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 on 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)