| Oi! | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 1970s, United Kingdom (particularly the East End of London) |
| Derivative forms | Tough guy hardcore[1][2] |
| Subgenres | |
| Punk pathetique | |
| Other topics | |
Oi! is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s.[3] The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads, and other disaffected working-class youth.[4][5] The movement was partly a response to the perception that many participants in the early punk rock scene were, in the words of The Business guitarist Steve Kent, "trendy university people using long words, trying to be artistic... and losing touch."[6]
The style known as NYHC started in the early 1980s and was characterized by "driving machine gun drum beats, fast heavy guitar riffs, and simple repetitive bass lines." Also included in most NYHC was what is now known as "the breakdown" - a quintessential break in the song that would send the listeners into a full-blown frenzy. The vocals were shouted, and many bands had sing-along choruses to encourage audience participation. Lyrics of songs reflected themes of unity, brotherhood, and social justice... It is important to keep in mind that Oi! music originated in England and that American skinheads listened to those bands. As Harley Flanagan recalls, "We were aware of what was going on over there and it was influencing bands... with sing-along anthems."