Published via Ecency

I was in 9th grade and attending a language course in London.

Camden, I think. I don’t remember exactly. But I do remember the moment I held the first two Crass albums in my hands.

The logo. That iconic, anarchistic logo. It was so completely different from anything I had ever seen before. And then the music. Raw, aggressive, uncompromising. But above all: honest.

I bought the albums. Took them home with me. And they’re still in my closet today.

What I Didn’t Understand Back Then
Back then, I only heard the music. The rebellion. The anger. The energy.

But I didn’t really understand what it was all about.

Crass sang about:

•   No central authorities – No government telling you how to live
•   DIY culture – Do it yourself, don’t wait for permission
•   Decentralization – No hierarchies, no bosses, no control from above
•   Community instead of corporations – People working together, not companies profiting

I understood the words. But I didn’t understand the philosophy.

Today, 46 Years Later
Today, I’m learning about blockchain. About Hive. About decentralized finance.

And suddenly, I understand Crass.

Blockchain is exactly what Crass fought for:

•   No central authorities → No banks, no governments controlling your money
•   DIY culture → You build your own wallet, your own identity, your own future
•   Decentralization → No CEO, no board of directors, no central control
•   Community instead of corporations → Hive belongs to its users, not to a company

Crass didn’t have blockchain. They only had guitars and drums.

But they preached the same revolution.

The Realization
In 1980, I bought two Crass albums in London because the logo was cool and the music was different.

In 2026, I’m learning about blockchain because I’m looking for alternatives to the banking system.

And now I understand: I’ve always been fascinated by decentralized ideas. I just didn’t know it.

Crass taught me that you don’t need the system. That you can make your own rules. That community is stronger than control.

Blockchain does the same thing. Only with code instead of music.

The Question
The records are still in my closet. 46 years old. But the ideas? They’re more relevant than ever.

Did you also have bands or artists that influenced you – and that you see in a new light today?

What music taught you to think differently?

Follow my journey from crypto newbie to blockchain explorer

And I stiil hear crass on Amazon Music