Remdik: Antifascism Should Be an Essential Part of Every Thinking Person

Hailing from the northwestern Slovakian town of Žilina, Remdik began around 2022 as an idea of two brothers to form a skinhead-hardcore band with an explicit message of standing up against racism and hate.

Remdik released their self-titled debut on the then newly formed label 161 Strikes Records, and the tape sold out quickly, particularly in Central Europe and the Balkans. Although the band didn’t do any press releases and publicity, the raw and immediate sound of Remdik, their name derived from a medieval weapon, and the great cover artwork by their friend Ajshe created a recipe for a memorable record. As our contributor Nathan Brown wrote in his review for Louder Than War, “Remdik have as much Sick Of It All as Blitz, Attack, and other gruff heavy Oi! bands in their DNA. Something about the rawness reminds me of early USHC bands and 1980s Finnish punk.”

After some changes, Remdik stepped out of obscurity and started playing shows all over Slovakia and the Czech Republic, including anti-fascist/anti-racist benefit gigs and opening for bigger bands like Agnostic Front and Violent Way in 2024.

Remdik’s brand new four-song EP, Pouličná hymna (Street Anthem), releases today on tape through 161 Strikes Records. The label is also looking for co-production partners to release the EP on seven-inch vinyl. We teamed up with the band and their label for a revealing interview that will shed more light on this previously enigmatic band.

Brace yourselves for the Remdik Crew! Fair Oi!-Hardcore with a perspective.

Your hometown of Žilina is known for its rich medieval history and landmarks like Budatín Castle. Did this heritage inspire your band name and the use of medieval imagery in your artwork?

Rasťo: Probably. I’ve always been interested in history, and the medieval period is also a big part of it. At the end of the day, there are a lot of castles in our country. Life was completely different and violent, much like our music. Let’s continue it our way.

Tadko: Probably yes. The medieval period is characterized by violent battles, and our lives are a mirror of that!

Martin: When the band name was created, I wasn’t a member yet. But it was definitely influenced by history, and I think the guys came up with a great name that reflects both the history and the present.

Peter: Yes, it inspired us. I have my favorite special places nearby, such as Lietava Castle.

Two of the most lyrically impactful songs from your debut tape released last year were “Manifest rómskych skinheadov” (Manifesto of the Roma skinheads) and “Jediná šanca” (One Chance). Both tracks address the Roma community and standing up to racist violence. Could you elaborate on what inspired you to write these songs?

Rasťo: I think the lyrics say it all. One song talks about destroying prejudices, and the other about the fact that racism has no place in our town, country, or society. It is terrible if in society there’s division based on skin color. Everybody should have solid opportunities for education and work.

Tadko: Both lyrics were written based on actual events we have experienced here! “One Chance” is about the killing of the mother of a Roma family by a group of local neo-Nazis. It is a terrible act, and our town should not forget it!

The “Manifesto” speaks of the racism and discrimination against the marginalized Roma minority that is still ingrained in our society. It is disgusting!

Martin: We all condemn racism, and that’s why these songs were written and why more will surely be written. We need to stand up for the Roma community, lift them up, and help them because in our country racism and hatred against Roma is strongly rooted, and it is time to change it!

Your music seems to be influenced by the USHC/NYHC scene, with nods to Warzone on your new EP. We’ve also noticed Remdik members wearing straight edge band shirts at shows. What does being a skinhead mean to you, and is uniting skins, punks and hardcore kids a central focus for the band?

Peter: Absolutely, it influenced our work! I’ve had the old USHC on my playlist for over half of my life and I still enjoy it! The skinhead culture is wonderful, and straight edge potentiates it all. Both force me to move forward, to be more direct, resilient, and true to myself and my friends. Uniting kids is a great idea, but we never set this goal. I should also mention that I’m a football fan!

Tadko: I embrace the values of the straight edge and skinhead subculture, loving these two great crafts and all the bands from the NYC and Boston scenes that had and still have a similar love! Unity is impossible on this earth. Long live diversification!

Rasťo: Being a skinhead isn’t really my thing. I’m a hardcore kid. But I highly respect the skinhead movement as the roots of this whole thing. Almost half of my favorite bands started as skinhead bands back in the day. We are trying to take inspiration from the best of punk, Oi!, and hardcore. It would be awesome if some youngsters would find the beauty of this genre and let it continue.

Martin: Since my life, lifestyle, and music are influenced by the NYHC scene, I respect the whole skinhead movement even though I don’t consider myself a skinhead but a hardcore kid. The aim of the band is to express our opinion and clear attitudes, to bring HC/Oi! music. Of course, we want to show all people the direction we think is right. We will be happy if young people find themselves in it too and continue this great subculture.

What is the beginning of the skinhead movement in your area? Was the scene in the ‘90s entirely dominated by Nazis and gray area bands? How is it different now?

Martin: In the ’90s, the skinhead subculture was mostly fascist because it came to us in the wrong form. That’s why it’s still in most people’s minds that a skinhead is a fascist and a racist. There were maybe a few real skinheads at the time. This subculture is not very popular in this country, but it’s better than in the ’90s.

Rasťo: It’s hard to talk about times when I was a little kid, but I remember an early 2000s incident on the bus with a few Nazis, so I can say that they were here. This subculture came here in its wrong form. In the ’90s, being a skinhead meant being racist. In society, the view still prevails that it is still like that. This scene is really small in Slovakia, but I think it’s getting better.

Peter: Skinheads in our country were generally directed to the extreme right. Some of them have become politicians now.

Tadko: Sadly, our country has a rich Nazi skinhead scene. History is still catching up with us, and the return to the true values and image of skinheads is still many years away.

