Iron Cross
I originally had a pretty long post worked up on the details of DC’s Iron Cross. However, Blogger ate that post and fuck it, I just don’t feel like recreating it. Iron Cross released two 7″s in the early 80’s and could lay claim to be America’s first skinhead band. The first 7″ - “Skinhead Glory”- while labelled “Oi!” came across as a slower alternative to the loud & fast early DC scene. “Crucified” would become a hardcore anthem, but overall the 7″ is marred by goofy lyrics and drab sounds.
1983’s “Hated & Proud” was a vast improvement, incorporating melody, more intelligent lyrics, and better production. All three songs on the record are classics, my favorite being the tune posted here.
A CD retrospective was released in 2001 titled “Live for Now” and included all 7″ tracks, comp tracks, and a handful of unreleased tracks. It is worth it for historical purposes alone.
Iron Cross - You’re A Rebel.mp3
Iron Cross - Grey Morning.mp3
Iron Cross - Wolfpack.mp3
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Great songs, totally different from the stuff on Flex Your Head. It’s sort of an embryonic version of Gray Matter (one of my fave bands ever). Check out brief snatch from “I’m Not A Fool” in Wolfpack!
I’ll never forget the day I bought that one… I bought ‘Skinhead Glory’ a couple years later.
great band.great record.grey morning was always my favourite iron cross track.My old band also used this cover as a “template” for one of our singles in 1997.