Ultimate Thunder

Meet Britain’s most punk band

Forget the three-chord rule. Ultimate Thunder necessarily need those either. This six-piece British punk band build their completely improvised gigs out of noise, chaos and raw instinct. Five members have learning disabilities, Down syndrome or autism – but on stage, what matters more is that critics have hailed them as “the most punk rock band in Britain”.

With a loyal following behind them, the band set their sights on bigger stages and more ears to destroy. Then arts funding is slashed, one member faces open-heart surgery and the singer loses his voice.

Filmed over three years, Ultimate Thunder refuses the feel-good triumph-over-adversity treatment. Instead, it gives us stubborn friends who are sometimes completely fucked – and mostly just want to play really fucking loud.