Combat 84 were an English Oi! band active during the early 1980s. Formed in 1981 in Chelsea, London by skinheads 'Chubby' Chris Henderson and 'Deptford' John Armitage, Combat 84 rose to national prominence after being featured in a controversial 1982 BBC Arena documentary about the skinhead movement.
The band was originally composed of Chris Henderson (vocals), 'Deptford' John Armitage (bass guitar), Jim (guitar) and Brownie (drums) and played their first gig supporting The Last Resort at the Walmer Castle, Peckham. The Last Resort's lead singer, Roi Pearce (later of The 4-Skins) liked the band and agreed to produce a two-song demo tape with them. These sessions resulted in the songs "Soldier" and "Combat 84", which were favourably received in the music press, leading to the band being described as 'the new Sham 69'.
In 1982, the manager of The 4-Skins, Gary Hitchcock attempted to get the band signed to Secret Records, then home to The 4-Skins, The Business, Infa Riot and The Exploited, although the deal fell through at the last minute, prompting Combat 84 to sign to Victory Records for the release of their Orders of the Day EP. Former Business drummer John Fisher replaced Brownie for the recording of the second (1983) EP, Rapist.
We've seen 'em come and we've seen 'em go
But we're the boys who are in the know
We're back have you missed us?
We're back you could have fucking kissed us
We're back been away a while
We're back with our combat style
Pretenders to our name
We're back we're in the game
We'll take you on and sort you out
'Cos that's what combats all about
We're back been away a while
We're back with our combat style
You want the real men?
We're back we're here again
You know what we're fighting for
We're back we're combat 84
We're back been away a while
Fully loaded I got my gun
Bang bang bang, I'm gonna shoot you just for fun
They say I'm mad and they can see it in my eyes
Just let me lock and load and they're in for a surprise
Whatever happened to my country
Whatever happened to the place where I come from
Whatever happened to my country
Whatever happened to the place where I was born
They try to ignore us but we aint done for yet
We'll pay a visit, just so you don't forget
We're still fighting and yes we're still a threat
There's flames in the city
and theres fire in the town
World War has been declared
And the Argentine is burning down
Its the day to bomb a nation and the day to bomb a country
It's the end of a nation and the end of a country
Its World war now
And i don't know why
Falkland islands in flames
and they're all gonna die
It's arm yourself now
and be prepared
There's flames in the city
and theres fire in the town
World War has been declared
And the Argentine is burning down
Its the day to bomb a nation and the day to bomb a country
It's the end of a nation and the end of a country
Its World war now
And i don't know why
Falkland islands in flames
and they're all gonna die
It's arm yourself now
and be prepared
Its kill all sides and don't be scared
Ten hole DMs on your feet
Well polished and looking neat
Paramilitary is the score
We're the band Combat 84
No one's safe when we march by
That's why we won't fade and die
Short hair with braces hanging down
There'll always be a skinhead in town
[Chorus]
That's why we rule the street
That's why we've gotta be discreet
[Chorus]
Ten hole DMs on your feet
Well polished and looking neat
Paramilitary is the score
We're the band Combat 84
[Chorus]
On our way to the game, faces and attitudes still the same
Looking for the other crew, we're mob handed we're looking at you
Waiting in a backstreet bar, spotters out in the car
Word goes out that their firms here, check who's coming and down yer beer
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off around the nation
Catch 'em walking down the street, going to the proper meet
They see us and try to run, now we're gonna have some fun
Get 'em cornered by the ground, screaming victims, lovely sound
Some lay bleeding on the floor ask 'em if they want some more?
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off around the nation
Stanleys out, cut 'em deep, there's a present you can keep
We'll see you on your turf, then we'll see what you're fucking worth
Call us up, we'll come to you, come and slap your two bob crew
We're the firm that you can't touch, number one too fucking much
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off around the nation
He's a dirty and evil man
And no one wants to know
He could be living in your town
The sign of the Rapist doesn't show
Young girls come to me
Stalking victims in the street
When it happens no-one sees
You're just dragged down off your feet
[Chorus]
Capital Punishment
A stronger Government
Plastic mask and hairy wig
You're too scared to show your face
You're acting like a dirty pig
You're a cancer of the human race
Filth of society should all die
We need a stronger government
All you gotta do is hang 'em high
We want capital punishment
[Chorus]
We need a stronger government
Bring back capital punishment
[x4]
[Chorus]
Hang 'em, hang 'em, hang 'em high
You watch those fucking bastards die
[x4]
[Chorus]
Do you think your really hard when you scream at each other?
