The following text was taken from the RANT Facebook page.
RANT is a new political movement inspired by the SHARP movement. The SHARP movement was started when a group of neo-nazi's were infiltrating the punk/oi scene with fascist politics. The SHARP's decided they weren't going to tolerate these white power bands having control of their subculture. They decided to create social change by any means necessary.
Since the SHARP's finally stomped the neo-nazi's out of the punk/oi movement they turned to goth/industrial/powernoise. We do not need to tolerate this. We are sick of seeing these douchebags at the shows we attend. We are sick of their hateful attacks against people who aren't a part of "their brotherhood" and their misuse of ancient symbols. Their thug mentality is not what industrial is about. This is not the mafia. This is music.
The neofolk bands with fascists beliefs have already been exposed and pushed underground. It is now the dark electro/powernoise bands with fascist politics that are causing problems within our scene. It is time to stomp these idiots out of once and for all.
RANT was founded by Rachel Haywire (Experiment Haywire | machineKUNT Records) in November of 2009 after she was violently attacked at a show and received threats against her life as a musician of Jewish ancestry. She has been slandered, harassed, and gangstalked for the purpose of keeping her silent but continues to speak out in the name of justice.
Mission:
-To promote a more tolerant subculture
-To put an end to racist/fascist/homophobic attacks against people in our scene
-To stop white power artists from dominating the genre
-To make this about the music once again
RANT is also looking to put out a musical compilation. Songs will be open for submission on January 1st. The songs do not have to be anti-nazi in nature but it definitely helps.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Toronto SHARP!
Or if ska is more you bag, then this one is for you...
Safe and Happy New Year too!
Or if ska is more you bag, then this one is for you...
Safe and Happy New Year too!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Help save the Toronto Woman's Bookstore
A message from the Toronto Womans Bookstore:
Dear TWB community,
The Toronto Women's Bookstore is in crisis and we need your help!
Independent businesses and bookstores have been closing their doors this year, and after 36 years it is possible that we will have to do the same if we are not able to raise enough money to survive. TWB is one of the only remaining non-profit feminist bookstores in North America, but despite all of the events, courses, workshops, community resources and additional services we offer, the fact that we are a store means that we do not receive any outside funding and rely entirely on sales and the support of our customers to stay in business.
Over the past few years, our sales have not been enough to sustain us and this is why we are coming to you, our community, for help. If every one of you donated $10 we would raise enough to keep going for 3 months, $20 each would keep us in business for 6 months, and $30 each would be enough for us to keep our doors open, hopefully for good. All donations will go directly towards covering the bookstore's costs, and are a part of a larger plan of action and structural change to make the business sustainable in the current economy.
In the past, when feminist bookstores were closing down all across North America, the support of the community is what kept TWB alive. You are the reason that we are still here today, and we believe that with your help we can once again work together to save this organization where so many of us as readers, writers, feminists, artists, and activists have found a home.
You can make donations over the phone, on our website www.womensbookstore.com (paypal link available soon), or in person at the store. As a non-profit store we are not eligible for charitable status and cannot offer tax receipts, but we are hoping to be able to offer tax receipts for donations over $100 in collaboration with a non-profit charity who shares our mandate, and we will have that information available on our
website and in store as soon as possible.
You can also help by spreading the word to your friends and community, contacting us if you know of any funding we might be eligible for, promoting this fundraising drive in your paper or on your blog, website or radio show, organizing your own save the bookstore fundraisers or just passing the hat at your holiday parties, giving a TWB donation as a gift, and of course, coming in and bringing all your friends to the store for some holiday shopping!
Thank you all for your support,
The Toronto Women's Bookstore Board, Staff & Volunteers
Dear TWB community,
The Toronto Women's Bookstore is in crisis and we need your help!
Independent businesses and bookstores have been closing their doors this year, and after 36 years it is possible that we will have to do the same if we are not able to raise enough money to survive. TWB is one of the only remaining non-profit feminist bookstores in North America, but despite all of the events, courses, workshops, community resources and additional services we offer, the fact that we are a store means that we do not receive any outside funding and rely entirely on sales and the support of our customers to stay in business.
Over the past few years, our sales have not been enough to sustain us and this is why we are coming to you, our community, for help. If every one of you donated $10 we would raise enough to keep going for 3 months, $20 each would keep us in business for 6 months, and $30 each would be enough for us to keep our doors open, hopefully for good. All donations will go directly towards covering the bookstore's costs, and are a part of a larger plan of action and structural change to make the business sustainable in the current economy.
In the past, when feminist bookstores were closing down all across North America, the support of the community is what kept TWB alive. You are the reason that we are still here today, and we believe that with your help we can once again work together to save this organization where so many of us as readers, writers, feminists, artists, and activists have found a home.
You can make donations over the phone, on our website www.womensbookstore.com (paypal link available soon), or in person at the store. As a non-profit store we are not eligible for charitable status and cannot offer tax receipts, but we are hoping to be able to offer tax receipts for donations over $100 in collaboration with a non-profit charity who shares our mandate, and we will have that information available on our
website and in store as soon as possible.
You can also help by spreading the word to your friends and community, contacting us if you know of any funding we might be eligible for, promoting this fundraising drive in your paper or on your blog, website or radio show, organizing your own save the bookstore fundraisers or just passing the hat at your holiday parties, giving a TWB donation as a gift, and of course, coming in and bringing all your friends to the store for some holiday shopping!
Thank you all for your support,
The Toronto Women's Bookstore Board, Staff & Volunteers
Dayglo Abortions!
DAYGLO ABORTIONS
LAST EVER TWO NIGHT SPECIAL @ KATHEDRAL!
Friday, Jan 8 - Licensed All Ages
Want Tickets for this ALL AGES event? Click HERE
Saturday, Jan 9 - 19+
Want tickets for the 19+ event? Click HERE
Support bands TBA
GOING TO BOTH EVENTS? GET DISCOUNTED TICKETS Going to BOTH events? Get your discounted tickets HERE!
* must be 19 years of age or older
DISCOUNT TICKETS ARE LIMITED!! This ticket will get you into both events @ a discount rate! Just remember, you MUST be 19 years of age or older to purchase this ticket! The 2nd event is a 19+ event!! This is only offered through TICKETSCENE!
The Big Bop (Kathedral, Reverb & Holy Joes) will lock their doors forever Jan 31st 2010... this will be your last chance to witness a Dayglo double feature!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
OI POLLOI with DELINQUINTS, Murder Squad T.O., and Legion 666
Life's a Riot presents:
Scottish Anarcho Oi/Punk Legends
OI POLLOI
with:
DELINQUINTS
Murder Squad T.O.
Legion 666
12$ at door ALL AGES
THIS IS ONE OF LAST PUNK SHOWS AT KATHEDRAL!!! DON'T MISS THIS!!!
Scottish Anarcho Oi/Punk Legends
OI POLLOI
with:
DELINQUINTS
Murder Squad T.O.
Legion 666
12$ at door ALL AGES
THIS IS ONE OF LAST PUNK SHOWS AT KATHEDRAL!!! DON'T MISS THIS!!!
EQUALITY Party!
From the 'Blackface' incident at a U of T Halloween party to the firebombing of anti-racist activists in Calgary, with racial prejudice on the rise in Canada we need to band together and let people know we won't let the racists win!
That's why we're having an awesome dance party in support of racial equality and unity! We want people to be able to come to get their groove on and at the same time learn a little bit about the Toronto anti-racist movement!
Toronto Young Communist League and Toronto Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice Present...
Peace, Love, Unity,
EQUALITY Party!
9pm Saturday January 30th at 290 Danforth (West of Chester Station)
Featuring hot Ska, Reggae, Soul mixes by Toronto DJ El Machetero!
Cheap Booze!
Rudies, Skins, Dreads, and Everyone Else Welcome! (Yes, Even you Hippies!)
$5 Donation Goes Toward Helping Our Toronto Delegation Get to the 2010 World Festival of Youth and Students
For More Info Call (443) 957-1384
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Documentary on Anti fascist Action from the early 90s.
AFA (Anti-Fascist Action) and SHARP (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) are very different groups. While SHARP is non political, AFA tends to be left wing and militant anti-racist.
Here is a documentary called "Fighting Talk", all about the AFA in the early 1990's. It's an interesting little watch, and shows a slice of the battle between racists and anti-racists, and how hate can lead to violence and worse.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Here is a documentary called "Fighting Talk", all about the AFA in the early 1990's. It's an interesting little watch, and shows a slice of the battle between racists and anti-racists, and how hate can lead to violence and worse.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A letter from Anonymous
We found this letter in the blogspot e-mail account, and decided to publish it on here. It's from an anonymous woman, and is her story:
I don’t know if I am doing this for my own disclosure on the incidents or because I believe that other people should learn from my story, but either way, this is something I must tell you about.
Growing up in a small town I had no idea about racism, as backwards to stereotypes as that is. Small things that happened to me that could be seen as racist I just shrugged off and just thought that teacher, or person, was stupid; after all this was elementary school time. As I aged out of this town, I left with a thick skin for crude native jokes and a low sense of pride that comes with being the only punk in town.
