The same year, the band made tabloid headlines following a gig in HM Prison Acklington,[9] and also played on Rock Against Racism's 'Militant Entertainment' tour.
[11] In 1981 the band signed to EMI's revived Zonophone imprint for three further albums: 2,000,000 Voices and Angelic Upstarts Live in 1981 - top 40/Top 30 hits respectively - and Still from the Heart in 1982.
According to Louder Than War, 2,000,000 Voices is "full of variety while giving up none of their energy, drive and honesty.. it was the perfect record for the Upstarts and the era.
[13] In 1983 the band released the first in a series of independent albums, Reason Why?, "the strongest Angelic Upstarts record",[2] which included the "Woman in Disguise" single, described by Allmusic as "perfect pop".
The Main Event' had to be abandoned due to crowd violence,[16] although songs were included on the eponymous tie-in live album on Link Records[17] as well as later Upstarts compilation Lost and Found.
Drummers have included Keith "Sticks" Warrington (who later joined Cockney Rejects), Paul Thompson (ex-Roxy Music), Chris Wright, Evo (who has also played in The Blood, Major Accident and Warfare).
In October 2018 Gaz "Geordie" Stoker left the band and was replaced by John Woodward (Long Tall Shorty, The Straps, The Gonads).
In January 2020, after 14 years and two albums with the band, Neil "Newts" Newton, took time out to complete university and was replaced by Mick Robson.
Having completed his course, Newts rejoined the band to perform at a charity tribute show for Mensi, with Chris Wright standing in on vocal duties and the final Angelic Upstarts line-up of Andy Wilkinson on drums, John Woodward on bass, Mick Robson on guitar with Newts Newton on guitar.
[30] In 2009, punk-influenced singer-songwriter Jamie T sampled vocals from the album Angelic Upstarts Live on his song "The Man's Machine".