Rude Roots: Lee

Hey! I’m well thanks!

Yes! I’m from Sydney Australia, it’s pretty alright here! A downside is there isn’t much of a Skin scene here, however, there is a pretty awesome punk scene! I’ve been going to shows for a few years now lots of lovely people.

I grew up in western Sydney with my mum, just us two! I’m also quite close with my nan, I’ve talked to her about skins and Sharpies (Aussie skins from 60s/70s) and she remembers them a bit. She was a widgie back then.

in 2020 I stumbled across Newtown, which is a more alternative suburb here. It was a lot different to what I was used to in western Sydney, but I started to meet people with who I felt more connected to and felt more comfortable expressing myself

Skinbyrd, Skinhead, Boot Byrd… I’m okay with most! I usually stick with Byrd instead of girl since it’s more androgynous.

Being a Skinhead is all about being working class, listening to Jamaican reggae, ska, oi!, dressing sharp and having a good time with mates. When I first found out about the scene I watched this old documentary from Sydney 1984 about the Mods Skins and Punks. Unfortunately the Punks section of the film was lost, (but I got to watch it at the film archives) after watching that I went I need to be a part of this!

Two-Tone is one of my absolute favourite part of this subculture, I have the guy and lady tattooed on my legs! I always get compliments on them and it always starts a great conversation. Two tone had a decent following over here, the Trojan Records logo is another one, alongside the ANTIFA flag and S.H.A.R.P. symbol. They’re very important to me as some people can only distinguish bones from Skins with these symbols.

The biggest one is that we are all racists or neo-Nazis, which of course isn’t the case for me. I always try to educate people on this rich history of the subculture whenever they question me. The biggest thing is lack of education. However, some people just need a good whack!

We are sharp and we love to look it. I love my real Hoxton shirts. I altered them too so they fit better and the boots of course, my favourites being my 14 eye cherry Docs. If you’re asking how to identify the difference between Skins and bones, look at their band shirts, look for dog whistles. Lace code isn’t a thing anymore and hasn’t been since the 80s. Most people get mixed up about that.

Jamaican Ska and Reggae heavily influenced the Skinhead subculture and still do to this day. Mostly people wear badges or pins or patches of different record labels like Trojan or Two-tone or different bands or even t-shirts sometimes.

Not particularly with Skins. There’s a few of us. Mostly old heads and then there’s me and Charlie who are the young ones. There’s another group but they are very iffy and quite fucked so we stay away from them. However, in Melbourne there’s a bigger scene and our crew the Northern Suburbs SHARPS are there they are lovely and I miss them dearly. The Punk scene is great tho. Love those guys (for the most part haha)

Community! As someone who’s studied community services and social work for a couple of years now this is the biggest and most important thing. Don’t get me wrong: we definitely have that but it’d be nice to see more young people engaging with it.

That’s a hard question! I loved the outfit I wore on my birthday: a white orange and grey real Hoxton shirt, Fred Perry navy sweater vest, black denim pencil skirt, white tights, sheepskin coat and black 14 Docs.

I do! I love that brand, and people I love like Amy Winehouse and Terry Hall have worn Fred Perry before. I just love the quality and look of their polos. I think my favourite thing I own of theirs is my Twisted Wheel x Fred Perry Northern Soul Collab polo dress.

Real Hoxton, Adidas, Ben Sherman, Lonsdale, Alpha Industries, Relco, Solovair and Gripfasts!

Very Significant! It’s a classic! You can’t be a Skin without the boots braces and shaved head!

Recently I lost my Black Fred Perry Harrington :'( and that was devastating so I’d say. Getting that back, some 14-eye steel toe oxblood Gripfasts, a nice pencil skirt, Relco or Real Hoxton shirt and the Fred Perry Laurel wreath Logo sweater vest! But for now I can only dream…

Polos!

Proper nice Bovver Boots

Bomber jackets of course!

Cats! P.S. check out my band Meow Meow And The Smackouts!

Right? I’m right handed but also ambidextrous depending on the task.

Drunk! Love a good pint, especially in the Australian heat

VINYL! I have a mean collection…

Full band performance definitely! (sorry Jenny Woo)

I work at a Handmade Jewellery store. I’ve always loved doing creative things so I’m glad that I can do that for work, plus it’s a small business so I feel like a ahuman rather than a number.

Other than that, I DJ quite a bit and I love it I feel so in my element, and also listening to albums at home, going to shows, playing with my band and doing practice, and having a great time with mates 🙂

Currently I’m doing what I’ve been dreaming of for a while which is making music, and people are really enjoying it so it’s been great. Id love to start sewing more of my outfits. I use to do that a lot as a kid but I got quite busy and stopped for a while. I’ve just finished my diploma so I have more free time for that stuff.

I’m also trying to get a job at the Fred Perry store here but that’s all for now! My life is really busy and Im just so glad to have a lovely community around me that’s all I could dream of!!

Good style, music taste, and how they interact with the world and other people.

Being a cunt haha!

My boots and vinyl. They are my babies. And the crew down in Melbourne (shoutout Bee I love u)

Fascists, Fence walkers and dog cunts (you know who you are)

Exactly the same, but with more tattoos. Skinhead Forever, Forever Skinhead!

The Specials, The 4Skins, Madness, The Bodysnatchers and The Last Resort.

I started going to Ska nights in Sydney, Uptown Top Ranking, which is 4 times a year. I was talking with Michaela (one of the DJ’s) and she said she’d be happy to teach me how to DJ. Another bloke, Johnny from the band Monkey Spanner, came up to me and Charlie at a show one day and I talked to him about vinyl etc. He said to come down to Roots ‘n Toots at Rosie Campbells one day and so I did! And he taught how to DJ! So I’ve been doing that for a couple months now! DJing Uptown Top Ranking last time, it was on! I absolutely love it!

VINYL! Most DJs have gone digital. Keep it tangible guys! It’s class!

I love drawing sewing painting anything creative really !

Keep your head high, I know it’s hard but people will appreciate you for you one day!

Do your research: articles, old documentaries, and talk to your local old heads!

@cherryredskinhead on Instagram!

Stay Rude, Stay Sharp, Stay ANTIFA!