Monday 2 February 2009

Soulcialism For The Masses



As another week of meetings, talk of EPS & End of Year results and other such corporate bullshit looms, how about a bit of angry yet soulful mid 80's idealism to put it all into perspective. Well at least we're not living in the decade of "greed is good", no condescending tone from that witch and her moralising, money grabbing cronies. Things have got so much better, we now have all of the tories worst attributes rolled into one odious figure, that hero of the left Lord Mandelson.

Back to the music, the Redskins were one of the most underrated bands to come out of the Thatcher years. Their mix of 60's soul, punk and pop made being preached at by Chris Dean a pleasure (those horns). Though I didn't agree with all that Chris Dean said including his scathing criticism of both Neil Kinnock and Billy Bragg, he did speak a lot of sense and to an absolutely cracking soundtrack

The band released one album Neither Washington Nor Moscow, a Peel Session 12" and 8 singles before splitting due to Chris Dean's increasing commitment to the Socialist Workers Party. In Neither Washington Nor Moscow they left an album that was of its time but after listening to it at the weekend hasn't dated badly and is actually very prescient.


The Redskins - The Power Is Yours

The Redskins - Keep On Keeping On

5 comments:

Simon said...

I knew from the title of the post what you'd be talking about...

Brilliant album!

Anonymous said...

Keep On Keeping On is great. 12" version great too.

Unknown said...

I'm with swissadam. The 12" version of Keep On.... is stunning.

I'm not sure if I agree that it's aged as well as you're saying, but in saying that, it has aged a helluva lot better than most records that are noe 25 years old.

PS

In case I don't get round to sending off an e-mail tonight, thanks very much for the CD that came in the envelope late last week.

Ctelblog said...

I still love the Redskins.

a Tart said...

Hear Hear! Still fresh to my ears, but they're red :) And Mr. Bragg has had his wayward steps from time to time. We all need a smack upside the head, be it agreeable or not! (not a member of SWP, I swear it! just a 'cross the pond unaffiliated red) xoxoxo