It wasn’t until my second time living in a major city that my world really opened up to all the evils in this world, but we have to start at the beginning. While living in my first major city I turned 18 and met the Skinhead culture. Now remember, Punks think the whole world is a stage dive and are incredibly resistant to change when they want to be; I was a punk from the ripe age of 13. However these Skins and their working class pride struck a chord deep within me. I was always raised with a very strong work ethic, something punk rock lacked and left a hole within me. The transition wasn’t instant but it was coming.
My second major city wasn’t pleasant in the beginning. Coming from a place of comfort to hardships and homelessness is never pleasant, but my family needed me. At last the homelessness ended and things were becoming stable. Time to start looking around, and when I did, I found myself in the punk family of that city which at the time was a blessing. Fast forward a year; I became a hybrid, 14 hole docs and my ‘security blanket’ of punk attire. I went to college for a short while. The very first nazi I met was a homeless meth addict, who followed me for awhile and ‘chatted’ with me (I’m an avid people watcher). It wasn’t until well into conversation that he showed me his swastika jail tattoo. I got out of there quickly. A week later I heard that a squeegee punk took care of him, or that he ran to Montreal.
My next few encounters with Nazis were are at local shows (usually forced to leave) and in the streets. However one caught me off guard. It was during one of the more harder times at home where I wasn’t getting along with my parental units and I felt as if moving out was the only solution. I had been talking to a traditional skinhead who I met through a common interest website. We got along great and met several times before I decided that his city would be a good place to live. Vulnerable? You bet. It wasn’t until I was living with him for awhile that things became strange. He would disappear for days, snort coke, get invited to parties I wasn’t allowed to attend, get violent when drunk all on top of some emotional abuse. Being the highly independent woman I am, I started to plan my leave with the help of some co workers. It was when he found out my plans that ‘shit hit the fan’. Suddenly, I was a rabbit in a trap, it all became clear the moment his fist hit my face. I was a SHARP, a half breed, alone and blind, he knew it all along, and he was a white supremacist. I was a pawn in their game to help him earn a ‘rank’. Without getting into detail, as it’s still painful to remember, it took 7 months and several police reports for all the attempts on my life, and threats on my family’s lives and my friend’s lives to crease. 8 months for the stalking to end. I had been accepted to college whilst this happened and decided to stay in the city. Nearly at the end of my academia I still am dealing with residual happenings. I see him and them in the streets; still get hassled by his family and friends and I hear through the grape vine of them talking about me. I guess I left a lasting impression.
I rebuilt my life from the rock bottom with the aid of close friend, who I will forever be thankful for. I rebuilt myself so well that I show no scars of the past and have a great extrovert love for life. I’m still SHARP, alive, and continue my work against the racists.
I don’t know if I am doing this for my own disclosure on the incidents or because I believe that other people should learn from my story, but either way, this is something I must tell you about.
Growing up in a small town I had no idea about racism, as backwards to stereotypes as that is. Small things that happened to me that could be seen as racist I just shrugged off and just thought that teacher, or person, was stupid; after all this was elementary school time. As I aged out of this town, I left with a thick skin for crude native jokes and a low sense of pride that comes with being the only punk in town.
It wasn’t until my second time living in a major city that my world really opened up to all the evils in this world, but we have to start at the beginning. While living in my first major city I turned 18 and met the Skinhead culture. Now remember, Punks think the whole world is a stage dive and are incredibly resistant to change when they want to be; I was a punk from the ripe age of 13. However these Skins and their working class pride struck a chord deep within me. I was always raised with a very strong work ethic, something punk rock lacked and left a hole within me. The transition wasn’t instant but it was coming.
My second major city wasn’t pleasant in the beginning. Coming from a place of comfort to hardships and homelessness is never pleasant, but my family needed me. At last the homelessness ended and things were becoming stable. Time to start looking around, and when I did, I found myself in the punk family of that city which at the time was a blessing. Fast forward a year; I became a hybrid, 14 hole docs and my ‘security blanket’ of punk attire. I went to college for a short while. The very first nazi I met was a homeless meth addict, who followed me for awhile and ‘chatted’ with me (I’m an avid people watcher). It wasn’t until well into conversation that he showed me his swastika jail tattoo. I got out of there quickly. A week later I heard that a squeegee punk took care of him, or that he ran to Montreal.
My next few encounters with Nazis were are at local shows (usually forced to leave) and in the streets. However one caught me off guard. It was during one of the more harder times at home where I wasn’t getting along with my parental units and I felt as if moving out was the only solution. I had been talking to a traditional skinhead who I met through a common interest website. We got along great and met several times before I decided that his city would be a good place to live. Vulnerable? You bet. It wasn’t until I was living with him for awhile that things became strange. He would disappear for days, snort coke, get invited to parties I wasn’t allowed to attend, get violent when drunk all on top of some emotional abuse. Being the highly independent woman I am, I started to plan my leave with the help of some co workers. It was when he found out my plans that ‘shit hit the fan’. Suddenly, I was a rabbit in a trap, it all became clear the moment his fist hit my face. I was a SHARP, a half breed, alone and blind, he knew it all along, and he was a white supremacist. I was a pawn in their game to help him earn a ‘rank’. Without getting into detail, as it’s still painful to remember, it took 7 months and several police reports for all the attempts on my life, and threats on my family’s lives and my friend’s lives to crease. 8 months for the stalking to end. I had been accepted to college whilst this happened and decided to stay in the city. Nearly at the end of my academia I still am dealing with residual happenings. I see him and them in the streets; still get hassled by his family and friends and I hear through the grape vine of them talking about me. I guess I left a lasting impression.
I rebuilt my life from the rock bottom with the aid of close friend, who I will forever be thankful for. I rebuilt myself so well that I show no scars of the past and have a great extrovert love for life. I’m still SHARP, alive, and continue my work against the racists.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
New Jersey SHARP Crew
Some trad skins in NJ have gotten sick and tired of all the boneheads infesting the scene, and ruining the good name of skinhead, so they decided to reform the New Jersey SHARP crew. Any skinhead in the area please feel free to contact them here. So far they look like they have a good little crew forming, and we know they will do great stuff!
Toronto SHARP wishes the best to our brothers and sisters stateside. We are also sure we can out drink them when we all get together... Keep the faith!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
"I don't see the difference between SHARP and WP skins."
"I don't see the difference between SHARP and WP skins."
I read this online today, and while I responded to the person who said this, I figured it would make a good blog post.
What are some of the differences between S.H.A.R.P. (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) and WP (White Pride/White Power) "skins" (which will be referred to as 'Boneheads' for the rest of this post)?
To start, I could point out that SHARP is not political, in the sense that it is neither left wing or right wing. SHARP is anti-racist, and that is as far as the political end of SHARP goes. Individual SHARP can be militant anti-Fascist, or militant Republican, or not give a damn at all about politics. Most of us fall somewhere in between. People all over the political spectrum can be anti-racist.
WP boneheads are right wing. WP boneheads are racist. Some WP boneheads (too many sadly) are so racist, and so far to the right that they actually support the lost cause of Adolf Hitler, and will show respect, or even try to bring a resurrection of his National Socialist racist genocidal state in their own countries, despite their own grandparents having fought against Hitler, and the Axis countries.
You will never see SHARP attack someone due to skin colour, or be happy about genocide. You will never see SHARP vandalize a home or business or church (temple, mosque) because of someones religion or faith.
SHARP was formed in the 80's as a reaction to WP boneheads infesting the skinhead scene. WP boneheads had been attacking proper skinheads in the 70's and 80's who refused to join racist neo-Nazi groups like the National Front, and The Heritage Front. WP boneheads had also been attacking people for reasons as silly as their skin colour. It got so bad that a racist attack by bikers or punks would be labeled as a "racist skinhead" attack in the papers.
At the end of the day, all SHARP are Trads (Traditional skinheads). All we want is for the WP boneheads to get out of the skinhead scene and leave us alone to enjoy being skinheads, and everything it means to be a skinhead...
PRIDE WITHOUT PREJUDICE
I read this online today, and while I responded to the person who said this, I figured it would make a good blog post.
What are some of the differences between S.H.A.R.P. (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) and WP (White Pride/White Power) "skins" (which will be referred to as 'Boneheads' for the rest of this post)?
To start, I could point out that SHARP is not political, in the sense that it is neither left wing or right wing. SHARP is anti-racist, and that is as far as the political end of SHARP goes. Individual SHARP can be militant anti-Fascist, or militant Republican, or not give a damn at all about politics. Most of us fall somewhere in between. People all over the political spectrum can be anti-racist.
WP boneheads are right wing. WP boneheads are racist. Some WP boneheads (too many sadly) are so racist, and so far to the right that they actually support the lost cause of Adolf Hitler, and will show respect, or even try to bring a resurrection of his National Socialist racist genocidal state in their own countries, despite their own grandparents having fought against Hitler, and the Axis countries.
