February 2014 |publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref>}} [[street punk]]<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/dont-forget-the-chaos-mw0000662423 Don't Forget the Chaos - The Exploited] by Allmusic - ''Retrieved 11 August 2015''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/194979-exclusive-the-casualties-list-the-most-influential-punk-and-hardcore-bands |title=MUSIC Exclusive: The Casualties List The Most Influential Punk and Hardcore Bands |website=Craveonline.com|date=15 June 2023 }}</ref><ref name=PunkWarez>{{cite web |url=http://punkwarez.com/mp3/3987/the-exploited-punks-not-dead-1981-cbr-320-flac.html |title=The Exploited – Punks Not Dead (1981) [CBR 320 + FLAC&#93; |website=PunkWarez.com |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=13 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112090045/http://punkwarez.com/mp3/3987/the-exploited-punks-not-dead-1981-cbr-320-flac.html |archive-date=12 January 2014 }}</ref><ref name=Red-Mag>{{cite web |url=http://www.red-mag.com/RED/sep18/exploit.html |title=Red Magazine |website=Red-Mag.com |date=18 September 2003 |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924083732/http://www.red-mag.com/RED/sep18/exploit.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and {{nowrap|[[oi!]].<ref name=Red-Mag/><ref>{{harvnb|Glasper|2004}}</ref><ref name=AllMusic2>{{cite web|last=Bregman |first=Adam |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/oi!-the-album-mw0000608396 |title=Oi! The Album - Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=AllMusic3>{{cite web|last=Huey |first=Steve |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/lords-of-oi!-box-mw0000233178 |title=Lords of Oi! [Box&#93; - Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref><ref>Lamey and Robbins (1991), p. 230.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.punknews.org/review/7690/the-exploited-punks-not-dead |title=The Exploited - Punk's Not Dead |website=Punknews.org|date=3 October 2008 }}</ref>}} Originally playing street punk and oi!, The Exploited evolved into a [[crossover thrash]] band with their album ''[[Death Before Dishonour]]''.<ref name=Croatia/> The Exploited's influences include [[Sex Pistols]], [[The Sensational Alex Harvey Band]], [[the Vibrators]], [[the Threats]], Alternative, the Belsen Horrors, and [[Johnny Moped]].<ref name=Red-Mag/><ref name=TenMidnight>{{cite web |url=https://ten-midnight.com/2019/01/26/wattie-buchan-the-exploited-qa/ |title=Wattie Buchan (The Exploited) Q&A |website=Ten-Midnight.com |date=26 January 2019 |access-date=26 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127094154/https://ten-midnight.com/2019/01/26/wattie-buchan-the-exploited-qa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wattie Buchan has also mentioned being influenced by [[James Brown]] and has expressed his admiration for [[The Cure]]'s first four albums.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thethankslist.com/wattie-buchan-the-exploited/ |title=Wattie Buchan (The Exploited) |publisher=The Thanks List |date=9 January 2020 |accessdate=20 May 2021}}</ref>

==Lyrics==
[[File:WattieVorselaar.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Wattie performing with the Exploited in 2018]]  
The Exploited have been controversial for their aggressive lyrics and rowdy gigs. Ian Glasper described them as "cartoon punks."<ref name=Glasper>{{harvnb|Glasper|2004|p=360}}</ref> Glasper wrote: "For many, the Exploited were the quintessential second wave punk band with their senses-searing high-speed outbursts against the system, and wild-eyed frontman Walter 'Wattie' Buchan's archetypal orange mohican."<ref name="Glasper"/>  

