Chumbawamba's restless stylistic exploration during their two-plus decade run underscores the importance of message over medium. Their left-leaning philosophies have found an outlet in punk, folk, dance music, and "world" sounds, and in a theatrical stage show that utilizes the multiple talents of its many members. The band started out in the early 1980s as a Crass-like anarchist collective, and have continued to earnestly refine their politics. The height of their fame was the delirious, fist-pumping declaration of self-determination "Tubthumping," which was released by the major label EMI and was a worldwide hit in 1997.