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Showing posts with label skinheads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skinheads. Show all posts
10.10.2007
8.08.2007
With subcultures mainly being a boy's game, I've always looked closely to the few females involved as a support group. You would think that with females being about one to every three men (if not less) in subcultures, they would be tight and appreciative to their sisters involved in the game.
Sadly, this is not a reality.
It seems that in the years I've been involved in this subculture, I've seen women become more or so "frienemies" rather than a stable support system to eachother. This deeply saddens me, as I too have seen this first hand. I guess I am perpetually naive to this, or just hopelessly optimistic to find nice women who are looking for sisterhood through music. I am not saying all females are like this, but there are quite a few out there who are.
What causes this? Why does it happen? Who are these females? I'm going to go forward and explain my views and opinions on this subject. These are strictly my opinions based on my own personal experiences so you are more than welcome to disagree.
Although a lot of teens come into a subculture looking to rebel and be non-conformist, they are just joining another form of conformity and rules. These "tribes" have their own sets of rules and dress within themselves. There are usually unspoken rules of how to act, and who holds what seniority. This does vary from subculture to subculture, but they all have the basic skeleton from subculture to subculture.
Those whom have been "in" for the longest usually have the utmost respect, and typically, they feel they have the right to put those younger and less senior "members" in their place. Women have a similar yet very different set of rules. Women cut each other down almost endlessly.
Womens rules in these youth cults are those in the same to men, however, I feel that they are much more harsh. Typically, it all starts out with how you got in. Usually, it's one of the two - you got in on your own will or from your boyfriend. If you got in from your boyfriend, the rest of the local scene usually knows, as you showed up on the arm of Johnny Subculture at a random gig. If this is the case, respect for you is typically next to nothing - even if you truly do become part of the subculture in the long run - guy or not. You'll almost always be known as so-n-so's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. Men do not have this problem. They do not have to deal with derogatory names such as"oi toy", "scene whore", or something similar to that. This sexism runs rampant from both males and females. This in itself starts vicious cycle of women's roles in youth cults.
Youth cult or not, women tend to run in cliques and groups of friends in which they trust those few friends and hardly anyone else. I often hear young women from every cultural, social, and ethnic background say, "women are such bitches, I can't stand them!"
Although they've made a few friends, what prevents their clique from being "bitches" to each other? Again, youth cult or not - women tear each other down and can be harshly judgmental to each other to their faces or behind their backs. The sport of tearing down other females isn't a pretty one, but it is often played. In my personal opinion, I honestly think women who tear others down for no apparent reason is just a verbal venting of their own short comings and insecurities. To me, those who bash on other people who have not done anything to them are just insecure cowards trying to build themselves up by tearing others down. In the subcultural view, I often think that this happens because some women are not 100% comfortable with themselves and the role they play within a subculture. They often come off as they have the world to prove to others. The "pros" of the bashing game for one whom plays is typically to brag about how many girls they've driven away. This, I think, is a result of the need to be an alpha female.
Socially speaking, a woman with lots of male attention is considered highly desirable - appearances aside. If a female in a niche culture is surrounded mainly by men, logically, she should have plenty of potential mates and attention - boosting her ego, esteem, and popularity amongst males. This makes her an alpha female. Competition gets ripped down without a second thought. Typically, she will do just about anything to keep this status.
This is highly detrimental to the female side of a subculture. Hazing and driving new kids out leaves the scene stagnant and does not allow it to grow or evolve. With the same girls constantly around, this leaves slim options for the males who want to date within the scene. If these girls are single, they will be surrounded mostly by men, and probably have their internal feelings of alpha females pumped up, and will not want new females coming around. Another reason why this can be extremely harmful is that if people within a local scene date amongst each other. With only a few females around dating the men in the subculture, this will typically cause drama. Say, if there were only 6 males and 2 females in a local scene, this would definitely cause trouble. Also, if a female dates amongst the local scene quite often, this can lead her back to being accused of being an "oi toy" or a "scene whore". Even if she didn't get in because of a boyfriend, she can be accused of these things, and her intentions within a subculture can be questioned just because of her dating habits. Most women outside of subcultures don't get called such names when dating around. The dating world for females within subcultural boundries can be dangerous, dramatic, and disheartening. The need to prove that she is genuine and an individual while dating a man in a subculture can cause many issues within herself and her relationship.
