The Die Hards
History
Woolwich, south-east London based Oi! band, formed in January 1981. Sometimes referred to as The Die Hards, The Die-Hards, Die-hards or The Diehards. The line-up was Dave Brosnan, vocals, Toby Ball on guitar, Swan Dobson on bass and Matty on drums.
They recorded their first demo in 1983 with the tracks ‘Razorblade Nightmare’, ‘You Are A Die Hard’ and ‘We Ain’t Scared Of No One’. The same year they also taped their songs from a live gig 16th December 1983.
They split-up in July 1984 and reformed in October 1984.
In 1985 they recorded their second better quality demo tape with nine tracks. Two of those songs, ‘Vengeance (for Geordie R.I.P!)’ dedicated to a skinhead comrade murdered by a black gang and ‘Skinhead ’85’, also feature on the compilation ‘No Surrender’.
In 1986 the band finished after ever only live playing abroad especially in Germany.
Discography
Official Productions
1983 – Demo – own production – cassette
1985 – Demo Practice – own production – cassette
Live Albums and Bootlegs
1983 – Live 16.12.83 – own production – cassette
1985 – Live 1985 – own production – cassette
Split
???? – Die Hards & Indecent Exposure – Lübeck 1985 – Skinhead-Festival in Bad Schwartau – Force of Hate-History – Do CDr
Samplers
1984 – This Is White Noise! – White Noise Records – WN3 – UK – (02. White Working Class Man) 7″ vinyl
1985 – No Surrender! – Rock-O-Rama Records – RRR52 – Germany – LP vinyl – (Vengeance, Skinhead 85)
1990 – R.A.C. Rarities Volume 1 – Bulldog Productions / Viking Tapes – UK /France – Cassette – (B4. Razor Blade Nightmare)
1991 – No Surrender! Volume 1 & 2 – Rock-O-Rama Records – RCD123 – Germany – CD – (Vengeance, Skinhead 85)
1997 – Debout! Vol. 6 – Rebelles Européens – USA – (22. White Working Class Man)
1999 – Rock against Communism Volume One – Panzerfaust Reords – USA – (15. White Working Class Man, 16. Vengeance, 17. Skinhead 85, 18. Razor Blade Nightmare, 19. You’re A Die-Hard, 20. We Ain’t Scared Of No-One)
2000 – Harte Zeiten, Harte Pflichten Vol. III – Harte Zeiten Records – Germany – CDr – (09. Skinhead 85)
2022 – Rock against Communism Volume One – HC Streetwear Productions – HCLP023A – USA – (15. White Working Class Man, 16. Vengeance, 17. Skinhead 85, 18. Razor Blade Nightmare, 19. You’re A Die-Hard, 20. We Ain’t Scared Of No-One)
2022 – No Surrender! – Rock-O-Rama Records – RRR1055 – Germany – LP vinyl – (Vengeance, Skinhead 85)
Track Lists
Demo 1983
01. Razorblade Nightmare
02. You’re a Diehard
03. We Ain’t Scared of No-One
Live (16.12.83)
01. Razorblade Nightmare (02:54)
02. Skinheads Go Marching On (02:09)
03. – (02:15)
04. White Working Class Man (03:04)
05. Borstal Breakout (Sham 69) (02:52)
06. You re A Die Hard (03:41)
07. We Aint Scared Of No One (05:17)
08. – (02:47)
09. Chaos (02:51)
Demo Practice 1985
01. We Ain’t Scared Of No One (03:38)
02. Serious Drinking (02:59)
03. Skinhead Are Back (03:24)
04. Vengeance (03:37)
05. Skinhead 85 (02:55)
06. White Working Class Man (02:52)
07. Borstal Breakout (01:39)
08. – (03:58)
09. Die-Hards (05:22)
Live 1985
01. Vengeance (03:44)
02. Skinhead ’85 part 1 (02:26)
03. Skinhead ’85 part 2 (02:28)
04. Vengeance (02:51)
05. White Working Class Man (03:35)