You will never see SHARP attack someone due to skin colour, or be happy about genocide. You will never see SHARP vandalize a home or business or church (temple, mosque) because of someones religion or faith.
SHARP was formed in the 80's as a reaction to WP boneheads infesting the skinhead scene. WP boneheads had been attacking proper skinheads in the 70's and 80's who refused to join racist neo-Nazi groups like the National Front, and The Heritage Front. WP boneheads had also been attacking people for reasons as silly as their skin colour. It got so bad that a racist attack by bikers or punks would be labeled as a "racist skinhead" attack in the papers.
At the end of the day, all SHARP are Trads (Traditional skinheads). All we want is for the WP boneheads to get out of the skinhead scene and leave us alone to enjoy being skinheads, and everything it means to be a skinhead...
PRIDE WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Friday, November 20, 2009
Come move on up... and get down with some Northern Soul classics!
An often overlooked yet very important part of the skinhead scene was the development of Northern Soul music. Turn it up and dance the night away!
Edwin Starr - 25 Miles
R Dean Taylor - Ghost in my house
Al Wilson - The Snake
Wayne Gibson - Under My Thumb
Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Edwin Starr - 25 Miles
R Dean Taylor - Ghost in my house
Al Wilson - The Snake
Wayne Gibson - Under My Thumb
Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Oi! Oi! Skinhead! Get yer hair cut!
We brought you some classic skinhead reggae the other day, now here is some classic oi for you all to enjoy. Crack open a beer and turn it up loud!
The Oppressed - Joe Hawkins
4 Skins - Yesterdays Heroes
The Blood - Stark Raving Normal
The Business - Drinking and Driving
The Press - Revolution Now!
Cockney Rejects - War On the Terraces
Cock Sparrer - Take 'Em All
The Oppressed - Joe Hawkins
4 Skins - Yesterdays Heroes
The Blood - Stark Raving Normal
The Business - Drinking and Driving
The Press - Revolution Now!
Cockney Rejects - War On the Terraces
Cock Sparrer - Take 'Em All
Monday, November 16, 2009
I want all you skinheads to get up on your feet... and listen to some classic skinhead reggae cuts
If these tracks don't make you want to get up and dance, well then you are just not listening to them loud enough my friend!
First up for you we have Dennis Alcapone - Alcapone Guns Don't Bark.
Now we have some Dave Barker - Lock Jaw.
Are you feeling it yet? Well lets just take it a little higher for you with some Derrick Morgan - Conquering Ruler.
Now it's time for some David Isaacs - Since You Are Gone.
Want more? How about some U Roy - My Girl
This is why we are skinheads.
First up for you we have Dennis Alcapone - Alcapone Guns Don't Bark.
Now we have some Dave Barker - Lock Jaw.
Are you feeling it yet? Well lets just take it a little higher for you with some Derrick Morgan - Conquering Ruler.
Now it's time for some David Isaacs - Since You Are Gone.
Want more? How about some U Roy - My Girl
This is why we are skinheads.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thoughts about Remembrance Day and modern Neo-Nazis.
So another Remembrance Day has come and gone, and hopefully we all observed it, if even only the 2 mins of silence part (I know a lot of people had to work at 11am).
I've had some time to think about it, and a couple questions have come to my mind...
Should Remembrance Day be a holiday? Now before you jump up and say yes (and up until I thought of the point I'm about to make, I'd have agreed with you if you are one of the yes camp), let me ask you this... Would making Remembrance Day a holiday help or hurt children's understanding of it? If it became a holiday, would children wake up for it, or just watch cartoons all day? At least with it being a school day, schools can have assemblies, or field trips to war memorials to take part in the day.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/cenotaph-vandalized-days-before-nov-11/article1357429/
Would more events like this happen if it were a holiday? Or would keeping kids in school help to make them understand why doing something like this is horrible?
Also on my mind, neo-Nazi boneheads. I've noticed on Facebook a lot of them have had Remembrance Day style photos on their profiles. If 364 days of they year you are walking around saying the Holocaust was a Jewish lie, and have Swastika tattoos on your chest, just who are you remembering on November 11th? And really now, should you actually be wearing a poppy?
I know some neo-Nazis would say that they are remembering the brave Canadian men and women who fought and died for their country. But if you live your life thinking Hitler was a great man, can you really honour the dead who fought, and beat him?
If Canada had been invaded by the Nazis, and they won the war, and Canada today were a part of the 4th Reich, and if I were running around trying to build Canada into what it is today against the Nazis who controlled Canada (yes, I know I would not have the freedom to do this if the Nazis had won the war) I don't think I could stop for one day and honour the dead Nazi soldiers who defeated the Canadian army. But that's just me. So it makes me wonder, on the 11th of all days, is there hope for these neo-Nazis? Will standing in the presence of the people who fought their idols help them see the light? Or are they silently mocking them?
All and all I had a good Remembrance Day. The service was respectful, full of Vets and school children, as well as adults of all ages and colours. It made me proud to be in Canada.
Hopefully yours did too.
I've had some time to think about it, and a couple questions have come to my mind...
Should Remembrance Day be a holiday? Now before you jump up and say yes (and up until I thought of the point I'm about to make, I'd have agreed with you if you are one of the yes camp), let me ask you this... Would making Remembrance Day a holiday help or hurt children's understanding of it? If it became a holiday, would children wake up for it, or just watch cartoons all day? At least with it being a school day, schools can have assemblies, or field trips to war memorials to take part in the day.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/cenotaph-vandalized-days-before-nov-11/article1357429/
Would more events like this happen if it were a holiday? Or would keeping kids in school help to make them understand why doing something like this is horrible?
Also on my mind, neo-Nazi boneheads. I've noticed on Facebook a lot of them have had Remembrance Day style photos on their profiles. If 364 days of they year you are walking around saying the Holocaust was a Jewish lie, and have Swastika tattoos on your chest, just who are you remembering on November 11th? And really now, should you actually be wearing a poppy?
I know some neo-Nazis would say that they are remembering the brave Canadian men and women who fought and died for their country. But if you live your life thinking Hitler was a great man, can you really honour the dead who fought, and beat him?
If Canada had been invaded by the Nazis, and they won the war, and Canada today were a part of the 4th Reich, and if I were running around trying to build Canada into what it is today against the Nazis who controlled Canada (yes, I know I would not have the freedom to do this if the Nazis had won the war) I don't think I could stop for one day and honour the dead Nazi soldiers who defeated the Canadian army. But that's just me. So it makes me wonder, on the 11th of all days, is there hope for these neo-Nazis? Will standing in the presence of the people who fought their idols help them see the light? Or are they silently mocking them?
All and all I had a good Remembrance Day. The service was respectful, full of Vets and school children, as well as adults of all ages and colours. It made me proud to be in Canada.
Hopefully yours did too.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The 4 Skins Short Documentary (Secret Gig in Kent) Oi! Oi!
Here we have a secret show in Kent from back in the 80's by the legendary skinhead band the 4 Skins.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Update on Project Boneyard II
A little while ago we told you about Project Boneyard II Well Canada's best free weekly music mag just did a little write up on this fantastic little album.
From Exclam Magazine...
Various
Northern Aggression — Project Boneyard Volume 2
By Brad Schmale
This release is a compilation distributed with the intent of cracking down on fascist propaganda and White Pride organizations, using music as a message of unification and urgency. Comprised of punk, hardcore and hip-hop acts, and featuring 16 tracks of vigilant activism, this collection brings lesser-known artists out of the dark and onto the battlefield. Baltimore, MD outfit Fighting Chance set the scene with "Somethin's Gotta be Done," a call to arms that's delivered in the true oi spirit. Toronto, ON street punks the Class Assassins and their outcast anthem, "Outside Looking In," are a fitting contribution, as is hardcore faction Death in Custody's abrasive and spastic "Car Bomb." Remarkably, America's premier working-class punks the Press also lend their assistance to the disc with "Just another Warning," which has just as much relevance today as it did 20 years ago. Northern Aggression ― Project Boneyard Volume 2 is a propitious comp that successfully manages to connect different artists and genres together with the soul purpose of the masses following suit despite race, creed or gender. Amen. (Insurgence)
From Exclam Magazine...
Various
Northern Aggression — Project Boneyard Volume 2
By Brad Schmale
This release is a compilation distributed with the intent of cracking down on fascist propaganda and White Pride organizations, using music as a message of unification and urgency. Comprised of punk, hardcore and hip-hop acts, and featuring 16 tracks of vigilant activism, this collection brings lesser-known artists out of the dark and onto the battlefield. Baltimore, MD outfit Fighting Chance set the scene with "Somethin's Gotta be Done," a call to arms that's delivered in the true oi spirit. Toronto, ON street punks the Class Assassins and their outcast anthem, "Outside Looking In," are a fitting contribution, as is hardcore faction Death in Custody's abrasive and spastic "Car Bomb." Remarkably, America's premier working-class punks the Press also lend their assistance to the disc with "Just another Warning," which has just as much relevance today as it did 20 years ago. Northern Aggression ― Project Boneyard Volume 2 is a propitious comp that successfully manages to connect different artists and genres together with the soul purpose of the masses following suit despite race, creed or gender. Amen. (Insurgence)
Monday, November 2, 2009
My French is horrible. But here is one of our more popular posts translated into French for all our French readers!
