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The names stated in this have been changed to protect the integrity of their public role and the welfare of their  families, with exception of the Hammer Skins that have passed on. The current lifestyles for some of these “peoples“ may be very different now, but that does not change their role in Hammerskins past. So, the cast of “characters“ are quite colorful: some are traitors, another is IBM employee (still white power, just doing his thing), another is a member of a main stream east-coast hard core band, a few who are still dedicated skinheads but got disillusioned along the lines somewhere, and yes, even a few people who are in fact still active with HSN. Many helped us immensely and we are grateful, and many hindered our progression and we are glad you are gone. The biggest regret (for some) is the loss of the truly dedicated individuals who got turned off by the actions and stupidity of others. So, this is the history of Hammerskins, the way it was remembered (and not the way it was intended, necessarily).
The skinhead presence in Dallas was first chronicled in 1979. Like other cities, in the USA, it was an offshoot of the punk scene. Numbers were quite small in the early 80`s, but by 1984 the beginning seeds were planted for a large skinhead explosion. Between 1984 and 1987 the skinhead scene, in Dallas, reached its` peak for violence, but lacked political direction. With a few exceptions, skinheads in the area had always been geared towards White Power. Fortunately, there was never a ska, scooter, or mod fashion in the 80`s but did have a small population of anti-racist skins and punks known as DSB (dumb skater boys). So, there wasn’t much opposition. Most had grown up as skins, educated themselves without the help of a zealot, and figured out that there must be something they could do to make a more dynamic, focused, group. As 1987 drew to a close, some skinheads got together and decided to try to make a difference. They had the group; they just needed a name. Many ideas were tossed around, which many proved not to be so catchy and finally Confederate Hammer Skins was the chosen name.
They were from the south, so they used the Rebel Flag with the marching Hammers, in front, as a symbol of strength, pride, and solidarity. Apparently, it was a wise decision. Little did they know it would flourish into what it is today and span across the globe. With that, the very first Hammerskin chapter was born. John and Jennifer Johnson, and Paul Langly as founders, and, Ron Strumming and Jamey Reece as elder members. Emerging officially in January 1988, CHS (as they were known) intended to set the standard amongst skinheads in the U.S. Drug use among skinheads, in those days, was quite rampant and many crews of skinheads had the odd, confused, Mexican or Jew that exceptions were made for. Hammerskins wanted to show like-minded people that there was a better way, a way that would promote the 14 words.
In early 1988 Hammerskins were recieving heavy exposure due to travelling a lot. Hammers would attend marches in Pulaski, Tennessee, the infamous Sedition Trials in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and trips to other cities in the south that led to contacts with many other skinheads. Hammers had made strong ties in the past in other crews, in the north, like C.A.S.H, Chicago Area Skin Heads, D.A.S.H, Detroit Area Skin Heads, and WAR skins (amongst others), and they weren`t forgotten as they would play a large part in the expansion of Hammerskins. Some of these contacts resulted in tight, time tested bonds, and others proved to be quite disasterous. So, Hammers were looking up old friends and spreading the good word: Hammer Skins, “Let`s pull our strengths together and make an impact!”. The band wagon was in high gear and people were jumping on right, left, and center. To be honest, it all happened too fast. CHS, in Dallas, was making National headlines and had numorous other crews expressing their interests in joining the ranks as well. These were impressive gains in these early stages, being from a city where several years earlier you got beat down for being from another city in Dallas.
By summer of 1988, skinheads in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Waco, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee, became part of the CHS phenomena. Not quite simultaneously, but certainly not long after Hammerskins began their growth spurt. After this, Paul Langly moved north to Detroit. His job offer seemed to be a good opportunity to strengthen the ties with some northern cities. Strong crews like C.A.S.H, D.A.S.H, S.H.A.M, and W.A.S.H were already in existence, and the names may be quite memorable to some. CHS flourished and NHS was the next region to be founded with Detroit, being the first city to represent Hammerskins, in the NHS. Around the same time of the first Aryan Fest that was happening, in Oklahoma, the skinheads of the north were having their own fest. It was Skinfest in Milwaukee, Wisconson, and skinheads from all the other northern crews were represented. The Skinhead Army of Milwaukee was the next crew to join up with NHS. Scott and Randy Chandley were heading up the crew and contributing loads of effort to the growth of NHS. In those days, everyone was on the move. Dean Messler, one of Hammerskins` oldest friends, had recently moved to Chicago and it wouldn`t be long after that that Chicago was added to Hammerskins ever growing roster of NHS chapters. Ohio would be the next with Karl Faylow working away promoting the Hammerskins. Yes, the summer of 1988 was a big for the development of Hammer Skins. Probably one of the most violent years in US history, too (88, it was the summer of hate!). Looking back, it seemed like the Aryan Fests, hosted by Greg Joseph, were always a strong point in bringing together other skinheads eager to help and join in.
