| JANUaRY 2007 | ISSUE 02 |
THE DUEL Riding the 30th
anniversary punk wave
THE GHOULS Dying to Tour
THE SHOEMAKERS Nine to Five
PLUS: RAMONES,
CONCRETE JUNGLE FESTIVAL,
SAS TOUR
REVIEWED:
The Pogues, GBH, Buzzcocks, Drongos for Europe, The Vibrators, Blacklisted, Gallows and more...
EDITOR_ Cerven Cotter
editor@distortedmagazine.com
ART_ Cerven Cotter CONTRIBUTORS_ Lola, OldPunkGit, Fungal Punk/OMD, Ruby Rock, Tim Drunk. PROOFING/SUBBING_ Lola Contact information_ Distorted Magazine 9 Bridle Close, Surbiton Road, Kingston Upon Thames Surrey, KT1 2JW London, UK info@distortedmagazine.com www.distortedmagazine.com Distorted Magazine is published by Distorted Ltd. All content is copyright protected © 2006 - 2007. Distorted is a trademark of Distorted Ltd. Views expressed in the magazine’s content belong to the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. The contents are believed to be correct at the time of publishing. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors, ommissions or for changes in the details given, © 2006 - 2007 Distorted Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in a whole or in part of this magazine is strictly forbidden without prior written consent of the publishers. | page 01 | JANUARY 2007 |
es E d i t o r ’ s kNrooctk! 30 years of pun
Welcome to 2007 and issue two of Distorted. Can you believe it has already been 30 years since the ‘77 punk rock revolution? I think that it is important to celebrate an anniversary like this as it formed the basis for what we know as punk rock today. Yes, many people may disagree and argue, but ‘77 saw some of the most influential punk bands come into existence, my personal favourites being The Clash and The Sex Pistols. There is no denying the importance of the ‘77 revolution, I shudder to think where we’d be today if it didn’t happen. Although they started years before the ‘77 punk boom, the Ramones are cited as an influence by nearly every punk band around today and even had a large impact on the ‘77 bands. We put together an article on the legendary black haired, leather jacket wearing band, as part of our onoing history section. By no means is it the be all and end all of the Ramones, it is simply a look into their history. Take a read, you may just learn something new. We hope the history articles will inspire you to do further research into these important bands. Distorted is proud to be associated with the Concrete Jungle Festival and the SAS Tour this year. You can read about these two events in our new section called ‘Previews!’ Over the next few issues we’ll be speaking to the various bands that are on the bill for these two events. As you’ll notice, Distorted continues to grow and we will be adding new sections that represent the world that is punk rock. We have some surprises lined up for upcoming issues, so look out for them. If you have some ideas, get in touch with us. With 2007 now firmly upon us, we would like to wish everybody all the best for the road ahead, it is going to be one hell of a year! Cerven Cotter Editor
CONTENTS CCONTE O N T CONTENT E NTS NTS
CONTENTS INSIDE THE JANUARY ISSUE
[Click on an article to jump straight to it]
FEATURES The Duel ........ 11 Riding the 30th anniversary punk wave The Ghouls ........ 19 Dying to Tour The Shoemakers ........ 27 Nine to Five Ramones ........ 45 Gabba Gabba Hey!
REGULARS
Editor Notes...... 01 Headlines...... 03 What you had to say...... 06 Previews!...... 07 PunkSpace...... 17 Reviews...... 33 Close Up...... 49 | JANUARY 2007 | page 02 |
H EADL INES News and other things you need to know
The Latest... RAMONES TO ROCK THE BIG SCREEN!
Rory Rosegarten’s Rosegarten Films has secured the rights to “I Slept with Joey Ramone,” the only authorized biography of the late Joey Ramone, the lead singer of the seminal rock band the Ramones, for a film on the legendary rocker’s life. The book, written by Joey’s brother Mickey Leigh along with Legs McNeil, longtime music writer and co-author of “Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History Of Punk,” will be published by Touchstone Books (a division of Simon and Schuster) in the fall of 2007. In addition to securing the motion picture rights to the book, Rosegarten also negotiated the rights to Joey’s life story from his mother and the executrix of Ramone’s estate, Charlotte Lesher. Rosegarten will also be working closely with Ramones Productions for the use of the Ramones recordings in the film. Rosegarten will serve as a producer. Leigh will serve as an executive producer. Source: Joeyramone.com | page 03 | JANUARY 2007 |
• Reprise Records will release re-mastered versions of two classic Green Day albums, the Grammy Award winning band’s 1991 debut 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hour and its second fulllength, 1992’s Kerplunk, on January 9, 2007. Originally released on Berkeley indie label Lookout! Records, 1,039/ Smoothed Out Slappy Hour was a compilation of Green Day’s early no-frills EP’s 39/Smooth, Slappy, and 1,000 Hours. In 1992, Lookout! released Kerplunk, which marked the debut of drummer Tré Cool. • Anti-Flag is the first band to be announced for Fearless Records’ newest addition to their Punk Goes series, Punk Goes Acoustic 2 due out May 2007. • Getting into the holiday spirit, Fat Wreck Chords have posted an online sampler featuring tons of new, unreleased and rare material from the likes of NOFX, The Lawrence Arms, Smoke Or Fire, Against Me!, Strike Anywhere, Mad Caddies and The Loved Ones. • Alkaline Trio will be releasing a Bsides/rarities compilation called Remains on Vagrant Records on January 30th. • The Stooges will be releasing their new album in spring of 2007 with a reunited band featuring Iggy Popp, Ron and Scott Asheton, Steve Mackay and exMinutemen bassist Mike Watt. The album was recorded with producer Steve Albini.
NOEL GALLAGHER vs GREENDAY
Oasis star Noel Gallagher has accused punk trio Green Day of “ripping off ” his Wonderwall anthem for their hit Boulevard Of Broken Dreams. The Mancunian guitarist has been a longtime outspoken critic of the American Idiot hitmakers, but admits he was fuming the first time he heard their 2005 hit.Gallagher explains, “If you listen, you’ll find it is exactly the same arrangement as Wonderwall.” They should have the decency to wait until I am dead (before stealing my songs). I, at least, pay the people I steal from that courtesy.”And the rocker’s rant continues: “They consider themselves to be - and I quote - ‘a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll band’. They could not be less kick-ass if they tried.” • The Strawberry Blondes had to cancel all their remaining 2006 shows due their drummer Grizz falling seriously ill with septicemia. “We would like to apologise to everyone who had planned to come and watch us but unfortunately we’ve had to pull out of all commitments for the remainder of 2006.” • Against Me! have announced that their Sire/ Warner debut will be titled New Wave, with a release planned this spring. Additionally, they will begin a headlining tour in February with Fake Problems and the Riverboat Gamblers. Only two dates have been listed, but the band promises more to follow.
...AND NOW PLAYING SOS Records USA A&R man, Todd Radict, shares his current playlist: Goldblade - Rebel Songs Strawberry Blondes - s/t Abrasive Wheels - Nothing to Prove Sick 56 - Recipe for Disaster Deadline - Getting Serious Anti-Nowhere League - Kings and Queens The Radicts - Rebel Sound The Ghouls - Stand Alone Drongos for Europe - Hotline to Hades The Duel - Lets Finish what We Started Bands can send demos and a large t-shirt to: Todd Radict, 673 Franklin ave, Brooklyn NY, 11238 USA. | JANUARY 2007 | page 04 |
H EADL INES News and other things you need to know
10 MINUTES WITH: Dek Drongo
Drongos for Europe have just finished their three stop tour with GBH. What a perfect time to have a quick chat with bassist Dek.. Distorted: Oi Dek, how are ya doing? How were the shows with GBH? Dek: Really good apart from the drive in pea soup fog from Birmingham to London which took 7 hours! Newcastle and Birmingham were more or less sold out, and GBH were really on form this tour. They’re really good mates going back to 1980, GBH actually played at my wedding to Lozz who I’m still with now (1981). D: Any crazy moments that happened during the 3 stop tour? Jeez’ you almost didn’t make it the show in London. Dek: The journey from Hell to London, we actually took a clever short cut through a load of country lanes and passed through Narnia - when we eventually came out onto the motorway we were behind the truck that was in front of us in the traffic jam - so we made no time at all. We stayed in Newcastle after the gig then traveled down the morning after, in Brum we left the after show party at 5.15 am. D: Any bands people out there should be listening to that they may not know about? | page 05 | JANUARY 2007 |
Dek: Loads, there has never been so many great bands as now, check out in no particular order - The DUEL, Restarts, Holy Racket, Crashed Out, This System Kills, Contempt, Riot Squad, Dragster are awesome - the Nihilists, Wild Youth, Radiation Angel, Ram Man - so many really I can’t remember them all. D: Hope you and the rest of the Drongo’s have a great 2007 and we’ll see ya at a show again soon, thanks for chatting to us. Dek: Our pleasure - see you in 2007 with hopefully a new album and tour.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS MONTH IN PUNK ROCK HISTORY 1 January 1977 The Roxy club opens in London by club owner Andrew Czezowkski. The opening night the Clash play. The club is solely a venue for punk acts 6 JanUARY 1977 EMI drop The Sex Pistols 14 January 1978 The Sex Pistol’s disastrous US tour ends after Johnny Rotten walks off stage at their Winterland concert in San Francisco, famously uttering “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?” 14 January 1992 Former New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan dies from a stroke while undergoing treatment for meningitis and pneumonia. 26 January 1980 The Ramones’ remake of the Ronettes’ “Baby I Love You” enters the British singles chart, where it will peak at #8 - their biggest hit in any country.
