Relocated in London, singer/guitarist Chris Dean (under the name of 'X.Moore'), Martin Hewes (bass) and Nick King (drums) were joined in the studio and onstage by a brass section. Having released an independent single 'Peasant Army' in 1982, John Peel invited them to record a BBC session, and they followed this with 'Lean On Me', which was voted single of the week in Sounds music paper (ironically this was awarded by Gary Bushell, a journalist who has since showed signs of racism that are directly opposed to the groups entire raison d'etre).
The band members were all part of the Socialist Workers Party, and their staunchly political lyrics brought them a high media profile, and therefore the major labels soon followed. They signed to London Records, but shortly after King was replaced by Paul Hookham (who has also drummed for the Woodentops).
By 1984, their views saw them supporting the National Union of Miners with benefit gigs to support workers out on strike, and singles such as 'Keep On Keepin' On' tried to inject a positive influence in such bleak, Thatcherite times.
The debut album, 'Neither Washington Nor Moscow' was unforgiveably downgraded by the music press in 1986, and this may have been part of the cause for their split later the same year. Accused of being under-achievers by the critics, they had in fact had chart success with the single 'Bring It Down (This Insane Thing)'.
IF YOU LIKED THESE, YOU'LL LIKE THE REDSKINS: Gang of Four, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Specials, McCarthy, The Pogues, The Style Council, Big Flame, S*M*A*S*H, Jasmine Minks, Manic Street Preachers, Age of Chance.