MY INSPIRATION: Dossers – Richard The Lion Heart

Image by EnA Photography

Teesside’s finest grungy punk band Dossers prepare to release their new single, Richard The Lion Heart, which came into grubby life during the riots of August 2024. Here, the band talk about the inspiration behind the track, and how the lyrics have become a generalised reflection of the attitudes synonymous with British culture…

“Richard The Lion Heart is one of them songs that just came together without any major planning, the type of song that was fuelled on passion and frustration. The inspiration came from the sickening acts of violence and destruction that happened around the country in August 2024. We’d seen the chaos that unfortunately landed on our doorstep, and seen the damage and total ignorance that our community was subjected to. The mindless hatred, disguised as ‘protests’, spurred us to write our next song as a middle finger to anyone who was involved.

“The song isn’t just about the riots, it’s more of a generalised reflection on some of the outdated, bigoted attitudes synonymous with British culture.

“We wanted this song to resonate with people who come from small towns like us, places where there is a lot of ignorance and not enough education on topics such as immigration and different cultures.

“All of Dossers have been born and raised in Britain, but without immigration our band wouldn’t be here as it is; some of our relatives, friends and loved ones wouldn’t be here; and it angers us being surrounded by folk who have no concept of change and no willingness to learn or try. We want people to enjoy something that we created from negativity and to know that only love can cancel out hatred.

“We, as both a band and as individuals, will always do what we can to educate and strive towards positive change. We’re voicing how we feel about the things we experience and care about, and Richard The Lion Heart is our way of doing exactly that.”