Zounds were an English post-punk and anarcho-punk band from Reading, formed in 1977. Emerging from the UK's vibrant cassette culture movement, they released early material through independent channels, establishing themselves as pioneers of DIY music distribution during the era before digital platforms. Their raw, politically-charged sound reflected the experimental spirit of post-punk while incorporating elements that would influence alternative and underground music scenes throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
The band's approach to independent release strategies and grassroots music promotion made them influential figures in the UK underground music community. Their work demonstrated the potential of cassette-based distribution networks and helped establish templates for artist independence that would resonate through subsequent generations of electronic and alternative musicians.
