The Templars in Alternative Pressings

Beginning in the early ‘90s, perhaps due then to the mounting shift in media and how it was dispersed, a more unified and recognizable uptick in skinhead rock and roll began. Even before the Dropkick Murphys were able to inject enough palatable punk into their formula, there were bands moving about in the traditional skinner presentation of punk. With it’s odd amalgam of soccer style hooliganism – which in the States seems out off place – punk, reggae and mod stuffs, the early ‘90s gave the US some bands  the surpassed the musicality that Iron Cross and some earlier Boston bands recorded with. Of course, some of the skinners involved in all of this probably should’ve taken a guitar lesson, but not all of ‘em. And a New York group, with an ever shifting line-up, the Templars, seemed to expound the philosophical (or lack of it) tenets in addition to that illusive musicality that Oi always needed, but only occasionally got.

Being named after a shifty bunch of murders wasn’t really a necessity when constructing a persona to go along with the group. But Carl Templar’s devotion to historicity served as a frame in which the band was able to place perspectives on anything from group infighting to the ridiculous nature of politics. Sometimes a trio, sometimes a quartet, the band began recording during the first half of the ‘90s and since that time has put out some untold number of singles in addition to more than just a few long players. But because of all the singles and compact discs that collect them, it’s pretty easy to have a few different versions of a song. Each might sound different, but not too much. And even if the Templars are unquestionably one of the more musically inclined skinner bands since the ‘70s, the retreads are a bit unnecessary.

It seems that of late, the group has been on a virtual hiatus, only sporadically playing a few shows in the Northeast and a random festival out on the continent. So when I stumbled upon Pure Brickwall Recordings it seemed like an irrefutable snag. Even from the title, one should guess that this isn’t a proper full length. Instead it seems that the assortment of outtakes and alternate takes is what makes up the vast majority of the disc. Fortunately, the songs that listeners are gonna be familiar with here are some of the group’s better work. “Something’s Wrong,” “Police Informer” and “Young Warrior” don’t sound too different from the album cuts, but it’s interesting to hear the way in which the band considered releasing the songs. That first track mentioned gets a more melodic workout and a bit more of the harmonizing that comes off so well.

The fact that these recordings were toss offs, though, easily exhibits the fact that the Templars had themselves together. And while there isn’t a big enough skinhead constituency to make any band that shaves their collective heads, wears jean jackets and boots millionaires, if there was, these guys would be the first resultant stars.