Haymaker
Live Over Germany
(KB Records)
For the uninitiated: One account holds that the skinhead movement was birthed decades ago, when ska-nodding Jamaican Rude Boys immigrated to England and blended with Rock'n'Roll-loving white working-class youth. The multi-racial, populist upswell was later hijacked by racists, and often falsely depicted by lazy corporate media as institutionally reflective of hateful and malicious imbecility.
Haymaker are apolitical descendents of original skinheads. But, angry products of this crisper time, they bludgeon with two-fisted Punk that evidences zero remorselessness. This is a rallying whistle to boots-and-braces unity, and a brazen appeal to upholding unique cultural identity. ("You're a working man and you are proud of it / You get blamed for whatever, but you don't give a shit!," declares Tim Steinfort in a robust reading of Bohse Onkelz's 1986 "Stolz"/"Pride.") These 17 firebombs will doubtless engender boulevard-marching scalped choruses with fists thrust aloft. One hears a stomp battalion nearing.
"Why do I have to put 'I hate racism' on my jacket," Steinfort asks. "Every normal human being is against racism. I think also everybody knows that I'm not a racist...I say to left-wing extremists: 'Fuck you!' Because, of course I hate Nazis, but I hate left-wing extremists as well. And maybe more. And do you know why? Because, constantly you're accusing me of being a racist. Well, you know, I'm not. Instead of standing up, saying 'I know Tim, you can say what you want, but he's definitely not a racist.' Instead of that, you stay away from me, because of what other people think. Well, fuck you...
"Of course, when people wear Swastikas or 'White Power,' okay - get 'em the fuck outta here!"
Recommended: "We Are Haymaker," "Skinhead," "Skintro," "Skinhead Rock'n'Roll," "Bootboys Don't Give a Fuck," "Corrupted Government," "Working Class," "Apologies To Nobody," "Stolz/Proud," "Skinhead For Life"
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