Nous avons reçu un commentaire d'une peau plus âgés / Suedehead des années 1970 que nous aimions assez pour publier comme un pot, afin que chacun puisse le lire. Voici un peu d'histoire scène pour tout le monde. Apprécier!
"Bonjour tout, j'aime bien votre style et vos efforts pour expliquer SHARP etc
J'étais moi-même un adolescent au cours de la renaissance SKA de 1979 qui a abouti à une relance énorme de la 1960's / '70 's Skinhead / culture Suedehead. Après le buzz initial apaisé nous étions déterminés à bien faire les choses et me regarda droit dans la culture skinheads traditionnels de 1969. Nous préférions être appelé Suedeheads, (parce que les os Head avait déjà paru, un mélange de tous les mauvais côtés de la Punk / Skinhead scène), nous avons accroché autour d'un lot avec Mods (qui a également un réveil à cette époque) et a également piloté les scooters Lambretta (Vespas ont été vus comme étant un peu trop Mod pour nous). Nous ne ferait que nous couper les cheveux à un grade / Blade 3 ou 4 avec un side-séparation rasés sur le côté de la tête. (certains vieux garçons aurait jokeingly appelez-nous Tennisballs) Pour nous, c'était le style et immage, Sta-prest à puce brogues pantalon / fainéants / bottes polies comme des miroirs, trois trimestre longueur noir ou marine Crombie manteaux à la poche à billet tout important. Nous avons écumé les magasins pour les années 1960 de véritables vêtements. Long-poussoir vers le bas des chemises à col et de la marine véritable bleu Levis 501 de vestes et pantalons coupés et tourné dans (non roulé) et parfois l'insigne de la classe ouvrière ..... la demi-pouce accolades (bretelles). Il n'y avait pas de racisme. Lutte contre souvent été observées entre nous et ce que nous avons appelé occasionnels (les gens qui s'habillait à la mode actuelle) commence généralement par eux, ou à long mecs aux cheveux en métaux lourds. Nous appuyons l'Mods s'ils étaient pris sur (Rockers n Mods) mais il n'y avait pas de questions raciales ensuite parce que l'Irlande était un pays relativement blanc 99 pour cent. L'affiche qui a essayé de mettre l'Irlande dans le "British Box" m'a fait rire, mais de l'extérieur regardant dans Je suppose que nous sommes inexerabily liés par l'histoire et le sang ..... qu'on le veuille ou pas, mais parviennent à maintenir notre identité individuelle / langue / douanes même au plus fort de l'Empire britannique dite nous a fait uniques à travers le monde. Pour l'affiche critique encore, je dirais que vous avez une vague idée de ce que vous parlez, disant toutefois à quelqu'un de lire un livre est simplement enfantin, n'importe qui peut écrire un livre, does'nt faire effet, et de son bon de rappeler que l'histoire a plus souvent été écrite par conquorers et ceux qui se sont accrochés heros.
Nous sommes restés fidèles à notre identité Suedehead jusqu'à la fin des années quatre-vingt. En Angleterre il y avait beaucoup de mal entre les types de têtes nazie des os et des Peaux-Rouges, qui a été notre première indication que la politique était désormais gettin impliqués, l'Angleterre était en effervescence, il y avait un droit de Gouvernement aile au pouvoir et des milliers de travailleurs perdaient leur emploi. Le British National Party (toujours à la recherche d'une occasion) ont travaillé dur pour recruter de jeunes skinheads Clueless et leur colère sur un non-sens sur les immigrants et du pouvoir blanc. Je me souviens avoir demandé par un skinhead de 16 ans à Dublin en 1988obviously impressionné et un peu nerveuse de voir un de 25 ans traditionnelle Suedehead prospectifs. Ce garçon distribuait des tracts sur Sharp et me demanda aux conditions météorologiques ou non je le soutiendrais, il dit: «Je suis un SHARP Skin", j'ai dit "je suis un ".... SAP Skinheads Against Politics. Il rit, nous nous sommes serré la main et il dit: «Wow tu ressembles à quelque chose d'un documentaire sur les années soixante"
Bonne chance à vous et vos camarades de "Keep On Keepin On" "Right On" cheval de Troie à jamais, The Harder They Come! "
"Bonjour tout, j'aime bien votre style et vos efforts pour expliquer SHARP etc
J'étais moi-même un adolescent au cours de la renaissance SKA de 1979 qui a abouti à une relance énorme de la 1960's / '70 's Skinhead / culture Suedehead. Après le buzz initial apaisé nous étions déterminés à bien faire les choses et me regarda droit dans la culture skinheads traditionnels de 1969. Nous préférions être appelé Suedeheads, (parce que les os Head avait déjà paru, un mélange de tous les mauvais côtés de la Punk / Skinhead scène), nous avons accroché autour d'un lot avec Mods (qui a également un réveil à cette époque) et a également piloté les scooters Lambretta (Vespas ont été vus comme étant un peu trop Mod pour nous). Nous ne ferait que nous couper les cheveux à un grade / Blade 3 ou 4 avec un side-séparation rasés sur le côté de la tête. (certains vieux garçons aurait jokeingly appelez-nous Tennisballs) Pour nous, c'était le style et immage, Sta-prest à puce brogues pantalon / fainéants / bottes polies comme des miroirs, trois trimestre longueur noir ou marine Crombie manteaux à la poche à billet tout important. Nous avons écumé les magasins pour les années 1960 de véritables vêtements. Long-poussoir vers le bas des chemises à col et de la marine véritable bleu Levis 501 de vestes et pantalons coupés et tourné dans (non roulé) et parfois l'insigne de la classe ouvrière ..... la demi-pouce accolades (bretelles). Il n'y avait pas de racisme. Lutte contre souvent été observées entre nous et ce que nous avons appelé occasionnels (les gens qui s'habillait à la mode actuelle) commence généralement par eux, ou à long mecs aux cheveux en métaux lourds. Nous appuyons l'Mods s'ils étaient pris sur (Rockers n Mods) mais il n'y avait pas de questions raciales ensuite parce que l'Irlande était un pays relativement blanc 99 pour cent. L'affiche qui a essayé de mettre l'Irlande dans le "British Box" m'a fait rire, mais de l'extérieur regardant dans Je suppose que nous sommes inexerabily liés par l'histoire et le sang ..... qu'on le veuille ou pas, mais parviennent à maintenir notre identité individuelle / langue / douanes même au plus fort de l'Empire britannique dite nous a fait uniques à travers le monde. Pour l'affiche critique encore, je dirais que vous avez une vague idée de ce que vous parlez, disant toutefois à quelqu'un de lire un livre est simplement enfantin, n'importe qui peut écrire un livre, does'nt faire effet, et de son bon de rappeler que l'histoire a plus souvent été écrite par conquorers et ceux qui se sont accrochés heros.
Nous sommes restés fidèles à notre identité Suedehead jusqu'à la fin des années quatre-vingt. En Angleterre il y avait beaucoup de mal entre les types de têtes nazie des os et des Peaux-Rouges, qui a été notre première indication que la politique était désormais gettin impliqués, l'Angleterre était en effervescence, il y avait un droit de Gouvernement aile au pouvoir et des milliers de travailleurs perdaient leur emploi. Le British National Party (toujours à la recherche d'une occasion) ont travaillé dur pour recruter de jeunes skinheads Clueless et leur colère sur un non-sens sur les immigrants et du pouvoir blanc. Je me souviens avoir demandé par un skinhead de 16 ans à Dublin en 1988obviously impressionné et un peu nerveuse de voir un de 25 ans traditionnelle Suedehead prospectifs. Ce garçon distribuait des tracts sur Sharp et me demanda aux conditions météorologiques ou non je le soutiendrais, il dit: «Je suis un SHARP Skin", j'ai dit "je suis un ".... SAP Skinheads Against Politics. Il rit, nous nous sommes serré la main et il dit: «Wow tu ressembles à quelque chose d'un documentaire sur les années soixante"
Bonne chance à vous et vos camarades de "Keep On Keepin On" "Right On" cheval de Troie à jamais, The Harder They Come! "
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Movie : The Firm
for all the Toronto FC fans out there, as well as skinheads, punks, mods and rudies, here is a sweet little film to check out. The Firm, a film by Nick Love.
Loosely adapted from Alan Clarke's 1989 classic TV film, Nick Love's film is set earlier in the 1980s in around 1984 and retells a similar story to the original - but from a different character's point of view. The film centres on Dom, a young wannabe football casual, who gets drawn in to the charismatic but dangerous world of the firm's top boy, Bex Bissell.
Loosely adapted from Alan Clarke's 1989 classic TV film, Nick Love's film is set earlier in the 1980s in around 1984 and retells a similar story to the original - but from a different character's point of view. The film centres on Dom, a young wannabe football casual, who gets drawn in to the charismatic but dangerous world of the firm's top boy, Bex Bissell.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Least we forget.
