Most influential leftist bands

[Gitfiddle Jim]

Which leftist bands/artists do you feel have had the biggest impact on the music world politically?

I'd go for the Manic Street Preachers (although i don't personally like 'em) and The Clash.

[Holden Caulfield]

Clash easily for the sheer audience that was receptive and they are credited as influences by many other leftist bands

[Pirate Utopian]

The Clash, Bob Dylan's 60s stuff and Pete Seeger.

[Cencus]

The Clash and Dylan. Of coarse my view is that of a western European. I have no idea what musicly has been influencial in Africa Asia or South America

[More Fire for the People]

Woody Guthrie, Public Enemy.

[bellyscratch]

Well, as said before The Clash, Dylan, Public Enemy are all ones id say too, but on top of that there Rage Against The Machine, The Specials, John Lennon and Bob Marley are also pretty influential too

[Bandito]

RATM and The Clash.
Lately,Manu Chao is spreading anti-globalist views,but he hasn't got the strength of those two.
Oi! scene in global has contributed a lot as well.

[Gitfiddle Jim]

Woody Guthrie

Yeah I forgot about Woody. He was a forerunner of the whole thing in the 40s, along with Leadbelly.

[Colonello Buendia]

I think RATM The Clash and now Anti-Flag and the Dropkick Murphies with Workers Song

[Kropotesta]

Crass

[Invader Zim]

RATM's only impact was to create shit music then spawn a whole wave of even shitter music. Politically their influence goes as far as a few teenagers on the internet.

Individuals such Bob Dylan, before he turned into a religious fruitcake, were much more influencial.

[Cencus]

Gotta agree with Invader Zim about RATM's influence, although I disagree with his view on their music.

Crass are responsible for the creation of anarchopunk and the at least in part responsible for the rise of independent record labels in the U.K. and DIY bands, along with giving a musical outlet for anarchism.

[Lector Malibu]

I'd say the Clash without a doubt. Thing is though they eventually became what they hated. It actually tormented Strummer for years..