W H AT Y O U H A D TO SAY mail us on letters@distortedmagazine.com
Clever Buggers! Firstly - comments on issue one - Clever buggers! It’s so professional and well put together. The only annoying thing is I want it in my hands. I like to browse and its not the same on the ‘net. To be honest if you can’t find a publisher who’d be willing to push this I would be shocked - it is as good as anything I’ve seen. ~ Dave HT AWESOME. The mag looks AWESOME. Well done on a brilliant job. Looking forward to new issues. ~ Andrew A FAN. Just read the mag, loved it. I’ve been looking for a punk mag for a long time, and I think I’ve found it, I’m more your 76/80’s punk, not too keen on this new american punk stuff but read it because you can’t just cater for one era I suppose. Enjoyed the Beki interview, she’s still fit as fuck, looking forward to the next issue already, keep up the good work. All the best. ~ Nighty (Fublic Dick)
SUGGESTIONS? Hello dude(/dudette’s?), Just read your debut mag. very cool page flickery and stuff... I took the photo of Hot Rocket Trio, it’s cool to see my photo in your mag! (although a mention would have been nice!) Is your punkspace unsigned only? I think it should be! I’d love to recommend another London band to you ‘Raw Poo’ ‘Raw Poo’ At their last gig they played with the Devients who also sounded great and looked the part! Have you concidered doing a listings page highlighting up and coming gigs of top rate bands? I could recomend loads in the London area. Anyways I’m prattleing on a bit, catch you laters, take care now... ~ Gary (cut-out-and-keep) Thanks to everybody for their amazing emails and comments. We’ve got many new additions planned for Distorted and will be implementing them over the next few issues. Got something to say? A suggestion or two? Please let us know! | JANUARY 2007 | page 06 |
PREVIE W ! P R E V I E W ! Tours and shows you have to know about.
CONCRETE JUNGLE FESTIVAL 20-22 April 2007 will see a mass gathering of some of the UK’s finest punk rock acts, both old and new, at the Camber Sands Holiday Centre in East Sussex, UK. Confirmed bands include the likes of the Exploited, Anti Nowhere League, Cockney Rejects, and GBH. Not only will this festival celebrate 30 years of punk rock but it will also rejuvenate and revive the spirit of punk. The Concrete Jungle Festival is the most important event in the scene since the punk rock revolution of 1977. With two stages playing host to over 60 bands, Concrete Jungle will offer more than just music but stalls selling all forms of merchandise ranging from the records through to the clothes and more that make up the punk rock scene. Cult Jam Records will also showcase their new bands while the Chaos Sessions will give smaller lesser known bands the opportunity to get their sound out to all those at the festival. There are numerous other activities planned and those will be announced as they are confirmed.
| page 07 | JANUARY 2007 |
The people behind Concrete Jungle, Jack the Lad Productions, are no strangers to world of punk rock and festivals. Heading up the team is Symond Lawes, a wellknown skinhead from the 80’s. He has been interviewed for a number of documentaries on the subject of skinheads and all things that revolve around it. He has put in many years of service within the punk rock scene and his experience with mainstream festivals such as Leeds and Glastonbury ensure the Concrete Jungle is in a very safe pair of hands. Symond is working closely with Daryl Smith (Cock Sparrer and Argy Bargy) who liaises with and handles the bookings of the bands. “The show we are doing is to put some fresh energy into the punk scene in Britain, which is the birthplace of punk rock, I know the Americans lay claim but hey, we all know the truth... I personally would like very much to encourage the younger new and foreign bands to have a platform, whilst also supporting the old school pioneers.” – Symond Lawes Concrete Jungle takes place at the Camber Sands Holiday Centre in East Sussex. Ticket prices are a £90 per person for three days, which includes accommodation and access to all festival facilities including two stages, a swimming pool, pub, arcade and amusements. Tickets are available online at: www.punkoiuk.co.uk
P REVIEW ! P R E VI E W ! CURRENT LINE UP • EXPLOITED • ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE • COCKNEY REJECTS • GBH • NEVILLE STAPLES • SPECIALS • DISCHARGE • [SPUNGE] • ARGY BARGY • RODDY RADIATION & THE SKABILLY • REBELS • SONIC BOOM SIX • JESSE JAMES • GOLDBLADE • PETER & THE TEST TUBE BABIES • LAST RESORT • VICE SQUAD • RIFFS
• THE CRACK • SECTION 5 • CRASHED OUT • DEMOB • BOOZE BOYS • VAS DEFERANS • THE DUEL • BOOTSTROKE • MISTAKES • PERKELE • OUTL4W • NECK • EAST END BAD DOES • STOMPER 98 • BLANK GENERA TION • SICK ON THE BUS • GUNS ON THE ROOF • FOREIGN LEGION
www.jacktheladproductions.com www.myspace.com/jacktheladpromotions Jack The Lad Productions Suite 454, Regency House, 91 Western Road, Brighton BN1 2NW, UK Tel: +44 (0)8444844368 Email: symond@jacktheladproductions.com
• PICTURE FRAME • SEDUCTION • MDM • AGITATORS • HAGGIS • HOTWIRED • FAILSAFE • BILLYCLUB • CELLBOUND • SOBERPHOBIA • DUN 2 DEF • UNDERDOGS • SKAVERS • KOOPA’S • UNIT LOST • 85’S
Concrete Jung le is supp Punk Oi UK ort by : Cult Jam R Big Cheese ecords M Distorted M agazine agazine
| JANUARY 2007 | page 08 |
PREVIE W ! P R E V I E W ! Tours and shows you have to know about.
SPIT & SAWDUST TOUR 2007
FungalPunk presents the Spit & Sawdust (SAS) Tour 2007 in association with Anoize Noise, Deadlamb Records and Distorted. The concept is simple, this is a grass roots, no bullshit, no ego’s, no rockstars tour featuring punk bands. FungalPunk Dave HT on the SAS Tour, “I had an idea of doing a punk rock tour consisting primarily of the underdog band rather than opt for the more established names. Rather than risk my sanity by doing everything all alone I pondered on the thought of a co-promoter. After much fishing about and deliberation the question was popped to Andy of Noize Anoize Music as to whether he would like to collaborate on this far from easy adventure. Almost without thought he said yes‚ so the next step was in search of a sponsor. After a few enquiries Deadlamb joined forces and a tour was put in place. Myself, Noize Anoize and Deadlamb were all of the DIY belief and were committed to the cause and before we knew it the tour was up and away. T-shirts, CD’s and a backdrop were made and added to the tours validity. In retrospect we had out share of success and failure. It was a real busy time and we were really worn out at the end of it but still positive despite some good and bad turnouts, a few band let downs and the odd mistake made here and there. However all the bands enjoyed it and those who attended said it was a great idea so I felt the need to do it all again and hopefully learn from our errors and improve the whole presentation. This year has more bands, different venues with the best of last year’s gaffs still there and a more careful approach in the amount of gigs and the positioning of.”
