Skinheads and Music

I imagine than when most people think of skinheads they think of the Neo-Nazi Ed Norton in American History X and the nationalistic, racist fervor similar to the ideology of the KKK. Admittedly, that is still the first thing I think of too. Skinheads have carry a negative aura.

It is sort of ironic that this image persist given the roots of the skinhead or mod movement in the UK. The music of choice was ska, rock steady, bands like Toots and the Maytals who hail from Jamaica and are just as laid back as the Jimmy Cliff/Bob Marley reggae that we associate Jamaican sound to.

Here is a Toots and Maytals song (Pressure Drop)

And later, while the skinhead movement became more of its own, 2Tone bands such as The Specials released their own ska influenced songs (faster paced usually).

Here is the Specials cover of Pressure Drop

I wonder where the evolution of the skinhead movement splintered and left the ska influenced easy going lifestyle to the xenophobic fervor we associate with today. I can't imagine the latter listening to any of this type of music. Certainly, not all skinheads share the same view in fact the range of conflicting political ideologies (or lack thereof) makes the skinhead movement so odd given its rather unique fashion sense, from tight jeans to sta-prest slacks. Maybe the problem is the unique fashion where outsiders sees separate groups from the punk rockers to neo-nazis and forcing a blanket term on them based on visual appearance. I suppose by comparing the two now I'm doing just that.