I have honestly never understood the "hazing" into a subculture. When I think "hazing", I think of some dumb frat guys putting a new house member through humiliation. What's the point? Isn't that the sort of mentality we wanted to get away from when we chose to stray from the norms of mainstream society? Why do you want to scare away potential new members of a bands, future dj's, or life-long friends? Shame on anyone who participates in these pointless and degrading tactics - male or female.
Having a healthy, thriving subculture relies on having new blood coming in, and often. Driving new people away, believe it or not, has a domino effect within your local town.
First off, driving people away by not accepting them in the local scene or stating that they need to be hazed in makes you come off like a total jerk. Where ever they're from, they'll tell their friend back home (or non subculture friends that are local), "Yeah, I came here and they expected me to do this, that, and the other to hang out with them. Yeah, I know, ridiculous." Honestly, these games make participants look like total childish buffoons and make said person ashamed to be involved in a subculture. Also, this makes you look like an awful example of a subculture. If you're playing these sorts of childish games, you should honestly do some questioning of your personality and how you treat others in general. As harsh as it may sound, I believe it's true. This could also spread around to other places and give your town a poor representation.
Second, the less people you have in your town, the less often bands will come around. Say a fantastic band comes through your town once, but no one shows up. The impression your town will lay on them is that your town is not a money maker. Most bands don't even get guarantees on the road and solely rely on merch sales to keep their tour afloat and stomachs filled with food. If your town has no one going to shows, they'll skip over your town in future tours. Make sense? So, driving fresh blood out of your scene may also eventually drive out touring bands you want to see.
Another thing I've never understood is why older members within a subculture are so demeaning to younger kids. They, too, were once that age. I'm sure they didn't pop outta mama's womb in full subcultural attire with a stellar record collection. They, too had to go through the ins and outs of growing up and discovering who they are, and Im sure they had some embarrassing records in their collection at one point. Being condescending to these kids is downright hypocritical. If they were treated like that when they were younger, they should be empathetic. Treating new kids like they were treated is wrong, and those two wrongs definitely do not make a right. If you truly love a subculture and music, you want it to grow, evolve, and last against the tests of time. Sharing your love of all these things with younger kids who really don't know where to look helps the subculture grow and forms the brotherly and sisterly bond that is so highly idealized. What is the point of hoarding information?
Rarely do you see younger kids coming around these days who are taken in by older members of a subculture with open arms. If just that were to happen, if people could just get off their mighty high horses...they'd see that most slowly dying subcultures would gain new life. Sure, you may think that these kids are dumb and hopeless, but SO WERE YOU! Don't haze them, don't demean them - just be a positive influence. Being an older "brother" or "sister" can be very rewarding!
Younger girls especially need this positive influence to help prevent them falling into all the sexism and gender roles that subcultures dole out. They need to know that it IS okay to be in a subculture and not be sleeping with someone, or constantly causing drama. They need to know that you can be yourself with outside interests from a subculture. Girls in their teens especially need guidance to help their self esteem, identity, and peer pressure issues. I would assume that most of these girls' parents don't quite understand why they are expressing their femininity in a boy's game. My mother thought I was mental. If I had a female to look up to at that age, those years would've been a lot easier.
I hope things change in the future. I would love to see more women reaching out and cultivating a sense of sisterhood amongst themselves instead of breeding jealousy, cattiness, competition, and two-faced behavior. Negative behavior such as the types I've discussed (from males or females) is detrimental to any subculture. Period. It prevents the cultures and scenes from evolving. Why act in such a manner? No one will benefit from it. Acting with class, dignity and grace will never go out of style and will never be looked down upon. Be secure with your place in the sun and don't concern yourself with anyone else's. Honesty, no one has the authority or right to drive someone out of a subculture - seniority or not.
