REDSKINS
NEITHER WASHINGTON NOR MOSCOW
LONDON
★★★★
Far-left political agitators in the Socialist Workers Party, it was inevitable hardline York trio Redskins fell out with their record company and quickly became disillusioned when trying to fit in as a poppier, compromised band. They split after their sole album and, bar bassist Martin Hewes becoming a courier, nothing is known of their whereabouts in the 35 years since. It’s a shame as, with the right guidance, Redskins could have become as reliably vocal as Billy Bragg or as familiar in the mainstream as Paul Heaton. Like a more percussive take on early Dexys, their stomping anthems had a brass-filled insistency. Staccato vocalist Chris Dean sings like a more strident Holly Johnson and tracks as infectious as Keep On Keepin’ On and Lean On Me bend listeners to their will.