Convicted white supremacist band says they didn't mean for lyrics 'to be taken literally'

A landmark trial has concluded in London, England, with the conviction of a father and his two adult children for their roles in inciting racial hatred through neo‑Nazi music. The case shines a spotlight on how extremist ideologies exploit cultural events.

The Independent reported Thursday that 59-year-old Robert Talland, known as “Ginger Rob,” along with his son Stephen, 36, and daughter Rosie, 33, were found guilty of conspiracy to incite racial hatred following a nine‑week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Stephen and Rosie were convicted of inciting racial hatred directly. Robert faced further convictions for possessing racially inflammatory material and disseminating terrorist publications, per reports from the UK media.

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The case centers on a gig held at the Corpus Christi Club in Leeds in September 2019, organized by Robert Talland. There, his children — members of a band called Embers of an Empire — performed songs prosecutors say promoted racial hatred.

CCTV footage captured audience members, including children, making Nazi salutes in response to lyrics such as: “Hope you’re ready to die”, “Won’t stop until the last one hits the floor”, and “We’ll send them back in a box”

In his defense, Mark Gadsden argued: “The lyrics were metaphorical and not meant to be taken literally."

"It is the case that nobody has acted on that music and go on to commit acts of violence.”

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The trio was arrested in 2020, after a year‑long investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East. A search of Robert Talland’s home uncovered hundreds of CDs from his label, Rampage Productions, alongside Blood & Honour merchandise and banners emblazoned with neo‑Nazi imagery, per the report.

Robert Talland was a prominent figure in the neo‑Nazi network "Blood & Honour," a movement that spreads extremist currents through concerts and merchandise for "white power" rock bands.

This network is now subject to a U.K. government asset freeze, imposed on 8 January 2025. The freeze targets Blood & Honour and its aliases under domestic counter‑terrorism sanctions—a first of its kind against a far‑right extremist group.