4-Skins

4-Skins

 

History

The 4‑Skins formed in 1979 in the East End of London, emerging from the working‑class punk and skinhead scenes that were rapidly evolving into what became known as Oi!. The original lineup featured Gary Hodges on vocals, “Hoxton” Tom McCourt on guitar, Steve “H” Harmer on bass and John Jacobs on drums. Their early shows were intense, energetic, and drew heavily from the skinhead subculture, reflecting the gritty realities of urban working‑class life.

By 1980–81, The 4‑Skins had become one of the most visible bands in the second wave of British punk. Their songs—raw, confrontational, and often political—became staples of Oi! compilations and live shows. They were known for anthems like “One Law for Them”, “ACAB”, and “Justice”, which captured the frustration and anger of their audience. Their live performances were notorious for their aggression and football‑terrace‑style shout‑along choruses.

The band went through frequent lineup changes, including four different vocalists over their early years. Even their manager briefly stepped in as a singer at one point. This instability became part of their lore but didn’t stop them from producing influential material. Key vocalists included Gary Hodges (1979–81), Tony “Panther” Cummins (1981–83), Roi “Millwall” Pearce (1983–84). Their shifting membership also included musicians like Steve “Rockabilly” Pear, Paul Swain, and Pete Abbot.

Despite being vocally politically middle ground, the band became entangled in controversy after a race riot in Southall in 1981, during a triple‑bill of Oi! bands. On the 3rd July 1981 in Southall, an predominantly Indian area of west London, hundreds of white skinheads had gathered to watch The 4-Skins, The Last Resort and The Business at the Hambrough Tavern pub. A violent confrontation erupted between the skinheads and the local Indian gangs.

This resulted in a riot with stones, rubble and petrol bombs being hurled. The police tried to restore order and were also pelted with missiles and suffered significant injuries and several police vehicles were destroyed. Along the main road Southall Broadway nearly every shop window was smashed.

Racial tensions already existed in the area – a popular place for the British nationalist political group – the National Front to hold rallies. Only 2 years previous a white left-wing Anti-Nazi League activist had been struck on the head by the police at a counter protest against the National Front election meeting.

Although the violence was caused by fans – not the band – the incident severely damaged their reputation. Promoters became wary, the music press turned hostile, and the band’s rising momentum stalled. Original vocalist Gary Hodges left shortly after.

The 4‑Skins released several key recordings in the early 1980s, including – The Good, The Bad & The 4‑Skins (1982), A Fistful of… 4‑Skins (1983), From Chaos to 1984 (1984). Their studio work often showed more musical range than their live reputation suggested. For example, the ska‑infused “Plastic Gangsters” demonstrated a surprising versatility.

The band originally split in 1984, but their legacy endured within punk and skinhead circles. They later reformed with new lineups in 2007 and 2008, led primarily by Gary Hodges and Tom McCourt in different configurations. These later incarnations continued to perform and record, keeping the 4‑Skins name alive for new generations.

The 4‑Skins remain one of the most influential Oi! bands because they captured the raw, unfiltered voice of Britain’s working class during a turbulent era. Their music, controversies, and constant reinvention make them a central chapter in punk and Oi! history.

 

Discography

Official Productions
1981 – One law for them / brave new world – Clockwork Fun Records – CF 101 – EP
1981 – Yesterday’s Heroes / Justice / Get Out of My Life – Secret Records – SHH 125 – EP
1982 – Low life / bread or blood – Secret Records – SHH 141 – EP
1982 – The Good, the Bad & the 4 Skins – Secret Records – SEC 4 – LP
1983 – Seems to Me – Secret Records – EP
1983 – A Fistul Of… 4 Skins – Syndicate Records – SYN 1 – LP
1984 – From Chaos to 1984 (Live) – Syndicate Records – SYN 5 – LP
2009 – The 4-Skins – Thanks For The Memories / Evil Conduct – Clockwork Firm / Randale Records – CF-001 / RAN 47
2010 – The Return – Randale Records – RAN 050 – Germany – CD