To those whom have a sense of entitlement - think twice first. Your actions will speak louder than your words.
Sadly, this is not a reality.
It seems that in the years I've been involved in this subculture, I've seen women become more or so "frienemies" rather than a stable support system to eachother. This deeply saddens me, as I too have seen this first hand. I guess I am perpetually naive to this, or just hopelessly optimistic to find nice women who are looking for sisterhood through music. I am not saying all females are like this, but there are quite a few out there who are.
What causes this? Why does it happen? Who are these females? I'm going to go forward and explain my views and opinions on this subject. These are strictly my opinions based on my own personal experiences so you are more than welcome to disagree.
Although a lot of teens come into a subculture looking to rebel and be non-conformist, they are just joining another form of conformity and rules. These "tribes" have their own sets of rules and dress within themselves. There are usually unspoken rules of how to act, and who holds what seniority. This does vary from subculture to subculture, but they all have the basic skeleton from subculture to subculture.
Those whom have been "in" for the longest usually have the utmost respect, and typically, they feel they have the right to put those younger and less senior "members" in their place. Women have a similar yet very different set of rules. Women cut each other down almost endlessly.
Womens rules in these youth cults are those in the same to men, however, I feel that they are much more harsh. Typically, it all starts out with how you got in. Usually, it's one of the two - you got in on your own will or from your boyfriend. If you got in from your boyfriend, the rest of the local scene usually knows, as you showed up on the arm of Johnny Subculture at a random gig. If this is the case, respect for you is typically next to nothing - even if you truly do become part of the subculture in the long run - guy or not. You'll almost always be known as so-n-so's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. Men do not have this problem. They do not have to deal with derogatory names such as"oi toy", "scene whore", or something similar to that. This sexism runs rampant from both males and females. This in itself starts vicious cycle of women's roles in youth cults.
Youth cult or not, women tend to run in cliques and groups of friends in which they trust those few friends and hardly anyone else. I often hear young women from every cultural, social, and ethnic background say, "women are such bitches, I can't stand them!"
Although they've made a few friends, what prevents their clique from being "bitches" to each other? Again, youth cult or not - women tear each other down and can be harshly judgmental to each other to their faces or behind their backs. The sport of tearing down other females isn't a pretty one, but it is often played. In my personal opinion, I honestly think women who tear others down for no apparent reason is just a verbal venting of their own short comings and insecurities. To me, those who bash on other people who have not done anything to them are just insecure cowards trying to build themselves up by tearing others down. In the subcultural view, I often think that this happens because some women are not 100% comfortable with themselves and the role they play within a subculture. They often come off as they have the world to prove to others. The "pros" of the bashing game for one whom plays is typically to brag about how many girls they've driven away. This, I think, is a result of the need to be an alpha female.
Socially speaking, a woman with lots of male attention is considered highly desirable - appearances aside. If a female in a niche culture is surrounded mainly by men, logically, she should have plenty of potential mates and attention - boosting her ego, esteem, and popularity amongst males. This makes her an alpha female. Competition gets ripped down without a second thought. Typically, she will do just about anything to keep this status.
This is highly detrimental to the female side of a subculture. Hazing and driving new kids out leaves the scene stagnant and does not allow it to grow or evolve. With the same girls constantly around, this leaves slim options for the males who want to date within the scene. If these girls are single, they will be surrounded mostly by men, and probably have their internal feelings of alpha females pumped up, and will not want new females coming around. Another reason why this can be extremely harmful is that if people within a local scene date amongst each other. With only a few females around dating the men in the subculture, this will typically cause drama. Say, if there were only 6 males and 2 females in a local scene, this would definitely cause trouble. Also, if a female dates amongst the local scene quite often, this can lead her back to being accused of being an "oi toy" or a "scene whore". Even if she didn't get in because of a boyfriend, she can be accused of these things, and her intentions within a subculture can be questioned just because of her dating habits. Most women outside of subcultures don't get called such names when dating around. The dating world for females within subcultural boundries can be dangerous, dramatic, and disheartening. The need to prove that she is genuine and an individual while dating a man in a subculture can cause many issues within herself and her relationship.
