The Oppressed
Encyclopedia
The Oppressed is a Welsh
anti-fascist
Oi!
band that formed in 1981 in Cardiff
. Most of the musicians in the band's various lineups were skinhead
s. Throughout the band's career, the members (especially vocalist Roddy Moreno) openly expressed opposition to racism
and fascism
— in their lyrics, interviews, on-stage comments and other actions. In 1989, Moreno visited New York City
and met many members of Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
(SHARP). On his return to the United Kingdom
, he started promoting SHARP ideals to British skinheads. The band has also had ties to other anti-racist groups, such as Anti-Fascist Action
. Moreno is a Cardiff City F.C.
supporter, and some of the band's songs express that support.
The band has split and re-formed several times. Their more recent split was in 2006, but they re-formed for a one-off gig in 2009, and will be performing around Europe in 2010 and 2011.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
anti-fascist
Anti-fascism
Anti-fascism is the opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals, such as that of the resistance movements during World War II. The related term antifa derives from Antifaschismus, which is German for anti-fascism; it refers to individuals and groups on the left of the political...
Oi!
Oi!
Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
band that formed in 1981 in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Most of the musicians in the band's various lineups were skinhead
Skinhead
A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
s. Throughout the band's career, the members (especially vocalist Roddy Moreno) openly expressed opposition to racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
— in their lyrics, interviews, on-stage comments and other actions. In 1989, Moreno visited New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and met many members of Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice are anti-racist skinheads who oppose neo-Nazis and other political racists, particularly if those racists identify themselves as skinheads....
(SHARP). On his return to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, he started promoting SHARP ideals to British skinheads. The band has also had ties to other anti-racist groups, such as Anti-Fascist Action
Anti-Fascist Action
Anti-Fascist Action was a militant anti-fascist organization founded by members of Red Action and other left-wing groups in the United Kingdom in 1985....
. Moreno is a Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
supporter, and some of the band's songs express that support.
The band has split and re-formed several times. Their more recent split was in 2006, but they re-formed for a one-off gig in 2009, and will be performing around Europe in 2010 and 2011.
EPs
- Never Say Die (1983)
- Victims / Work Together (1983)
- Fuck Fascism (1995)
- 5-4-3-2-1 (1996)
- They Think Its All Over...It Is Now(1996)
- Anti-Fascist Oi! (1996)
- Best of The Oppressed Bonus 7 Inch (1996)
- The Richard Allen Tribute Single (1997)
- Strength In Unity (1997)
- The Noise (1997)
- Oppressed / Fatskins (1998)
- Out on The Streets Again (1999)
- Football Violence (2009)
LPs
- Oi!Oi! Music (1984)
- Fatal Blow (1985)
- Dead & Buried (1988)
- Dead & Buried / Fatal Blow Reissue (1996)
- The Best of The Oppressed (1996)
- Music For Hooligans (1996)
- We Can Do Anything (1996)
- Live (Llanrumney Youth Club 1984) (1997)
- More Noize For The Boys (1998)
- Skinhead Times (double CD) (2005)
- "Won't Say Sorry" The Complete Cover Story (double CD) (2005)