Anti-Heros

From the moment of Oi!'s inception in its native England, it seemed so quintessentially British in nature that the very idea of it crossing the Atlantic and landing on American shores seemed a near impossibility. Nevertheless, Atlanta, Ga.'s Anti-Heros -- who were among the very first stateside bands to lead the Oi! brigade into battle -- offered boot-stomping, fist-flailing Oi! that bore a resemblance to their British antecedents' work, but also carried a heavy load of Hardcore tonnage along on its hell-for-leather ride. The chants and rants from soccer matches could still be heard in the choruses -- and lager was considered just as dear (and occasionally, worth fighting over) -- but the guitar blasts gained speed and the music moved more recklessly than the Oi! bred abroad. The spawn may have differed heavily from the music that sired it, but it struck a chord with skins and punks all over, making their first aggro-filled, beer-soaked, muscle-flexing album That's Right/Don't Tread On Me an inimitable Oi! classic.