Our All Buttoned Up-community continues to experience rapid growth in recent months, and we are incredibly grateful for it! In our series, ‘Rude Roots,’ we delve into the lives of our community members, exploring their passions and love for alternative culture, music, art, and other captivating stories. This time we talked Filip about life back in the days, his love for boots and polo’s, and his plans to write the ultimate Skinhead bible.
Introduction
How did you become involved in the skin community back in the times?
I have been living in Germany for 8 years now so it actually started here. But back in the days, alot of my friends were punks or metalheads.
Do you remember how it started and what attracted you to the scene?
My start was with casual culture, not really the football but clothes and everything around it. So even from the first grade before the internet and everything I only wanted to wear old-school Adidas shoes and at the time the same aunt showed me her cassettes from the Beatles and Queen, that was the earliest start. Later I got into punk and ska and it was just a natural evolution.
© Instagram of Filip
Alternative culture
So your aunt exposed you to ‘alternative’ music and culture? So from then, it went off?
Yes! That’s how it happened.
What is in your opinion the difference between a Punk and a Skinhead?
Well if you ask me, there isn’t a big difference nowadays. We are all just kids that don’t like being like everyone else. Punk always had a more political image I feel tho. Skinheads later just became a synonym for a nazi :/
Isn’t it interesting that punks and skins don’t like to be and look like everyone else, but on the other side most of them wear Dr. Martens boots and Fred Perry shirts? I’m guilty as well haha!
True haha! It’s an uniform. Kids who don’t fit in also have to fit in.
In my opinion, it’s something I really like. The unity.
Definitely! As “Alternative” as we think we are, everyone likes being around people that share our ideas and looks.
What other brands besides Fred Perry do you like as well?
Well, I collect a lot of Alpha Industries since it’s a brand very connected to my home country and the area I live in. Besides that, Germany is cold as fuck so you really need a warm jacket!
Are you more of a shirt or a polo guy?
Polo definitely!
© Instagram of Filip
So your aunt was your gateway to alternative culture. And what happened after that? Have you started hanging out with other Skinheads? Where did you meet alternative people? Must be hard for you don’t speak the language in a new strange country?
No, my alternative friends are all in my home country. I mainly had to figure out all these things on my own. But I’d like to think I’m making a difference since I inspired another guy from my town to become a Skinhead.
So wholesome! Proud of you man!
And my best friend used to be a Jordans and Nike type of guy. But now he is wearing Sambas, poloshirts and Harringtons.
Back in the day, did you hang out with other ‘alternatives’ in a bar or something? You already told me that things can be a bit rough?
Some people are really nice to you but only later do you find out that they are Nazis.
And then what? You just punch them in the face or you just walk away from them?
Life is not black and white. It’s really hard being in the scene sometimes, and bad ideologies only attract bad people or are they just confused? Sadly I can barely do anything about it, for every Sharp there are 200 boneheads in the Balkans.
© Instagram of Filip
Do you think it’s different in your home country if you compare it to other countries?
Definitely, Balkan countries are sadly very nationalist. I try to stay away from that as much as possible since I’m a mixed child myself and I can’t stand behind hate.
Nationalism can be something beautiful but in this context is a bit scary right?
Well I gotta say, I’m very much a nationalist since Yugoslavia got destroyed because of it. Im all for one nation and one nationality. I think it’s bonkers to divide people by anything, Let alone lines on a map.
Lots of Skins feel that they have to act against bad things like nazis. Do you think it’s justified to use violence against people like that?
No but yes, violence is never good but if you need to protect yourself and the ones you love I understand it.
So violence is only justified when used as a protection tool?
No but yes, violence is never good but if you need to protect yourself and the ones you love I understand it. And of course, whenever see a Nazi walking alone doing stupid stuff I might act up. I’d say so but just like anyone I’m not perfect, and I’m still trying to find out what is moral and what isn’t. Hate is never ok.
Isn’t hate a fundamental part of being a skinhead? The rough look, the stomping boots? What should skins radiate in your opinion?
For me no. m a skinhead because I love the music, the clothes, and the look.
So the appearance of most Skinheads is just a ‘don’t fuck with me’ appearance?
I feel like skinheads are angry, not hateful. Because I would definitely call myself angry, but not hateful.
Anger can be something nice right? You stand for what you believe and you act of speaking up if you see or sense things that aren’t right.
Exactly.
What should people think when they see you walking by?
They mainly think I’m a nazi. I’d love for them to think nothing of it or at least ask me about it instead of making up their own minds on the fly but tbh people just mainly leave me alone which is fine with me. If I did care I’d never look like this.
The scene
Do you think the skin scene will remain the same?
Definitely not, everything is slowly changing but there are for sure young people who are ready to keep it going. Change isn’t even that bad. Everyone can give it their own spin.
If you had all the money in the world, what outfit would you go for?
Man! 1959 Real military Alpha MA-1 bomber. The old-school white Fred Perry polo with just the green logo. Indigo 501s and Dr. Martens made in England. Or some very nice loafers.
What does Fred Perry mean to you? Why is part of the skinhead uniform?
My aunt showed it to me. At first, it was a brand I only saw football fans wear. It just looks so much cooler and tougher than let’s say a Ralph Lauren polo. It looks so clean yet so complex.
So for you, it doesn’t feel the same if you would wear a Lacoste polo under a bomber jacket? I try to pinpoint why so many people are so addicted to Fred Perry. Me too, it’s hard to explain.
I love Lacoste as well and I have no problems with other polos, but when I put on a Fred Perry polo, I just feel like the complete package.
What makes you happy?
This! Talking about things I like. But also shaving my head, going out with friends, grabbing a drink, listening to music. I love cat’s.
What makes you angry?
Nazis. Nazis and far-right conservatives make me very angry. Also capitalism.
What advice would you give to people who are interested in ‘becoming’ a skinhead?
Make sure you have a safe scene in your town. No clothes or music are worth your health or fear of being beaten up. And take it easy, you don’t need to own everything at first. If anything, the most fun you’ll ever have is with your first pair of boots and your knockoff polos and jackets.
Music
What are your favourite bands?
I’d say in no order: 2 balkan punk bands: M.o.r.t and Zabranjeno Pušenje. And 3 English classics: Madness, The Specials and Oasis.
You just joined All Buttoned Up. What are your plans in the future? What can we expect from you?
I’d love to create content that offers your people information about this subculture, the information I never got when i was starting out. A hub for anything British and global subculture.
Skin bible
Offering a Skin bible?
Yes! One that isn’t outdated and that doesn’t cost 200€ on eBay. One that every young or old person can read.
We together make sure that it will see the light this year! Anything to say to our readers?
Have a drink, take it easy. It’s just some boots and music at the end of the day, isn’t it?
If you would like to support Filip you can folllow him on Instagram.
All content used in this article is shared with consent of the creator.