THE BANDS
The Fractions, Paul Carter, Harijan, Roadkill, Middle Finger Salute, Ambush UK, Sounds of Swami, The Kirks, Social Explosion, The Guilty Pleasures, Crouch Mog, The Scabs, Headclinic, Barnyard Masturbator, Red Necked Zombies, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, The Bobby Dazzlers, Most Likely To Fail, Swallow, The Bullet Kings, Flat Back Four, Out of Town, Purgatory State, Strait Jackets, Bookstore, Tony Ray | page 09 | JANUARY 2007 |
P REVIEW ! P R E VI E W ! PART I
2nd February 2007 - Cellar Bar, Blackburn. Sounds of Swami + The Scabs + Strait Jackets + Paul Carter (FREE) - 7.30pm 11th February 2007 - Joshua Brooks, Manchester. Churchill + Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + The Guilty Pleasures + Suspicious Stains + Roadkill + Mafafi + Social Explosion + Crouch Mog (£2.00) - 4.00pm 24th February 2007 - Yorkshire House, Lancaster. AFS + The Fractions + Headclinic + Barnyard Masturbator + James GP + The Kirks + Harijan + Sounds of Swami (£4.00) - 4.00pm 2nd March 2007 - Cellar Bar, Blackburn. Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + Roadkill + Flat Back Four + The Fractions (FREE) - 7.30pm 10th March 2007 - The Exchange, Bradford. Suspicious Stains + The Scabs + Most Likely To Fail + Barnyard Masturbator + Sounds of Swami + Social Explosion + Flat Back Four (FREE) - 4.00pm 24th March 2007 -The West, Huddersfield. Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + Suspi-
cious Stains + Strait Jackets + The Fractions + The Kirks + Sounds of Swami + Swallow + Out of Town (£4.00) - 4.00pm 6th April 2007 - Cellar Bar, Blackburn. The Negatives + Most Likely To Fail + Middle Finger Salute + Churchill (FULL) (FREE) 7th April 2007 - The Soundhouse, Bolton. AFS + The Guilty Pleasures + The Bullet Kings + Roadkill + Boredom + Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + Most Likely To Fail + Sounds of Swami + Bookstore + Middle Finger Salute (£5.00) - 2.00pm 21st April 2007 - The Broken Wheel, Retford. The Negatives + Flat Back Four + Middle Finger Salute + The Fractions + Strait Jackets + Boredom + Swallow + Drex + One Man Stand (FREE) - 3.00pm
PART II
1st September 2007 Thatched House. Stockport. Harijan + The Fractions + Roadkill + Flat Back Four + The Scabs + Middle Finger Salute + The Guilty Pleasures + Out of Town + Tony Ray + Phud + Purgatory State + The Bullet Kings + The Kirks (£5.00) - 1.00pm
8th September 2007 - The Dudley Arms, Rhyl. Crouch Mog + The Fractions + Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + Out of Town + Tony Ray + Ambush UK (FULL) 7.00pm 23rd September 2007 - The Royal Oak, Poulton Le Fylde. The Guilty Pleasures + The Scabs + AFS + Barnyard Masturbator + One Man Stand, Boredom + The Fractions + The Kirks + Paul Carter + The Bullet Kings (FULL) (£2.00) - 4.00pm 5th October 2007 - Cellar Bar, Blackburn. Dogsflesh + Paul Carter + Barnyard Masturbator + Northern Guns (FREE) - 7.30pm 2nd November 2007 - Cellar Bar, Blackburn. Churchill + Ambush UK + Flat Back Four + Crouch Mog (FREE) - 7.30pm 10th November 2007 - Thatched House, Stockport. Revenge of the Psychotronic Man + Ambush UK + The Scabs + The Fractions + Flat Back Four + Crouch Mog + more (£2.00) 12.30pm. Bands on in no particular order as they will be drawn from a hat on the day - punk rock or what! SAS - no egos allowed! | JANUARY 2007 | page 10 |
Riding the 30th Ann Giving punk a fresh relevance to
When I was presented with The Duel’s debut album, Let’s Finish What We Started, which was produced by Pat Collier. I was not sure what to expect. I’ve seen many bands over the years but few have had anything substantial to offer. The majority seem to be lacking substance, they may look good but offer nothing that has not been seen countless times before. The Duel however are a rare exception, this band has credibility and tunes that force themselves into your consciousness. The band has been in existence since 2001, however singer and lyric writer, Tara and bassist songwriter, Andy, have been writing together for years before that. From the opening track “Camden Town” through to the finale of “Better Bombs Better Drugs”, you realise that Tara doesn’t just live in this world - but is sensitive to it - and is troubled by what she sees. Guitarist, Jas comments on the opening track, “It (Camden Town) relates to everyone pretty much, just makes more sense to sing Camden Town and not Toronto”. Tara jumps in and adds, “I have been writing since I was nine. It’s too hard just simply trying to survive these days - too much injustice and too many no entry signs here there and everywhere to dissolve.” She has that ability to capture the time and place in which she exists and shove it down your throat when you are least expecting it. “This world is in a mess, and it really saddens me that we made it that way,” continues Tara. For her, punk is freedom | page 11 | JANUARY 2007 |
niversary Punk Wave the new century, this is The Duel.
“Another beautiful day Walking the streets of Camden Another beautiful day ... hell is it! Beautiful people, beautiful smiles ?!” who for Another beautiful day... - Camden Town
| JANUARY 2007 | page 12 |
photo © OPG
to express herself. “Punk means freedom to me, an attitude – I don’t have to try and be anyone but myself - anything else would be fake and pointless. I’m just another foolish singer/songwriter at the end of the day whose mind has maybe been opened to too much too soon”. Tara’s co-conspirator is Andy Thierum. “Within the first hour of meeting we were sitting down making music and writing songs - we knew pretty much instantly that we had found what we were looking for in a person, in terms of what we were both craving musically to create,” remembers Tara . Andy is a dark figure on stage; he is seen lurking by his amp, almost lost in his own world. But there is something about this man - anger? frustration? Obviously an edge one can’t gain access to. “I tend to have my own take on ‘77, fashion, clothing mostly because its what I feel most comfortable in and can relate to the most,” says Andy. He gives Tara’s lyrics the engine that drives them into your brain. “I guess I don’t necessarily follow the traditional song writing guidelines that seem to set a precedence for ‘punk music’, usually with a bottle of vodka I will come out with a bassline or something, Tara will start scribbling”.
“Punk means freedom to me, an attitude – you don’t have to try and be anyone but myself” - Tara | page 13 | JANUARY 2007 |
It seems to me that all great song writing partnerships have tension in them and Tara and Andy have plenty. The result is something few achieve, and it is what makes The Duel important and credible. Even the bands name, The Duel, is commentary on this unique song writing partnership. Andy explains, “That would be me and Tara either
getting along like great pals or fighting like gunfighters in the street, cat and dog, brother and sister...” Tara adds, “We both knew in a way, I think, that as much as we could not agree or get on in this life - song writing wise it was the complete opposite.” I asked Andy how the collaboration with the Vibrators occurred. Vibrators frontman, Knox, guests on vocals on the self named track ‘The Duel’. “We met them in Brighton I think, the song on the album “the Duel” was written by Tara and myself for the purpose of a duet because we just felt like writing one, I feel that it worked so well it is actually my favourite song on the album, Pat Collier is great, easy laid back guy to work with loads of help and a open mind to what we were
trying to do,” Says Andy. Pepe, the other guitarist jumps in, “Yeah Knox is so cool and he really delivers an atmosphere, it seems to be easy for him to be inspired, the lyrics he did on the album sound great and with no effort.” Visually you may compare The Duel to bands like Transvision Vamp, but believe me the similarities are superficial. Both bands appear to use the sexuality of the vocalist to get them noticed. “I actually stopped wearing minis (mini skirts) on stage because some blokes all they did was stand right up close to the stage and blatantly just be looking up my skirt! I’d be on stage getting pissed off that they didn’t give a fuck about the songs - felt like kicking them!” rants Tara much like Siouxsie from back in the day. photo © OPG
| JANUARY 2007 | page 14 |
For The Duel though, what they do when they have your attention is they offer substance that few pop punk bands these days ever achieve. In this they remind me of X Ray Spex, if you looked beneath the plastic Day Glo of Poly Styrene’s appearance you would clearly see the power in what she was saying. Any band that is able to do this has tons of credibility for me andThe Duel has it in abundance! But don’t be fooled, Tara is not putting on a pose for the stage, as Jas says: “I don’t really think we do (use sexuality), our song Haunted House has total sex appeal and is a great tune (one of the best I think) Tara looks the way she does when she goes to the supermarket, it’s just her look, nothing else.” Andy adds, “We are posers at times maybe, but hope people are not so shallow they can’t look past her sexiness or our clothes to see the substance underneath.” So called punk bands today often appear to fail to acknowledge the importance of bands like the Sex Pistols, Ramones and the New York Dolls and
photo © OP
G
| page 15 | JANUARY 2007 |
all those who layed the foundations of what they claim to be. Andy responds, “They’re liars or pop punk arseholes who wear Ramones shirts because they think that Ramones is a trendy clothing company...” Chatting to Jas after a recent show we natter about the punk legacy as he picks out Ramones and Dolls classics. Jas talks, “I grew up on Johnny Thunders and the Dead Boys and the Dolls so I guess I’m more the rock n roll part, ha, who knows, it’s just the music we all like, some call it punk, some don’t, we call it punk rock ‘n roll.” The Duel include a blinding cover of the Ramones’ Pet Cemetery in their set, Andy explains why, “Because we love them like some people love God.” Tara continues, “I love the fact too that it has evolved, but this and a lot of other things wouldn’t have changed or began if it weren’t for punk.” Andy jumps back in, “The wonderful thing called punk that all those bands had was their totally unique sound and message which was usually very personal to the people making the music.” Pepe says, “well... for me, personally of course! I don’t think
photo © OPG
“They’re building better bombs, And they’re building better drugs But we’re still Brutally lost” ter Drugs Bet bs - Better Bom I’d be here if it wasn’t for those bands.” The Duel are building on what went on before not ignoring it or simply copying it. Many bands, especially punk bands, can’t survive if their live shows are weak. I went to see The Duel at a gig in London. Back stage they were buzzing, they love playing live and it shows. Straight away the driving power of Andy’s bass and Ed’s drumming sets out to underpin the wall of sound produced by Jas and Peppe’s guitars - a classic punk sound with The Duel twist, and a powerhouse for any mosh pit! Visually stunning. You’d have to be dead not to pick up on the energy from the stage.
