“The same men who are unprejudiced in one respect and have a poor opinion of persons who are not as liberal-minded as they become incredibly narrow-minded and fanatical when their class interests or personal conceit are involved” – August Bebel
Month: December 2015
Neville Staple at Blow Up, 4 Dec 2015
Of major bootboy interest was Neville Staple’s gig at a legendary Soho pisshole known and reviled as St. Moritz. By what right the Jamaican-born singer was advertised as “the original rudeboy” and “one of the undisputed forerunners of the ska movement” was unclear, so allow me to dispute the undisputed. Continue reading
Blame it on your boss
Everything that really needs to be said about racism encapsulated in just two lines:
‘Don’t blame it on the black working class, mr racist
Blame it on your capitalist boss’
Just replace ‘black’ with whatever ethnic group is currently considered fair game.
Skinheads & Cherry Reds
Let’s kick off with a 16 July 1969 article about a bunch of Somers Town skinhead kids, originally published in Rolling Stone magazine and transcribed by persons unknown. Here, the usual tales of bovver, aggro, and tribal warfare are interspersed with obscure stylistic references to “spade haircuts”, “Cherry Boots with steel toe caps and a yellow trimming” – supposedly not Dr Martens – and “Stomper boots” with “high backs, big steel toe cap, and everything”. Note also that the article claims boots were “still worn” with mohair suits on the weekends, albeit highly polished – a combination whose existence many 1969 veterans steadfastly deny. Continue reading
Welcome
Welcome to Creases like knives, which will hopefully feature regular notes, views and reviews from a North London bootboy perspective. Reggae, soul, punk, hardcore, oi!, and more will all be considered, as will be clobber and style. I have strong views, and I will voice them – including on politics. If you don’t like them, tough.
Don’t forget to check the London Skinhead Calendar for events listings. Any additions? Want any relevant releases, gigs, books, or clothes reviewed? Get in touch at CreasesLikeKnives [at] gmail.com
Creases Like Knives 