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).
We're The Oppressed
The Oppressed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were all born to be skin.
Born with Martin's on our feet
Facing truth there's no retreat
People fear us, think we're strange
Boots and Braces we wont change
We will never be second best
We are skinheads, we are proud
Playing music for the crowd
Music for the working class
Stick your disco up your arse
The Oppressed's song "We're The Oppressed" is an anthem of pride and defiance for skinhead culture. The first two lines clearly state the skinheads' sense of identity and purpose, that they were born fighters and destined to win. The third line references the skinhead fashion staple of Martin boots, which served both practical and symbolic purposes. Their strong construction and thick soles made them ideal for stomping and kicking, while their association with British working-class culture and style made them a statement of pride and rebellion. The fourth line suggests that the skinheads face reality head-on and refuse to back down or compromise.
The following lines address the stereotype and negative perception of skinheads in mainstream society. They are often viewed as outsiders and troublemakers, and their association with far-right politics and violence has fueled fear and misunderstanding. However, the skinheads in the song reject these assumptions and embrace their identity with pride. The mention of "Boots and Braces" is another nod to the fashion and symbol of skinhead culture, while the line "We will never be second best" asserts their confidence and determination. Finally, the chorus repeats the message of the song's title, uniting the skinhead community under the banner of The Oppressed.
Overall, "We're The Oppressed" celebrates the sense of camaraderie and defiance that skinhead culture embodies. It draws on symbols and references familiar to those within the scene, while rejecting the negative perception and assumptions from those outside.
Line by Line Meaning
Born to fight, born to win
We were born to resist oppression and emerge victorious
We were all born to be skin.
Our identity as skinheads is an integral part of who we are
Born with Martin's on our feet
Our choice of footwear reflects our working-class roots
Facing truth there's no retreat
We're not afraid to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means facing opposition
People fear us, think we're strange
Society misunderstands and stigmatizes us because of our appearance and beliefs
Boots and Braces we wont change
We're committed to the skinhead subculture and won't conform to societal norms
We will never be second best
Despite discrimination and prejudice, we refuse to be seen as inferior
You know us we're The Oppressed
Our band represents the marginalized and oppressed in society
We are skinheads, we are proud
We take pride in our subculture and identity as skinheads
Playing music for the crowd
Music is a means of expression and empowerment for us and our community
Music for the working class
Our music speaks to the struggles and experiences of the working class
Stick your disco up your arse
We reject mainstream culture and its superficiality in favor of our subculture and values
Contributed by Lucy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.