Biography

English trio Redskins may have taken the look of the early-'80s skinhead movement, but politically they were firmly on the left. Releasing just one album, 1986's Neither Washington Nor Moscow, the Redskins' mix of punk and soul saw them uniting the youth, alongside the likes of Billy Bragg, while fighting for Socialist ideals in Thatcher's increasingly conservative Britain of the 1980s. Originally formed in York as No Swastikas by singer/guitarist Chris Dean, bassist Martin Hewes, and drummer Nick King, the group upped sticks and moved to London. As members of the Socialist Workers Party and with Dean a writer for the NME, they pushed their left-wing ideals through their music and writing, and after changing their name to the Redskins, debuted in 1982 with the 7" single "Lev Bronstein." Channeling the sound of the Jam, the Clash, and Stiff Little Fingers, the track, along with its B-side "The Peasant Army," quickly found an audience, with the group going on to record a session that year for John Peel. Their sophomore single, 1983's "Lean on Me," which pushed further into pop territory, was voted Single of the Year in Sounds magazine by influential journalist Garry Bushell. Catching interest from major labels, Redskins signed a deal with London Records to release their debut album. Becoming more involved with politics, the trio started to play more benefit gigs, along with the likes of Billy Bragg, in support of the striking National Union of Miners. With Paul Hookham replacing King on drums, the band issued their debut album, Neither Washington Nor Moscow, in 1986. Although earning plaudits for their mix of punk, soul, and mid-'80s pop, the group eventually disbanded that year. Strange Fruit issued Redskins' 1982 Peel Sessions the following year, and tracks such as "Lean on Me" and "Keep On Keeping On" continued to find a home on numerous compilations. In 2021, Cherry Red brought together an expanded version of the band's only album, pairing it with a selection of previously unreleased material, live sets, BBC radio sessions, and interviews. ~ Rich Wilson, Rovi