After Aryan Fest `88 the Springfield, Missouri, chapter was founded. At that time, Missouri was CHS but now is in a new region of Midland, MHS. At about the same time, some Hammers caught up with a friend from Oklahoma, by the name of Willy Patrice, who had since moved to Portland, Oregon. Although a chapter exists today in Portland, the original chapter (which started with Willy) is now defunct. So much was happening at home, in Dallas, and all over the U.S that a Nation wide, let alone world wide, skinhead organisation was not really the intention in the beginning stages, but was fast becoming an eye-opening reality.The Hammerskin presence was becoming a formidable one. Another contact was made in August of `88. This time it would take Hammerskins to the east coast town of Portland, Maine. At this time this chapter was not known as EHS.
Back in Dallas, founding member John Johnson, was jailed on an Aggravated Assault charge. This was to be foreshadowing for tougher times to come. Towards the latter months of 1988 a Hammerskin chapter sprung up in Hollister, Northern California.They used the name CHS as well for there was no official WHS yet. This chapter came about from contacts made with WAR skins when Paul Langly met them on the set of the Oprah Winfrey talk show, in Chicago, in 1987. By the end of 1988 Hammerskins were BI-coastal and steadily blanketing the North and South.
The next big event, in early 1989, was the Aryan Woodstock set to happen in Napa, California. Later to be dubbed the “Aryan Wood-Flop”, was a complete disaster due to rain and local ZOG pressure. Chapters from CHS and NHS were in attendance and were able to make contacts with Southern California. In Dallas things weren’t looking so good. A Federal Grand Jury was convened to investigate the actions of skinheads in Dallas over the past several years of “wrong” doing. Leading the pack of investigators was Federal Prosecutor Barry Kowalski, who incidentally prosecuted Bruce Pierce of the Order. With that, the case gained National attention. A press conference was held with the U.S Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and President George Bush. This investigation, by all means, would end in a “show trial”. John Johnson, already serving time on an unrelated offense, would be the main focus of their investigation. Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, Paul Langly and Scott Chandley had received convictions for shooting at a group of Latin Kings (gang-bangers) who had come to do a drive-by on their homes; simply for being skinheads. Just over a year in existence and Hammerskins were already feeling the clutches of Zog`s wrath. As for the positive, Aryan Fest 1989 was fast approaching and would be one of the great U.S skinhead concerts in its history, and another chance to forge bonds with skinheads from nation-wide.
Hammerskins were beginning to claim some very good bands as their own in these early stages: Midtown Boot Boys, Haken Kreuz, One Way, and the Bully Boys. At some point after Aryan Fest `89 the guys of Bound For Glory joined on and St.Paul, Minnesota, became part of the momentum driving Hammerskins accross the USA. In the South, a skinhead from Memphis, Tennessee, by the name of Henry Henderson, was doing his best at promoting the Hammerskin name. He brought skinheads from all over Tennessee into the fold, as well as, groups from Birmingham, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia. “I can`t help but feel that we are our worst enemies at times“ as Jennifer Johnson would later say, because by fall of `89 Hammerskins were already experiencing growing pains. Rumours, gossip, back stabbing, and in fighting was the typical norm, no Hammer was immune to any of it. And, the exposure that facilitated the growth was now biting Hammerskins in the ass. “Much of our growth, I believe, was due to the heavy publicity in the beginning“, Jennifer would comment. The friendship with Tom Metzger, at the time, led to a lot of exposure in the War newspaper and Aryan Fest videos; those two speak for themselves. Zines such as, Blood and Honor, Pure Impact, Final War, and numerous lesser ones, were promoting Hammerskin existance. ZOG`s media machine was all over Hammerskins as well. Calls from TV shows such as, 60 Minutes, 20/20, amongst others were badgering for interviews. The exposure had become a double edged sword, aiding the growth and making them a target for law enforcement agencies at the same time. At that point, people wanted to either jump on the band wagon or burn it down. They had all the unnecessary attention and Hammers had to learn their lesson the hard way.
