4-skins Biographies

GARY HODGES INTERVIEW 2008 (The 4 Skins)

1. History has it that The 4 Skins disbanded in 1984 and many Oi bands filled in the slot of the new Oi. Why did The 4 Skins break up?

I left the band late 82, we had all the shit and repercussions from Southall, I wanted to face problems head on, be true to myself, and the people that used to support us. We had elements in the media branding us Nazi's (which we were not) and other band members etc thought the way to combat this was to suck up to the left. I was of the attitude "Fuck 'em, believe what you want, we are what we are, take it or leave it" So I walked away and let the others get on with things. Their way didn't work as all the sucking up didn't change the media attitude anyway

2. Since 1984, what have you been doing? Have you been writing music, and do you stay in touch with the other past band members?

I took no interest in music at all, and I didn't keep in regular touch with other band members. I basically concentrated on building a home and a life for my family.

3. Although Oi derived from the UK earlier on in the late 70’s, and then American Oi hit the USA in the early 80’s, there seems to be different definitions established (and even prejudices) about Skins. What’s your definition of being a Skin?

For me, being a skinhead was about being with good friends, dressing smart, and having decent morals. Some of the things I have done may have been outside the law, but I have always maintained my own standards. I'm not a bully, and certain actions are only carried out by scum. I don't think a skin should have to have political leanings one way or the other, the only thing is to be true to yourself, and do what YOU want to do. Role models are shit, don't ape others, do your own thing. Mind you, your own thing could be enjoyed by a lot of people, then you have a movement.

4. With this, do you think the attitude of skins in the UK differ from those in the USA? If so, how?

I can't really answer that, most of the old skins in Britain were people with similar attitudes to myself. They all evolved into football thugs (casuals) and the majority has good families and have been successful in business. I have no idea what the skins of the USA are like.

5. Before “One Law For Them” was released, you mentioned on your Myspace page, “Southall happened.”. For us Americans can you please fill us in on the history?I presume this was pivotal.

Southall is an area of London where the band had a gig organized. We had a lot of support in this area (North West London) and we thought a gig would be OK. The local Asian population had other ideas, accumulated a mob of 100's and started making threats etc outside the venue. The police allowed the gig to proceed as they thought that they could control the situation outside the venue, as long as our audience remained inside. The Asians didn't like this, they started rioting, and attacking the police, it was then that they threw petrol bombs into the venue, trying to burn everyone in there. It was only then that the skinheads left the venue and joined in the riot, on the side of the police. Obviously the media blamed the skinheads for what happened, and everyone connected to Oi was tarred with the same brush. As I said earlier I don't believe we did anything wrong "Fuck 'em."

6. Obviously your mates (pass and present) have inspired you—Cock Sparrer, The Business, Cockney Rejects—Are there bands that inspire you now? And any here in the US?

The Rejects inspired us, in the way that we used to watch them all the time, and we thought "fuck it, that’s easy, we can do that" Apart from that I haven't taken inspiration from any one.

7. On The 4 Skins Myspace page, I noticed there is a comment posted in the background that says, “Never Sorry.” What does this mean to you personally?

I will never say sorry, or apologize for Southall. In fact I have never been sorry for any of my actions. Do it and suffer the consequences. You should only be sorry for what you haven't done- Lost opportunities etc.

Hodges "The 4 Skins" formed in late 1979 in the "Alaska Rehearsal Rooms" at Waterloo. All of the band members knew each other from football as roadies from other bands (Sham 69, Menace etc.), were 77/78 Skinheads and were members of the "Cockney Rejects Road Crew" (the Rejects song "I am not a Fool" was originally called "Roadcrew" and name checked them. There were no instruments, just a few pints and Hodges wrote the lyrics to "Chaos" and "A. C. A. B."! Hodges had been a Skin since 1977 when he reckons there were only about 30 in the whole of London, including Hitchcock and H. Suedehead Hoxton Tom had played in "Barney & The Rubbles". The first line-up (1979-1980) consisted of '"Hoxton" Tom McCourt (guitar), Gary Hodges (vocals), Steve "H" Harmer (bass) and Gary Hitchcock (drums). This line-up played their first proper gig at the "Bridgehouse", Canning Town in the summer of 1980 supporting the "Cockney Rejects" and "the Damned". Gary Hitchcock could not make it so Micky Geggus (from the Rejects) stepped in on drums. They only played three songs (which was all they had at the time!) "Wonderful World", "Chaos" and "Jealousy". This line-up also recorded the first two tracks "Chaos" and "Wonderful World" for "Oi!- the Album" on "EMI" at EMIs Manchester Square HQ. This session also inlcuded the best ever version of "A. C. A. B." but "EMI" refused to consider it for release. "H" left the band (having to go to court appearance before returning to roadie, full time, for the "Cockney Rejects").

The second line-up (1980-1981) consisted of Tom McCourt (bass), Gary Hodges (vocals), Steve "Rockabilly" Pear (guitar) and John Jacobs (drums) and this line-up recorded "1984" and "Sorry" for the "Strength through Oi!" compilation, the single "One Law for them" on their own "Clockwork Fun" label and the track "Evil" for the "Carry on Oi!" compilation. Gary Hitchcock became manager and Hoxton Tom moved to bass. The band had then recruited "Rockabilly" Steve Pear on guitar (from the Bridge House) and John Jacobs on drums (and anything else!).

Before One Law was released, Southall happened, so the single suffered poor distribution in its aftermath, with many shops refusing to stock it. It was "Single Of The Week" in Sounds and sold well. To get back on track, they did a come-back gig at Mottingham Prince Of Wales at the end of August under the name "The Skans" and with support band "The Business" billed as "The Bollyguns". "BBC" TV cameras were invited to the gig and it was shown in part on their "Nationwide" TV programme. Shortly afterwards, Hodges left the band. After a further "comeback" gig in Leeds Brannigan's, Rockabilly Steve quit as well (he wanted to go techno). The next line-up (1981-1983) was Tom McCourt (bass), Tony "Panther" Cummins (vocals), John Jacobs (guitar) and Pete Abbot (drums).

This line-up recorded the 1st album "The Good, The Bad and The 4 Skins" and the singles "Yesterdays Heroes" and "Lowlife/ Bread or Blood" (produced by Mickey Geggus). Panther was an old skinhead and one of the bands roadies. In addition John Jacobs switched to guitar with Pete Abbott (ex-Conflict) coming in on drums. Gigs were still hard to come by though, even though they could sell out places all over the country with no trouble. Eventually Panther left, to become a punk DJ according to music press reports at the time, followed by John and Pete. This left Hoxton Tom on "vocals", "bass", "drums" and "guitar" and "the 4 Skins" disbanded for a while.

The final line-up (1983-1984) was: Roi "The Last Resort" Pearce (vocals), Tom McCourt (bass), Paul Swain (guitar) and Ian Bramson (drums). This line-up recorded the final two albums "A fistful of 4 Skins" and "From Chaos to 1984" and the track "On the streets" for the "Son of Oi!" compliation.

This version of "the 4 Skins" recorded the "A fistful of 4 Skins" LP and the "From Chaos to 1984" live set, before disbanding for good in 1984. In that time they played about 5/6 gigs in Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham. ...and that is all ...

till now! The nightmare continues!