Oi!

Oi! is a sub-genre of punk rock that originated in the late 1970s in the working-class areas of London, particularly in the East End. The genre was characterized by its aggressive sound, hard-hitting lyrics, and working-class themes. The term "Oi!" was initially used as a rallying cry at football matches and was later adopted by the punk scene as a way of distinguishing themselves from the more middle-class punk rock bands. The roots of Oi! can be traced back to the pub rock scene of the mid-1970s, which featured bands like Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, and Eddie and the Hot Rods. These bands played in working-class pubs in London and other industrial areas of England, and their music was heavily influenced by early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and American garage bands. In the late 1970s, these pub rock bands began to merge with the emerging punk scene that was taking the UK by storm. The energy and attitude of punk appealed to the working-class youth, who saw it as a way of expressing their frustrations and anger. Bands like the Clash, Sex Pistols, and the Damned became the faces of punk, and their DIY ethos inspired a whole new generation of musicians to pick up their instruments and start playing. The first Oi! band that gained national attention was the Cockney Rejects, who formed in the East End of London in 1979. Their music was characterized by its anthemic choruses, aggressive sound, and working-class themes. The Cockney Rejects were one of the first bands to use the term "Oi!" in their lyrics and were responsible for popularizing the genre. The popularity of Oi! quickly spread throughout the UK, with bands like Sham 69, Blitz, and the Business gaining a large following. However, the genre was not without controversy. The aggressive nature of the music and the working-class themes led to accusations of racism and violence. Some Oi! bands attracted far-right skinheads who used the music as a platform to promote their racist and fascist beliefs. In response to these criticisms, some Oi! bands began to distance themselves from the skinhead scene and the far-right politics that some members espoused. Instead, they focused on the working-class themes that defined the genre and sought to highlight the struggles and injustices faced by the working-class. By the mid-1980s, Oi! had fallen out of favor with the mainstream media, and many bands had either disbanded or moved on to different genres. However, the legacy of Oi! lives on, with bands like Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, and the Dropkick Chivas citing Oi! as a major influence on their music.

The Cockney Rejects: were one of the founding bands of the Oi! movement in the late 1970s. Their aggressive sound and working-class lyrics became a hallmark of the genre. Sham 69: was another influential Oi! band from the UK, known for their anthemic songs and charismatic frontman, Jimmy Pursey. Their debut album, "That's Life," is considered a classic of the genre. Cock Sparrer: formed in the early 1970s, but it wasn't until the Oi! explosion that they gained widespread recognition. With their powerful vocals and catchy choruses, they remain one of the most beloved bands in the scene. The Business: were a band with strong ties to the skinhead subculture. Their early material focused on themes of unity and strength in the face of adversity, but they later incorporated social and political commentary into their music. Blitz: formed in 1980 and quickly became one of the most popular bands in the Oi! scene. Their fast-paced, aggressive sound and socially conscious lyrics made them unique among their peers. Angelic Upstarts: were another band that blended punk and Oi! with leftist politics. They gained a following with their catchy, danceable songs that addressed issues like poverty, racism, and class struggle. The 4-Skins: were one of the most controversial bands in the Oi! scene, known for their aggressive, confrontational lyrics that often dealt with themes of violence and racism. Despite this, they remain hugely influential in the genre. Peter and the Test Tube Babies: formed in 1978 and quickly gained a reputation for their outrageous stage antics and irreverent humor. Their early material focused on themes of juvenile delinquency and working-class rebellion. UK Subs: were a band that blended punk and Oi! with elements of ska and reggae. They stood out in the scene with their rapid-fire lyrics and socially conscious themes. The Oppressed: were another band with strong links to the skinhead subculture. Their early material dealt with issues of racism and anti-fascism, and they remain an important voice in the genre to this day.