 

Live Albums and Bootlegs
1981 – Live im Bridgehouse London – 4-Skins Productions – MC
1987 – A few 4 Skins more Vol.1 – Link Records – LP
1987 – A few 4 Skins more Vol.2 – Link Records – LP
1987 – The Wonderful World Of The 4-Skins
1989 – Live & Loud – Link Records – LP/CD
1991 – The Best of the 4 Skins – Link Records – CD
1993 – The Wonderful World of the 4 Skins – Step 1 – CD
1997 – The Best Of The 4-Skins – Harry May Records – UK (limited edition including 7″ singles)
1998 – Singalong a 4 Skins – Snapper Records – CD
1999 – Clockwork Skinhead – Harry May Records – CD
2000 – One law for them – CanCan Records – CD
2000 – Low life – Get Back Records – CD
2000 – Singles & Rarities – Captain Oi! Records – UK
2001 – The secret life of the 4 Skins – Captain Oi! Records – UK – CD
2001 – The Best of the 4 Skins – Recall 2 CD – UK – CD
2003 – History Of.. – Taang Records – 2003 – 2xCD

 

Split
2009 – 4 Skins & Evil Conduct – Turning the Past into the Present – Clockwork Firm – Randale Records – EP

 

Samplers
1980 – Oi! The Album – (Wonderful World, Chaos) – EMI Records – UK
100% British Oi! (CD1: 20. Sorry)
1981 – Carry on Oi!! (11. Evil) – Secret Records
1981- Strength Thru Oi! (02. 1984 / 15. Sorry) – Decca Records
The best of Oi! – Vol. 1 (07. One law for them / 16. Yesterday’s heroes)
The best of Oi! – Vol. 2 (03. Evil / 22. On the streets)
The best of Oi! – Vol. 3 (02. Low life)
1983 – Son Of Oi! – (On The Streets) – Syndicate Records
1997 – Lords Of Oi! (Clockwork Skinhead, Plastic Gangster, Summer Holidays) – Dressed To Kill Records
2008 – Kings Of Street Punk (Glory Days, Chaos 2007) – G&R Records

 

Track Lists

 

One Law For Them
01. One Law For Them
02. Brave New World

Yesterday’s Heroes
01. Yesterday’s Heroes
02. Justice
03. Get Out Of My Life

Low life
01. Low life
02. Bread or blood

The Good, the Bad & the 4 Skins
01. Plastic Gangsters (3:25)
02. Jealousy (2:14)
03. Yesterday’s Heroes (2:28)
04. Justice (2:31)
05. Jack The Lad (3:32)
06. Remembrance Day (3:13)
07. Manifesto (2:50)
08. Wonderful World (L:Ive) (1:47)
09. Sorry (Live) (3:21)
10. Evil (Live) (2:25)
11. I Don`T Wanna Die (Live) (3:13)
12. A.C.A.B. (Live) (1:48)
13. Chaos (Live) (3:17)
14. One Law For Them (Live) (3:16)

Seems to Me
01. Seems to Me (3:18)
02. Norman (4:32)

A Fistul Of…4 Skins
01. 5 More Years (3:20)
02. Waiting For A Friend (3:36)
03. Johnny Go Home (2:59)
04. The Gambler (3:30)
05. I`ll Stick To My Guns (2:53)
06. One File (3:56)
07. Forgotten Hero (4:01)
08. The Spy From Alaska (2:57)
09. H.M.P. (3:10)
10. No Excuse (3:33)
11. Betrayed (3:40)
12. City Boy (3:51)
13. New War (4:10)

From Chaos To 1984 (Live)
01. Wonderful World (1:56)
02. Jealousy (2:14)
03. On The Streets (3:03)
04. Johnny Go Home (3:27)
05. 1984 (2:39)
06. Bread Or Blood (3:31)
07. Saturday (3:20)
08. A.C.A.B. (1:57)
09. City Boy (3:50)
10. 5 More Years (3:49)
11. Evil (1:46)
12. One File (4:27)
13. Clockwork Skinhead (2:57)
14. Chaos (3:58)

Line up for the From Chaos to 1984 was Roi Pearce on vocals, Paul Swain in guitar, Hoxton Tom on bass and Ian Davis on drums.