Tara delivers each line with the passion of someone who lives them. Do yourself a favour, go see them live as they’re touring all over this year, better yet, buy their album. This is truth, this is punk rock ‘n roll.
BAND LINKS AND MORE... • www.myspace.com/theduel • www.theduel.moonfruit.com CD available via the Duel website • www.ffruk.com • www.myspace.com/release1967 Tara supports the work of Release, an independent drugs charity providing services to meet the needs of drug users.
| JANUARY 2007 | page 16 |
PunkSpace
Bands you should check out on myspace.com
1 2 | page 17 | JANUARY 2006 |
3 4
5 6 1. Fuzigish 2. Outl4w 3. The Polecats 4. The Dragged 5. REZUREX
7 6. The Exorsisters 7. Tommy Schitt And The Punishment Fuckers Why not drop us a line and recommend a band? (All photos from the bands myspace profiles.)
| JANUARY 2006 | page 18 |
“ People should go to every punk show that’s near them and see every band that they can.
“
| page 19 | JANUARY 2007 |
Let me in Having c of the w band are is done. Their rel them ma seen them have just Alone. Despite that en vocalist R eager to proud to
ntroduce you to The Ghouls. cracked the nod from most worlds punk rock elite, this e ready to show you how it
lentless touring has earned ajor creditibilty which has m sign to SOS Records and t released the album, Stand
the heavy party season nsues around holidays, Robert Price was more than talk about the band he is be a part of.
Distorted: Many people in the punk circles have been speaking very highly of The Ghouls recently. Robert: We’re all just really happy that the music is getting out enough to have a lot of people talking about us. It gives us a lot of assurance that what we’re putting out isn’t just crap. We write what we like and don’t really give a fuck about what anyone else thinks, but when a lot of people have good things to say about you, it definitely makes you feel
good about yourself. One time a kid in Connecticut came up to me and said “I started my band after I saw you guys at a show a year ago”. I was really floored because that’s the same thing that made me want to start a band, seeing other people getting up there and having a blast. Being signed to SOS Records must have been a huge boost to your confidence as a band. How did the album turn out? Who did you work with on it? Getting signed with SOS | JANUARY 2007 | page 20 |
did do a lot for our confidence. The funny thing is that we recorded the album before we even got an offer from the label. Mark Unseen helped us out with our E.P. “It’s Your Time to Die” by releasing it on his label ADD Records. When we went back into the studio to record the full length, he offered to produce it. We went back up to Boston an spent five days recording at the same place we did the previous E.P., The Outpost, owned by Jim Seagel. He’s a really talented guy and does
| page 21 | JANUARY 2007 |
records for bands like The Dropkick Murphey’s, Blood for Blood, The Business, and of course, The Unseen. Once the record was done we shopped it around and SOS took an interest. Tell us what one can expect from ‘Stand Alone’. I’m not sure what to tell you to expect. Anyone that’s seen us live and listened to our E.P. knows we try to take all the energy we have live and transfer it onto our recordings. Hopefully it will be something that doesn’t
just get thrown into another pile of records under a kid’s bed and forgotten about. The title is from one of the songs in the album. I wrote it during a period in my life when I had a choice to quit the band and get a “real” job, make decent money, etc. It was a really tough time in my life because I new I loved music and touring and being in this band, and we had spent so many years working to get to where we were, but at the time I wasn’t sure we would go anywhere (and the verdict is still out on
that one……haha). There was really no one I could turn to for advice and I felt very alone, hence the song “Stand Alone” What are your personal highlights on the album? Highlights….uh…..recording it was a blast. Jim Seagel is an engineering genius but he really likes to stir the pot when you get into his studio. He used to instigate fights between all of us just so we would get pissed off and play harder. Mark would just sit back and laugh. Looking back now, the things Jim would use to screw with us were so ridiculous you can’t help but laugh.
How did you guys write this album, were there set ideas or did it just com together while on the road? The album was actually written of a long period of time. Some of the songs are almost 3 years old now. As far as the mechanics of writing the record, it’s pretty much a collaborative effort. I write about 90% of the lyrics but John, Zach, and Eric come up with about 90% of the music, an then we throw it together until we get something we like. Do you attribute your success to your rigorous touring schedules? We love touring. Being on the road is a big reason this
band is so much fun for us. This past year I think we toured five months total, and that was without a label or our own booking agent. We would do ten months out of the year if we had enough offers. I think touring directly correlates to our success. It’s the best way to get our name out there because we get to interact with the people who are actually listening to our music. When I was like 14 I read Get in the Van by Henry Rollins. He talked about his time with Black Flag and would tell how they toured like 300 days out of the year. When I read that I thought “Oh, so that’s what you’re supposed to do”. I figure if | JANUARY 2007 | page 22 |
it worked for Black Flag it couldn’t hurt for us to give it a shot. What has been the longest The Ghouls have been on the road for? How about the furtherest you’ve ever travelled? The longest tour was an eight week US Tour. We did a little bit with the Unseen on the East Coast, went all the way out to California (the furthest West we’ve ever been) and then toured through Texas with Youth Brigade. The furthest North we’ve ever toured was Canada with Abrasive Wheels. How do people react to the band in the small conservative towns? You guys really do look like a true bunch of badass punks. One of the best parts about going on tour is the reaction you get from people in different places. Conservative towns are great because people who’ve never really seen anyone that looks like us before can really get freaked out. In the city people just want to know how you get your hair to stand up, and that gets fuckin’ boring. One time at a gas station is South Carolina, me and Johnny got a glass bottle thrown at us by a couple of obvious Klu Klux Klan members that drove off like a couple of pussies. | page 23 | JANUARY 2007 |
Another time in Boise, Idaho we had to move our van off the street corner that was in front of a furniture store. Some dick in a tie told us we “didn’t fit their clientel”. Johnny got real smart with him and he called the cops. What about a particularly gnarly tour incident, any you wish to share with the world? Well between the occasional “corporal”, Zach’s naked body hurdling the van seats when we pass hot girls on the road, our outlandish behavior at rest stops, things we don’t talk about at trucker stops, the booze, and the fights, its mostly just sex, rugs, and punk rock… because that’s better anyway. It’s hard to pick out just one thing when every day is funday. Is there a particular show that still remains one of your most memorable? One of the most memorable shows for me was playing with The Casualties and The Unseen at CBGB’s. We’re friends with both of those bands, and it was our first time ever playing CBGB’s. The crowd was great, and we really went over well. For me, playing on the same stage that almost every other band that ever influenced me set foot on was kind of surreal.
