Oi Polloi

Oi Polloi
Oi Polloi playing at Augustibuller in Sweden, 6 August 2005.
Oi Polloi playing at Augustibuller in Sweden, 6 August 2005.
Background information
OriginEdinburgh, Scotland
Genres
Years active1981–present
LabelsCampary Records, Ruptured Ambitions, Words of Warning, Oi! Records, Green Vomit
MembersDeek Allen
Cameron Tongs
Oigridh
Olsen
Past membersAde (drummer)
Matt Finch (guitar)
Dirty Dave Campbell (guitar)
Yaga (guitar)
Derek Reid (bass)
Riley Briggs (guitar)
Murray Briggs (drums)
Grant Thorburn (drums)
Chris Low (drums) Kev McInally (drums)
Grant 'Muz' Munro (bass)
Chris Willsher (drums)
Goz (bass)
Calum Mackenzie (bass)
Brian Tipa
others

Oi Polloi are a punk rock band from Scotland that formed around 1981. Starting as an Oi! band, they are now generally more associated with the anarcho-punk genre. The band has become notable for their contributions to the Scottish Gaelic punk subgenre.[1] The name comes from the Greek expression "οἱ πολλοί", Anglicized hoi polloi, meaning "the masses" or "the common people".

The band has gone through about 50 members since their formation, and their only permanent member has been vocalist Deek Allen, who has also been involved in Gaelic-language television.[2] The band has included punks and skinheads. The members have been supporters of Anti-Fascist Action and Earth First!, and they use the motto "No Compromise in Defence of Our Earth," which is an adaptation of Earth First!'s motto. They support direct action in defence of the environment, hunt sabotage, as well as resistance against racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism and imperialism. They are also supporters of Linux and criticized Microsoft in their song, L.I.N.U.X.

  1. ^ "An dà chòmhlan punc a tha a' seinn sa Ghàidhlig". The Scotsman (18 March 2005)
  2. ^ "Oi Polloi - Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.