When you released your self-titled debut, Remdik seemed like an enigmatic project with no band photos or internet presence. Now, you have an Instagram page, live videos, and have played numerous shows, including opening for bands like Agnostic Front and Violent Way. Can you tell us about your involvement in the local scene and the Remdik Crew?

Martin: The fact that it was released without photos or any info about the members helped, in my opinion. People on the internet started making up myths. It was funny. We try to do things our own way—by what we think is right, and don’t care what anyone else thinks.

Rasťo: We showed up at the right time. :)

Peter: In the very beginning, we didn’t know how to play the instruments we held in our hands. We made an honest record, but we didn’t know if we would play it live. Other things came later, and we are currently starting local DIY concerts under our direction.

Tadko: I really wanted our band to be animated with different myths that can be attractive! Then it was time to show up and confront. I think our crew is all about friendship, passion, fun, and psycho-hygiene. But, of course, we are determined to show the values of the skinhead-hardcore scene of our times, like being cleaner, anti-drugs, stronger, faster, more disciplined, and more courageous! The local scene probably hates us for that, hahaha.

In the early 2000s, the Antifascist Action in Czechia and Slovakia was strong and well-organized, with a strong connection to the hardcore punk scene. What actions do you think are necessary and effective today? For you, is it more about self-defense, political stance, or subculture?

Rasťo: Antifascism should be an essential part of every thinking person, same as disapproval of any type of authoritarian regime. It’s that simple. For me, it’s not an ideology. It’s common sense.

Martin: One does not have to be a member of a group to do the right thing and express an opinion. Antifascism should be a part of each of us.

Tadko: The most important thing is to start working on yourself, physically and mentally! I am a strict antifascist because I love life and want all totalitarianism that fights against life in a legitimate way to die!

I teach Roma children in school and work for the Roma community every day, I also work on my body with my brother, who is a proud skinhead. This is my antifascist action! It’s not enough to sit on your mobile and have nice antifa [social media] profiles!

Peter: The song “Potrebujeme makať na sebe” (We Need to Work on Ourselves) by RozpoR describes it perfectly!

While many Oi! bands today write lyrics in English, you continue to use Slovakian on your new EP Pouličná hymna (Street Anthem). Is it important to you that bands sing in their native language and sing about local issues?

Peter: Yes, it is very important for us.

Rasťo: In our case, it’s because in our native language we are able to describe our thoughts better. I personally like when bands use their native language. To be honest, in this type of music it is difficult to understand the lyrics even if you understand the language.

Martin: Slovakia and the Czech Republic have a similar language, so I think it’s definitely better for our scenes if the lyrics are in our native language. There are a lot of passages in the songs that people can sing along to, and at concerts, it’s all the more powerful!

Tadko: We want to bring something to our country full of problems that has been missing here for years: fair Oi!-hardcore with a perspective!

A few months ago, there was an assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Do you think his stance on the war in Ukraine was the main reason? Can you discuss the political climate in Slovakia and share your thoughts on political violence?

Martin: Such an act does not belong in any society and I condemn it. Problems in society need to be solved in other ways than by shooting. Robert Fico and his political party have long been spreading hatred against the political opposition, journalists, judges, and, of course, Ukraine since the start of the war. Nine months since they have been back in government, they have been destroying our rule of law. He is one of those who spread hatred and disinformation. And the fact that he has survived has helped him become even more powerful. That’s why we still need to fight, without shooting, of course.

Rasťo: Very difficult question. First of all, I want to say that it’s very sad that this is the picture of Slovakia in the world. Slovakia is a beautiful and nice country. I highly disagree with the politics of Robert Fico and the whole government. What they are doing blows your mind. Unfortunately, society is divided, with the older generation and not only them being smashed by disinformation, etc. We have to fight for our freedom and rights in the correct ways. I repeat—correct ways. No shooting. Nothing’s lost. This is what the lyrics of our band are about. Don’t be weak and fight.

Peter: The reason could be anything, and a loss of patience was to be expected. The pressure lasted too long, and the population could not bear it. If medieval laws applied, not a single politician would survive.

Tadko: My beloved colleagues have answered this question excellently.

Could you give us more insight into the current scene in Slovakia and highlight some other bands we should look out for? Finally, which international bands have you been enjoying recently?

Martin: When I was a teenager, there was a concert every weekend, sometimes two, and I had to choose. Nowadays, there are fewer, but still, the Slovak scene is alive. For local bands, I recommend: RozpoR, Catastrofy, Davová Psychóza, Čad, Hoten Toten. And from the world: bands from the NYHC and Boston scene, Conservative Military Image, Berthold City, Grade 2, Get the Shot, Bishops Green, Dropkick Murphys, etc. There are a lot.

Rasťo: The Slovak scene still lives. To be honest, I remember better times, but it is what it is. From the Slovak scene, I would recommend: Čad, RozpoR, Catastrofy, 29. august, Uhol Dopadu. From international: an endless list of hardcore classics like Agnostic Front, Gorilla Biscuits, H2O, Madball, Sick Of It All, and bands like Lion’s Law and The Interrupters.

Peter: The guys know what’s good here! I’m currently playing 86 Mentality, Violent Reaction, The New York Hounds, Syndrome 81, Slapshot, Béton Armé, Bishops Green… there’s a lot…

Tadko: Today’s scene in Slovakia is, for me, a great misery! That’s why I recommend only three essential bands to be loved: Davová Psychóza, RozpoR, and Čad! From abroad, I love Conservative Military Image, The Chisel, Violent Disorder, Fulmine, Tyrant, Shaved for Battle, High Vis, and many others.

Find Remdik on Bandcamp and Instagram, both the self-titled tape and the new EP Pouličná hymna have been released by 161 Strikes Records.