I have honestly never understood the "hazing" into a subculture. When I think "hazing", I think of some dumb frat guys putting a new house member through humiliation. What's the point? Isn't that the sort of mentality we wanted to get away from when we chose to stray from the norms of mainstream society? Why do you want to scare away potential new members of a bands, future dj's, or life-long friends? Shame on anyone who participates in these pointless and degrading tactics - male or female.
Having a healthy, thriving subculture relies on having new blood coming in, and often. Driving new people away, believe it or not, has a domino effect within your local town.
First off, driving people away by not accepting them in the local scene or stating that they need to be hazed in makes you come off like a total jerk. Where ever they're from, they'll tell their friend back home (or non subculture friends that are local), "Yeah, I came here and they expected me to do this, that, and the other to hang out with them. Yeah, I know, ridiculous." Honestly, these games make participants look like total childish buffoons and make said person ashamed to be involved in a subculture. Also, this makes you look like an awful example of a subculture. If you're playing these sorts of childish games, you should honestly do some questioning of your personality and how you treat others in general. As harsh as it may sound, I believe it's true. This could also spread around to other places and give your town a poor representation.
Second, the less people you have in your town, the less often bands will come around. Say a fantastic band comes through your town once, but no one shows up. The impression your town will lay on them is that your town is not a money maker. Most bands don't even get guarantees on the road and solely rely on merch sales to keep their tour afloat and stomachs filled with food. If your town has no one going to shows, they'll skip over your town in future tours. Make sense? So, driving fresh blood out of your scene may also eventually drive out touring bands you want to see.
Another thing I've never understood is why older members within a subculture are so demeaning to younger kids. They, too, were once that age. I'm sure they didn't pop outta mama's womb in full subcultural attire with a stellar record collection. They, too had to go through the ins and outs of growing up and discovering who they are, and Im sure they had some embarrassing records in their collection at one point. Being condescending to these kids is downright hypocritical. If they were treated like that when they were younger, they should be empathetic. Treating new kids like they were treated is wrong, and those two wrongs definitely do not make a right. If you truly love a subculture and music, you want it to grow, evolve, and last against the tests of time. Sharing your love of all these things with younger kids who really don't know where to look helps the subculture grow and forms the brotherly and sisterly bond that is so highly idealized. What is the point of hoarding information?
Rarely do you see younger kids coming around these days who are taken in by older members of a subculture with open arms. If just that were to happen, if people could just get off their mighty high horses...they'd see that most slowly dying subcultures would gain new life. Sure, you may think that these kids are dumb and hopeless, but SO WERE YOU! Don't haze them, don't demean them - just be a positive influence. Being an older "brother" or "sister" can be very rewarding!
Younger girls especially need this positive influence to help prevent them falling into all the sexism and gender roles that subcultures dole out. They need to know that it IS okay to be in a subculture and not be sleeping with someone, or constantly causing drama. They need to know that you can be yourself with outside interests from a subculture. Girls in their teens especially need guidance to help their self esteem, identity, and peer pressure issues. I would assume that most of these girls' parents don't quite understand why they are expressing their femininity in a boy's game. My mother thought I was mental. If I had a female to look up to at that age, those years would've been a lot easier.
I hope things change in the future. I would love to see more women reaching out and cultivating a sense of sisterhood amongst themselves instead of breeding jealousy, cattiness, competition, and two-faced behavior. Negative behavior such as the types I've discussed (from males or females) is detrimental to any subculture. Period. It prevents the cultures and scenes from evolving. Why act in such a manner? No one will benefit from it. Acting with class, dignity and grace will never go out of style and will never be looked down upon. Be secure with your place in the sun and don't concern yourself with anyone else's. Honesty, no one has the authority or right to drive someone out of a subculture - seniority or not.
To those whom have a sense of entitlement - think twice first. Your actions will speak louder than your words.
7.31.2007
 Assorted Skinhead and Scooter BadgesAt Scooter Products |
7.06.2001
I recently did an interview with Jake, the Percussionist/Manager of this month's featured and purely Skinhead Reggae band, THE SOULSTEPPERS. Jake was GUE's first official interview, and discusses matters having to do with his band, and the scene his band caters to. Read on....
