{"id":101,"date":"2024-09-22T16:45:49","date_gmt":"2024-09-22T16:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rockorama.com\/blog\/?p=101"},"modified":"2024-09-22T16:45:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-22T16:45:49","slug":"arresting-officers-the-patriotic-rebels-of-american-skinhead-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rockorama.com\/blog\/arresting-officers-the-patriotic-rebels-of-american-skinhead-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"Arresting Officers: The patriotic rebels of the American skinhead scene."},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The birth of a patriotic movement<\/h2>\n

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<\/a> became aware of the band in 1988, he signed them for two albums. The album \u201cPatriotic Voice<\/a>\u201d was released in 1989 and the second album \u201cLand and Heritage<\/a>\u201d the following year in 1990. After the release of the debut album \u201cPatriotic Voice\u201d, three songs (\u201cThe hammer and the raven\u201d, \u201cStop Red Action\u201d and \u201cUnited Skins for Victory\u201d) were released for the sampler \u201cNo Surrender, Vol. 3\u201d.<\/p>\n

Melodic punk rock with a clear message<\/h2>\n

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 \u201cStop Red Action\u201d or \u201cGet the Reds out\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

A heritage that lives on<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Discography<\/h2>\n

\u201eArresting Officers\u201c, Demo-Tape, 1988, Self production
\n\u201ePatriotic Voice\u201c, LP, 1989, Rock-O-Rama
\n\u201eEvil has landed\u201c, 7\u2033, 1989, Street Rock n Roll
\n\u201eLand and Heritage\u201c, LP, 1990, Rock-O-Rama
\n\u201ePatriotic Voice\u201c, CD, 1991, Rock-O-Rama
\n\u201eLand and Heritage\u201c, CD, 1991, Rock-O-Rama<\/p>\n

Official new editions:<\/h2>\n

\u201eLand and Heritage\u201c, LP, 100 clear, 100 green, 100 blue, 199 black, 2008, Rock-O-Rama
\n\u201ePatriotic Voice\u201c, LP, 499 blue vinyl, 2015, Rock-O-Rama
\n\u201ePatriotic Voice\u201c, LP, 499 black vinyl, 2022, Rock-O-Rama<\/a>
\n\u201eLand and Heritage\u201c, LP, 499 black vinyl, 2024, Rock-O-Rama<\/a><\/p>\n

Links<\/h2>\n

Rock-O-Rama Records<\/a><\/p>\n