In the turbulent late 1980s, when the skinhead movement in the USA was at its peak, a band formed in Philadelphia that stood out from the crowd. Arresting Officers were no ordinary skinhead band – they were the voice of the patriots in the midst of an increasingly left-wing public.
The birth of a patriotic movement
Arresting Officers emerged in the second half of the 80s. At a time when the punk scene was dominated by left-wing ideologies, Arresting Officers raised their voice for patriotism. Many bands in the HC scene, Oi! punk and the skinhead movement rejected this left-wing development and were looking for an alternative. Arresting Officers became the pioneers of a patriotic counter-movement that loudly advocated their convictions. The band consisted of the following members: Paul: vocals, Ron: guitar, Bob: guitar, Bill: bass, Steve: bass, Brian: drums. When Herbert Egoldt from Rock-O-Rama Records became aware of the band in 1988, he signed them for two albums. The album “Patriotic Voice” was released in 1989 and the second album “Land and Heritage” the following year in 1990. After the release of the debut album “Patriotic Voice”, three songs (“The hammer and the raven”, “Stop Red Action” and “United Skins for Victory”) were released for the sampler “No Surrender, Vol. 3”.
Melodic punk rock with a clear message
The Arresting Officers, a skinhead band from the USA, packaged their patriotic views in catchy music. Although the band’s political stance was not without controversy, they enjoyed great success. Songs such as “Stop Red Action” or “Get the Reds out” became anthems of the movement and celebrated the pride and strength of the nation. The band managed to convey their beliefs in a provocative and entertaining way, which established their popularity in the scene. The band had a lasting influence on the American skinhead culture of the 80s and 90s.
A heritage that lives on
Across three releases – a demo tape and two albums – Arresting Officers cemented their reputation as pioneers of patriotic Oi! punk. Each release was a milestone in their career and showed their development as a band. The demo tape laid the foundation for their unique sound and clear message. The two albums cemented their reputation as the mouthpiece of the patriotic movement and brought their music to a wider audience.
After the dissolution of Arresting Officers in 1991, some members found a new musical home in other bands such as Limecell and Sons of Liberty. It remains to be said that the band had a great influence on the subculture in the late 1980s. They were one of the few bands that openly espoused their patriotic convictions and thus created a counter-movement to left-wing ideology. The Arresting Officers are an important part of American skinhead history. They were pioneers of a patriotic movement that continues to have an impact today. Subcultural music can be more than just rebellion – it can also be a voice for convictions and ideals.
Discography
„Arresting Officers“, Demo-Tape, 1988, Self production
„Patriotic Voice“, LP, 1989, Rock-O-Rama
„Evil has landed“, 7″, 1989, Street Rock n Roll
„Land and Heritage“, LP, 1990, Rock-O-Rama
„Patriotic Voice“, CD, 1991, Rock-O-Rama
„Land and Heritage“, CD, 1991, Rock-O-Rama
Official new editions:
„Land and Heritage“, LP, 100 clear, 100 green, 100 blue, 199 black, 2008, Rock-O-Rama
„Patriotic Voice“, LP, 499 blue vinyl, 2015, Rock-O-Rama
„Patriotic Voice“, LP, 499 black vinyl, 2022, Rock-O-Rama
„Land and Heritage“, LP, 499 black vinyl, 2024, Rock-O-Rama