Please remember to buy a poppy, wear it on your left side, and respect the 2 mins of silence on November 11th.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Follow The S.H.A.R.P. Blog on Twitter
That right, we've decided to give Twitter a shot. Feel free to check us out, and follow us for quick little updates, and specials on S.H.A.R.P. gear. Just click here to check us out.
Monday, October 19, 2009
TAQWACORE: The Birth of Muslim Punk Rock
The filmmaker Omar Majeed is in the attendance in Toronto all week for Q&As. The author of the novel, THE TAQWACORES, Michael Muhammad Knight will give a panel discussion on Saturday October 24th, 2009.
In 2003, a white Muslim convert named Michael Muhammed Knight wrote a novel called THE TAQWACORES about a fictional music scene that managed to be both hardcore punk and Muslim at the same time. The book was an underground best-seller, and more importantly, struck a nerve with disenfranchised young Muslims everywhere. Soon after, actual "Taqwacore" bands began to form all over North America. This documentary film joins Michael and bands like The Secret Trial Five and The Kominas on their first tour / pilgrimage across the U.S.A., as they challenge Muslims and non-Muslims alike with audacious anthems like Sharia Law in the U.S.A. and Mohammed was a Punk Rocker. Their spiritual odyssey leads them to Pakistan, and their rocky attempt to bring punk to the streets of Lahore. Produced by EyeSteelFilm (Up the Yangtze, RIP!: A Remix Manifesto). Released By EyeSteelFilm / KinoSmith. 80 minutes.
Screening Times in Toronto:
Royal Cinema 608 College (at Clinton St.), Toronto tel. (416) 534-5252
Monday Oct. 19 - 7pm, 9:15pm
tickets: $10 /$8
TAQWACORE... check out the website for more info.
In 2003, a white Muslim convert named Michael Muhammed Knight wrote a novel called THE TAQWACORES about a fictional music scene that managed to be both hardcore punk and Muslim at the same time. The book was an underground best-seller, and more importantly, struck a nerve with disenfranchised young Muslims everywhere. Soon after, actual "Taqwacore" bands began to form all over North America. This documentary film joins Michael and bands like The Secret Trial Five and The Kominas on their first tour / pilgrimage across the U.S.A., as they challenge Muslims and non-Muslims alike with audacious anthems like Sharia Law in the U.S.A. and Mohammed was a Punk Rocker. Their spiritual odyssey leads them to Pakistan, and their rocky attempt to bring punk to the streets of Lahore. Produced by EyeSteelFilm (Up the Yangtze, RIP!: A Remix Manifesto). Released By EyeSteelFilm / KinoSmith. 80 minutes.
Screening Times in Toronto:
Royal Cinema 608 College (at Clinton St.), Toronto tel. (416) 534-5252
Monday Oct. 19 - 7pm, 9:15pm
tickets: $10 /$8
TAQWACORE... check out the website for more info.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Another blast from the past!
Digging up more old S.H.A.R.P. flyers from days gone by for you.
Click the poster for full view.
Anyone remember seeing this old beauty in a Zine or around town?
Click the poster for full view.
Anyone remember seeing this old beauty in a Zine or around town?
Monday, October 12, 2009
CHRIS MURRAY W/ SOUND ONE, DJ CAM CANADA
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 9:00pm Chris Murray (formerly of Toronto ska greats King Apparatus) will be playing the Smiling Buddha Bar (961 College Street, Toronto) with Sound One and DJ Cam Canada.
$10, 19 plus. Come dance the night away with this Canadian ska legend!
$10, 19 plus. Come dance the night away with this Canadian ska legend!
More old S.H.A.R.P. flyers
Bringing you an old flyer from back when S.H.A.R.P. was just in the United States. Here is some S.H.A.R.P. history for you guys and gals right here!
Just click on this image to see it larger.
Just click on this image to see it larger.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Skinhead "Family" Tree
Considering we have been on a kick bringing you music and video clips from the past, we here at Toronto SHARP thought it would be cool to show you an old flyer from way way back in the early 1990's showing the evolution of skinhead (in a nut shell).
Just click the image to see it full size. Oh the memories this brings back!
Just click the image to see it full size. Oh the memories this brings back!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A blast from the past!
Now as most of you know (or if you did not, now you do) Geraldo Rivera had a talk show back in the 1980's and he decided to have some boneheads on it, and well, tempers flared and he ended up with a broken nose (I'm pretty sure this happened in 1988). Anyways, after this happened, another American talk show called "People Are Talking" had a special with trad and anti-racist skinheads (including SHARP).
Here for your viewing pleasure is that long lost episode of "People Are Talking".
Here for your viewing pleasure is that long lost episode of "People Are Talking".
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
World of Skinhead
Here is a little bit more skinhead history for you. You'll love the soundtrack. Ohh the memories....
Some good interviews with skinheads of all races, all religions, colours and politics. A good place to start off if you want to learn some skinhead history.
Some good interviews with skinheads of all races, all religions, colours and politics. A good place to start off if you want to learn some skinhead history.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Skinhead Reggae
While we could have written a whole book about skinhead reggae, we figured most people today online don't have time to read a big long huge blog about this fantastic style of music. So we posted this youtube clip for you, followed by 2 of our favorite boss tracks. Listen to them loud, and dance like no one is looking.
Here we have Toots and the Maytals doing their classic "54-46"... Live!
And to close this post, we have the legendary Desmond Dekker doing "Israelites"... live!
If anyone is interested in hearing any more skinhead reggae greats, feel free to drop us a line and we will e-mail you some killer cuts.
Here we have Toots and the Maytals doing their classic "54-46"... Live!
And to close this post, we have the legendary Desmond Dekker doing "Israelites"... live!
If anyone is interested in hearing any more skinhead reggae greats, feel free to drop us a line and we will e-mail you some killer cuts.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Demonstration For Equality. Good times
Just a quick little post to let people know how the Demonstration for Equality went.
It was a small turn out, but the few who did come were very cool. A mix of skinhead, punk and hip-hop cultures all against racism. New friends were made, ideas and info exchanged, and a few people learned some truths about the skinhead subculture.
Local boneheads had been making threats against the organizers and random people who planned to attend the Demonstration for Equality on both Facebook and Craigslist, and well as sending some people private messages. But only 3 showed up at the demonstration to protest it and cause problems. That is if you count yelling out "Oi!" from across the street and up a flight of stairs, showing a white power flag and then running away as fast as they could causing a problem. Typical boneheads... tiny brains and tinier spines.
Cheers to the people of Toronto who went to this event and stood up for equality!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Demonstration For Equality. Friday September 18th.
On Friday September the 18th, some local lads and ladies have decided to put on a little demonstration for equality. They are planing on meeting up at Union Station after 3pm, and at 4pm march out to Queens Park for the demonstration. After this they will head out to the Annex to go see "Shwatarded", a film about how the 3Tards concert againt breast cancer was shut down by the police.
"Missed the last Shwatarded show ever?
Live it again!!!!
Shwatarded - The Movie
Filmed during a charity fundraiser in Memorial Park in Oshawa, Ontario, watch the antics unfold as these punk rock undergods attempt the improbable... one woman, and four bands shattering a thousand stigmas in one action packed, fun filled, riotous rainy afternoon in the Shwa.
what happens is*almost* impossible to imagine....
Starring the now retired kings of Toronto Punk The 3Tards, and the hardest working band in Rock'n'Roll... The Groopies.
Shwatarded LIVE it….
September 18th, 2009 7PM
Bloor Cinemas
506 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
Last Friday of the Toronto International Film Festival
A Portion of proceeds from this screening will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
NORTHERN AGGRESSION - PROJECT BONEYARD VOLUME II
Insurgence Records has teamed up with the Turn It Down Campaign and a host of bands, show promoters, crews, and individuals to bring you: Northern Aggression - Project Boneyard Volume II. The scene is stepping up again to challenge the spread of fascist propaganda (and bad music) like Project Schoolyard, a lacklustre sampler CD crapped out by a US-based bonehead label in an attempt to recruit youth to the white power movement.
Our subculture has always played to the tune of 'having a laugh and having a say'. Our message to the fascists: Get out of what was never yours to begin with. The kids on the street won't be fooled, and we will never abandon turf to self-serving freeloaders like you and the muck you spread.
The Northern Aggression sampler features the hardest selections from Insurgence bands - several of them unreleased - accompanied by tracks from other bands in our orbit. This CD is without question, the best collection we've ever compiled. The first of several runs of 10,000 are hitting the streets as you read this.
Insurgence supporters armed with bulk copies of the sampler aim to get this spread as far and wide as possible. We need all the help we can muster! The success of the project relies on the involvement of groups and individuals like you!
We're urging supporters to purchase bulk (for as low as 50 cents a unit) and specifically target areas being contested by the fascists. At times like this, it's about more than just the music. It's about defending our way of life and dutifully reminding the boneheads where their place is.... In the dustbin of history!
