THE OPPRESSED

Interview with Roddy Moreno
from Work Together webzine, 04

Work Together - Oi! Roddy, Here's my first question. What are the reasons for the change in line up of THE OPPRESSED? What about your old drummer?

Roddy - Me and Dom have been Oppressed since 1982, Floyd has been with us since about 1996 and Tony has only just joined us. Our last drummer, Yan, took over from my younger brother Adrian around 1998 but he only played on some studio recordings. We went with Tony for the latest line up because he is a Skinhead and knows all about the Oi! scene. He used to play drums for Societys Rejects back in 1984 and is perfect for us. There was no real reason for changing the line up except that Tony already knows the ropes and what to expect when we play live.

Work Together - Your last release has been published some years ago and was only a remastered version of songs that already existed. Are you planning some new songs for the next time?

Roddy - I have just finished 3 new songs for a split CD in Japan. Along with The Oppressed there will 3 tracks each from United Front (UK), United We Stand (JAPAN), and Oi!Valcans (JAPAN). It should be released in November '04. Our new songs are called UNITED WE STAND, PAEDOPHILE, and NOBODYS FOOL. I am also working on new songs for a new studio release early next year. Here is a sample of the new stuff:

UNITED WE STAND AGAINST THE HATE AND THE BIGOTRY
UNITED WE STAND AND NEVER LIE
UNITED WE STAND WE'RE AN ANTI FASCIST BAND
UNITED WE STAND UNTIL WE DIE.

Work Together - I can't wait to hear the new songs ;) Apropos songs - who of you writes all the great Oppressed songs?

Roddy - I write all the songs for the band. White Flag I co-wrote with Martin Brennan, and Urban Soldiers I co-wrote with Lee Jenkins. I also write all the music, I show the rest what to play because I can't actually write music.

Work Together - Ok, let's talk about another part of your life - SHARP. You brought that movement from America to Europe. Some people like it and some people don't because they think it divides the skinhead scene. How did SHARP influence the European skinhead scene? Did it cause a positive or a negative change and did it make a change at all?

Roddy - For my SHARP views you can take it from our website: www.theoppressed.co.uk Look in History.

Work Together - I read all that. My question was if you think SHARP has been a success and solved the problem more or less.

Roddy - SHARP, and more importantly, the SHARP attitude has had a massive influence on Skinhead culture. Remember how it used to be back in the eighties when the Boneheads nearly strangled the cult. Remember how kids thought to be a Skinhead you had to be a Nazi. If it wasn't for SHARP and other groups like AFA, ARA, RASH and all the rest we would be swimming in a sea of swastikers by now. Don't listen to all the shit about splits and politics, the Boneheads go on about it because they know how we drove them underground and reclaimed Skinhead culture for true Skinheads. The non-politicals go on about it because it's easier than taking on the scum. I've been a Skinhead since 1969 and I know what it's meant since day one.

Work Together - I totally agree with that! You just mentioned RASH. What do you think about that group? The Angelic Upstarts, for example worked together with them closely. Did you have or had closer contact with RASH groups?

Roddy - I haven't had any contact with RASH but I support what they stand for and their fight against Fascists. People say the REDS are no better than the Nazis, but I don't see no reds attacking innocent asian kids or desecrating jewish graves. Redskins give nobody trouble except Nazis so more power to them. To me it's simple, Nazis are cowards who pick on people they know can't defend themselves. RASH are just sussed Skinheads who fight to defend their culture. People call them commie bastards for the same reason they slag SHARP. Fuck the Fascists and fuck those who turn their backs on the Fascist threat.

Work Together - Ok, let's change the topic again. What do you do in your free time? Have you got any hobbies that you're doing when you don't make music?

Roddy - When I'm not making music I don't do much. I sometimes DJ playing 60s early 70s Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae and Soul unless I'm down the football watching Cardiff City FC. I spend a bit of time on the computer sorting Emails and stuff related to the band.

Work Together - Have you got a family?

Roddy - Yes. A missus, a 14-year old boy, and 2 dogs.

Work Together - ok, last question - as a guy with coloured hair I have to ask you what you and the Oppressed think of punk and unity between punx and skins.

Roddy - We're an Oi! band, and in my book Oi! is for Skins, Punks, Herberts, and any old Hooligan who wants to listen. Look back at my Oi! Records label and you'll find 5 Volumes of the SKINS 'N' PUNKS split albums. Oi! is music for the working classes and everyone is welcome.

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