So how did you get into Reggae, and more specifically, skinhead reggae?
I got into skinhead reggae through the usual progression of being a skinhead - listening to Oi!, two tone ska, then traditional ska, after getting into ska, people usually discover skinhead reggae because people think Desmond Dekker and Toots are ska, but really they are reggae...Buying Trojan comps and going from there.
What made you want to play skinhead-style reggae?
Well, I have been a reggae DJ for a long time, and most of the guys in the band were reggae DJ's and collectors. We were doing a pirate radio station - all scene style you name it: ska, Oi, reggae, northern soul, etc...The guys started the band and they begged me to manage for a long time. After I saw a few shows and I saw most of the band beat the shit out of some dirtheads from taft, I thought I would give these dudes my time. A week after I started I talk to Luis in L.A. and he booked us at the Whiskey! We thought this would be style of reggae to play, since nobody was doing it. The Rhythm Doctors were playing reggae, but not skinhead reggae. Theirs was post-skinhead reggae. Plus we had all skinheads in the band they didn’t.
Who are your personal major influences?
Clancy Eccles, King Stitt, The Gaylads, Pama-Style reggae, The Rudies, Dandy...Lots of American soul.
So, what is currently going on with the band?
Are you officially broken up? It 's weird right now...The people need to stay tuned, there is some life In The SoulSteppers.
Do you think the scene that your band caters to has significantly changed since you started getting into it?
Here in town (Bakersfield) it has. The scene just died, and the scene has flourished worldwide.
Who is your favorite producer?
Harry Palmer tied with Clancy Eccles.
Who do you think is the most under rated artist and why?
John Holt by far! I sell a lot of reggae in my record store and turn people on the John Holt. A lot of under rated artists...Everybody just knows Marley.
Who is your current favorite modern day band?
Madness, their new CD is dope.
Who is your all time favorite artist/band?
Cocksparrer.
What do you think of modern day traditional styled bands?
I think they are great, the more the better.
What do you think of today's skinhead and reggae scene?
It's kind of lagging needs a boost of something.
What is your favorite aspect?
I like how the skinhead reggae still sounds fresh and danceable.
What is your least favorite aspect?
That nobody knows about it.
If you could change anything, absolutely anything about it, what would you change?
The rare records on Ebay would be cheaper.
(Don't we all!!)
What record would you recommend to the readers?
Herbsman Shuffle LP by Clancy Eccles and the Dynamites featuring King Stitt...And Lloydie and the Lowbites Uncensored Vol.1 and 2. Funny stuff.
And finally, do you have any words of wisdom to our readers?
Keep supporting The SoulSteppers and beg us to come back in full force and we will get real big and rich and become talk show hosts like Suggs from Madness.
You can find more on The SoulSteppers at Their Website and Their MySpace Profile!
Coffee & Cigarettes
By Theresa Meire
Dave the Spazz…
As I sit here listening to his excellent radio show on WFMU (online at www.wfmu.org, Thursday nights at 8pm EST) I reflect on my life and my long journey.
Hair
As any skinhead girl or anyone with some hair knows, finding a good Hair stylist is murder. And finding one to do a good skingirl feathercut or Chelsea or whatever the fuck they call it in your corner of the globe is hard as hell. First, I had a great haircut guy who, after a few explanations and some pictures gave me practically the perfect haircut. Just to be clear, I'm not of the Friar Tuck type, all shaved with a mullet in the back and fringe in the front. I can't pull that off and the fringe in the back looks dumb as hell with my two wacky cow licks in the back. So I go for that more restrained short pixie length with feathers and bangs.
Any who, so this guy Steve cut my hair really great but he was like $30 a pop! I seriously couldn't afford it after he wasn't a two minute walk from my house (we moved to the New Jersey sea shore, Hello Bruce Springsteen!) There was no way I could afford him anymore, regardless how cool he was (an old biker guy who would tell me tales of hair cutting contests with Paul Mitchell!)