The Exploited are known for their lyrics addressing anarchy,<ref name=Anarchist/> politics<ref name=AllMusic1/><ref name=Red-Mag/><ref name=Radio/> and anti-authority themes.<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-exploited-mn0000759491/biography The Exploited biography] at [[AllMusic]]</ref><ref name=Stroeja>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stroeja.com/?id=486|title=Welcome to nginx!|website=Stroeja.com}}</ref> In a 1983 interview, the Exploited stated that they were not a political band,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlwNc7IIKR0 The Exploited 1983 Interview (Wattie Buchan Karl Morris)], Punk Lives Youtube Channel</ref> but their lyrics became increasingly political in the late 1980s. Wattie Buchan noted in the documentary ''[[Punk's Not Dead (2007 film)|Punk's Not Dead]]'' that punk is defined by its politics. As a band with anarchist-themed lyrics, the Exploited's vocalist Wattie Buchan identifies as an [[anarchist]]<ref name=Nadia>{{cite web |url=http://montrealrampage.com/amnesia-rockfest-interview-with-wattie-buchan-the-exploited/ |title=Amnesia Rockfest Interview With Wattie Buchan of The Exploited |publisher=Nadia Blostein}}</ref> and has openly expressed disdain for politics.<ref name=Stroeja/> The Exploited have written songs about former British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] and have conveyed a negative view towards her.<ref name=Radio/><ref name=War>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-start-a-war-said-maggie-one-day-mw0000651849|title=Let's Start a War... Said Maggie One Day - The Exploited &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> The song "Maggie" from the band's album ''[[Horror Epics]]'' is specifically about Thatcher.<ref name=Red-Mag/><ref name=Radio>{{cite web |url=http://radio.com/2013/04/08/top-5-songs-hating-on-margaret-thatcher/ |title=Top 5 Songs Hating On Margaret Thatcher |website=[[Radio.com]]}}</ref> The Exploited's third studio album, "Let's Start a War... (Said Maggie One Day)," centres on Margaret Thatcher and the [[Falklands War]].<ref name=Mark/><ref name=Radio/><ref name=War/> Other themes explored in the album include police-led riots, war, unemployment, and a sense of hopelessness.<ref name=Mark/> Many songs from the mid-1980s focus on the threat of [[nuclear war]].<ref name=Documentary/>

The fans of the Exploited were nicknamed ''the Barmy Army''. During the rivalry between the Exploited and Conflict, there were occasional clashes with fans of Conflict, known as "the Conflict Crew". In addition to the [[anti-social behaviour]] of the band and some of their fans, the Exploited would often cancel gigs at short notice in the 1980s, which led many venues to refuse to work with them.<ref name=Documentary>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJj6x0neC7E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/aJj6x0neC7E| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=The Exploited / Documentary part I|date=19 October 2012 |publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=12 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 

After the 1981 Southall riot, Oi! bands, in general, became associated with racism,<ref name=riot>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=932&dat=19810705&id=t1YLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6426,404910|title=Race riot strikes London|date=5 July 1981|agency=Associated Press|access-date=12 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garry-bushell.co.uk/oi/index.asp |title=Oi! – The Truth |last=Bushell |first=Garry |year=2001 |work=Garry Bushell Uncensored |access-date=12 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216081325/http://www.garry-bushell.co.uk/oi/index.asp |archive-date=16 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Baumann|first=Gerd|title=Contesting culture: discourses of identity in multi-ethnic London|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1996|series=Volume 100 of Cambridge studies in social and cultural anthropology|isbn=0-521-55554-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r6o4xjpmOIgC&pg=PA59}}</ref> and the Exploited were sometimes believed to be a racist band due to Wattie's swastika tattoo, an incident in the early 1980s where Wattie fought with a group of Asians in a café, and in 1985 when "Deptford John" joined from the skinhead band [[Combat 84]].<ref name=Documentary/> The band has denied all accusations of racism.<ref name=Documentary/>

As of August 2017, the band's website includes a history that mentions some of the issues surrounding their gigs, such as a riot after a show at the Rainbow in [[Finsbury Park (area)|Finsbury Park]], London, when [[the Jam]] were playing nearby and Wattie incited fans to attack the Mods, and a statement made onstage in Argentina that the [[Falkland Islands]] are British forever.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm|title=THE EXPLOITED +++ REAL PUNKROCK SINCE 1980 +++|website=The-exploited.net|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718110322/http://www.the-exploited.net/history.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> George Same has written about the fighting after the Finsbury Park gig in his book on modern music, ''Backward Moddy Boy''.<ref>George Same (2009), ''Backward Moddy Boy'', AuthorHouse, page 20</ref> In a documentary about the band, former manager Gem Howard stated that he would often sneak the band out of hotels late at night, as they would frequently vandalise the hotel and steal items from the rooms.<ref name=Documentary/>

==Current members==
* [[Wattie Buchan]] – vocals <small>1979–present</small>
* Irish Rob – bass <small>2004–present</small>
* Steve Campbell – guitars <small>2020–present</small>
* Gary gman Sullivan – drums <small>2024–present</small>

===Timeline===
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1980 till:08/04/2025
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
  id:vocals    value:red        legend:Vocals
  id:guitars   value:green      legend:Guitars
  id:bass      value:blue       legend:Bass
  id:drums     value:orange     legend:Drums
  id:album     value:black      legend:Studio_album
  id:bars       value:gray(0.9)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1980
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1980

LineData =

 layer:back
  color:album
  at:04/01/1981
  at:07/01/1982
  at:10/01/1983
  at:04/15/1985
  at:04/15/1987
  at:04/15/1990
  at:04/23/1996
  at:10/08/2002

