History
A Coventry based skinhead band from the mid 1980’s. The line up was Craig on vocals, Danny on guitar, Jim on bass and John on drums.
Criminal Class had to be Oi! first Skinhead band. Even though Skrewdriver had a skinhead image around ’78. They weren’t really skins, they just changed their image from punk to skin due to fashion. Not even the 4-Skins were an all skinhead band. Criminal Class was formed in Coventry, England in 1979 being one of the first Oi!/Skinhead band to emerge. The band made their debut in the compilation ‘Strength Thru Oi!’ in 1981 by ‘Deca Records’. Which turn out to be a catastrophe to all the bands that appeared on the compilation, due to violence that occured in South Hall that same year. The following year the band released their only single, ‘Fighting The System’ in 1982 by ‘Tempest Records’. Even though the band had slow tempo songs, their lyrics were very powerfull. Had to do with corruption in England, the Falklands War, police brutality, racism and more. The band split up in the mid 80’s and later reformed again in 2000 after the release of the CD ‘Blood on the Streets: Oi! Collection’ by Captain Records. Recolecting tracks from the EP, Strength Thru Oi!, demos, and tracks that were never released. They were going to record some new tracks and release a new CD, but that never happen.
Discography
Official Productions
1984 – demos – ???
???? – A Touch Of Class – Hell 7 – UK
Live Albums and Bootlegs
Split
Samplers
Track Lists
1984 Demos
01. Looking Back In Anger
02. Locked Away
03. Out Of His Head
A Touch of Class
01. Fighting The System
02. Soldier