Beginning his recording career in the '80s, Billy Bragg struck a singular chord with his "folk punk" sound, accompanied only by an electric guitar. Bragg became known as one of the UK's great troubadours. True to both folk and punk tradition, he often penned passionately political songs, and his involvement in grassroots politics extended to activism, speaking out against racism and fascism within the ranks of the British government. In 1998, Bragg earned a new generation of listeners when he and Wilco paid tribute to Woody Guthrie on the first disc of their Mermaid Avenue series.