The Return
01. The Return (3:14)
02. Brave New World (4:11)
03. I Don’t Care (3:15)
04. Jealousy (2:45)
05. Prawn Sandwich (2:54)
06. Sorry (3:32)
07. Evil (1:42)
08. Thanks For The Memories (3:57)
09. Take No More (2:43)
10. Come On Feel The Noize (3:12)
11. One Law For Them (2:59)
12. Soldiers Graves (2:14)
13. Yesterdays Heroes (2:47)
14. I’m Exlusive (3:10)

Live in Bridgehouse London
01. Wonderful World
02. Sorry
03. Summer Holiday
04. A.C.A.B.
05. Jealousy
06. 1984
07. Clockwork Skinhead
08. I Dont Wanna Die
09. Evil
10. Chaos
11. Wonderful World
12. Chaos

A few 4 Skins more Vol. 1
01. Plastic Gangsters (3:25)
02. Jalousy (2:14)
03. Yesterday’S Heroes (2:28)
04. Justice (2:31)
05. Jack The Lad (3:32)
06. Remembrance Day (3:13)
07. Manifesto (2:50)
08. Wonderful World (Live) (1:47)
09. 1984 (Live) (2:33)
10. Sorry (Live) (3:21)
11. Evil (Live) (2:25)
12. I Don’T Wanna Die (Live) (3:20)
13. A.C.A.B. (Live) (1:48)
14. Chaos (Live) (3:17)
15. Five More Years (3:21)
16. Johnny Go Home (3:27)
17. Gambler (3:30)
18. I’Ll Stick To My Guns (3:03)
19. On File (4:27)
20. Forgotten Hero (3:58)
21. H.M.P. (3:10)
22. No Excuse (3:36)
23. Betrayed (3:40)
24. City Boy (3:50)
25. New War (4:10)

A Few 4 Skins More Vol. 2
01. Wonderful World
02. Jealousy
03. On The Streets
04. Johnny Go Home
05. 1984
06. Bread Or Blood
07. Saturday
08. A.C.A.B.
09. City Boy
10. 5 More Years
11. Evil
12. One File
13. Clockwork Skinhead
14. Chaos
15. Clockwork Skinheads
16. Evil
17. 1984
18. Sorry
19. A.C.A.B.
20. I Don’T Wanna Die
21. Chaos (Herbert Version)
22. Brave New World
23. Get Out Of My Life
24. Bread Or Blood
25. Yesterday’S Heroes
26. Norman
27. Dambusters
28. Merry Xmas Everybody

Live & Loud
01. Sorry (1:16)
02. Summer Holiday (2:02)
03. A.C.A.B. (2:52)
04. Chaos (2:30)
05. Jealousy (2:09)
06. 1984 (1:53)
07. Clockwork Skinhead (2:20)
08. I Don`t Wanna Die (2:45)
09. Evil (3:22)
10. Wonderful World (Encore) (2:27)
11. Chaos (Encore) (1:52)
12. Feel The Rage (2:36)
13. Feel The Rage (3:01)
14. Riot Riot (2:59)
15. Triffic Spiv Ya O.K. (3:15)
16. You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet (3:04)
17. We Out Number You (3:51)
18. Catalogue Kids (3:12)
19. In For A Riot (3:03)
20. Drug Squad (3:17)
21. Punch The Air With Glory (3:04)
22. Still Out Of Order (3:08)
23. Each Dawn I Die (2:54)
24. Emergency (3:19)
25. Punch The Air With Glory (Encore) (2:21)
26. Riot Riot (Encore) (2:15)