Do you think your really hard ????
Do you think your really hard ????
Dou you think your really hard when you end up dead?
[Chorus]
Screaming at each other
Kicks to the head
Brother against brother
Until you end up dead
[x2]
You prove the papers right by the way you fucking act
You prove the papers right when your sniffing glue
You prove the papers right and that's a sad fact
There's rucking in the street and there's blood on your hands
Your'e boozing in the pub and going round in gangs
Cruising round in motors trying to get someone
Kick 'em stab 'em club 'em until the job is done
[Chorus]
There's violence in our town
There's violence all around
There's violence in your town
There's violence all around, around, around
People never learn however much you try
There's violence in your blood so someone's gota die
Cruising round in motors trying to get someone
Kick 'em stab 'em club 'em until the job is done
[Chorus]
Violence [x3]
[Chorus]
There was blood coming from his head
On the run another copper dead
He killed his boss and he didn't know why
But he heard a voice that they must die
Barry Prudom, Barry Prudom
He's coming for you with his gun
Barry Prudom, Barry Prudom
He's Public Enemy number 1
Tools of his trade were guns and knives
He got a degree in taking lives
Wasted pigs for something to do
You better watch out, he's coming for you
In the army trained to kill
He'll make the rest of them fit the bill
He was hunting like a wild creature
Ten hole DMs on your feet
Well polished and looking neat
Paramilitary is the score
We're the band Combat 84
No one's safe when we march by
That's why we won't fade and die
Short hair with braces hanging down
There'll always be a skinhead in town
[Chorus]
That's why we rule the street
That's why we've gotta be discreet
[Chorus]
Ten hole DMs on your feet
Well polished and looking neat
Paramilitary is the score
We're the band Combat 84
1982 1982
There's nothing here for me and you
19, 1982
You won't get a job anywhere
Not when you've got short hair
There's nothing here for me and you
19, 1982
There's nothing here for me and you
19, 1982
You let jobs go into the distance
Your on the dole for your existence
More Fleeced attention
More forced intentions
There's nothing here for me and you
You turn around and realise that you're surrounded
Standing there your worst fears are compounded
Lock your doors but you can't stop us coming in
Deny we're out here but we're your worst nightmare come to life
Get the fear, know we're here
When your world starts to fall apart
Close your eyes our existence cannot be supressed
Turn your head put your faith in nature to the test
Think it out, society is shutting out the best
Shut it down, survival for the strongest not the rest
Get the fear, know we're here
When your world starts to fall apart
Things will change defend your homes and family first
Go to ground and let the countries forces take the worst
Side by side change the rules, stop this money thirst
Arm yourselves, people rise up 'cos judgement day is here, the bubble's burst
Get the fear, know we're here
F82123 dreaming that you are free
f82123 twenty-two hours in a cell
F82123 dreaming that you are free
F82123 Made your life a living hell
Gonna be free one day
Gonna get out some day
dreaming that you are free
twenty-two hours in a cell
dreaming that you are free
Made your life a living hell
Gonna be free one day
The end of the world is coming in two
We are ready to fight are you?
When you're on your knees with a gun to your head
It's better to be dead than fucking red
We have the right, the right to choose
We want defence and we want the cruise
They gave their lives and they bled
Remember the falklands, don't forget our dead
The right to choose, we want the cruise
[x2]
Bigger and better bombs
The right to choose, we want the cruise
[x2]
The end of the world is coming in two
We are ready to fight are you?