The sampler CD is FREE with all orders from Insurgence Records and available in bulk from Insurgence Records
Insurgence supporters armed with bulk copies of the sampler aim to get this spread as far and wide as possible. We need all the help we can muster! The success of the project relies on the involvement of groups and individuals like you!
We're urging supporters to purchase bulk (for as low as 50 cents a unit) and specifically target areas being contested by the fascists. At times like this, it's about more than just the music. It's about defending our way of life and dutifully reminding the boneheads where their place is.... In the dustbin of history!
The sampler CD is FREE with all orders from Insurgence Records and available in bulk from Insurgence Records
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Suedehead speaks his mind!
We got a comment from an older skin/suedehead from the 1970's that we liked enough to publish as a post, so that everyone could read it. Here is a bit of scene history for everyone. Enjoy!
We stayed true to our Suedehead identity until the late eighties. In England there was alot of trouble between Bone head Nazi types and Redskins, that was our first indication that politics was now gettin involved, England was in turmoil, there was a right-wing gouvernment in power and thousands of workers were loosing their jobs. The Brittish National Party (always looking for an opportunity) worked hard to recruit young clueless Skinheads and anger them up on nonsense about immigrants and white power. I remember being asked by a 16 year old skinhead in Dublin in 1988obviously impressed and a little nervous at seeing a 25 year old traditional looking Suedehead. This lad was handing out leaflets about SHARP and asked me wheather or not i would support it, He said "I'm a SHARP Skin", I said "I'm a SAP".... Skinheads Against Politics. He laughed, we shook hands and he said "Wow you look like something out of a documentary about the sixties"
Good luck to you and your mates "Keep on Keepin On" "Right On" Trojan forever, The Harder they come!"
"Hello There, I like your style and efforts to explain SHARP etc.
I myself was a teenager during the SKA revival of 1979 which resulted in a huge revival of the 1960's/'70's Skinhead/Suedehead culture. After the initial buzz died down we were determined to get it right and looked deeply into the traditional skinhead culture of 1969. We preferred to be known as Suedeheads, (because the Bone-Head had already appeared, a mix of all the bad sides of the Punk/Skinhead scene) we hung around alot with Mods (who were also having a revival at that time)and also drove Lambretta scooters (Vespas were seen as being a bit too Mod for us). We would only cut our hair to a grade/blade 3 or 4 with a side-parting shaved into the side of the head. (some old boys would jokeingly call us tennisballs) For us it was style and immage, smart sta-prest trousers brogues/loafers/boots polished up like mirrors, three quarter length black or navy crombie coats with the all important ticket pocket. We scoured shops for genuine 1960's clothes. Long-collared button down shirts and genuine navy blue Levis 501's jackets and trousers cut and turned IN (not rolled up)and occasionally the badge of the working-class..... the half inch braces (suspenders). There was no racism. Fighting often occured between us and what we called casuals (people who dressed in current fashion) usually started by them, or long haired guys into heavy metal. We would support the Mods if they were being picked on (Mods n Rockers) but there were no race issues then because Ireland was relatively a 99 percent white country. The poster who tried to put Ireland in the "Brittish Box" made me laugh, but from the outside looking in i suppose we are inexerabily linked through history and blood..... like it or not, but managing to maintain our individual identity/language/customs even during the height of the so called Brittish Empire has made us unique throughout the world. To the critical poster again i would say you have a vague idea of what you are talking about, however telling someone to read a book is just childish, anyone can write a book, does'nt make it fact, and its worth remembering that history was more often written by conquorers and those who hung heros.We stayed true to our Suedehead identity until the late eighties. In England there was alot of trouble between Bone head Nazi types and Redskins, that was our first indication that politics was now gettin involved, England was in turmoil, there was a right-wing gouvernment in power and thousands of workers were loosing their jobs. The Brittish National Party (always looking for an opportunity) worked hard to recruit young clueless Skinheads and anger them up on nonsense about immigrants and white power. I remember being asked by a 16 year old skinhead in Dublin in 1988obviously impressed and a little nervous at seeing a 25 year old traditional looking Suedehead. This lad was handing out leaflets about SHARP and asked me wheather or not i would support it, He said "I'm a SHARP Skin", I said "I'm a SAP".... Skinheads Against Politics. He laughed, we shook hands and he said "Wow you look like something out of a documentary about the sixties"
Good luck to you and your mates "Keep on Keepin On" "Right On" Trojan forever, The Harder they come!"
Friday, August 7, 2009
Klownheads and the Klown Klux Klan
So this really has nothing to do with Toronto, and we saw this on another blog, but damn it made us laugh. So we decided to post it here too.
Thanks goes to the ARC for showing us this!
Thanks goes to the ARC for showing us this!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Punk Rock Girl - Rehab For Quitters
Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, Toronto's own Rehab For Quitters first video, 'Punk Rock Girl'
Are these guys good or what?
Rehab For Quitters
Are these guys good or what?
Rehab For Quitters
Monday, July 13, 2009
Punk Rock Matinee!
Boys and girls, finally a reason to visit Hamilton! Check out some tunes from Class War Kids. Then check out some tunes from Broadcast Zero. Like what you hear? Wait till you see them live (we've heard the other bands are pretty damn good too)!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Insurgence Records Sampler
Way back in 2004, some neo-nazi twats decided to target school children with their white power RAC crap, which if you ask us, sounds like barking dogs and bad metal guitars. They were handing out these CD's at high schools in hopes to brainwash and recruit some young kids to become the next wave of brain dead stormtroopers. 100,000 CD samplers were supposed to be sent out all around the United States and Canada. They were calling it 'Project Schoolyard U.S.A.'
Insurgence Records decided to take a stand and do something to counter this. They came up with 'Project Boneyard U.S.A.' A CD sampler of much better quality bands, all who were against racists. They offered this CD sampler for free download from their website, along with artwork. 16 tracks, and every one a winner.
Insurgence Records still offers this free sampler on their website. Here is the track listing.
THE PROWLERS - Through All The Years
STAGE BOTTLES - Real Skinhead
FIGHTING CHANCE - History Repeats
FATE 2 HATE - Iron Fist
THE CLASS ASSASSINS - Full Control
THE PROWLERS - We Come Out First
THE OPPRESSED - Sleeping With the Enemy
STAGE BOTTLES - Dead But Not Forgiven
FATE 2 HATE - Fight For Justice
HELL TO PAY - Zero Tolerance
FIGHTING CHANCE - Coward's Pride
THE CLASS ASSASSINS - No Justice, No Peace
FINAL FOUR - Us Against Them
THE OPPRESSED - Work Together
FATE 2 HATE - Prove (unreleased)
FIGHTING CHANCE - Blamed
Now after looking at who is on this sampler, I'm sure you are asking yourself where you can get it... well just click here and it will take you straight to Insurgence's webpage and the download link. Download it, have a listen, and enjoy. And if you really like it feel free to buy a CD, scarf pin or patch from Insurgence. They are cool people after all.
Cheers to Insurgence Records, for actually standing up and making a difference!
Friday, June 26, 2009
2nd Annual Bottom Feeders Beach Bash 'n' Car Crash
Our friends, Toronto's best car club, The Bottom Feeders are having a little party. Come check it out!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
What is S.H.A.R.P.?
There have been numerous email sent to the Toronto S.H.A.R.P. blog asking all sorts of questions. From the well thought out, to the really really strange (along with the normal Neo-Nazi bonehead rants and raves, but we will leave that for another day). Normally when an email comes in, we do our best to answer it. But sometimes the same question pops up from may different readers. So today, we are going to answer a few of the generally asked questions for everyone.
What is S.H.A.R.P.?
S.H.A.R.P. stands for Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice. Nothing more, nothing less. No, this is not a joke, and no this is not an oxymoron. Most skinheads are not racist. And by 'skinheads', we mean actual skinheads, not bald racists running around trying to ruin a good scene. It takes more than a shaved head and a pair of boots to be a skinhead. You should have pride in yourself, your friends, family and country. You should have a good love of skinhead reggae, ska, soul, and oi music. You should care about how you look, and be working class. Stand up for yourself, and those you care about. Have a beer with your friends, watch a game, listen to some good tunes, don't take too much crap from people and have a good time. This is what it takes to be a skinhead. S.H.A.R.P. skinheads are just traditional skinheads tired of being associated with racist boneheads in the general media. Remember your skinhead roots. Pride without prejudice.
Another way to look at it is that the Klu Klux Klan claim to be Christians, so does that mean everyone who celebrates Christmas is a Klan member? Of course not. The same holds true for skinheads. Some bald idiot in army pants and boots shouting racist stuff is as representitive of skinheads as the Klan is to Christians.
Is S.H.A.R.P. political?
S.H.A.R.P. is political in one way only. We are against racial prejudice in our scene. Beyond that one point any member of S.H.A.R.P. is an individual, with his or her own politics, be they left leaning, right leaning or center politics.
Is S.H.A.R.P. a gang?
No. We are a crew of friends. If we were not S.H.A.R.P. we would still hang out, drink beer, watch TFC matches, and go to shows.
