BANDS NAMED ON HATE LIST
TWO far-right rock bands from Wales have been identified as being among “the most influential groups and individuals disseminating hate in Britain”.
The State of Hate report 2017 has named Redneck 28, from Swansea, and Blackout, originally from Merthyr, as part of a growing hate-based music scene.
In the report – which was written by charity Hope Not Hate – Redneck 28 are described as one of the UK’s most extreme bands.
In October it was confirmed they were investigated by South Wales Police after lead singer Chris Lewis performed at an event in Budapest last year wearing a KKK hood.
The band also posed next to Ku Klux Klan members who “lynched” a golly puppet at a far-right demonstration in 2013.
In addition to borrowing the controversial imagery of the American South, the band’s lyrics also include multiple references to Nazism and white power.
In one song they sing: “This is our land in which we are proud, we will stand and fight and raise our right hand, Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil.”
The four-piece’s back catalogue contains songs supporting the Holocaust and about lynching black people.
The band features singer and banjo player Lewis and his wife Debra Lewis, who plays drums.
The number two and eight in the band’s name represent the position of B, for “blood”, and H, for “honour”, in the alphabet.
Blood and Honour is the name of a neo-Nazi organisation with links to the band.
Both Chris and Debra Lewis were confronted by the Daily Mirror in September 2015 about their relationship with the organisation.
Confirming their close links to farright extremism Mr Lewis, 54, said: “I’d be a fool to deny it but I need my name left out of it. I need to keep myself protected.”
Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris said she was “ashamed” of the views and behaviour of the band – members of whom live within her constituency.
She said: “I have been aware of this group for a while and struggle to understand how such offensive behaviour can be considered entertainment.
“Recorded hate crime has increased 10% in the South Wales Police area since last June. I would like to hope that this means that more people are now reporting it to police rather than an increase in hate crime itself.
“Swansea is the first City of Sanctuary in Wales so I am ashamed to hear of such hateful behaviour taking place.”
Blackout formed in Merthyr Tydfil in 1990. The band has had a rotating cast but since 2005 has been centred around David Braddon, Andrew Heggie and Stephen Deverall.
The group have strong ties with fel- low far-right bands Celtic Warrior and Brutal Attack, with members of Blackout appearing on their albums.
Blackout’s lyrics include: “My land has fallen to foreign hands so many times before and the time has come to take a stand against the filthy whores.”
In a text interview with a far-right music website the band described their political allegiances.
They wrote: “None of the band members are active in any political parties but we do support any-pro white party that is trying to promote the 14 words.”
The 14 words is a neo-Nazi slogan that says: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”
Both Mr and Mrs Lewis, along with Mr Braddon, Mr Heggie and Mr Deverall, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
A South Wales Police spokesman said the force would not comment on specific investigations but added: “South Wales Police will not tolerate hate crime and will take robust action to prosecute wherever possible.
“While the numbers across Wales are few we are committed to ensuring that those who show support for proscribed or extreme-thinking organisations and spread hate in our communities are pursued and, with the support of the CPS, put before the courts.
“People who witness or are the victim of hate crime are encouraged to report the incident to the police.”
Call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.