BarData =
  bar:Wattie     text:"Wattie Buchan"
  bar:Duncan     text:"Big John Duncan"
  bar:Dunn        text:"Billy Dunn"
  bar:Morris     text:"Karl Morris"
  bar:Swanson    text:"Nigel Swanson"
  bar:Balfour    text:"Gordon Balfour"
  bar:Rosetti    text:"Fraser Rosetti"
  bar:Dalrymple  text:"Arthur Dalrymple"
  bar:Davidson   text:"Robbie Davidson"
  bar:McGuire    text:"Matt Justice"
  bar:Concrete   text:"Tommy Concrete"
  bar:Steve      text:"Steve Campbell"
  bar:McCormack  text:"Gary McCormack"
  bar:Tyas       text:"Wayne Tyas"
  bar:Lochiel    text:"Tony Lochiel"
  bar:Smellie    text:"Mark Smellie"
  bar:Gray       text:"Jim Gray"
  bar:Mikie      text:"Mikie Jacobs"
  bar:Rob        text:"Irish Rob"
  bar:Jimbo      text:"Jim Park"
  bar:Campbell   text:"Dru Stix"
  bar:Heatley    text:"Danny Heatley"
  bar:Wullie     text:"Wullie Buchan"
  bar:Tony       text:"Tony Warren"

PlotData=

  width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
  bar:Wattie    from:start till:end        color:vocals
  bar:Duncan    from:start till:02/01/1983 color:guitars
  bar:Dunn      from:02/01/1983 till:11/01/1983 color:guitars
  bar:Morris    from:11/01/1983 till:12/31/1985 color:guitars
  bar:Swanson   from:01/01/1986 till:12/31/1988 color:guitars
  bar:Balfour   from:01/01/1989 till:05/01/1991 color:guitars
  bar:Rosetti   from:05/01/1991 till:08/01/1996 color:guitars
  bar:Dalrymple from:08/01/1996 till:03/01/2001 color:guitars
  bar:Davidson  from:03/01/2001 till:12/31/2007 color:guitars
  bar:Davidson  from:04/01/2016 till:01/01/2020 color:guitars
  bar:McGuire   from:01/01/2008 till:03/01/2011 color:guitars
  bar:Concrete  from:03/01/2011 till:12/31/2012 color:guitars
  bar:McGuire   from:01/01/2013 till:04/01/2016 color:guitars
  bar:Steve     from:01/01/2020 till:end                    color:guitars

  bar:McCormack from:start till:02/01/1983 color:bass
  bar:Tyas      from:02/01/1983 till:06/01/1986 color:bass
  bar:Lochiel   from:06/01/1986 till:11/01/1987 color:bass
  bar:Smellie   from:11/01/1987 till:03/01/1993 color:bass
  bar:Gray      from:03/01/1993 till:09/01/1996 color:bass
  bar:Mikie     from:09/01/1996 till:12/31/2002 color:bass
  bar:Rob       from:01/01/2003 till:end        color:bass

  bar:Jimbo     from:start till:01/04/1980 color:drums
  bar:Campbell  from:01/04/1980 till:02/01/1982 color:drums
  bar:Heatley   from:02/01/1982 till:04/01/1983 color:drums
  bar:Wullie    from:04/01/1983 till:04/01/1989 color:drums
  bar:Wullie    from:04/01/1991 till:end        color:drums
  bar:Tony      from:04/01/1989 till:04/01/1991 color:drums
</timeline>

==Discography==
{{Main|The Exploited discography}}
* ''[[Punks Not Dead]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Troops of Tomorrow]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Let's Start a War|Let's Start a War... (Said Maggie One Day)]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Horror Epics]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Death Before Dishonour]]'' (1987)
* ''[[The Massacre (The Exploited album)|The Massacre]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Beat the Bastards]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Fuck the System]]'' (2003)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

'''Other sources'''
* Laison, Neil, "Punk of All Colours", ''The Exploited'' (2004), pp. 51, 78
* {{cite book |title=Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984 |last=Glasper |first=Ian |year=2004 |publisher=Cherry Red |isbn=9781901447248}}
* [http://theexploited.narod.ru/ Exploited - всё о группе, музыка, видео, фото]
* {{cite web |url=https://files.nyu.edu/cch223/public/uk/exploited_main.html |title=KFTH - The Exploited Page |website=Files.nyu.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112913/https://files.nyu.edu/cch223/public/uk/exploited_main.html |archive-date=28 January 2015}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.the-exploited.net Official website]
* {{allmusic}}

{{The Exploited}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Exploited, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1979]]
[[Category:Scottish musical quartets]]
[[Category:Scottish punk rock groups]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Crossover thrash groups]]
[[Category:British hardcore punk groups]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]
[[Category:Oi! groups]]
[[Category:Street punk groups]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:British political music groups]]