You guys have a great list of influences and you’ve had the chance to share stages and tour with many of them. Still any bands you’d like to play a show or share the tour van with, past, present, alive or dead. I think we can all agree that having Joe Strummer in the van would an experience that couldn’t ever be described. We have always wanted to play with the Exploited as well. The UK celebrates 30 years of punk rock thanks to the ‘77 revolution. What is your take on that? We’re also celebrating 30 years over here. Viva 1977! Any favourites from ‘77? The Clash… ’nuff said! Where do you see punk rock in the next 10 years? Will The Ghouls be a part of it? I have no idea what the future holds. We’re all sure that punk will still be around in ten years, but what the scene itself will be like is anyone’s guess. I see a lot of fractioning happening lately. Kids aren’t just punks anymore, you’re a “Street punk”, or a “bike punk” or a “crusty”, or some other ridiculous label. Hopefully all that dumb shit will stop in 10 years. Punk is punk. As for whether or not we’ll still be a part of it, I don’t
think we could see ourselves anywhere else. When are you going to hit the UK for a tour? If and when you do come over here, who would you like to play shows with? We’re really trying to get over to Europe and The UK next year. We’d love to play with Abrasive Wheels again.
Those guys are so amazing live and know how to party really hard when the show is over. I don’t think we mind being on the road with Sham 69 either. Any bands that people should see other than yourselves? People should go to every punk show that’s near them
and see every band that they can. Robert, all the best to yourself and the rest of the band, thanks so much for your time. Any last words? No. “Stand Alone” is available online @ interpunk.com
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NINE to FIVE Having recently put out their new album, The Shoemakers are showing everybody just what a hard working German punk rock band is all about. Juggling day jobs between touring, dodging each other on stage and just enjoying life, this is The Shoemakers. We caught up with bassist Rocky to find out a little more about the band that ironically has a shoemaker as a band member and to chat about their new album, Turn Me On.
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“ If the singer has a
microphone stand, sometimes we get it in the face or our drummer tries to knock us out with a head butt, it get’s pretty crazy.
“
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Distorted: Hi Rocky, what have you been up to? Have you guys been enjoying the festive season? Rocky: Thanks, we have been playing some good shows, also a couple of festival shows. But could be doing a little bit more. So we hope 2007 will be a better year for us. So you’re the bassist for the Shoemakers. Who else is in the band and what do they do? There’s the crazy singer, Marco Mendocino, Speedfinger Nicki Minelli heads up the guitar and on the drums is Lizzy Taylor. Your latest release landed on my desk a few weeks back, Turn Me On, and what a great punk rock album it is. Is there a story behind putting out this album? How does it compare to your previous releases? Sorry, we can’t give you a better story about this. We would like to have recorded our songs in 2005, but our drummer had to leave the band for his family. So we had to look for a new drummer. We spent a lot of
time working on the old set before we could do the new songs. This took some time and so we woke up this year, without having done an album in 2005. But it’s better this way. The difference to our first 10” isn’t a big one but only that we now have a label, Wanda Record (www.wandarecords. de), that’s it really. Any favourite songs on the new album that you think people should listen to? Personally, I like all the new songs. But please check out “Turn Me On”, “Monsters Every Weekend” and “It’s Over”. These are my favourites. But Nicki Marco and Lizzy all call different ones their favourites. We all really like the album. Hailing from Germany, what influenced you to form the band and play the brand of ‘street’ punk that you do? Yes, we’re Germans and the band is based in a really small town in South East Germany. Maybe this is the why we started a band, to see the world as a touring punk rock band
and to leave small town depressions behind us. Ha ha. I think that’s the reason. A big thanks to the support of our friend Holm and his booking agency The He ar tbre a ker(w w w. theheartbreaker.de) for making it possible. 2007 is hailed as the 30 year mark for punk rock, mainly thanks to the UK ‘77 movement. Who would you say are the pioneers of the German punk rock movement? All of us were born in the German Democratic Republic (also known as East Germany). I think there was a big difference between the punk movements in West Germany and East Germany. Most of the East German punk bands you won’t know. But for West Germany, PVC, is a big influence on punk rock and Kaltfront for the eastern half. What have been the biggest influences on The Shoemakers? Hmmmm... it’s not easy to say. Of course we are fans of the ‘77 movement, bands like the Damned, Wasps, Sex | JANUARY 2007 | page 30 |
Pistols, Eater, Clash, Ramones, Buzzcocks, etc. But also non-punk stuff. I like Zappa and Real Delta Blues, Nicki likes HC and metal. Marco and Lizzy listen to pop rock sometimes. But it is really difficult to pinpoint our influences. Is there a reason behind choosing your band name? Oh yeah, we have a reason. But the name has nothing to do with the famous German Formula One racing car driver, Michael Schumacher.It comes from the old married couple (these are the Shoemakers) from the movie “Dirty Dancing”. In the film, they robbed the rich people in the hotel. We thought this was really funny and so we picked this name for our little punk rock band. In addition to that, my profession is really being a shoemaker. That’s it! How do you feel about the whole leather jacket, mohawk parade that many punks wear? Good question! But what should a real punk rocker look like? And is a 100% styled punk a better punk rocker? We don’t think about that. | page 31 | JANUARY 2007 |
That’s not interesting for us. A leather jacket, shirt, jeans and chucks are good enough. You’ve been known to bleed on stage, do your shows really get that out of control? Ha ha. Oh man, sometimes it’s really out of control. Nicki and I have some stories to tell. If the singer has a microphone stand, sometimes we get it in the face or our drummer tries to knock us out with a head butt, it gets pretty crazy. But normally we are really nice and lovely guys (you can just ask the girls!) and we only wanna rock. Do you prefer playing smaller, more crowded venues as opposed to a festival type show? 100% into the smaller venues. Best shows are always face to face with the audience. Big festival shows aren’t so personal. Of course it’s easier to reach more people at festival shows but fuck that. At the end of the day, we haven’t played too many big shows yet. Ha ha. What about touring? Where have The Shoemakers taken their punk rock sound to?
That’s a big topic. Our singer has a job and so we can’t do long tours. Two or three shows at a time, doing more isn’t possible at the moment unfortunately. So we prefer touring on the weekends. We’ve done a short tour with the Hatepinks (from France) and played stages in France, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia and of course all across Germany. Any immediate plans for the future? Anything exciting on the horizon you’d like to share with everybody? Of course playing live as much as possible is always the plan. We have had some offers to submit material for different samplers and if everythings works out, we’ll put out a vinyl single in Spring/Summer this year. It should be fantastic. That is pretty much it for us at the moment. Thanks for your time Rocky, great to chat to ya. Any last words you’d like to share with everybody? Thank you. All the best for 2007. Cheers and rock ’n roll is the key.
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REVIEWS
Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!
LETS FINISH WHAT WE STARTED The Duel (FFruck)
I have not seen The Duel live but what I can say this album is a breathe of fresh air. Great song writing coupled with passionate lyrics. You can’t go wrong with this album, Let’s finished what we started. I liken it to the Ramones but the songs have more flair to them. it reminds of early No Doubt in away without the ska elements. Tara’s voice is powerful, not in a traditional sense but more of softer power, a power that makes you want to listen to what she is saying. This is an enjoyable album that wull live in your CD player. | page 33 | JANUARY 2007 |
TURN ME ON The Shoemakers (Wanda)
From the opening track, F.U.C.K, you know you’re going to enjoy the ride with The Shoemakers on this album. It is straight up street punk rock with big balls, large choruses, phat hooks and it reeks of attitude. Their sound is reminscent of the great Spermbirds but that may just be a geographical influence. Not sure why they choose to sing in English as they could easily be listenable if they spewed thier street punk in their native German tongue, but that is a complete nonpoint with this album. Turn Me On will be one of those memorable albums that I think deserves to be a classic.
WILL SELL ANYTHING
Super Black Market (Minnow)
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this album on my first listen, but I like it. It does take three or four listens before you come to grips with the many layers these American punks are presenting. Even calling Super Black Market a punk band maybe a little hard, however they represent what I like to call the post-hardcore movement. Their songs are important, and the urgency in the music will urge you to take another listen. The album has a brilliant hooks that suck you in and then a lyrical onslaught that throws you back out. There melodies are intoxicating. Try it for something different.
> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS
ORCHESTRA OF WOLVES
...THE BEAT GOES ON
HOTLINE TO HADES
(In At The Deep End)
(DeathWish)
(PunkShit)
Gallows
Okay so the mainstream music media are eating these guys up and telling you they’re amazing. I hate to agree with them, but the Gallows are as good as you’ve been told. Orchestra of Wolves is such an ironic title for this album. This five piece will attack you like frightened deer and proceed to tear you to shreds. The difference is - you’ll enjoy it and won’t want them to stop. A highlight of this album is track four, In the belly of a shark, you have to at least hear this song before you write the Gallows off as just ‘another new over -hyped band’.
