Hats & Caps

Hats & Caps from Helsinki play honest Oi! punk with the spirit of the ’80s. They’ve released an EP, a split, and one full-length album — and their second LP is already on the way. We talked to vocalist Wille about his journey into the Oi! scene, the bands that shaped him, and what punk means to him today.

How and when did you come together as a band and why did you choose the name Hats & Caps?

Hats & Caps are Wille on vocals, Janne on guitar, Riku on bass and Tommi on drums. We started in 2019. At that time there weren’t that many Oi! bands in Finland and we wanted to fill that void. At first we just made songs and rehearsed without a name, but eventually we had to pick one. Riku came up with the name Hats & Caps, as it comes from Finland’s history when we were still under Swedish rule. If you want to know more, just Google „War of the Hats“.

How did each of you personally get into the Oi! and punk subculture?

I was a skateboarder as a kid and that led me to punk. Though the first time punk music really hit me was when I was thirteen (or fourteen), when I saw a Black Flag video on TV. Not long after that I started listening to bands like Blitz, Cockney Rejects, Cock Sparrer, The Business etc., as those bands were on cheap punk rock compilation CDs we bought from our local store. I had no idea what Oi! as a genre was back then – it was all just punk to me.

What does being part of the Oi! scene mean to you personally?

Well, I love it. I’ve made friends around the world through it, so I think it’s great. Though politics have smeared it a lot and there’s too much of this „we won’t play with them ‚cause they played with a band that played with that band back then“.

What bands and albums influenced you in your discovering of the punk and skinhead subculture?

Black Flag – The First Four Years, The Misfits – Walk Among Us, NOFX – Liberal Animation, Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the UK, The Business – Suburban Rebels, Blitz – Voice of a Generation.
I was also into hardcore a lot in my youth, so Finnish bands like Terveet Kädet, Kaaos, Rattus, Valse Triste, Rytmihäiriö, alongside with Judge, Youth Of Today, Minor Threat, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All etc.

What do you think is specific about the Finnish punk and Oi! scene compared to the rest of Europe?

I can’t think of any, hahahaha.

What is the current scene like in Helsinki? Are there Oi!/punk/hardcore bands, concerts, meeting places?

There’s a lot of punk and hardcore bands and gigs, but the Oi! scene is very small unfortunately.

Are you also interested in skinhead reggae, ska and these musical styles associated with the skinhead subculture?

Yes I am. I started listening to reggae, ska and 2 Tone before I was a skinhead and still like it.

Where do you get inspiration for your lyrics? Are they more personal, political, or more about everyday life?

All those things you mentioned. Oi! is punk and punk is political, so it goes without saying. Then we write lyrics about our relationships, backstabbing and shit-talking „friends“, drinking etc.

Do you believe that punk still has the potential to change something, or is it more about attitude and community these days?

I don’t think punk will change anything anymore. The rebellion has gone, bands are now into making money. Of course not all bands, but way too many.

How do you perceive the relationship between the skinhead and punk scene in Finland today?

It’s complicated, hahahaha! Most skinheads in Finland are white power, so punks hate skinheads here. Though nowadays most of those nazis are into the casual thing, so perhaps it will change.

Oi! as a genre is often associated with the working class. Is this topic important to you too?

I personally think that there’s these filthy rich cunts pulling the strings and then there’s the rest of us. And if we want to change things for the better, we need to see this and stop fighting each other. They put poor against poor, working man against another working man, black against white. It’s divide and conquer. They create diversion to make us not see what’s really going on.

Have you experienced misunderstanding from the media or the public because of the Oi! label?

Not that much actually.

What was the best concert you have ever played and why do you remember it?

The most memorable concert is the one we played in Germany, at Krawallbrüder’s 30th anniversary gig. There were over 3000 people when we started to play and I doubt we’ll ever play for that many people again. I prefer small gigs though. Small venue and playing for your own people, that’s the best thing.

What is your relationship with vinyl, cassettes, or do you prefer digital?

It’s vinyl for me. I hate cassettes – I’m old enough to remember what it was like back when cassettes were the main format.

Are there any DIY collectives, labels or zines that you would like to support or mention?

Yours, hahahaha.

How do you cope with the commercialization of punk aesthetics in fashion and advertising?

I think it fucking sucks.

What do you think makes a good Oi! band? Music, lyrics, attitude…?

Good music makes a good band. I think some shite bands get too much credit these days ‚cause they know people or are what you call „good guys“.

Which bands have caught your attention at the moment? Which albums do you currently like the most and why?

The Reapers, Rise Up, Tear Up, Criminal Damage, Collaps, Burden, Crown Court, Violent Way, Rixe, Bromure, Live By The Sword, Reconquesta, Lion’s Law, La Inquisición, Still Defiant, B-Squadron, Legion 76, La Gachette, Orreaga 778 to name a few.
I really love the latest Cock Sparrer album and I’ve been playing it a lot. I also listen to a lot of different styles of music beyond Oi! and punk, but I’ll leave those out – otherwise it would be too long a list, hahaha!

What are your plans for the future – a new album, a tour, collaborations?

We’ve started recording our second full-length album, and by the time this interview comes out it should be recorded. Don’t know when it’ll be out though – hopefully this year, but it depends on how long it takes at the vinyl pressing plant. There’s also at least one split EP coming, just waiting for news from the publisher. It should be out in the near future. We also recorded one extra song which will be left off the album so we can use it for a split with some band or a compilation.

How would you define the spirit of the scene in 2025? Is it more nostalgia, or is something new emerging?

I think it depends on where you’re looking. I mean, for older guys it’s definitely more nostalgia and they hate everything the younger generation brings to it. I’m speaking of the skinhead scene now. One thing I hate in it is people who don’t even look like skinheads and still claim to be one. Fucking hairy, bearded weirdos. Hahaha!
But when it comes to the Oi! scene, I think it’s great to see many new bands emerging with different styles. So you can find a lot of great new Oi! these days!

The last words are up to you. Is there anything you want to say that I didn’t ask? Free ring.

Hopefully we’ll get more gigs and we’ll see you in the pit!

DISCOGRAPHY:
Hats & Caps EP (Bitter Boi, 2020)
Going Nowhere LP (KB Records, 2021)
Hats & Caps / Eastside Dogs split EP (KB Records, 2023)

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