Iron Cross / Sab Grey and the Royal Americans

2 Piece and a Biscuit (2007)

Brian Shultz

Iron Cross was an early `80s hardcore/Oi! act with links to the Dischord scene, a fairly groundbreaking band for skinhead culture in the US. Though they never actually had a release on Dischord Records, the band's close ties with Ian Mackaye landed them a spot on 1982's fabled Flex Your Head compilation. Their only other real output came in the form of a few EPs, the last of which came in 1983, with false accusations of racist leanings supposedly leading frontman Sab Grey to break up the band. So as far as anyone can tell, this is their first new material in almost 25 years. 2 Piece and a Biscuit is actually a split release between Iron Cross and Grey's other project, the Royal Americans, who contribute songs from their 2004 release, Third Left on the Right.

The EP opens up with "Pride and Freedom," and frankly, it feels redundant calling any of these songs "working class anthems" but that's exactly what this song is. And what do you know, it's a pretty great song. You'll find your fist pumping along with the cheesy, given "Oi!"s and singing along with Grey's oddly Springsteen-esque holler. The band is operating fully at mid-tempo, but it's not like they were ever the most speedy outfit anyway. None of Iron Cross's other songs here match the feel-good vibes of the first song, but the fact that "I Don't Love You Any More," "Running Riot" and "Catch Your Grave (demo)" is mostly a better produced and more professional sounding version of their younger selves is pretty admirable. Granted, there are some sure rock'n'roll vibes for the chorus of "Running Riot," but old fans -- and anyone who follows Oi!'s most popular followers -- might just get a kick out of these songs.

Sab Grey's last three with his Royal Americans band is a more Americana/Cash-type deal. The bizarro highlight is a downbeat cover of the Specials' "Skinhead Girl" done in the style of Cash; it's just weird. "Wasted in DC" is an Oi!-backed rockabilly affair and "Ship of Sorrow" another semi-haunting country shuffle in the vein of Johnny and June. Overall, these songs are alright, but I'd much rather hear a few more Iron Cross songs, or at least a more linear approach.

All told, not at all a bad comeback. A lot of people would definitely question the quality if early `80s acts like Minor Threat or Negative Approach tried recording new material so long after the fact, but at least one band of the era has managed some very competent new takes.

STREAM
Iron Cross - Pride and Freedom
Iron Cross - I Don't Love You Any More
Iron Cross - Catch Your Grave (demo)
Sab Grey and the Royal Americans - Skinhead Girl
Sab Grey and the Royal Americans - Wasted in DC