Blacklisted
There is no denying the energy that hardcore bands deliver and Blacklisted have succeeded in putting out a power ladden 13 track beast. The album artwork, again always a big part of the hardcore scene, and ...The Beat goes On is once again on the money. I guess thing thing with hardcore is you’re either going to like it or you’re not. So if you’re not a fan, I dare you to just give it a try, you may just find something new, something with power. That being said, if you enjoy bands such as early HateBreed, Bad Brains and Black Flag, you’ll love this album.
Drongos for Europe Seriously, Hotline to Hades is a punk rock masterpiece. Maybe I can ramble on about every song, dissect the lyrics, analyise the time signatures, maybe count the number of times the snare is hit, but it won’t make any difference. The only way you’re going to understand why I say this album is a punk rock masterpeice is to listen to it yourself. Drongos for Europe, thanks for providing endless hours of entertaining punk rock, and yes, that means this disc is on constant rotation.
| JANUARY 2007 | page 34 |
> EPs > COMPS > DEMOS Pirates Press Split ALBUM The Lucky Stiffs / The Ratchets (PiratesPress)
The Lucky Stiffs provide some great punk songs on this split album but it is The Rachets that steal the show. The Joe Strummer styled vocals really work well with their ‘new school’ Clash sound.
GNARLY DUDE 3! Various
(Voltage)
With 26 tracks in total, this compilation is a great addition to any collection. The nice thing about compilations is that one always seems to find new bands. You’ll find the likes of AFS, The Downfall and Blacklist Brigade on this disc.
ZERO YOUTH SAMPLER 2006 Various
(Zero Youth)
Much like a compilation album a lables sampler album is a good teaser if you’re looking for some-
thing new. Zero Youth showcase their bands with 11 songs from bands such as Dead City Shakers and Brutally Frank.
their song, Mannikin. Good all round rock ‘n roll with that unmistakeble punk attitude.
SAFARI SOCIAL
The Dragged
Les Putes de L’Autoroute (demo/EP)
Now this is a pissed off band. Hailing from France, this 5 piece deliver 3 tracks of pure street punk layered with hardcore scream alongs. It may not be your cup of tea, it ain’t english, this is french punkcore. Be sure to check them out.
S/T
The Exorsister (demo/EP)
Perhaps this band falls more into the rock catergory but they have so much energy in their songs. You can hear the 80’s hair metal bands in their sound but you can hear the punk in it too. If you can drag yourself away from your ‘I only listen to punk rock and that is it” train of thought, you should see The Exorsisters live. I’m sure it will be a great show especially with
WASTED NATION (demo/EP)
When this disc was dropped onto my desk, I wasn’t impressed. The cover artwork ain’t the best you’ve ever seen. but you have to admire the DIY ethic of The Dragged. But as they say, never judge a book by it’s cover, well, did I get a kick to the head when the first track came blaring through my speakers. The title track, Wasted Nation, hits you like a ton of bricks. Full speed punk rock backed by great guitar work and some tasty basslines. Somebody get these guys into a studio and make their debut album the success it deserves to be. Got an EP? Not signed? How about a demo? Drop us a copy and we’ll stick it in the magazine for ya. See all the mailing details on our website or our myspace page.
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RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE MONTH
ANOTHER KIND OF BLUES UK Subs
The UK Subs are still going strong today with many a fine album to their name
but the adventure started here. This release was the first in an alphabetical collection that has its highs and lows with this montage of songs now faring somewhere in the middle. For all the punks who have seen this lot live, this album is awash with classics that are simply drilled into the conscious mind for ever and ever. Stranglehold, CID‚ I Couldn’t Be You, Tomorrows Girls‚ Crash Course‚ and many more are still played with abundant enthusiasm
pleasing both the aging and youthful audiences. For an honest down to earth album that reflects punk rocks early years you can’t go wrong here and despite a production quality that seems slightly dated this is still listenable and has many moments that outdoes later efforts. A must for any discerning music lover and for fans a potentially blasphemous absentee from their collection. - Fungal Punk / OMD
So this is Readin’? By Tripp Underwood
Bassist Tripp Underwood takes the reader on ajourney through the many hardships and problems that the Unseen have faced in their tenure as a band. From constant tour bus break downs to stolen gear, face offs with skinheads to yakuza foot soldiers, high profile gigs to gigs in one horse towns, the Unseen have pretty much been there and done it all. Throw in some kidney stones, bags of weed in Amsterdam and shattering bullet belts, and you have ‘So This Is Readin’?’. Although it doesn’t feel like reading, it rather feels like you are sitting in a sweaty bar sharing stories with a mate over a pint or two. With laugh out loud moments, ones of disbelief and pure sympathy, this is an excellent read written by a master storyteller. - Lola
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> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS Vicious: Too Fast To Live by Alan Parker
If, like myself, the enigma that was Sid Vicious captures your imagination, then this is the book for you. An inside view into the world that was Sid’s with Alan Parker as your tour guide. From Sid’s pre-Pistol days to the height of fame, from the violence to the drugs, from his love for one Nancy Spungen that would ultimately end both her life and his to the ‘evidence’ that shows that Sid was not a murderer. This book is a wealth of information that will surprise and inform even the most die-hard Vicious fan. Mr Parker has done a seamless job of presenting Sid’s story to the world. Upon reading the foreword you will notice that he states that this is the final word on Sid and that after 14 years of researching Sid’s life, the chapter is now finally closed. Why then is another Sid book being released in May 2007? Quite simply because during the period between Too Fast To Live being completed (2003) and now, Alan Parker has discovered that there is more to tell, and that the world deserves to know the truth. Too Fast To Live is an excellent, informative read that will have you salivating for the final instalment. - Lola
PUNK ON 45 Revolutions on Vinyl 1976 - 79 By Gavin Walsh
So punk was about the music right? Wrong! It changed so many facets of society including the way artwork was done on album sleeves. Punk gave birth to freedom and changed the art status quo. This book is a great collection of some of the most important vinyl artwork sleeves ever produced. From the Stooges through to the Cure, this book is a visual feast. Nearly every page is adorned with some truly amazing artwork, some of which has become iconic. This book will be a great inspiration for any band thinking about putting out a new album, the ideas on these pages will give rise to something unique for your band. If you’re into art and love punk rock, Punk on 45 is a must for your book collection. Perhaps you’re a graphic designer and you’re looking for some fresh inspiration? Then this book will unblock any creative contraints you may be suffering from. Aside from the artwork displayed in this book, it makes for a good read too, but we all know looking at the pictures is more fun. - Tim Drunk
| JANUARY 2007 | page 38 |
RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!