When you're on your knees with a gun to your head
It's better to be dead than fucking red
The right to choose, we want the cruise
[x2]
They gave their lives and they bled
Remember the falklands, don't forget our dead
The end of the world is coming in two
Soldier soldier standing there
Watching your mates march round the square
Youre in there without a fight
You could lose your best friend tonite
Youre in there without a change
You're in there without a chance
Bring 'em, bring 'em, bring 'em back now
Your country needs you
Thats what the poster said
But now there's nothing you can do
We will never fade and die whatever you try to do
We're the first of today and the last of tomorrow
Skinhead's not a fashion it's a way of life
[Chorus]
Skinhead, Skinhead never give up
stick together and act as one
You never, never, never give up,
You stick together and act as one
You see us on the telly
You read about us in the news
We will never fade and die
Whatever you try to do
You see us on the telly
You read about us in the news
We will never fade and die
Whatever you try to do
[Chorus x2]
He's a dirty and evil man
And no one wants to know
He could be living in your town
The sign of the Rapist doesn't show
Young girls come to me
Stalking victims in the street
When it happens no-one sees
You're just dragged down off your feet
[Chorus]
Capital Punishment
A stronger Government
Plastic mask and hairy wig
You're too scared to show your face
You're acting like a dirty pig
You're a cancer of the human race
Filth of society should all die
We need a stronger government
All you gotta do is hang 'em high
We want capital punishment
[Chorus]
We need a stronger government
Bring back capital punishment
[x4]
[Chorus]
Hang 'em, hang 'em, hang 'em high
You watch those fucking bastards die
[x4]
Steve Strange!
You was a Punk in '77
and you was a Skinhead in '78
You tried Mod but you were too late,
changing changing all the time
[Chorus]
And you was a Punk too late
And you was a Skinhead too late
And you was a Mod too late
And you was a Ted too late
Poseur poseur standing there
You change your style every year
Once straight but now a queer
You change your style every year
[Chorus]
New Romantics your'e too elite
You aint worthy to kiss me feet
Your'e looking down on all you meet
New Romantics your'e too elite
[Chorus]
I aint vegetarian I like to eat meat, I don't wear sandals I wear boots on my feet
If I go out for a night I won't let my bird pay, they say this is wrong in this fucked
up world today
I won't send money to a foreign place, then watch their government stuff their face
I tell the beggars to get off their arse, I'm working not fucking middle class
This whole world is fucking mad, to be politically correct is fucking sad
I'm politically incorrect [x4]
I go out to football in my England shirt, the old bill abuse me and treat me like dirt
I aint done nothing wrong but I have no say, they'd lock me up if they had their way
Why do all the scum and terrorists get off, rapists and muggers, I've had e fucking nuff
We can't offend them or infringe their rights, let's name 'em and shame 'em and hang 'em in the night
This whole world is fucking mad, to be politically correct is fucking sad
I always hold a door to let a lady come through, 'cos this is the right fucking thing to do
I read the News of the world and I like the Sun, but they say I should read the Guardian
But I like page 3 and I like a bit of sport, and I like throwing one up some old sort
So just leave me alone to go down the cafe, 'cos I don't go out mugging or burgling a gaff
On our way to the game, faces and attitudes still the same
Looking for the other crew, we're mob handed we're looking at you
Waiting in a backstreet bar, spotters out in the car
Word goes out that their firms here, check who's coming and down yer beer
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off around the nation
Catch 'em walking down the street, going to the proper meet
They see us and try to run, now we're gonna have some fun
Get 'em cornered by the ground, screaming victims, lovely sound
Some lay bleeding on the floor ask 'em if they want some more?
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off around the nation
Stanleys out, cut 'em deep, there's a present you can keep
We'll see you on your turf, then we'll see what you're fucking worth
Call us up, we'll come to you, come and slap your two bob crew
We're the firm that you can't touch, number one too fucking much
It's kickin' off
It's kickin' off at the station
It's kickin' off
You're out late at night
And you're on the run
You're looking for a fight
'Cos you think it's all fun
[Chorus]
I'm alright and free of care
?????
I'm alright and we don't care
We don't care, we don't care
You've got nowhere to go
And you're out at night
You've got nothing to show