Oi Polloi

Oi Polloi
Oi Polloi playing at Augustibuller in Sweden, 6 August 2005.
Background information
Origin	Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres	Anarcho-punk, Oi!, crust punk, Scottish Gaelic punk
Years active	1981–present
Labels	Campary Records, Ruptured Ambitions, Words of Warning, Oi! Records, Green Vomit
Associated acts	Aberfeldy Disorder The Exploited Kansalaistottelemattomuus Kling Klang Bus Station Loonies Gin Goblins Newtown Grunts Divide & Conquer Moniack In Decades Decline Rocka Ragnarok
Website	Official site
Members	Deek Allen Cameron Tongs Oigridh Olsen
Past members	Ade (drummer) Matt Finch (guitar) Yaga (guitar) Riley Briggs (guitar) Murray Briggs (drums) Chris Willsher (drums) Goz (bass) Calum Mackenzie (bass) Brian Tipa others

Oi Polloi are a punk rock band from Scotland that formed around 1981. Starting as an Oi! band, they are now generally more associated with the anarcho-punk genre. The band has become notable for their contributions to the Scottish Gaelic punk subgenre. The name probably comes from the Greek expression "Οι πολλοί" and it is a pun on the phrase hoi polloi meaning "the masses" or "the common people".

The band has gone through about 50 members since their formation, and their only permanent member has been vocalist Deek Allen, who has also been involved in Gaelic-language television. The band has included punks and skinheads. The members have been supporters of Anti-Fascist Action and Earth First!, and they use the motto "No Compromise in Defence of Our Earth," which is an adaptation of Earth First!'s motto. They support direct action in defense of the environment, hunt sabotage, as well as resistance against racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism and imperialism.

After gigs in the Edinburgh area and the recording of the band's self-recorded first cassette demo, Last of the Mohicans, drummer Stu "Doccy" Dunn left to become a karate instructor. A second studio demo, Green Anarchoi and their first vinyl EP, Resist the Atomic Menace, followed.

Oi Polloi started singing in Scottish Gaelic in 1996, recording the Carson? EP, (2003), then recording and releasing the full-length LP Ar Ceòl Ar Cànan Ar-A-Mach in 2006. The band members also use Scottish Gaelic in day-to-day communications.