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Oi Polloi

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This article is about the Scottish punk band. For the Greek expression see hoi polloi.
Oi Polloi
Oi Polloi playing at Augustibuller in Sweden, 6 August 2005.
Oi Polloi playing at Augustibuller in Sweden, 6 August 2005.
Background information
OriginEdinburgh, Scotland
GenresAnarcho-punk, Oi!, punk rock, Scottish Gaelic punk
Years active1981–present
LabelsCampary records, Ruptured Ambitions, Words of Warning, Oi! Records, Green Vomit
MembersDeek Allen
Cameron Tongs
Oigridh
Olsen
WebsiteOfficial site

Oi Polloi are a punk rock band from Scotland that formed around 1981. Starting as an Oi! band, they are now generally more associated with the anarcho-punk genre. The band has become notable for their contributions to the Scottish Gaelic punk subgenre.[1] The name probably comes from the Greek expression "Οι πολλοί" and it is a pun on the phrase hoi polloi meaning "the masses" or "the common people".

The band has gone through about 50 members since their formation, and their only permanent member has been vocalist Deek Allen, who has also been involved in Gaelic-language television. The band has included punks and skinheads. The members have been supporters of Anti-Fascist Action and Earth First!, and they use the motto "No Compromise in Defence of Our Earth," which is an adaptation of Earth First!'s motto. They support direct action in defence of the environment, hunt sabotage and resistance against racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism and imperialism.

Career

Oi Polloi performing at Augustibuller festival in Lindeberg, Sweden in August 2005.

After gigs in the Edinburgh area and the recording of the band's self-recorded first cassette demo, Last of the Mohicans, drummer Stu "Doccy" Dunn left to become a karate instructor. A second studio demo, Green Anarchoi and their first vinyl EP, Resist the Atomic Menace, followed.

Oi Polloi started singing in Scottish Gaelic in 1996, recording the Carson? EP, (2003), then recording and releasing the full-length LP Ar Ceòl Ar Cànan Ar-A-Mach in 2006.[2] The band members also use Scottish Gaelic in day-to-day communications.[3]

In 2013, they collaborated with CLÀR, a Scottish Gaelic publisher, to launch Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach, a Gaelic science fiction novel by Tim Armstrong, the singer of Mill a h-Uile Rud, at events at Elvis Shakespeare on Leith Walk and on The Cruz Boat at the shore in Leith.[4] The gig at Elvis Shakespeare happened at the same time as Hibernian F.C. played a 3-3 draw against St. Mirren F.C., an event which diverted police resources away from the punk rock street celebration, proving a significant landmark in Gaelic culture.[5][dead link‍][clarification needed]

Discography

Oi Polloi live in 2006.

12" LPs

7" EPs

DVD

Oi Polloi: The Movie[6]

References

  1. ^ "An dà chòmhlan punc a tha a' seinn sa Ghàidhlig". The Scotsman (18 March 2005)
  2. ^ "Ar-a-mach cànain: a' chiad chlàr fada roc gu tur sa Ghàidhlig". The Scotsman (5 May 2006)
  3. ^ "Gaels must look to the radical fringe". The Scotsman (30 July 2005)
  4. ^ Armstrong, Tim (April 2013). "Bogadh Punc ann an Dun Eideann". DRILSEACH. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (27 April 2013). "Hibernian 3-3 St Mirren". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  6. ^ http://oipolloithemovie.bigcartel.com
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