Romper Stomper - Original Soundtrack (Picture This, 1992)

I might lose some readers on account of this post since certain people will probably be offended by specific tracks on this CD. As a record collector, I occasionally find myself confronted by the dilemma of liking particular songs or albums even if I disagree with the musicians' beliefs and the philosophies expressed in their lyrics. The primary criterion for determining whether or not I add something to my musical archives is simple: Does the music move me? If so, it either ends up filed away on my shelves or saved somewhere on my external hard drive. Thus, I can justify owning gospel LPs even though I'm not a Christian, Black Power music even though I'm a token white devil, recordings by Charles Manson even though I think he should be kept in permanent solitary confinement if not executed, and albums by gay artists even though I'm straight.

A VICIOUS LOVE TRIANGLE (L TO R): HANDO (RUSSELL CROWE), GABRIELLE
AKA GABE (JACQUELINE McKENZIE), & DAVEY (DANIEL POLLOCK)

Within the period spanning 1992-2001, three notable films that dealt with the skinhead movement were released: Romper Stomper, American History X, and The Believer. The latter two are better known because they received wider distribution as a result of being American studio productions and featured actors Edward Norton and Ryan Gosling respectively in the lead roles. From a script and likeability standpoint, these are arguably superior movies since they include relatively straightforward plots and clear resolutions to their characters' conflicts. In terms of emotional impact and the ability to shock, however, the Australian-made Romper Stomper (starring a young Russell Crowe) remains the most potent of these three motion pictures. In my opinion, it's not a masterpiece, but its extremely nihilistic tone offers the most realistic portrayal of the skinhead lifestyle. The acting deserves praise since Crowe as well as co-stars Daniel Pollock and Jacqueline McKenzie all turn in fine performances. Nevertheless, most viewers will find their roles to be completely unworthy of sympathy, even if Pollock's character begins to rethink his racist beliefs toward the end of the flick. As one of the bleakest films ever made, Romper Stomper is not a pleasant viewing experience, although it will make you think and examine your own views on race. I still like American History X and The Believer better as entertainment vehicles, but it's the nastiness of this Australian production that has had the most profound effect on me and has stayed in my thoughts the longest.

WHITE SUPREMACIST GANG OF FOUR

My belief is that the soundtrack to Romper Stomper is superior to the movie itself. But in similar fashion to the film, these performances are more powerful than they are likeable. I'm usually not a big fan of electronic music, but John Clifford White's synthesized score is downright creepy and unsettling. "Prologue/Romper Stomper Theme," "Skinheads Go Shopping/Gabe Sees Swastika," "Let's Break Some Fingers/Brawl Crawl," "Tonguey for the Skins/Nightmare for the Hippies," "At the Mansion," "We Came to Wreck Everything," "Wild Animals 1," "Bubs Dead/Gabe Finds Davey," "Gabe and Davey," "Night Drive," "On the Beach," "Wild Animals 2," and "The Dead Nazi March" are more eerily atmospheric than even the best horror film soundtracks. "Mein Kampf" finds Crowe delivering a chilling recitation of Hitler's hate-filled views as expressed in the infamous book and is guaranteed to offend all but the most callous bigots. The remaining selections - the anthemic "Pulling on the Boots," "Fuehrer Fuehrer," "The Smack Song," and "Fourth Reich Fighting Men" - are examples of racist Oi! music that were composed specifically for this movie, though I'm not sure about the specific identity of the musicians. If they are not members of an actual white supremacist band, then they do a convincing job of musical acting whoever they might be. In regard to musicianship, these are first-rate early 1990s punk performances with decidedly ugly lyrics. As director Geoffrey Wright explains,

Regarding this soundtrack. Part of this extraordinary and award winning film score includes examples of that obscure musical genre known as 'Oi'. They have been placed here, with their racist lyrics intact, in the context of the other compositions constituting Romper Stomper's aural heart of darkness. It would be desirable to ask the listener to accept the Oi songs in the same way as they'd accept a grisly item in a museum. Unfortunately however, the hatred and despair that generated the original modes is not a relic of history but a part of the here and now.

FOR THOSE WHO PLACE THEIR FAITH IN FIRE,
IN FIRE THEIR FAITH SHALL BE REPAID

1. Prologue
2. Romper Stomper Theme
3. Pulling on the Boots
4. Skinheads Go Shopping/Gabe Sees Swastika
5. Mein Kampf
6. Fuehrer Fuehrer
7. Let's Break Some Fingers/Brawl Crawl
8. The Smack Song
9. Tonguey for the Skins/Nightmare for the Hippies
10. At the Mansion
11. We Came to Wreck Everything
12. Wild Animals 1
13. Bubs Dead/Gabe Finds Davey
14. Gabe and Davey
15. Fourth Reich Fighting Men
16. Night Drive
17. On the Beach
18. Wild Animals 2
19. Fourth Reich Fighting Men Reprise
20. The Dead Nazi March