I'm not a skinhead. Can I still be a S.H.A.R.P.?
Ask yourself this question. Why do you want to be a S.H.A.R.P.? If you are not a skinhead, are you part of the scene that skinheads involve ourselves in? If the answer is no, why would you wan to be a S.H.A.R.P.? While there are a few non skinheads in Toronto S.H.A.R.P., they are all involved in the the ska, soul, punk or oi scene, or in the football scene. If you are an anti-racist, and want to make a difference fighting racists, you might want to look into one of the many local anti-racist groups. We don't go looking for racists to fight. We will ALWAYS take a stand against them when they try to start shit, but there are more active groups out there that might be more to your liking.
I'm not white. Can I join S.H.A.R.P.?
Skin colour has nothing to do with being a skinhead. A skinhead of any colour will always be welcome in S.H.A.R.P.
Can women be S.H.A.R.P. too?
Yes.
Is S.H.A.R.P. violent?
S.H.A.R.P. is a skinhead thing, and lets be honest... skinheads are known to fight. But Toronto S.H.A.R.P. will never go out and look for a fight. And we will never start one. But we will also not back down to racist bullies. These our our streets, our pubs, and to borrow a chant from TFC supporters, "This is our house".
What do different colour laces mean?
We have already written about this. See here for the answer.
Keep writing into the Toronto S.H.A.R.P. blog with your questions We will answer them.
What is S.H.A.R.P.?
S.H.A.R.P. stands for Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice. Nothing more, nothing less. No, this is not a joke, and no this is not an oxymoron. Most skinheads are not racist. And by 'skinheads', we mean actual skinheads, not bald racists running around trying to ruin a good scene. It takes more than a shaved head and a pair of boots to be a skinhead. You should have pride in yourself, your friends, family and country. You should have a good love of skinhead reggae, ska, soul, and oi music. You should care about how you look, and be working class. Stand up for yourself, and those you care about. Have a beer with your friends, watch a game, listen to some good tunes, don't take too much crap from people and have a good time. This is what it takes to be a skinhead. S.H.A.R.P. skinheads are just traditional skinheads tired of being associated with racist boneheads in the general media. Remember your skinhead roots. Pride without prejudice.
Another way to look at it is that the Klu Klux Klan claim to be Christians, so does that mean everyone who celebrates Christmas is a Klan member? Of course not. The same holds true for skinheads. Some bald idiot in army pants and boots shouting racist stuff is as representitive of skinheads as the Klan is to Christians.
Is S.H.A.R.P. political?
S.H.A.R.P. is political in one way only. We are against racial prejudice in our scene. Beyond that one point any member of S.H.A.R.P. is an individual, with his or her own politics, be they left leaning, right leaning or center politics.
Is S.H.A.R.P. a gang?
No. We are a crew of friends. If we were not S.H.A.R.P. we would still hang out, drink beer, watch TFC matches, and go to shows.
I'm not a skinhead. Can I still be a S.H.A.R.P.?
Ask yourself this question. Why do you want to be a S.H.A.R.P.? If you are not a skinhead, are you part of the scene that skinheads involve ourselves in? If the answer is no, why would you wan to be a S.H.A.R.P.? While there are a few non skinheads in Toronto S.H.A.R.P., they are all involved in the the ska, soul, punk or oi scene, or in the football scene. If you are an anti-racist, and want to make a difference fighting racists, you might want to look into one of the many local anti-racist groups. We don't go looking for racists to fight. We will ALWAYS take a stand against them when they try to start shit, but there are more active groups out there that might be more to your liking.
I'm not white. Can I join S.H.A.R.P.?
Skin colour has nothing to do with being a skinhead. A skinhead of any colour will always be welcome in S.H.A.R.P.
Can women be S.H.A.R.P. too?
Yes.
Is S.H.A.R.P. violent?
S.H.A.R.P. is a skinhead thing, and lets be honest... skinheads are known to fight. But Toronto S.H.A.R.P. will never go out and look for a fight. And we will never start one. But we will also not back down to racist bullies. These our our streets, our pubs, and to borrow a chant from TFC supporters, "This is our house".
What do different colour laces mean?
We have already written about this. See here for the answer.
Keep writing into the Toronto S.H.A.R.P. blog with your questions We will answer them.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Celtic Soul Bhoys
Will be spinning some fantastic ska, soul and skinhead reggae on Sat. June 20 at the Cloak & Dagger (394 College St. Toronto). Doors open at 10pm and it's free admittance.
Every time these talented and fun loving dj's put on a night, you KNOW you will be having a good time. Come have a pint and a laugh!
Every time these talented and fun loving dj's put on a night, you KNOW you will be having a good time. Come have a pint and a laugh!
Friday, June 5, 2009
TFC LA Game Action - Final Decision From The Red Patch Boys
Direct from the Red Patch Boys:
"Well, this has been a hell of a week and a rollercoaster ride of emotion.
After much debate, we have decided upon a course of action to express our concerns over the state of affairs in TFC-land.
I know several forum users have been eager to join in this initiative, so these are our plans for the next steps. Please join us in ensuring TFC gets the message and continues to strive to do the best they can.
This is the plan for Saturday:
No official merch or colours
No banners or flags
Yes capo, yes drums. (<--no point in going and chanting and not doing it properly, I think) At the end of the game, win or lose, we meet at Gate 3 and march to gate 4 to protest the FO During the game chant and sing for the boys on the field. Whatever we may feel about what needs to happen with the team, we need these three points on Saturday. We will reduce our in-stadium spending. I know not everyone will boycott beer, but try buying one instead of two, or two instead of three. We will aim for a full-on concessions boycott, but we also need to build it up and try to get as many people on board as we can. We will aim for the June 13th game as the 100% boycott. At the same time as we plan this for Saturday, we are also looking at measures to express our concerns through email campaigns and phone campaigns to our ticket reps. On Monday, when the Madrid tickets go on sale, we should all phone our reps to register our concerns. We will put forth a list of concerns we can all express, but feel free to make your own . We will also put together an email that we can send to the higher ups at the team. This same sort of communication will be sent out through our Facebook group and the message board users list. We may need to get some flyers showing our concerns printed and be ready to hand these out by the New York game. These are the first steps after which we will assess the situation and move forward. There will be a meeting with the heads of the supporters groups and the team this afternoon which will hopefully help clarify some of our concerns."
"Well, this has been a hell of a week and a rollercoaster ride of emotion.
After much debate, we have decided upon a course of action to express our concerns over the state of affairs in TFC-land.
I know several forum users have been eager to join in this initiative, so these are our plans for the next steps. Please join us in ensuring TFC gets the message and continues to strive to do the best they can.
This is the plan for Saturday:
No official merch or colours
No banners or flags
Yes capo, yes drums. (<--no point in going and chanting and not doing it properly, I think) At the end of the game, win or lose, we meet at Gate 3 and march to gate 4 to protest the FO During the game chant and sing for the boys on the field. Whatever we may feel about what needs to happen with the team, we need these three points on Saturday. We will reduce our in-stadium spending. I know not everyone will boycott beer, but try buying one instead of two, or two instead of three. We will aim for a full-on concessions boycott, but we also need to build it up and try to get as many people on board as we can. We will aim for the June 13th game as the 100% boycott. At the same time as we plan this for Saturday, we are also looking at measures to express our concerns through email campaigns and phone campaigns to our ticket reps. On Monday, when the Madrid tickets go on sale, we should all phone our reps to register our concerns. We will put forth a list of concerns we can all express, but feel free to make your own . We will also put together an email that we can send to the higher ups at the team. This same sort of communication will be sent out through our Facebook group and the message board users list. We may need to get some flyers showing our concerns printed and be ready to hand these out by the New York game. These are the first steps after which we will assess the situation and move forward. There will be a meeting with the heads of the supporters groups and the team this afternoon which will hopefully help clarify some of our concerns."
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Ska Saves Lives 2: Ravers and Rudeboi's, a War Child Benefit
Alright ladies and gent's, those who were there last year know it was a solid show...this year is going to be bigger and better! As part of NXNE we have extended bar hours until 3AM! So come drink for an extra hour, and party your faces off for a great cause...
2 FLOORS OF MUSICAL MADNESS! Bands until Midnight! DJ's Until 4am!!
Area 1: This Is Ska!!?!?!!!
Omega 3 Fatty Asses
Suspect
Phil Allister
The Good Times (inc)
BiG Scen
The Bring Back Swayze's (comedy duo, like flight of the conchords but more gangster)
The Arsenals (Ska Legends..have shared the stage with Toots and The Maytals, Barrington Levy, The Slackers, The Toasters and many more)
plus
MARCUS VISIONARY (Canadian DnB Pioneer)
DJ UNABOMBER (infamous shitshow anthems)
DJ Hi-C (Jump up and then laid back jungle sounds)
Area 2: ...loud music saves lives
Bored Stiff
Pissed To The Eye
Police/Thieves
Ghetto Blaster
Blunt Fiction
Fatality
DJ DMT (blog Beats)
Dj PIKPOKET (dubstep and w/e)
MORE TO BE ANNOUCED
Tickets $10 in adv, $15 @ The Door
Proceeds from the event will go to WAR CHILD an international aid agency that has raised awarness for issues such as the Genocide in Darfur, and currently aid-ing the war torn Tamil's in Sri Lanka...
for more info on warchild and what they go to www.warchild.ca
2 FLOORS OF MUSICAL MADNESS! Bands until Midnight! DJ's Until 4am!!
Area 1: This Is Ska!!?!?!!!
