The 4-Skins | |
|---|---|
 The classic 4-Skins line-up: McCourt, Pear, Jacobs and Hodges, outside Tower Hill tube station, 1980 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Gary Hodges' 4-Skins |
| Origin | East End of London, England |
| Genres | Punk rock, Oi!,[1][2] ska |
| Years active | 1979–1984 2007–present |
| Labels | Clockwork Fun Secret Records Syndicate Records G&R London Randale Records Clockwork Firm |
| Members | As Gary Hodges' 4-Skins Gary Hodges Graham Bacon Tom Brennan Sedge Swatton |
| Past members | Hoxton Tom McCourt Roi Pearce Paul Swain Ian Bramson Steve 'Rockabilly' Pear John Jacobs Tony 'Panther' Cummins Pete Abbot Steve 'H' Hamer Mick Geggus Andy Russell |
| Website | the4-skins |
The 4-Skins are a punk rock band from the East End of London, England.[3] Originally composed of Gary Hodges (vocals), 'Hoxton' Tom McCourt (guitar), Steve 'H' Harmer (bass) and John Jacobs (drums), the group was formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1984 – although new line-ups formed in 2007 and 2008. Many of their songs dealt with violent topics, but the band has claimed they were discussing the realities of inner city life, not promoting violence.[4] Other 4-Skins song topics include police harassment, political corruption, war and unemployment.[3]
- ^ Laing, Dave (May 2015). One Chord Wonders: Power and Meaning in Punk Rock. PM Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-1629630335.
- ^ Smith, Bobby; Oshindele Smith, Margaret (2007). One Love Two Colours: The Unlikely Marriage of a Punk Rocker and His African Queen. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 85. ISBN 978-1906221393.
Along with The Business and Cock Sparrer, the 4-Skins were the most culturally important of the Oi! Bands, their sound influencing a new host of new American bands such as Rancid and Anti-Heroes.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 484–5. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ "The History of the 4Skins". The4skins.tripod.com. Retrieved 8 September 2019.