Into the fall of 1989, ZOG continued their campaign against the Hammers in Dallas. Indictments were handed down, which culminated in the convictions of 5 of Dallas CHS members for “conspiracy to violate the civil rights of blacks and jews” and a firearms charge. *Daniel Woods, one of the 5 convicted, recieved the harshest sentence. It was poetic justice, as he was also an informant that gave the FBI much of their information. The sentences ranged from 4 1/2 - 9 1/2 years. These men: Fritz Reer, Daniel Corley, Matt Florence and John Johnson are all free now and are avid racialist to this day. After the “Dallas Show Trials”, the FBI were still out for blood and went for more convictions on similar charges in Tulsa, Oklahoma. *Chris and *Rip, of the Midtown Boot Boys, were casualties in this ever growing witch hunt, as well as, Furley Hyme and, again, Matt Florence (who was previously convicted in Dallas). Since then numerous people have been jailed while Hammers have had to sit back and watched their friends and brothers murdered while their killers go free! Andy Anderson, Matthew Matrix, Johnny Freed, and the aforementioned are/were all prominant figures of the HSN and are just a few names of the hundreds that have or are currently serving time. The hammerskin list of martyrs grow at a shockingly fast rate as well: Norm Hilliard, Brian Koesel, Eric Banks and Joe Rowan are just foreshadowing of a ever growing list. The list of casualties doesn`t stop there, Hammers have sufferend the loss of brothers and sisters in all forms, from cancer to suicide. This is what we are faced with on a daily basis, this is the reality of our lives and the unfortunate circumstances for those of us who love our race and want to preserve it.
Hammerskins were learning as they went went along, for there was no book of instructions to follow. At some point during late `89, or early 1990, a skinhead by the name of Anthony Rito, from Memphis, Tennessee, returned to his home of Tom`s River, New Jersey. Here he formed an Eastern Hammer Skin chapter. At around the same time a couple of skinheads, by the names of Clancy Michles and Jave Barmontzon ( of the Fire and Ice fanzine), formed a chapter in their town of Freehold, New Jersey. At that point, the Portland, Maine, chapter had already dissolved, thus, these were the first two chapters to come under the EHS title. Out west, during this same time frame, a group of skinheads in Phoenix, Arizona, set themselves up as AHS, Arizona Hammer Skins. It wasn`t long after that Southern California came under the HS banner as well. With the combination of the two the first usage of WHS, Western Hammer Skins, arose. At the forfront of the chapters was Jason Crowning and Peter Altmann, who both had been victims of a vicious attack by blacks and Mexican gang bangers in October of `89. They, as well as another skinhead, were all shot from behind resulting in serious injuries. Peter`s spinal cord was severed and remains paralysed to this day, stricken to a wheel chair.
Early 1990 the Rocky Mountain Hammerskins began and another Aryan Fest in Oklahoma was on the way. Joe Rowan became involved with EHS in the mid 90`s, brining the Newtown, Pennsylvania, chapter into existance, along with Tim Brie of Baltimore, Maryland. EHS was becoming a cohesive unit and the WHS was taking shape. Not long after Aryan Fest `90, Lyle Utley, the acting director of NHS at the time, made a move back to Texas. It was at this point that Ed, of the BFG fame, became NHS director. Tragedy followed with the murder of Milwaukee Hammer Brian Koesel. Quite a lot has transpired between then and now, the ground work was laid in the first 2 and a half years, and Hammerskins was a fully functioning National Organisation. People came and went but the main cities were always covered.