Omega 3 Fatty Asses
Suspect
Phil Allister
The Good Times (inc)
BiG Scen
The Bring Back Swayze's (comedy duo, like flight of the conchords but more gangster)
The Arsenals (Ska Legends..have shared the stage with Toots and The Maytals, Barrington Levy, The Slackers, The Toasters and many more)
plus
MARCUS VISIONARY (Canadian DnB Pioneer)
DJ UNABOMBER (infamous shitshow anthems)
DJ Hi-C (Jump up and then laid back jungle sounds)
Area 2: ...loud music saves lives
Bored Stiff
Pissed To The Eye
Police/Thieves
Ghetto Blaster
Blunt Fiction
Fatality
DJ DMT (blog Beats)
Dj PIKPOKET (dubstep and w/e)
MORE TO BE ANNOUCED
Tickets $10 in adv, $15 @ The Door
Proceeds from the event will go to WAR CHILD an international aid agency that has raised awarness for issues such as the Genocide in Darfur, and currently aid-ing the war torn Tamil's in Sri Lanka...
for more info on warchild and what they go to www.warchild.ca
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
A S.H.A.R.P. Girl Story
Everyone has that moment in life where it hits them, this is where I belong, this is a part of who I am. That happened to me when I became a skinhead, to me it just felt right. It clicked, after all I had grown up listening to many of the reggae and ska artists that are famous for being a part of skinhead culture. I had run with kids from most crowds and identified a lot with the punks, I even knew a few SHARPS as a teen, we all hung out together, went to shows, parties, had the same ideals about life, politics and music. Loud fast and aggressive, get the message out, take what you can and run with it.
Being a skinbyrd means being a strong woman, outspoken, probably a bit rowdy, ready to go to the show and dance and yell and drink just as hard as the boys, all the while with a grin on your face. It means I walk down the street with my head held high, not in disdain but in confidence of who I am. I remember cutting my hair (similiar to a feather cut but a bit longer), putting on my fred perry and skirt, SHARP pin on my flatcap. I looked good, I looked proud. I felt it inside me and it showed. I always wore my heart and pride on my sleeve, now I was putting it out there for the world to see. I saw me, I saw a skinhead and I saw that I was finally in the right place. This is a way of life and I have fully embraced it, ready and willing with all the responsibility that comes with it. In the end, I just wanna toss back a pint, dance dance dance and fall in love with my skinhead man. After all, even tough girls need someone sometimes...
I wasn't ready to be a skin yet, I was still searching for the right path in my life. But over time I realized there was so much to the way of life, the culture, the music, the fashion that drew me in, and ultimately kept me there. Strength, pride, unity, respect and above all fun with your mates, it was me through and through. Growing up my father raised me with the belief that all people deserved respect, despite differences in culture, race or religion. You can disagree but respect comes first. The same can be said for being a skinhead, politics dont come first, race doesnt come first, instead its what brought you together that is celebrated, its what makes you strong. Being a girl, I have often been the one to run with the boys, I always had a crew to watch my back, skins or not. But as a skinbyrd I can say its not just a boys club, women are just as important too, our opinions are repected, valued, hell there's so many great songs about us our men must love us!
Being a skinbyrd means being a strong woman, outspoken, probably a bit rowdy, ready to go to the show and dance and yell and drink just as hard as the boys, all the while with a grin on your face. It means I walk down the street with my head held high, not in disdain but in confidence of who I am. I remember cutting my hair (similiar to a feather cut but a bit longer), putting on my fred perry and skirt, SHARP pin on my flatcap. I looked good, I looked proud. I felt it inside me and it showed. I always wore my heart and pride on my sleeve, now I was putting it out there for the world to see. I saw me, I saw a skinhead and I saw that I was finally in the right place. This is a way of life and I have fully embraced it, ready and willing with all the responsibility that comes with it. In the end, I just wanna toss back a pint, dance dance dance and fall in love with my skinhead man. After all, even tough girls need someone sometimes...
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 22nd Two Tone and Trad Ska at Lee's Palace
A full night of Two Tone and Trad Ska courtesy of...
FRANKIE FOO - Toronto's own monthly Ska staple, dance numbers and love songs to soothe your aching skull. Hold the phones.
RUDE BOY - Hailing from Ottawa and having recently opened for The English Beat, they'll show you what eleven years of Two Tone style ska music can do to your dancing feet.
SOUND ONE - Heavy traditional Ska music non stop, drawing great influence from the original Skatalites, fully instrumental hard sounds that more than compel you to move your feet.
Lee's Palace, May 22nd, $7 at the door, starts at 9pm, 19+
FRANKIE FOO - Toronto's own monthly Ska staple, dance numbers and love songs to soothe your aching skull. Hold the phones.
RUDE BOY - Hailing from Ottawa and having recently opened for The English Beat, they'll show you what eleven years of Two Tone style ska music can do to your dancing feet.
SOUND ONE - Heavy traditional Ska music non stop, drawing great influence from the original Skatalites, fully instrumental hard sounds that more than compel you to move your feet.
Lee's Palace, May 22nd, $7 at the door, starts at 9pm, 19+
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Business and Overpower June 25th, Toronto
On June 25 Toronto's favorite local oi band Overpower will be playing a show with the legendary Business at Lees Palace!
Tickets are $16 advance (don't bother trying to get them at the door, this show will sell out!) and doors open at 8:30 pm. Sorry kids, this show is 19+ to get in.
Tickets for all shows at Ticketmaster, Rotate This, Soundscapes, and Horseshoe.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A S.H.A.R.P. Story II
Another member of Toronto S.H.A.R.P. shares their story:
I first got into the Skinhead scene around 2 years ago for all the wrong reasons. I was young, angry, impressionable and an easy target for Nazi bonehead propaganda. I liked the feeling of being superior to others and most of all being feared by others. It was a rush to walk down the street with my boots, bomber jacket and Nazi patches. But the longer I was in there and the more I witnessed hateful acts being committed on innocent people the more I realized that these political and racial views were wrong and not for me. I left the bonehead movement about seven months ago, and it’s a change that I do not regret.
When I left I became a Traditional Skinhead and I felt so much better about myself, and the way I treated people. There was a lot of stress and pain taken off my mind. I could finally be me, a loving and caring person. I fell in love with Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, Northern Soul, and REAL Oi! A lot of music that I once loved before my thickheaded days.
When I left the boneheads I was sent many threatening messages by those I once considered comrades and friends. I was then truly able to see who these people were. Not long after becoming a Traditional Skin I realized that not only did I disagree with bonehead politics I hated it. It might have been partially because I felt bad for my previous alignment and because I wanted to make up for my actions, so I joined Toronto S.H.A.R.P. I got heat from both sides, people telling me I should hang up my boots but I’m not ready to do that, and I don’t think I ever will be ready to leave.
So here we are today, still being harassed by boneheads and your average Jane and Joe on the streets. I accept that people have been mislead by the media through out the 80’s, 90’s, and even now. Even though it angers me I still show respect and do my best to educate those willing to listen about the true Skinhead culture.
Cheers!
I first got into the Skinhead scene around 2 years ago for all the wrong reasons. I was young, angry, impressionable and an easy target for Nazi bonehead propaganda. I liked the feeling of being superior to others and most of all being feared by others. It was a rush to walk down the street with my boots, bomber jacket and Nazi patches. But the longer I was in there and the more I witnessed hateful acts being committed on innocent people the more I realized that these political and racial views were wrong and not for me. I left the bonehead movement about seven months ago, and it’s a change that I do not regret.
When I left I became a Traditional Skinhead and I felt so much better about myself, and the way I treated people. There was a lot of stress and pain taken off my mind. I could finally be me, a loving and caring person. I fell in love with Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, Northern Soul, and REAL Oi! A lot of music that I once loved before my thickheaded days.
When I left the boneheads I was sent many threatening messages by those I once considered comrades and friends. I was then truly able to see who these people were. Not long after becoming a Traditional Skin I realized that not only did I disagree with bonehead politics I hated it. It might have been partially because I felt bad for my previous alignment and because I wanted to make up for my actions, so I joined Toronto S.H.A.R.P. I got heat from both sides, people telling me I should hang up my boots but I’m not ready to do that, and I don’t think I ever will be ready to leave.
So here we are today, still being harassed by boneheads and your average Jane and Joe on the streets. I accept that people have been mislead by the media through out the 80’s, 90’s, and even now. Even though it angers me I still show respect and do my best to educate those willing to listen about the true Skinhead culture.
Cheers!
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