Send us your gig reviews! info@distortedmagazine.com
BUZZCOCKS / EATER The Forum, London (2 December 2006)
I’m really looking forward to seeing the Buzzcocks tonight, last time I saw them was in 1978 when I was 16. They were brilliant then, and now that we are all 30 years older, I wonder what is in store. Following a drink or two at the Spice, I head off to the Forum. Not a place I have been to before, I generally watch my punk in smaller venues like the 100 Club. On the tube I meet up with some youngster sporting a mohican and we head off to where I am meeting friends. On arrival I spot some middle age punks like myself and we soon get to drinking, chatting and reminiscing. Not long after ,my mate arrives and we head off to the Forum, where a queue is already forming. I have already
started taking pictures, I hope I have plenty to photograph tonight. Not unexpectedly, upon entering the Forum we head for the bar, punk and beer go together perfectly in my eyes and I am not one to resist a perfect match. The place is filling up slowly along with the atmosphere which is charged with expectation. As usual I am taking pictures of those around me, to me the people who come to these gigs are as important as the bands, there should be no separation. Eater take to the stage and play a blistering set. We are treated to fast and furious versions of all the classics including No Brains, Outside View and Thinking of the USA. The bass powers along and the noise they make is pure punk rock. I am loving it. They do a short set of half an hour or so but have left the crowd all fired up for the main event. For those who
The Buzzcocks © Justin Herring Photography 2006
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> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS weren’t there I should describe the stage. At the back of centre stage and either side are three video screens, showing art and pictures from the Buzzcocks history. This is the Buzzcocks 30 retrospective exhibition, live shots are intermixed providing a great backdrop. In the pit between the stage and the crowd are camera men photographing and videoing the whole event. It is times like this you realise you are witnessing something special, and we weren’t going to be disappointed. The Buzzcocks arrival was met with an appreciative roar from the crowd. Steve Diggle has one of those broad smiles on his face while he is playing and you just know he is loving it. There is more of Pete Shelley then I remember from 1978, guess we are all getting older. But one thing for sure, they have lost none of their spirit. The Forum has come alive as the pit of drunken contorted bodies, many old enough to know better, comes alive like a sleeping monster roused from 30 years of sleep. The energy flowing from the stage has shocked life in to us like some cardiac defibrilator and we are loving it. Straight from the opening song You Tear Me from Another Music In A Different Kitchen Up to tracks from the current album Flat Pack Philosophy, the Buzzers presented one classic after another. Staying on track with I Don’t Mind and Pulsebeat, then unexpectedly they leave the stage. As the video was still streaming on the monitors we all wondered what was coming next. Before we knew it we were rewarded for our patience with Buzzcocks at the Forum part two. And quite unex-
pectedly, the energy in the mosh pit rise s again. A few little fights break out but finish as soon as they start. The bouncers are pulling people out of the pit, some as much for their own safety as anything else. This is punk; raw and edgy, just like back in the day. Punk gigs back then always had an edge, and tonight it is back. I was hoping that the Buzzers would pull something off their classic Spiral Scratch EP. In fact I asked Steve Diggle that very question two weeks earlier. I was rewarded. Times Up and Boredom greeted the faithful but that was nothing compared, to the reaction to Orgasm Addict. So we have gone full circle, we end where we started. For those who weren’t there all those years ago, maybe, just maybe they now have some idea why punk affected those who were. Why after all this time nothing has come close. True you can’t possibly recreate the time and the feeling back then, you would be a fool for trying. But nights like this remind us how fucking great it truly was. - OldPunkGit
MC5 (DKT)/Gallows
Camden Underworld, London (7 December 2006)
Some bands, upon seeing them for the first time, grab you by the metaphorical balls and catapult you headlong into a musical experience so intense, that when it’s all over, you are not sure what the fuck really happened. Gallows are one such band. Expecting the usual dire support act I was caught unaware by the sheer brutality and perfection of this band.
| JANUARY 2007 | page 40 |
RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!
Send us your gig reviews! info@distortedmagazine.com
Frontman Frank Carter‘s audience interaction reminds you of years gone by, when bands were good and front men were to be revered. Gallows more than deserve your attention in 2007. MC5 are a band spoken about in hushed terms befitting a group that is one of the forefathers of punk. How apt then that they deliver a performance so spellbindingly perfect that they leave no-one in attendance as to why they are so respected. Their unique brand of Rock ‘n Roll fused with Blues, teaches all of us in attendance that in order to understand the future of music, we have to acknowledge and respect the past, a lesson that MC5/DKT deliver without hesitation. Kick out the Jams Motherfuckers. Indeed. – Ruby Rock
Steve Diggle © OPG
999 / TV Smith / AFS / The Scabs / The Bullet Kings The Soundhouse, Lancashire (16th December 2006)
A great venue, a great time of year and a great line-up ˆ what could go wrong? This had all the makings of a fantastic night with a huge crowd enjoying five solid punk rock acts. With an abundance of ale downed, the gig opened with relative newcomers The Bullet Kings. This three piece have already released two high class EP’s with another in the making despite only being together for five months. The eagerness was apparent tonight as they set about a great performance filled with some really well-crafted songs. Porno Pig‚ and Private Death‚ stood tall in a set that is already
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999 © Fungal Punk / OMD
delivered with confidence and belief. Pity the crowd was so lowly as yet not giving these guys the applause they deserved. Still the ones who were there enjoyed it and that’s all you can do. Yet more ale was supped and photo’s taken before one of my favourite bands
> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS of the moment, The Scabs, hit the stage. The sound was not 100% tonight but still good with The Scabs doing a good forty minute stint that was a joy all the way. Stalker‚ Nation in Sedation‚ and Bully Boys‚ are all fine tunes as was the rest of the crop with Gutterscum‚ being another choice cut. The crowd was still poor and all I can say is whoever was missing this was really losing out. Frontman Steve, aka Geeza Blowjob, is a good performer and the crash barrier at the front held him back from carrying out his usual in-yerface monkey business. With a new bassist and guitarist since the last time I saw them I can honestly say nothing has been lost in audible aggression and this band is always worth checking out. AFS helped the drinking matters with the usual sing-a-long set which has just one high after another. They were the true victims of tonight’s unsettled sound and it really did affect what should have been an expected classic. This is another of my picks of the moment as AFS are truly as good as anything out there. Their songs are short, punchy, immediately catchy affairs with great lyrics and all round musicianship. Any punk worth their weight in beer should go and admire this topnotch band. Not bad so far, three good bands out of three and TV Smith and 999 to go. This was turning into the classic I thought it would be. Come on people, where are you? TV Smith was up next and went through the high energy, spirit laden set that followers are used to and newcomers are
impressed with. Not In My Name‚ Immortal Rich‚ and The Day We Caught The Big Fish‚ are solid gems from a flawless set that drips with quality. The fact that he had a CD nicked earlier in the evening (yeah punk rock or what) didn’t dampen Mr Smith’s enthusiasm for a gig and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed it. Most came to the front for this performance which was great but for me reflects the disinterest in the support bands at not only this gig but almost every one you attend nowadays. Disgraceful really but that’s the way it is! TV Smith finished off and the crowd was lifted. Lastly 999 who cruised through a show filled with anything but fillers. You know what you get with 999 and in all brutal honesty, it’s always fuckin’ good. These guys know their stuff inside out and never fail to please. The crowd loved it and with so many cracking live songs the band was on a winner all the way. Homicide‚ Nasty Nasty, Inside Out, Emergency‚ and Feeling‚ Alright With The Crew‚ were just brilliant and the night ended in fine style. Everyone after the show said they enjoyed it and my wife and little one enjoyed it too. For me The Scabs were tonight’s pick, a view which many will disagree with but hey that’s me - always with the underdog. A great gig and thanks to the ones who came and joined in the fun. The one’s who didn’t, missed out and will certainly need to do so in the future. – Fungal Punk/OMD
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RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!
