Oi Polloi

This Scottish punk band were formed in Edinburgh in the early 80s, immediately gaining a reputation within both the anarchist and skinhead movements (their name, more than their actual music or attitudes, allied them to the nascent Oi! scene gathering pace in England). Although similarly influenced by the football terrace chanting aesthetic displayed by bands such as Sham 69 and the Cockney Rejects, Oi Polloi quickly proved themselves to be more deft both in terms of song construction and ideology than the Oi! bands. Acutely socially aware, emphasizing a strong anti-racist, anti-homophobic, pro-environmental stance, their only constant member through five albums of searing protest was Deek Allan (vocals). By 1990’s grim manifesto, In Defence Of Our Earth, they had moved to the WOW Records label, also the home of Blaggers ITA. This was arguably their most compelling release, earning deserved respect from the anarchist/hardcore fraternity and some grudging reviews from a mainstream media who had effectively ignored the band up to this point.