So I've been to a couple of those $10 haircut places, but I've never gotten it exactly right. Then, like an idiot, I thought I'd listen to John.
"I can shave my own head, I'm sure I can cut your hair with the clippers!" Okay so I'm sure you could see how that went. Tried to save a buck and ended up going back to a $10 hair cut place to
get it "fixed." I almost got divorced as well but that had to do with a certain man ripping my hair out with a pair of hair cutting scissors and the cheapest comb imaginable.
Well, I'm beginning to look like one of those Hell's Angels again so it's time for a haircut. A Spanish speaking friend told me she'd take me to her Brazilian hair stylist and translate what I wanted. They're cheap and she said she'd get me some Brazilian food so I figure, hey, it can't be any worse than the corny ass haircut I got from John and maybe I'll end up looking like the skinhead Carmen Miranda. Only taller. And fatter. And white. Hmmm…that's a stretch actually but no matter.
Scene
I live near Asbury Park, NJ and there's a little bit of a scene around a bowling alley/bar called Asbury Lanes. I've been to some shows there but I've only ever talked to the bartenders and one random drunk guy. They have cool shows, cheap drinks, great sushi, and Kustom Kar shows. I've never made friends easily and my skinhead husband is also a bit of an introvert. (I guess that's putting it mildly, he's just convinced most other people are jerks and not worth knowing…) We've only been here for two years and most of the people I know and I'm friendly with are my coworkers. Young, hip, black women who are very stylish and to whom the term Reggae doesn't mean roots, but dancehall. Other than that they are great though! I have some buddies in college but I'm 28 and they're all 20 so it's not like we hang out a lot or have too much common ground and most of the honkey toast at that small private school think punk is NOFX. They'd probably go mad if I waved Judge Dread or Rose Tattoo at them.
The Question
It's kind of weird. I'm a lifetime skinhead, I started out as a Metalhead in high school then went to punk in the last years of high school. I've always believed in and known about the American East Coast skinhead life but had hair. Lots of hair. A holdover from my metal days I guess, but when I shaved it off in my mid-twenties, I became sort of identifiable to people in the know.
What to say to the question 'Are you a skinhead?' It depends on who's asking. I do always answer yes, but not before a long pause trying to size up the asker of the question. I answer yes but sometimes I don't feel like the whole 'school you in the ways of the non-racist skin' explanation. Most of the times it's other skinheads or just people who "used to be" or think they are. I haven't had too much bad luck with hammers or headz. Mostly yahoos who say "I'm traditional, I like
reggae" and then blather on about how this group or that group is ruining America. Hey fucknuts, my grandparents were the immigrants once. They had weird clothes, weird food, and weird smells. They were poor, worked shit jobs and honkey toast like looked down on them and called them greasy Italians, or dirty Belgians, stinking gypsies, and lousy Krauts so why don't you can it? Instead of wasting my time I usually just walk away and get another beer. Who has time for that shit?
Clothes
Okay, I am fucking poor. Not living in a motel room with ramen noodles bought on my almost maxed out credit card poor (shut up, you've been there or known people who have!) but after I pay rent, I have to wait until the next payday to do laundry, buy toilet paper or other things most rich people take for granted. I am not, AM NOT going to spend 50 bucks on a fucking shirt because it's some fucking approved skinhead brand. Fuck that! I have to eat and I have to drink. I'm lucky to have a Doc Shop near me with great 75% off sales to get my boots. I'm lucky to have attended a Fred Perry sample sale in NYC once. I'm lucky to have gotten a couple Ben Shermans for cheap off e-bay. Is that my whole closet? Fuck no. I'm not a style queen and if the belief that clothes don't make you a skinhead makes more of a punk so be it. Buying something just because it's Ben Sherman or Levi's is just as bad as buying something because it's Nike or Puma or Tommy Hilfiger. It's fucking white person nonsense that is used against you to make you not think about important shit like 'where's my freedom of thought?' and 'why do so few people have money?' and 'what would the government do if the masses of people revolted?' How can you think about that if you're busy making sure you don't spill ketchup on your new Lonsdale sweatshirt?
