SKINFLINT PRESS

In was 1980, the Punk Rock revolution had gone global. In cities around the world, small scenes were cropping up and taking hold. In Washington D.C., an ever expanding list of bands began cultivating a revolution of their own. Making an indelible slash upon music history, D.C. Hardcore was born. At the forefront of that movement, a handful of bands were leading the charge; namely Minor Threat, Bad Brains, S.O.A, and Iron Cross.

From the beginning, Iron Cross were different. They stood apart from their Hardcore contemporaries both in look and sound, gravitating towards the burgeoning Oi movement coming out of England (where Grey had lived as a child). They didn't play fast yet lacked none of the power, volume and stage presence of the influential acts of the day.

In 1981, they recorded three songs for the FLEX YOUR HEAD compilation on DC's premiere punk/hardcore label, Dischord Records ("New Breed," "Wargames," and "Live for Now"). By this time, lead singer Sab Grey had relocated to Dischord House from Baltimore, and Iron Cross would take turns with Minor Threat, Scream, and Double O practicing in the basement of his new found home.

In 1982, Iron Cross recorded their first EP "Skinhead Glory," which was released jointly on Dischord and Skinflint (Sab's own imprint). The band began headlining Hardcore shows around town and making a name for themselves... mostly positive, but some negative.

In response to this unsolicited negativity directed at the band from within and outside the scene, mainly for being skinheads and not fitting the D.C. Hardcore mold (they drank like fish for one thing), Iron Cross released "Hated & Proud" in 1983 on Skinflint. Produced by Lyle Preslar (guitarist for Minor Threat), this 3-song offering demonstrated the band's developing sound and lyrical content. Featuring "You're A Rebel," "Grey Morning" and "Wolfpack," it showed a depth of understanding and character that few had anticipated from this "boot boy" outfit.

After playing an innumerable amount of shows with an ever changing line-up: three to four different drummers, a total of 12 to 13 bass players and several guitarists, Iron Cross finally hung up their boots (so to speak) in 1985. They had grown tired of being pigeonholed by people who didn't know them and who persisted in pursuing their own agendas, however completely unfounded and untrue. Sab in particular just didn't want to do it anymore. He left the U.S. and returned to London, England, shortly thereafter. He soon began exploring other musical avenues and eventually formed Sab Grey and the Royal Americans, a blend of Punk, Folk, Rockabilly and Reggae music.

In 2000, the 20 year anniversary of Iron Cross' inception, Sab, upon returning from England, reformed the band with all new members for a series of reunion shows. Mainly for the fun of it, the drinking, and the exploitation of young girls (wink). Approached by GMM, a notable American Oi! label keen on releasing Iron Cross' entire back catalog on CD, Iron Cross' old standards were given new life to a new generation with "Live for Now" in 2001. A collection of both 7" EPs, the contributions to FLEX YOUR HEAD, as well as unreleased tracks, "Live for Now" represents the definitive offering from the original line-up (produced by Brian Baker of Minor Threat/ Bad Religion fame). Coincidentally, Dischord released its own collection in 2002, "20 Years of Dischord," which also featured the track "Live for Now."

The band has been playing out ever since, performing shows across Europe and the U.S. fairly regularly. Along the way, Sab has taken some satisfaction in seeing new generations of non-racist skins carry the banner for truth, justice, democracy and pride in one's self (as well as drinking heavily). He was also heartened to witness his songs become mainstays of Punk music and covered by such luminaries as Agnostic Front, The Business, and The Dropkick Murphy's.

The band recently signed to 13th State Records, which released a split EP this year of new Iron Cross material with three songs from Sab Grey and the Royal Americans entitled "2 Piece and a Biscuit." Sab and the lads will be back in the studio early next year to record a full length album... Iron Cross' first "official" LP!

To be continued...