We do not negotiate with terrorists

We Do Not Negotiate With Terrorists is a band founded and fronted by vocalist/guitarist Ross Downing, originally from Salford in the UK, now based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The band self-released their debut 'Bombing the Underground' EP in Summer 2007. Featuring guest artists such as Be The Bear, Jacques Labouchere & Oholics. Despite being a categorically ‘underground music’ act, the band has received commercial attention such as regular radio airplay in Leeds, Greece, Salford and Manchester including the BBC. Musically the band's genre has been described by BBC Manchester as "Manchester-influenced pop punk" which Natalie Shaw head of the record label One Bird Records also commented as having "the fuzzy grey skies of Manchester in their music".

Comparisons

A substantial portion of the media coverage of the band have made reference to a surprising variety of genres and comparative bands, with the BBC calling them "a mashed-up myriad of music". Bands that the Terrorists have been compared to are so numerous and wide-ranging that it warrants mention: from Sham 69, The Strokes, Television Personalities, The Clash, Stone Roses, The Specials, The (International) Noise Conspiracy Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, and The Fall.

Provocational

Manchester Music was one of the first publications to criticise the band's politically incorrect appearance.

"The Terrorists choose their basic thrust on a range of ideas borne out of sensationalism - Complete with London Underground styled logos, this may cause concern in some quarters as to whether their message justifies the use of such attention grabbing logos and words - but the songs themselves seem to be full of stuff that's more about shouting from the terraces as opposed to anything relevant to the complex affairs of both domestic and world order."

During a 2008 interview for Italian magazine 'Trouble', the band was again accused of sensationalism. Ross responded:

"Fair enough, I knew I was provoking people with the band name and the CD title also played on that, maybe taking it a bit too far. But people have said that there is a lot of hype around the band because of it, which is bull. I have never gotten any coverage for the band because we are politically provocative, often the opposite- people have just said it was bad taste and told me to go away. Which is fair enough, but they just didn't understand what I was trying to say."

Band Members

The original line-up incorporated members of Stay Moriarty namely Albin Boman bass/backing vocals, Aaron on guitar and Per on saxophone. Then followed a period with Jacques Labouchere on bass and drummer Pontus Jordan from the bands The Fume signed to EMI and Horisont signed to Rise Above Records.

A new line-up is currently being formed. Confirmed members are Sophia Axelsson (accompanying vocals) and Oskar Lissborg (lead guitar, backing vocals). Ross is also to be featured on Albin Boman's forthcoming solo project "Bowman".