The Redskins
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in York, England |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Headquarters | York , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
The Redskins were an English band from the 1980s, recognized for their strong left-wing politics, distinctive skinhead aesthetic, and energetic music that fused elements of soul, rockabilly, pop, and punk rock.
History
Originating in York in 1982, The Redskins emerged from the punk group No Swastikas. The initial members were Chris Dean (vocals and guitar), Martin Hewes (bass and backing vocals), and Nick King (drums). Dean, who contributed to NME under the pseudonym "X. Moore," alongside Hewes, was affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party. Their adoption of a skinhead image played a significant role in influencing the redskin movement.
Their first single, "Lev Bronstein", appeared on the CNT label in 1982, followed by "Lean on Me," before they secured a contract with London Records. The track "Lean on Me" achieved the number 6 spot on NME's 1983 "Tracks of the Year."
On 10 June 1984, white power skinheads launched an attack on both the band and their audience during the GLC-sponsored Jobs for a Change festival. Later that year, their feature on Channel 4's The Tube led to controversy when a speech by a striking miner was abruptly censored.
In 1985, Paul Hookham replaced King as drummer; meanwhile, Steve White from Style Council performed drums on their initial EMI/Decca single "Bring it Down." Their subsequent release, "Kick Over The Statues," was hurriedly issued independently after being rejected by London/Decca due to its purpose as an anti-apartheid benefit.
The Redskins produced one album titled Neither Washington Nor Moscow along with two final singles before disbanding in 1986.
Members
- Chris Dean (vocals, guitar)
- Martin Hewes (bass, vocals)
- Nick King (drums, 1982–1985)
- Paul Hookham (drums, 1985–1986)
- Lloyd Dwyer (saxophone, 1982–1985)
- Steve Nicol (trumpet, 1982–1985)
- Kevin Robinson (trumpet, 1986)
- Trevor Edwards (trombone, 1986)
- Ray Carless (tenor saxophone, 1986)
Discography
Albums
- Neither Washington Nor Moscow, 1986 (Decca FLP1) – reached No.31 on the UK Albums Chart
- Neither Washington Nor Moscow (CD reissue), 1997 (London Records 828864) [includes two bonus tracks]
- Live, 1995 (Dojo)
- Epilogue, 2010 (Insurgence)
Singles and EPs
- "Lev Bronstein" / "Peasant Army", 1982 (7", CNT productions CNT007)
- "Lean on Me" / "Unionize", 1983 (7", CNT productions CNT016) – peaked at No.3 on the UK Indie Chart
- "Lean on Me" (Northern Mix) / "Unionize" (Break Mix), 1983 (12" CNTX16)
- "Keep on Keepin' On!" / "Reds Strike The Blues", 1984 (7", Decca F1) – reached No.43 on the UK Singles Chart
- "Keep on Keepin' On!" / "16 Tons" / "Red Strikes the Blues", 1984 (12" Decca FX1)
- "Bring It Down (This Insane Thing)", 1985 (2x7", Decca FDP2) – attained No.33 on the UK Singles Chart
- "Bring It Down (This Insane Thing)" / "You Want It? They've Got It!", 1985 (12" Decca FX2)
- "Kick Over The Statues" / "Young & Proud (Anthem of Mistake)", 1985 (7" Abstract AD6)
- "The Power Is Yours" / "Ninety Nine and a Half (Won't Do)", 1986 (7" Decca F3) – reached No.59 on the UK Singles Chart
- "The Power Is Yours" / "Ninety Nine and a Half (Won't Do)" / "Take No Heroes!" [faster version], 1986 (12" Decca FX3)
- "It Can Be Done" / "K.O!K.O!", 1986 (7" Decca F4) – peaked at No.76
- "It Can Be Done" / "Let's Make it Work" / "K.O!K.O!" / "A Plateful of Hateful", 1986 (12" Decca FX4)
- "The Power Is Yours" (propaganda EP), 1986 (10", Decca FXT3)
- "It Can Be Done" / "Let's Make It Work" / "K.O!K.O!" / "A Plateful of Hateful", 1986 (10" Decca FXT4, Russian Import)
- "Peel sessions", 1987 (12", Strange Fruit SFPS 030) – climbed to No.23 on the UK Indie Chart