| Redskins | |
|---|---|
| Origin | York, England |
| Genres | Punk rock, soul, rockabilly, pop |
| Years active | 1982–1986 |
| Labels | Decca, PolyGram |
| Past members | |
| Chris Dean Martin Hewes Nick King Paul Hookham Kevin Robinson Trevor Edwards Ray Carless |
|
Redskins were a 1980s English band, notable for their left-wing politics and catchy, danceable songs. Their music combined influences from soul, rockabilly, pop and punk rock.[1][2][3]
Contents |
The band formed in York, England in the early 1980s (from the ashes of punk band No Swastikas), with Chris Dean (vocals/guitar), Martin Hewes (bass/backing vocals) and Nick King (drums). Chris Dean wrote for NME magazine under the name X. Moore. Dean and Hewes were members of the Socialist Workers Party. The band members wore skinhead clothing styles, and they helped inspire the redskin movement.
The band released their first single, "Lev Bronstein", on the CNT record label in 1982. They released one more single, "Lean On Me", on CNT before signing to London Records. On 10 June 1984, a group of white power skinheads attacked the band members while they were performing on stage at the free Greater London Council-sponsored Jobs for a Change festival at Jubilee Gardens, South Bank.[4] King was replaced in 1985 by Paul Hookham, although for the recording of the band's first EMI/Decca single "Bring it Down", Style Council drummer, Steve White was brought in to perform. Shortly afterwards Hookham took over full time drum duties. The band released one full album, Neither Washington Nor Moscow, before splitting up at the end of 1986. Following the breakup of the band, Hewes worked as a motorcycle courier and later became a music teacher. Dean appeared in a student version of Trevor Griffiths' play Oi! For England at London's Central School of Speech & Drama before taking up a reclusive life in Paris starting in 1988.