Fini Tribe Revisit Their Trailblazing Roots with Expansive Anthology ‘The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982–1987’
Long revered as one of Scotland’s most fearless sonic outliers of the 1980s, Fini Tribe are finally getting the retrospective treatment they deserve. The band has announced The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982–1987—a definitive anthology that dives deep into the Edinburgh collective’s most exploratory and influential era. The collection is heralded by the reissue of their beloved 1987 cover of Can’s “I Want More,” a track that perfectly encapsulates the group’s boundary-pushing ethos.
Curated and designed by the band themselves, this retrospective isn’t just a sonic time capsule—it’s a visual and narrative one too. Alongside rare and previously unreleased material, the box set includes a rich trove of archival photographs and personal essays penned by founding member Andy McGregor and longtime ally Shirley Manson (of Garbage), who offers her own reflections on the band’s cultural impact.
Emerging from the cash-strapped but creatively vibrant post-punk landscape of early-‘80s Edinburgh, Fini Tribe’s original lineup included Chris Connelly, Simon McGlynn, Andy McGregor, Davie Miller, Philip Pinsky, and John Vick. They quickly carved out a name for themselves with a sound that was unclassifiable—equal parts industrial, electronic, and experimental, with a fierce punk spirit running through its core.
The anthology pulls no punches. It features the band’s 1985 John Peel session, seminal 12” singles like “Detestimony,” their influential WaxTrax! output, and a handful of unreleased live tracks—all fully remastered under the careful guidance of the band members themselves.
Reflecting on the project, Chris Connelly describes it as “a labour of love” that captures Fini Tribe at their creative zenith. “This compilation was a long time in the making,” he says. “‘I Want More’—which we’re re-releasing as the first single—was always a special track for us. Can were a massive influence even before Fini Tribe existed. Rearranging that song, playing with its rhythm and percussive elements, was a real joy.”
With The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe, the band offers more than nostalgia—it’s a reaffirmation of their place in the wider lineage of post-punk and experimental music. For old fans, it’s a long-awaited celebration. For new listeners, it’s a compelling invitation to discover one of Scotland’s most daring sonic chapters.
Available for pre-order on vinyl and CD as well as digital via Bandcamp.