Working Class
Everybody knows skinhead is basically a working class movement (oh duh! Did you read that in Spirit of '69 genius?) but not everyone who is a skinhead is working class. I'm not sure what I am. My parents were bureaucrats and I've been a DJ, a music writer, a retail wage slave, a temp slave and I currently work in an office that pays for my college. I pretty much scrape by check to check and have to ride my bike to work (I would probably ride it anyway since work is close by but I don't have a choice right now) but I don't make my living with my back. To tell the truth, a lot of women don't. Women are usually given jobs like sewing, cleaning, waitressing, or a 'pink collar' office job and that's pretty much been my life. I am not going to front with a fake English accent, pretend like I have Irish heritage when I don't, and say shit like "I'm working class." I grew up in rural New Jersey and that's the face of white American poverty. Out in the country, but don't think like I had it bad. It was nice, ya know. A big yard, never wondering where the next meal was coming from and most of the time having a car. Most kids got a $5 allowance and I got 50 cents, but hell, that builds character or something, right? I don't know what class I am except low class.
Drinking
Okay like most honkey Americans I'm a mutt. I'm part German and part Belgian. Both are countries known for their excellent beer and excellent drinking. I'm also Italian and Hungarian, two countries known for their wine and excellent eating and drinking. I am a beer snob and being part Belgian gives me the right to be a snob. I don't drink Bud or Miller. My domestic of choice is Yuengling. If I'm drinking cheap I may as well not pay for advertising and drink Schlitz or Rhinegold or even Pabst if I'm hanging with Psychobilly fans. Favorite Micros: Anything from Brewery Ommegang in NY, anything from Stoudt's in PA, Brooklyn in NY, and Maudite from Canada. Favorite imports? Duvel, Chimay, Delirium Tremens, Vuuve, Gulden Drak, anything Belgian really, Red Stripe (reprazent!), Negro Modelo, Bohemia. I'm willing to try any micro or import once although domestic micros are better than imports because they always import the shittiest stuff and keep the best brews in the country. So ends my beer philosophy.
In Conclusion
Being a skinhead woman (or girl if you must, but hey, I AM an American so “byrd” only cuts it if you're actually FROM the UK) hasn't made my life easier, it didn't make a woman (rock and roll did that… HA!), but it did give me a great haircut and a better personal style. It gave me a pretty good asshole detector and more reasons to buy reggae music (not that I didn't before, I've been a vinyl junkie longer than I've been anything) and dream of the store Jammyland in NYC, and it didn't
make me less of a feminist. I mean think about it, Combat 84 singing "Rapist" says a lot, but an angry skinhead woman singing it? Says a whole lot more I think. You don't have to be prissy, queeny, and girly to prove that you're still a female under your short hair. You can still be yourself and be a skinhead. You have to own it, you have make it part of who you are, not just something you do. You also have to decide: am I the Skinhead Theresa or Theresa, the skinhead or something different? It's not for everyone, but it is more than a book from England, a brand of clothing and a type of haircut. It's what you make it. Just because I make it boots, drinking and roots Reggae
doesn't mean you have to.
Leaving a Legacy
The world of Ska and reggae music came to a halt this past month, when Laurel Aitken's life came to an end. Although he had not been in good health for quite some time, Mr. Aitken still pushed forward to do what he loved to do the most- Performing. Born as Oliver Stephens in Cuba in 1927, he was surrounded by live music from the start of his long, very successful life. Laurel always expressed interest in music and performing even as a young child, and absorbed the sound of the Cuban street music from a young age. When he was 11 years old in 1938, his family picked up and moved to Kingston, Jamaica, where Laurel had even more of a chance to immerse himself in music and performing. Often, Laurel would ham it up and perform for tourists, becoming one of the regular street performers. As he got older, Laurel often participated in Vere John’s ‘Opportunity Hour’, which was often held at Kingston’s Ambassador Theatre. Laurel developed a style, which was becoming popular on the island- a mix of American R&B, Doo-Wop, and Jazz, infused with his own style and flair. His mixture of different styles and knack for performing got him quickly noticed by Stanley Motta. In 1957, Laurel recorded his first single, "Roll, Jordan Roll" at JBC’s recording studio.
