Condemned 84

ByLets Go Punk
Condemned 84 is an influential English Oi! band formed in 1980

Condemned 84 is a prominent English Oi! band that was originally formed as Criminal Tendencies in 1980. The band changed its name to Condemned in 1983 and finally settled on Condemned 84 in 1984. They have been an influential figure in the Oi! movement, known for their energetic performances and involvement in the skinhead subculture. Their music has resonated with many throughout the years, gaining a loyal following within the punk rock community.

How The Band Got Started

The band’s origins trace back to 1980 when they first formed under the name Criminal Tendencies. The group initially began as a side project but soon became a full-time band, attracting attention with their distinct style of Oi! music, blending punk aggression with working-class themes. In 1983, they changed their name to Condemned, and just one year later, to Condemned 84, solidifying their place in the Oi! scene.

Condemned 84’s early years saw them play across England and Europe, developing a reputation for their raw and unpolished sound. The band was part of a wave of Oi! bands gaining momentum in the early 1980s, and their name became synonymous with the genre. They were known for their politically charged lyrics and no-nonsense approach to music, which appealed to a wide range of listeners in the punk and skinhead communities.

Controversial Moments

In 1986, Condemned 84’s live performance turned into a riot. The event was already heightened by earlier performances from other Oi! bands, including The Business and Vicious Rumours, which attracted a crowd of rowdy skinheads. After Condemned 84’s performance, the chaos erupted, with attendees attacking vendors, caterers, and security personnel. Although Condemned 84 was not responsible for organizing the concert, the riot became a defining moment for the band and a controversial chapter in their history.

Musical Influence and Confusion with Combat 84

Condemned 84 is often confused with another Oi! band, Combat 84, due to the similarity in their names. Both bands were signed to the same label, Rock-O-Rama, and released albums that contributed to the genre’s development. However, despite this confusion, Condemned 84 carved out their own niche within the Oi! movement, influencing future generations of punk and skinhead bands.

Discography

Over the years, Condemned 84 has released numerous albums, singles, and EPs, with their sound evolving to reflect the changes in the Oi! and punk scenes.

Albums:

  • Battle Scarred (Oi! Records, 1986)
  • Face the Aggression (Grade 1 Records, 1988)
  • Live & Loud (Link Records, 1989)
  • Storming to Power (Rock-O-Rama, 1992)
  • Amongst the Thugs (Step-1 Music, 1995)
  • Blood On Yer Face (R ‘n’ B Records, 1999)
  • No One Likes Us… We Don’t Care (Hit Records, 2004)
  • In From the Darkness (Haunted Town Records, 2011)
  • The Crusade Continues… (Askania Prod, 2023)

Singles and EPs:

  • 5-track Demo Tape Cassette (self-released)
  • Oi! Ain’t Dead EP (RFB Records, 1986)
  • In Search of the New Breed EP (RFB Records, 1987)
  • Euro ’96 EP (Grade 1 Records, 1995)
  • “Bootboys” / “In Yer Face” (Hammer Records, 1999)
  • “Battle” / “No Way In” (Haunted Town Records, 2003)
  • The Real Oi! EP (Haunted Town Records, 2011)
  • “When They Stick The Knife In”/ “One In A Million Voices” 7″ and CD (P.S.T. Records, 2019)

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