| Iron Cross (band) |
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Though the band originally had what would be considered a moderate lifespan for a Punk band at 4 years, only a handful of recordings took place. The most notable included 3 songs (''Wargames'', ''New Breed'', ''Live For Now'') on Dischord's Flex Your Head compilation. Over the next couple years the band would release 2 self financed demos under the Skinflint label. LEGACY Because of their limited output, Iron Cross is normally little known outside of Dischord devotees and some Hardcore / Oi! circles. One of their songs is perhaps more famous than they ever were. In the mid 1980 's, New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front began covering ''Crucified'', a song from one of Iron Cross' demos. Agnostic Front even included studio versions on their Liberty And Justice For... and Something's Gotta Give albums. The song has become tremendously popular under Agnostic Front 's influence. The general topics of the song (being ridiculed for being different, being directly blamed for society's ills, being accused of violence and intolerance because of the actions of others, all under the metaphor of being "crucified") resonated with following generations of Anti-racist and traditional skinheads who were sick of being looked upon as Hooligans and Neo-Nazi s because of a select sub-group of their culture. The Skinhead culture often uses the image of a cartoon blank-faced Skinhead (often shaded in stark black and white to symbolize racial unity) nailed to a Cross . ''Crucified'' is a staple cover of many Punk , Hardcore , and Oi! bands, to the extent that large numbers of underground scenesters actually do not even realize the song was originally by Iron Cross, and may not even know who Iron Cross is, or be able to name any other songs by them. Live audiences have also taken to adding a gang chant of "Skinhead glory!" after the first "Crucified" is sung in the song's chorus, a line not included in Iron Cross' original recording. SAB GREY To this day Sab Grey has remained a Baltimorean for most of the past few years (he has also lived in London ), is still a Skinhead , and still plays and attends local shows. He currently plays in The Royal Americans, a Rockabilly style group, performs solo acoustic shows, and at various times keeps an incarnation of Iron Cross together. As of the writing of this article (January 2006) Iron Cross is planning and writing a new full length album. Both bands consist of members of modern Baltimore Hardcore and Punk bands, such as the brutal Stout NGMF, who Grey professes a large love for. He has also been known to join in onstage when ''Crucified'' is covered by bands he sees. |
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