Send us your gig reviews! info@distortedmagazine.com
THE VIBRATORS / DEVILISH PRESLEY / THE CRUSADERS
Camden Underworld, London (Saturday 16th December)
It was just after I got my drink that I heard the noise start, up first this evening were The Crusaders. I picked my corner, rolled a smoke, and watched. The frontman had the Johnny Rotten element about him, the guitarist seemed as if he may have been was stolen from some lame indy band, complete without shoes. Those elements aside, they showed potential in many of their songs but they lacked confidence and did really screw up a few songs, even doing a chorus instead of a verse or something like that. If they get their shit together, they could be a band to keep an ear open for. A trip to the bar for a refill, I mull around the Vibrators merch table, snap up some goodies, and begin to notice the venue isn’t very full, where the hell is everybody? I think the three French rockers made up for it though, more about them later. Devilish Presley hit the stage, and I was impressed. Maybe a little more rock than punk, also a little more rockabilly than gothic, but what they blasted was good listening. Always nice to see something a little different but that sounds great. Back to the bar and before I know it they onstage, yip, The Vibrators. It seemed like people appeared from nowhere, the Underworld was starting to feel a little full, perfect. The atmosphere was heavy, electric, filled with anxiousness. The first note dropped and the area infront of the
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stage turned inside out with the three French punkers at the heart of the pit. Track through track, full speed, powered by pure punk rock, The Vibrators owned the evening. A pleasant surprise, they paid homage to the Ramones and The Clash in the encore. Once the last cymbal was hit, the last chord strummed, the last lined echoed into the microphone, it was written that The Vibrators will always rock out as hard as any punk band. A superb gig that rang in my ears ‘til the next morning. – Tim Drunk
THE POGUES
Brixton Academy, London (20 December 2006)
Going to the front of the stage, I send my friend ahead to clear a path, get within one or two of the stage, and try to finish the beer I had got on the way in. Brixton looks pretty full, and most of the punters seem to be crammed down the front. We missed the support band, but we’re here for the Pogues anyway. The name of the group is drapped across the back of the stage and no sooner had we staked our claim then the lights were down. The crowd rushed forward and we were propelled almost up against the barrier - beer went everywhere, except down my throat as intended. The group make their way to the stage, and Shane, drink in hand, takes his position behind the mic. I thought the mosh pit at the Buzzcocks was wild, this is fuckin’ murder! The Pogues are knocking out the songs - perfectly, this is the last
> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS night at Brixton and they are squeezing everything they have left for us, excellent stuff. A Rainy Night in Soho, Dirty Old Town, Irish Rover inspire a drunken singa-long. The musicianship is spot on, and Shane completes the sound, there really is nothing like the Pogues live. As the show proceeds, the bouncers are working hard. Pulling the wounded from the pit, cold shower for those hanging in there. From where I stood I could see the odd fist being thrown, at one point I thought all my fellow brethren in the pit were going to collapse in a sweaty, blood stained heap. Clenched fists, sing-a-long, drunken mayhem – fuckin’ great stuff! Time was running out, but then on the second, or was it the third encore, the never beaten Christmas classic that is Fairy Tale of New York was performed for the loyal moshers and the mood changed, the feeling of aggression gone. Tears, one or two possibly, maybe more for my mosh partner, even the falling paper snow is forgivable. This is what we are here for, in this Brixton night in December, the Pogues, united in this moment in time, “This year’s for me and you... And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.” - OldPunkGit
GBH / DRONGOS FOR EUROPE / FATAL IMPACT Islington Academy, London (21 December 2006)
tered around. “What the hell is wrong with people, GBH were playing!” were my thoughts as I got my drink. On stage were Fatal Impact going through the motions of their brand of OI! Styled punk, I didn’t really see their whole set as I arrived a little late but the punks gathered by the barrier were enjoying everything they had to offer. Drongos for Europe almost didn’t make it to the show thanks to the heavy fog on the motorway. It didn’t seem to bother them as they came out guns blazing. One song to the next, the energy levels in the venue were starting to build, perhaps it was the beer fueling the power but the Drongo’s play such great punk rock that you can’t help but get your feet tapping and thoughts of flailing around a pit come to play. Having warmed everybody up the Drongo’s made way for GBH. They were greeted by a loud cheer, a cheer that was very loud considering the 200 odd that had bothered to turn up for the show. But those that turned up were there for this band, and they made sure they showed their love for a band that has shaped punk rock over the years. A frenetic pit breaks out as GBH continue their full speed punk rock barrage. Another great punk rock gig comes to an end and again I leave with songs firmly embedded in my skull. – Tim Drunk
It was if nobody really knew about this show. I walked into the venue and found a handful of punks, young and old, scat-
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GABBA GABBA HEY! A look at the history of the Ramones Words by Lola
Los Angeles, August 6 1996, gig number 2,263 of The Ramones career and their last. After 22 years and 21 albums, The Ramones finally called it a day. Their induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 only served to re-enforce what many punk fans already knew, that The Ramones were the greatest punk band to ever exist. | page 45 | JANUARY 2007 |
1974 saw the start of the Ramones. A group of four people, Jeff Hyman (Joey), Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee), John Cummings (Johnny) and Tom Erdelyi (Tommy) came together through a mutual love of The Stooges and a sense of wanting to belong. Originating from Forest Hills, Queens, a non-prosperous neighbourhood of New York, USA, the four would travel to Manhatten to watch bands and provided excitement they craved. After see-
ing the much hyped New York Dolls, the four of them decided it was time to form their own band. Originally, Joey played drums with backing vocals, Johnny on guitar, with Dee Dee covering both bass and lead vocal duties. Tommy convinced the group to have Joey on lead vocals, convinced that his voice would be ideal. After a short, fruitless search for a drummer, the trio convinced Tommy to take over the drumming duties and the Ramones were born. Out of a dire lack of venues to play in New York, the band auditioned for Hilly Krystal at now infamous CBGB’s and were booked to perform, despite Hilly’s opinion that ‘no-one would like them’. Their first infamous show consisted of Dee Dee counting them in and all four members started playing a different song. Instruments were flung down and an argument ensued, giving birth to their legendary temperament that would continue to exist until their final shows. Two minutes later, the band were back on stage, treating the crowd to a blistering set of badly played punk rock. Badly or not, a legend had been born and people were fascinated with the spectacle that was the Ramones. The Ramones soon recruited Danny Fields as their manager and shortly afterwards were signed to Sire Records and released their debut album ‘Ramones’. However the band was still not being recognised by the industry and shows outside of New York were poorly attended. It wasn’t until they played the Roundhouse in London in July 1976 that they saw the effect that they had on the public. Many members of the Clash, the Damned and
the Pistols were there, and they wasted no time in telling the Ramones just how influential their music was. The Ramones headed back to New York, buoyed up by their London success, only to discover that they were still only considered an underground band in their country. In 1978, after an extensive touring schedule that saw them take in the United States in its entirety, Tommy decided to leave the band. He felt that his skills would be better appreciated in the recording studio and that he could help to create the best Ramones albums possible. After a short search, Marc Bell, later known as Marky Ramone took over drumming duties and the Ramones continued with their extensive touring and recording schedule. However, after no real hit album had yet been delivered by the band, they felt that it was time for a change in production direction and took up an offer from Phil Spectre, a decision that Johnny Ramone was not entirely comfortable with. In the studio, Phil concentrated heavily on Joey’s vocals and seemed to alienate the rest of the band. This served to increase the gulf that already existed between Joey and Johnny, both of them never having been fond of each other. In 1983 Marky Ramone was fired from the band due to his alcholism. A new drummer was found in one Richard Reinhardt, who would be known as Ritchie Ramone, who would stay with the band for five years, recording three albums. He would eventually leave the band after stating that he never felt as though he | JANUARY 2007 | page 46 |
GABBA GABBA HEY! belonged. When it came to matters of finance, Ritchie was treated as an outsider. A newly sober Marky would return and remain with the band until their final show in 1996. By this stage Johnny and Joey were no longer communicating at all, their pre-established dislike of each other being intensified by Johnny ‘stealing’ Joey’s girlfriend, Linda, and not discussing the matter. Joey was faced with seeing the happy couple all the time and this increased his own feelings of inadequacy due to his unique facial features and shy personality. Still, inspite of this, the band soldiered on. Releasing more albums to disappointing results. Although the albums were critically acclaimed, their commercial success was bitterly disappointing. Dee Dee was feeling increasingly restless and was becoming involved in the burgeoning hip hop scene, identifying with the lyrics and foundation of the genre. He would eventually leave the Ramones in 1989 to attempt an ill-fated career in hip hop, under the name, Dee Dee King. Dee Dee was replaced by Chris Ward aka CJ Ramone. The remaining founding members believed that the band could continue without Dee Dee and that an infusion of young blood | page 47 | JANUARY 2007 |
could maybe help them to achieve the level of commercial success that they had desired through their career. It was not to be. And the Ramones decided to call it day in 1996 with a final show at the Lollapolooza festival with a performance that featured Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audio Slave), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Lars Frederiksen and Tim Armstrong (Rancid). After 22 years, the Ramones were no more. In July 1999 all previous members of the Ramones, excluding Ritchie, would appear in public together for the last time at a signing at Tower Records. Johnny and Joey still refused to acknowledge each other. Joey was d i a g n o s e d with lymphoma in 2001 and would pass away on 15 April 2001. Neither Johnny nor Dee Dee would have a final conversation with him. In 2002 the Ramones would be the first punk band inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame at a star studded ceremony, the world finally acknowledging what the band had known all along, that they were the greatest. Two months after the ceremony Dee Dee Ramone would be found dead of a heroin overdose. Johnny Ramone would die of Prostate cancer in 2004 leaving Tommy
and Marky as the only original surviving members of the seminal punk band. Today, 32 years after Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy started their band, the Ramones are one of the most widely recognised bands in the world with their merchandise still selling in large volumes and their albums regularly featuring in ‘best of ’ lists. Finally, the Ramones have achieved the commercial success and notoriety that they always craved.
RAMONES DISCOGRAPHY Ramones April 23, 1976 Leave Home January 10, 1977 Rocket to Russia November 4, 1977 Road to Ruin September 22, 1978 End of the Century February 4, 1980 Pleasant Dreams July 29, 1981 Subterranean Jungle February, 1983 Too Tough to Die October, 1984 Animal Boy May, 1986 Halfway to Sanity September 15, 1987 Brain Drain May 18, 1989 Mondo Bizarro September 1, 1992 Acid Eaters December, 1993 ¡Adios Amigos! July 18, 1995 | JANUARY 2007 | page 48 |