The Best of the 4 Skins
01. One law for them (2:45)
02. Yesterday’s Heroes (2:29)
03. Clockwork Skinhead (2:21)
04. Brave new world (3:16)
05. Chaos (2:05)
06. Wonderful World (1:37)
07. Evil (1:36)
08. Sorry (1:45)
09. 1984 (2:12)
10. A.C.A.B. (1:49)
11. I don`t wanna die (3:12)
12. Plastic Gangsters (3:25)
13. Yesterday’s Heroes (Single Version) (2:29)
14. Get out of my life (2:06)
15. Justice (2:31)
16. Jack the lad (3:32)
17. Low life (3:08)
18. Bread or blood (3:31)
19. Seems to me (3:19)
20. Norman (4:33)
21. On the streets (2:33)
22. 5 more years (3:21)
23. Betrayed (3:40)
24. Saturday (Live) (3:27)
25. Dambusters (2:12)

01. Wonderful World (Live) (1:48)
02. 1984 (Live) (2:35)
03. Sorry (Live) (3:21)
04. Evil (Live) (2:25)
05. I Don`T Wanna Die (Live) (3:20)
06. A.C.A.B. (Live) (1:49)
07. Chaos (Live) (3:17)
08. Jealousy (Live) (2:14)
09. On The Streets (Live) (3:02)
10. Johnny Go Home (Live) (3:31)
11. Bread Or Blood (Live) (3:26)
12. Saturday (Live) (3:31)
13. City Boy (Live) (3:50)
14. Five More Years (Live) (3:56)
15. On File (Live) (4:26)
16. Clockwork Skinhead (Live) (3:13)

Tracks 1 To 7 From The Live Side Of The Good, The Bad & The 4 Skins.
Tracks 8 to 16 taken from From Chaos to 1984.

The Wonderful World of the 4 Skins
01. One Law for Them
02. Yesterdays Heroes
03. Clockwork Skinhead
04. A.C.A.B.
05. I Dont Wanna Die
06. Seems to Me
07. Low Life
08. On the Streets
09. Plastic Gangsters
10. Evil
11. 1984
12. Sorry
13. Five More Years
14. Jack the Lad
15. Wonderful World
16. Chaos

Clockwork Skinheads
01. Clockwork Skinhead (2:20)
02. One Law for them (2:46)
03. Sorry (3:09)
04. Yesterday’s Heroes (2:15)
05. Evil (1:349
06. Justice (2:30)
07. Low Life (3:07)
08. Seems to me (3:19)
09. Plastic Gangsters (3:24)
10. On File (3:56)
11. New War (4:10)
12. On the Streets (2:47)
13. Wonderful World (1:57)
14. A.C.A.B. (1:47)
15. 1984 (2:41)
16. Chaos (3:57)

Singles & Rarities
01. Wonderful World
02. Chaos
03. Clockwork Skinhead
04. Evil
05. A.C.A.B.
06. I Don’t Wanna Die
07. Yesterdays Heroes
08. 1984
09. Sorry
10. Evil
11. One Law For Them
12. Brave New World
13. Merry Christmas Everyb
14. Yesterday Heroes
15. Justice
16. Get Out Of My Life
17. Low Life
18. Bread Or Blood
19. Plastic Gangster
20. Norman
21. Seems To Me
22. Chaos (Herbert Version)
23. On The Streets

The Secret Life Of The 4 Skins
01. Wonderful World [John Peel Radio Session]
02. Jealousy [John Peel Radio Session]
03. One Law for Them [John Peel Radio Session]
04. Evil [John Peel Radio Session]
05. Yesterday’s Heroes [John Peel Radio Session]
06. The Greatest 4-Skins Rip Off [Live]
07. Things Ain’t Gonna Change [Live]
08. Watcha Gonna Do About It? [Live]
09. Chaos [Live]
10. Clockwork Skinhead [Live]
11. A.C.A.B. [Live]
12. Summer Holiday [Live]
13. Wonderful World
14. Evil

4 Skins & Evil Conduct – Turning the Past into the Present

4 Skins
01. Thanks for the Memories (3:57)

Evil Conduct
02. The Way We Feel (4:65)