One of the more memorable points in HSN history was the inception of Hammerskins in Europe, under the watchful eye of Ed of NHS. Though the exact date of this new intercontenental route for Hammerskins is a bit foggy, through old correspondence, it is believed to be around early 1991.The first two chapters were in Switzerland and N.Ireland. A little after this came Germany, France, and the Czeck Repuplic followed, though is not a chapter today. That wouldn`t be the end of it. Soon, it would spread to England, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, which is, unfortunatly, no longer a chapter today either. By 1993 Hammerskins would claim Australia amongst the ranks as well. With this bringing *Scott, of the Fortress fame, along for the ride. Canada was not to be exempt, beginning with Montreal, Canadian skinheads were welcomed under the NHS banner. Several other Canadian cities would be representing the Crossed Hammers along with, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Surrey, British Columbia. This was the beginning of what is today the current moniker of VHS, Vinland Hammer Skins. Although, today, the VHS has dwindled in numbers and cities since.
Back in the good old US of A, the growth rate of Hammerskins was slowing down substantially, although many good shows were being promoted by Hammerskins and Hammer attendance at rallies were rather impressive. 1993 was ushered in with yet another tragedy. In Portland, Oregon, Eric Banks, former singer of BFG, had been shot and murdered by SHARP scum. A black cloud had now shrouded the new year. Hammerskins now became more retrospective and the goals shifted. Numbers were no longer so important, which they should have never been, and strengthening what Hammerskins had become was the new priority. New chapters were not popping up at the rapid pace that they once were. The next edition to the ever growing family was a crew from Jacksonville, Florida, who were welcomed in, in `93. They had actually been with Hammerskins since 1991 in a somewhat “unofficial“ manner. Prior to that, aside from a couple lone skinheads in Tallahassee, there were no Hammerskin chapters in Florida. *Dave Lynch, of American Front, operated a renegade chapter in Florida at one time, but that group was NEVER legitimate. This was not to be the last of that kind, renegade chapters operating out of the Mid-west spanning the globe to Russia and Serbia. Renegade chapters continue to be a thorn in our side. Some just can`t accept a “no“ or dissmissal from Hammerskins. Hammerskins are often imitated but never replicated. Beware of imposters!
The next event of major importance was the injunction and formation of “Hammerskin Nation“ in the summer of 1994. The concept was to do away with the regional titles: CHS, NHS, EHS, and WHS along with the varied patches, and unite under one common Hammerskin banner. In creating themselves, Hammerskins had divided themselves and it was time to tear down the walls of division. If Hammerskins were to represent one name together then it was time to become one and represent each other as one: one Nation, Hammer Skin Nation!
In fall of `94 Hammerskins were marked with yet another time of loss and tragedy, Joe Rowan. After a memorial concert, in Racine, Wisconsin, a black savage murdered Joe at a convenience store. Joe was the singer of Nordic Thunder and a member of the EHS. The tragedy of Joe’s death was not just in the senselessness of the crime, not to mention the injustice of the criminal savage who got away with murder, but that it happened at a gathering in remembrance of a legend that made a impact on most of us involved in White Power, and the perseverance of our race, Ian Stuart. So many people gathered together in remembrance of one fallen Hero, then grieving the same night for a murdered brother and friend. HSN will always be marred by the loss of a fellow brother and must never forget their ultimate sacrifice, or take for granted our brothers of today for they may not be there tomorrow.
Time strode on like business as usual. The mid to late 90`s were a time of repairing what Hammerskins did have and cutting its` losses. Hammerskin Nation became much more technologically advanced and self-sufficient. HSN promoted many good shows, in the states, and put out many good publications, as well as operating web sites and running record labels. Many have also made their own non-movement related businesses from heating and air conditioning to tattoo shops. Some of the Hammer skins in Europe have businesses in skinhead apparel clothing stores to more lucrative positions in corporate offices. Hammer Skin Nation is now in the policy of quality over quantity, that is practiced and not just preached. Those years did not stride on without insult or injury. The loss of Erich Schmidt and the incarceration of Charles Randson on a bogus Attempted Murder charge were of a few. Charges were later dropped and Charles was released 6 months later.
