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COMBAT 84

Formed: London, England, UK

"With us we have never said we are for this or that. I think we stand for the normal bloke down the pub; we sing about things that happen in life. If we can do anything to stop the constant boy bands and pop shite it would be good. I think we can get kids to see what else there is and not accept the shit they are fed. If there was ever a time when street music was needed it is now." -
Combat 84 interview, 'Punk & Oi in the UK' website, October 2000

Skinhead/Oi! band who pissed everybody off when their delightful lead singer, Chris "Chubby" Henderson, made racist remarks during an Arena documentary in 1982. Although the others did not support or endorse his views it was pretty much the end of the band. Chubby's racism was already an open secret, which is why a deal with Secret Records fell through and their rather rocking Orders Of The Day E.P. was self-released on Victory Music instead, scaling the Indie charts in early 1983. It was promptly followed with the notorious Rapist 7", which peddled some very dubious politics. Not quite as extreme as Brutal Attack or Skrewdriver, but no less dodgy, Combat 84's welcome demise came about in 1983 when it became clear no promoter would book them.

SKINHEAD

We will never fade and die whatever you try to do
We're the first of today and the last of tomorrow
Skinhead's not a fashion it's a way of life

Skinhead, Skinhead never give up
stick together and act as one
You never, never, never give up,
You stick together and act as one

You see us on the telly
You read about us in the news
We will never fade and die
Whatever you try to do

Skinhead!

They were also as confused as hell. 'The Right To Choose' (B-Side of 'Rapist'), for instance, is a pro-Cruise Missile anthem that attempts to cement British authority over the Falklands, opening with a hearty cry of "Fuck Off CND!". 'Soldier', meanwhile, states: "Your country needs you/That's what the poster said/But now there's nothing you can do/Because you're fucking dead." Question: So do you want the armed forces or not?

Anyway, here are some lyrics so you can jude for yourselves":

THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE

The end of the world is coming in two
We are ready to fight are you?
When you're on your knees with a gun to your head
It's better to be dead than fucking red

We have the right, the right to choose
We want defence and we want the cruise
They gave their lives and they bled
Remember the falklands, don't forget our dead

The right to choose, we want the Cruise

Bigger and better bombs!

The right to choose, we want the Cruise

The end of the world is coming in two
We are ready to fight are you?
When you're on your knees with a gun to your head
It's better to be dead than fucking red

The right to choose, we want the Cruise

They gave their lives and they bled
Remember the falklands, don't forget our dead
The end of the world is coming in two
We are ready to fight are you?

SOLDIER

Soldier soldier standing there
Watching your mates march round the square
You're in there without a fight
You could lose your best friend tonight

You're in there without a change
You're in there without a chance
Bring 'em, bring 'em, bring 'em back now

Your country needs you
That's what the poster said
But now there's nothing you can do
Because you're fucking dead

'Rapist', meanwhile, is a call for capital punishment and vigilantism, declaring, "We need a stronger government". Another song 'Barry Prudom' advocates cop killing!! I reckon your "stronger government" might have a few views on that score, too.

RAPIST

He's a dirty and evil man
And no one wants to know
He could be living in your town
The sign of the Rapist doesn't show
Young girls come to me
Stalking victims in the street
When it happens no-one sees
You're just dragged down off your feet

Capital Punishment
A stronger Government

Plastic mask and hairy wig
You're too scared to show your face
You're acting like a dirty pig
You're a cancer of the human race
Filth of society should all die
We need a stronger government
All you gotta do is hang 'em high
We want capital punishment

We need a stronger government
Bring back capital punishment

Hang 'em, hang 'em, hang 'em high
You watch those fucking bastards die

BARRY PRUDOM

There was blood coming from his head
On the run another copper dead
He killed his boss and he didn't know why
But he heard a voice that they must die

Barry Prudom, Barry Prudom
He's coming for you with his gun
Barry Prudom, Barry Prudom
He's Public Enemy number 1

Tools of his trade were guns and knives
He got a degree in taking lives
Wasted pigs for something to do
You better watch out, he's coming for you

In the army trained to kill
He'll make the rest of them fit the bill
He was hunting like a wild creature
Another murder for the sunday features

All six songs from these two singles ended up on the German-only Send In The Marines!, along with a handful of previously unreleased live recordings. Charge Of The 7th Cavalry is a short gig that basically covers their two singles.

Drummer John Fisher later teamed up with members of The Last Resort to form The Warriors, and Deptford John spent some time in the U.K. Subs. The band reformed in the late 90's and recorded a time warp-like EP, Tooled Up (2000) which addressed such topics as football violence ('Kickin' Off') - Henderson was a member of the Chelsea Headhunters, a bunch of infamous football hooligans - self defence ('Getting The Fear') and political correctness.

Combat 84 - Tooled Up Lineup

PUNK LIVES MAGAZINE #10:

Combat 84 - Punk Lives magazine

DISCOGRAPHY

Singles / Albums


Orders Of The Day E.P. (7", 1983)	Rapist (7", 1983)	Send In The Marines! (LP, 1984)
Extraneous Releases

Death Or Glory (LP, split with The Last Resort, 1987)	Charge Of The 7th Cavalry (LP, 1989)	Death Or Glory / Charge Of The 7th Cavalry (CD, twofer, split with The Last Resort, 1993)	Orders Of The Day (CD, 2000)	Complete Collection (2xLP/CD, 2012)

Live And Loud!! - At The 100 Club London Dec. 30th 1982 (LP, 2019)