Laurel's first major hit was produced by Chris Blackwell at a then up-and-coming label, Island Records. Little did Aitken know that his single he cut with Blackwell "Little Sheila/Boogie in my Bones" would spend a reported 11 weeks at #1 on the Jamaican charts in 1959. Aitken was the first Jamaican to record a number one single on the island's then American dominated charts.
One year later, Aitken emigrated to London, where many Jamaicans were going for work and better living conditions. Aitken saw with as many Jamaicans as there were in the city, there already was a market for music from the Island. He quickly got signed to Emil Shallit's Melodisc label, which already had a Jamaican subsidiary, Blue Beat. Blue Beat, then still experimental, decided to use Aitken as the artist to use on their first single, "Boogie Rock". Laurel still recorded for whom he pleased, including mainstream labels like Columbia. Also during this time, Laurel took his hand at producing, mainly with pama and their many subsidiaries, mainly NuBeat/NewBeat
Toward the late 60's and early 70's, interest in Ska had dwindled and was replaced by Reggae. However, with the growing Skinhead population in the UK, Laurel was very much in high demand and during this period, recorded many skinhead classic singles on labels from Pama to Trojan. Aitken saw that he was a Skinhead cult figure, and started catering to this crowd and writing songs that would appeal to them and their interests.
Enter the roots era of the mid to late 70's. Laurel's popularity seemed to come to a halt, but only temporarily. The 2Tone movement in the UK revived the interest in Ska as well as the Rudeboy and Skinhead Culture. Laurel's popularity soared once again as he performed for the new generation of rudies and skins. During the 80's, Mr. Aitken teamed up with London's Potato 5, once again reaching another young generation's interest in both Ska and Reggae.
Laurel continued to perform throughout the 90's, as well as through the beginning of the new century. Although the past couple years, Aitken's health has not been up to par, he continued to perform quite often in England, most often at Club SKA, even releasing a new live album and DVD. Laurel was hospitalized off an on quite often the past year, having double pneumonia as well as other respitory problems. During his 6 week stay in late 2003 at Leicester Royal Infirmary, he married his partner of 35 years, Sandra.
On July 17th, 2005, Laurel passed away from a heart attack at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, England. This marks the end of a long legacy of music, as well as the death of a legend in our community. Laurel contributed all he had to music his entire life. His career spanned well over four decades and has affected many of us in our every day lives. He will stay alive in the form of scratchy 45's, photos from performances, and in the memories of those who have seen him and met him.
His family posted the following announcements in the Leicestershire:
AITKEN,Laurel- A very special father who was always there for me. Your kindness was no weakness you cared so much for me, full of understanding for everyone to see. In life you sang your songs for everyone to hear, you sang so sweetly daddy. I wish you was still here. _ From your loving Daughter Karlene. Your singing with the Angels now, so sing on Laurel, sing on (Billy). Gentle Jesus up above, Please give grandad all my love. God bless. _ Karlene, Amber and Billy.
AITKEN,Laurel- Passed away July 17th, 2005. I've tried so hard to write these words, To say how much I love you, The more I try, the more I cry, Laurie I really miss you, I laugh, I talk, I play the part, But behind my smile, Lies a broken heart. - Your devoted Wife Sandra. Funeral arrangements to follow at later date.
AITKEN,Laurel- I watched you suffer everyday, knowing that you were slipping away. I prayed so hard for you to stay. My dad I loved you more than words could say. - Heart broken Daughter Desley, Son-in-law Kara and Grandchildren Chanel, Jade, Laura and Kibbi.
Rest In Peace, Godfather.
This article was featured in Skatastrophe #8, back in Fall of 1998. Too bad Skatastrophe didn't last too long, but this article is a great example of their professionalism and most choice articles. I just decided to scan these in after Laurel's passing. I hope I don't get in trouble! ENJOY!!!
(photos by Anthony Torres)
(photos by Anthony Torres)
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