Oi To The World

Contrary to the name, this song does not concern peace from people of the Jewish faith. It's "oi" not "oy." Oi. Not oy.

"Oi!" is actually a subgenre of punk that originated in the UK in the 70s. It mainly held a working class view, responding to how many of the original punk bands were joining labels. Its hard driving sound, deep political views, and penchant for beating the shit out of everything could put it as a sort of proto-hardcore punk. Of course, it frequently ran into trouble due to its association to the skinheads, a group of white supremacists recognized by their shaved heads and jeans splashed with bleach, among other things.

Anyways, The Vandals' (an American band from the 80s/90s, by the way) Oi to the World concerns an Indian Sikh punk named Hadji who forms his own Oi! band. Things take a bad turn though when performing in a pub, Hadji raises the ire of a gang of skinheads led by Trevor, who unwinds Hadji's turban and knocks him down.

An angered Hadji challenges Trevor to a gang fight between the punks and the skins on December 25 on the roof of 20 Oxford St. Although each gang gets a good amount of punches and kicks in, Hadji(already beaten from before and now with a few more broken bones to his name) takes out a sword(like the guy in Indiana Jones) and ends up stabbing Trevor.

Soon enough the police come and both gangs flee with Trevor laying there bleeding and Hadji abandoned by his band. Noticing the North Star shining brighter than usual, Hadji takes a part of his turban and uses it as a tourniquet, saving Trevor's life. Using the rest of the turban to rappel down the roof, a thankful Trevor treats Hadji to a glass of bourbon back at the pub.

It's nice to know that, despite all the cynicism and anger of most punks, some groups still can join together in peace and holiday unity.

Oi to the punks. Oi to the skins. Oi to the world and everybody wins.