1. "Oi! Oi! Oi!" by Cockney Rejects 2. "A Way of Life" by The Business 3. "Anthems from the Street" by The Oppressed 4. "Voice of a Generation" by Blitz 5. "No Entry" by The 4-Skins 6. "Teenage Warning" by Angelic Upstarts 7. "Oi! The Album" by Various Artists 8. "East End Babylon" by Cockney Rejects 9. "Strength Through Oi!" by Various Artists 10. "Hooligans Heaven" by The Last Resort 11. "Singles Collection" by The Business 12. "Oi! It's a World League" by Various Artists 13. "Warriors" by The Exploited 14. "Hateful" by The Cortinas 15. "The Kids Are United" by Sham 69 16. "Back with a Bang!" by The 4-Skins 17. "Never 'Ad Nothin'" by Skrewdriver 18. "One Law for Them" by The 4-Skins 19. "Fuck the System" by The Exploited 20. "1984" by Chaos UK 21. "We Are the League" by Anti-Nowhere League 22. "Oi! Oi! That's Yer Lot!" by Various Artists 23. "Riot Squad" by Cock Sparrer 24. "All Out Attack!" by The Partisans 25. "Oi! Ain't Dead" by The Oppressed

One of the most popular books written about Oi! is "Oi! The Book" by Gary Bushell, published in 1981. The book talks about the emergence of the genre and its distinctive features, such as the use of football chants and raw vocal styles. It also explores the working-class culture that inspired the genre and the controversies that surrounded it. Notable quotes from the book include: "Oi! is not about being racist; it's about being truthful," and "Oi! music is the last defence of the working class." Another book that explores Oi! is "Skinheads, Mods and Oi! The Lads Who Will Never Die" by Richard Allen, published in 1996. The book provides a history of the skinhead subculture, which Oi! is associated with, and its various offshoots, including mod and Oi!. Notable quotes from the book include: "Skinheads were the catalyst behind oi!, but it wasn't the only thing that drove the movement," and "Oi! was immediate, raw, and in your face. It was a firm declaration that the working class was alive and kicking." In addition to books, there have been numerous interviews and articles written about Oi! over the years. One notable interview is with Garry Johnson, the lead singer of the band The Boys and founder of the Oi! record label, which helped popularize the genre. In an interview with BBC, Johnson talks about the origins of Oi! and its connection to the skinhead subculture. He also addresses the accusations of racism and far-right politics that have surrounded the genre, saying, "There were certainly some bands within the scene that had dubious political beliefs, but they were a minority. Oi! was always about celebrating working-class culture, not promoting extremist ideology." On the other hand, some people have been critical of Oi! over the years, arguing that it promotes violence and hate. One of the most vocal critics of the genre is anti-racism campaigner and musician Red Saunders, who wrote an article in 1980 titled "Oi! – Who's Responsible?". In the article, Saunders accuses Oi! bands of promoting racism and violence in their music and lyrics. He also highlights the connection between Oi! and far-right groups in Britain. Notable quotes from the article include: "Oi! music is a product of punk music, which contains within it a lot of anger and aggression. But these things can be expressed in positive ways as well as negative," and "Oi! should be about rebellion, not reaction."

The social context of Oi! was marked by the worsening economic conditions and political unrest in the UK during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Unemployment rates were high, and racial tension was rising. The working-class youth who were suffering from these societal issues found a voice in Oi! music. The lyrics of Oi! songs reflected the experiences of these youth, including joblessness, police harassment, and racism. The cultural context of Oi! was heavily influenced by the skinhead subculture. Skinhead fashion and attitude were prominent aspects of Oi! culture, as were various symbols, such as the Union Jack and the Cross of St. George. These symbols were used as a way to express British identity and rebellion against the establishment. However, the skinhead subculture was also associated with racism and violence, which led to the genre being falsely perceived as inherently racist. Technologically, Oi! was enabled by the emergence of independent record labels. These labels, such as Secret Records and No Future Records, gave Oi! bands a platform to release their music and connect with fans. Independent radio stations, such as Resonance FM and Radio Caroline, also played Oi! music, which helped to broaden the genre's audience. Notable record labels played a crucial role in shaping the Oi! genre. Secret Records was one of the first labels to release Oi! music and became synonymous with the genre. No Future Records was another crucial label in Oi! history, releasing landmark albums by bands such as Blitz and The Partisans. Other notable labels included Cherry Red Records, Cockney Rejects Records, and Captain Oi! Records. Journalists and other figures also had a significant impact on the Oi! movement. Garry Bushell was a prominent journalist who championed the Oi! genre, featuring bands such as Sham 69 and Angelic Upstarts in his column for Sounds magazine. Bushell's writing helped to increase the exposure of Oi! music, making it more accessible to a wider audience. Other notable figures in the Oi! scene included the bands Cockney Rejects, The Business, and The Last Resort, who all played an important role in shaping the genre and its culture.