`98 brought in a new chapter in Wichita, Kansas, and stretched over seas, again, with New Zealand. 1998 would not be without tragedy though. The loss of Paul (Harvey) Harbinson, from the Ulster N.Ireland chapter, form injuries sustained in a fight. As was it a year of “trimming the fat“ off the HSN steak. Cutting loose the mental cases, and the liabilities, that threatened the integrity of what HSN represents and Hammerskins` original ideals, was HSN`s focus. With the dismissal of some came the inevitable dropouts along with it. HSN suffered a great loss with some of its` Florida chapters. As well as bearing witness to HSN`s own renegade chapter of “Outlaw Hammerskins“ in the mid-west. Its unfortunate that these things happen, but “we are as strong as our weakest link“, and Hammerskins must protect the welfare of their Nation at all costs. Radical organizations sometimes attract unstable minds and in todays Zionist oppressive system looming over them, with its ever so watchful eye, HSN can never be too careful. In retrospect, many of the people who were cut loose, or dropped out, never knew what they were part of to begin with.
1999 was in, in no time at all. Preparations for a US National Conference Meeting followed by a concert, of great magnitude open to the public, was in the make. It would later be billed as Hammerfest. This was a big buzz for some and left others with a new meaning of brotherhood. The positively was dumbfounding and electrifying that helped kick into gear a motivation that seemed unstoppable. Regions were reinstated after a worthy amount of time on hiatus and proved good timing. Regional boundaries were redrawn to make way for a new region, the MHS, Midland Hammer Skins. This was a the year that bore witness to the new line up and revision of the Bully Boys, Hammer Skin Nations` very own and best represented band. Along with the BullyBoys representing HSN at that years Hammerfest were: Max Resist, Dying Breed, and Midtown Boot Boys to name a few. But again, that year would not be with out loss as well. Guy Asper, of the NHS, and Jon Walker, or the MHS, would both succumb to cancer. Both left behind wives and children.
2000, the new millennium for Hammer Skin Nation, was hampered in with no great consequence. With 1999s success with Hammerfest, preparations were in the works for a bigger and better one. And that it was! With the likes of Brutal Attack, BullyBoys, Bound for Glory, Celtic Warrior, and scores more, it proved to be the biggest concert attendance in US history. 2001 and early 2002 had no real great consequences either, aside from numerous successful gigs and rallies across America. One namely being the rally at the White House, in DC, to protest the US support of Israel. An EHS sponsored gig followed this. There was a little attack from Anti-racist scum on a bus, which carried Max Resist. With the surprising arrests of the SHARP there was the chance to see Americas` “Hate crime law“ go into effect with our counterparts. But, to no avail, they scathed by with no convictions. The earlier part of 2002, at another rally in Pennsylvania, a horde SHARP scum attacked a member, *Rick of EHS, leaving the rally in his truck. Not only did they provoke this altercation they escaped any “wrong doing“ because of the fact that Rick, to save himself from the filthy scum, had driven out of the angry mob, and in the midst of doing so, clipped a few Anti-racists. Thus, in doing, landed him in jail for two years. Along with Rick’s` incarceration another loss was on hands, Griff, of England BHS, passed away. On a more positive note, 2002 had its` first Hammerfest in Europe with over 1500 in attendance, despite trenturous rains.
With the last couple years HSN has focused on working for a better tomorrow for Hammerskins, and future Hammerskins, for the future of Hammer Skin Nation. HSN continues to gain new faces, and loose some of the old ones, but the continuity of Hammer Skin Nation will always retain its shape. The purpose of HSN is to give able minded, and bodied, white men a common bond, and goals, to work together for the preservation of their race, with the likes of others, in a positive brotherly atmosphere. Let us continue a better standard of living amongst skinheads for another 15 years with the Worlds oldest and leading elite skinhead organization: Hammer Skin Nation!
HAMMERSKINS FOREVER FOREVER HAMMERSKINS
Disclaimer
This is HSN in a nutshell. Exact dates may not be 100% accurate and events may have not fallen into exact order as well. Any questions regarding HSN contact your desired region though the email contacts. HSN is not responsible for the actions of its` members. Editing and revisions by Free Fight 38 for the Hammerskins.net and Hammerskin-Nation.net website. Copying of these texts is prohibited and is authorized to and for Hammerskins.net and Hammerskins only. So don`t ask!
Copyright (c) 2007 Hammerskin Nation.
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