The band was founded in 1981 in Cardiff (Wales) with brothers Russell and Ronnie Payne in the first line up, joined by his friends Gary Tier and Martin Brennan. Initially they took the name of Forced Oppression. In the meantime, there was another band called Insanity Squad, heir to Section 20, also formed by brothers Dom and Roddy Moreno, Vince King and Ed Fleming. When they later dissolved the band in December 1981, Moreno went to replace Ronnie Payne in The Oppressed.
Throughout the band's career, the members (especially vocalist Roddy Moreno) openly expressed opposition to racism and fascism[1] — in their lyrics,[2] interviews, on-stage comments and other actions. In 1989, Moreno visited New York City and met a few members of Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP). On his return to the United Kingdom, he started promoting SHARP ideals to British skinheads.[3][4] 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, the first occasion in 1984 after which Moreno focused on his record labels, Oi! Records and Ska Records for the remainder of the decade.[5][6]
In 1994 The Opressed reunited again and had friendship with bands such as: Red London, Los Fastidios, Stage Bottles and Banda Bassotti.
Their most recent split was in 2016, but they re-formed in 2020, and continue performing today. The present day line-up is Roddy Moreno (vocals/guitar), fellow founder member Russell "Ducky" Payne (guitar), Che Jones (drums) and Ross Goldworthy (bass).
Joe Hawkins
The Oppressed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
doctor martens on his feet
levis jeans, ben sherman shirt
fuck with him and you'll get hurt
he's a skinhead, he don't care
marten boots and short cropped hair
he's a skinhead, he don't care about you
walking down on the brighton pier
long haired hippies filled with fear
crunch of bone as the boot goes in
joes so proud to be a skin
he's a skinhead, he don't care
marten boots and short cropped hair
he's a skinhead, he don't care about you
prison couldn't change his ways
skinhead's back he's here to stay
so if you think you've got the suss
be a skinhead, be like us
he's a skinhead, he don't care
marten boots and short cropped hair
he's a skinhead, he don't care about you
he's the king, king of the skins, what's his name, Joe Hawkins!
The Oppressed's song "Joe Hawkins" is a tribute to the notorious skinhead of the same name. The lyrics speak of Joe's intimidating presence, with his iconic doctor martens, Levis jeans, and Ben Sherman shirt. The song asserts that anyone who crosses Joe will face the consequences, depicting him as a fearless and uncompromising figure within the skinhead subculture.
The verse that states "he's a skinhead, he don't care about you" is a declaration that Joe and other skinheads like him exist outside of mainstream society and do not feel the need to conform to societal norms or expectations. The lyrics also touch on the violent reputation of skinheads and depict an incident where Joe attacks "long haired hippies" on Brighton pier, causing them to be "filled with fear".
The final verse speaks of how Joe's time in prison did not reform him, and he remains unapologetic about his skinhead lifestyle. It is a call to others to embrace the skinhead subculture and to follow in Joe's footsteps.
Line by Line Meaning
see him walking down the street
Observe him strolling on the pavement
doctor martens on his feet
He's wearing Doc Martens shoes
levis jeans, ben sherman shirt
He's dressed in Levi's jeans and a Ben Sherman shirt
fuck with him and you'll get hurt
If you harass him, you'll face the consequences
he's a skinhead, he don't care
He's a skinhead who is indifferent
marten boots and short cropped hair
He wears Marten boots and has short hair
he's a skinhead, he don't care about you
He's a skinhead who doesn't care about anyone else
walking down on the brighton pier
He's strolling on Brighton Pier
long haired hippies filled with fear
Hippies with long hair are frightened of him
crunch of bone as the boot goes in
The bone noise ensues as he kicks them
joes so proud to be a skin
Joe takes pride in being a skinhead
prison couldn't change his ways
No amount of prison time could modify his behaviour
skinhead's back he's here to stay
He's returned as a committed skinhead
so if you think you've got the suss
Therefore, if you believe you understand
be a skinhead, be like us
Become a skinhead, be part of our group
he's the king, king of the skins, what's his name, Joe Hawkins!
He's the leader, the master of skinheads, and his name is Joe Hawkins!
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BabaYaga Boogeyman
See him walking down the street
Doctor martens on his feet
Levi Jeans, Ben Sherman shirt
Fuck with him and you'll get hurt
He's a skinhead and he don't care
Marten boots and short cropped hair
He's a skinhead
And he don't care about you
Walking down on the Brighton pier
Long haired hippies filled with fear
Crunch of bone as boots go in
Joe's so proud to be a skin
Prison couldn't change his ways
Skinhead's back, he's here to stay
So if you think you've got the suss
Be a skinhead be like us
He's the king, king of the skins
What's his name?
Joe Hawkins
roberto umbre
See him walking down the street
Doc Martens on his feet
Levi jeans, Ben Sherman shirt
Fuck with him and you'll get hurt
He's a skinhead and he don't care
Marten boots and short cropped hair
He's a skinhead and he don't care about you
See him walking down the street
Doctor martens on his feet
Levi jeans, Ben Sherman shirt
Fuck with him and you'll get hurt
Walking down on the Brighton pier
Long haired hippies filled with fear
Crunch of bone as boots go in
Joe's so proud to be a skin
Prison couldn't change his ways
Skinhead's back he's here to stay
So if you think you've got the suss
Be a skinhead be like us
He's the king, king of the Skins
What's his name? Joe Hawkins
He's the king, king of the Skins
What's his name? Joe Hawkins
Fae presents Miss Lola Banana
This is always going to be one of my favorite songs.
veronkatko
Roddy Moreno is very important skin for me because he spread SHARP all over the world and I´m really thankful for his work and opinions,music. I love it! it´s marvellous!!!!
Daniel Logansa
So weird that he named this song after a racist skin tho
JLCR production's
@Daniel Logansa he definitely didn't read the book, I'm only on the 3rd chapter and Joe and his gang have already tried to start a fight with 2 black people for no reason
Daniel Logansa
@JLCR production's haha I’m on that exact chapter! Started reading it which is why I was googling the name. Would much rather just have all the covers on a giant poster than have to read em all
ivanafterfive
Great track, love the Oppressed!
David Linehat
If you think you've got the suss, be a skinhead, be like us!! I'm forty now, been a skin since I was 12 and this has always been my song.
Ian Stuart
Great song. Awesome band!
DeathMeridian
I will be the first to put positive input: Great song, great band...thank you for the video. I love Oi! Its all good.
Tony Miles
Awesome tune Awesome band