Distorted Magazine November 2007

| NOVEMBER 2007 | ISSUE 12 | ISSN 1754-3746 | |

REMEMBERED: PAUL FOX

ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE PENNYWISE PUNK ROCK DAD

NO MAPS REQUIRED

MORAL DILEMA THE TOASTERS ANYWHERE WILL DO

AMERICAN STEEL ORGANIC COMPOSITION

26 YEARS YOUNG

PUNKFILMS

THE DIRECTORS

PLUS! THE CREEPSHOW, CAREER SOLDIERS

ALSO INSIDE: OPERATION IVY, THE RUDIMENTALS...

The new style of punk... or is it?

EDITOR/Co PUBLISHER_ Cerven Cotter

editor@distortedmagazine.com

ADVERTISING/Co PUBLISHER_ Nikola Cotter nikola@distortedmagazine.com ART/WEB/LAYOUT_ www.pixeldeath.com

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR_ Scuba Steve Noble steve@distortedmagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS_ Lola, GrillyX, Tim Drunk, Willa, Fungal Punk/OMD, Eggle, mr Funnel, your mom and Herbet.

Contact information_ Distorted Magazine 9 Bridle Close, Surbiton Road, Kingston Upon Thames Surrey, KT1 2JW, UK info@distortedmagazine.com www.distortedmagazine.com Distorted Magazine is published by Distorted Ltd. ISSN 1754-3746 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.

I’ve noticed the shortage of facial hair within

the punk scene. It seems beards have long been the style of hardcore bands and a few select punk bands. Against Me! sported beards, Animal from Anti-Nowhere League has some facial hair (you’re wondering why he’s on the cover now aren’t you?) and Lars Frederiksen was been seen sporting some interesting growth. but in general most punks seem clean shaven. Why? As beards seem to be in short supply amoungst the punks, I’ve been growing mine for this past month and I must say it’s starting to look rather full, it actually needs a trim. Don’t be shy, grow your facial hair, and if you’re really up for a challenge, dye it green...

Okay, so enough of that, your November issue of Distorted is now here and it’s filled with some pretty interesting material. John Robb pays homage to the late Paul Fox. Anti-Nowhere League talk to us about their new album, parenting with Jim Lindberg of Pennywise, a look at four film directors who make punk films and we interview the Toasters, American Steel, London’s Moral Dilema, african skankers The Rudimentals, Career Soldiers, and the list just goes on and on.

Don’t forget to check out new regular about girls in the punk scene, and our semi-regular, simply titled ‘Favourites’. Our first candidate is The Great Deceiver frontman Tomas Lindberg (who also has a beard!). And we still got the reviews and other regular material stuff we have every month in Distorted.

See ya next month for our one year birthday issue! ~ Cerven Cotter Editor ...for more ramblings and other items of some interest: www.pixeldeath.com

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 03 |

THE ...

E D I S N UE I ER ISS

Features

B

NOVEM

PUNK: FILMED & DOCUMENTED... 16

MORAL DILEMA... 20 ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE... 26 AMERICAN STEEL... 34 THE TOASTERS... 36 PUNK ROCK DAD... 42 On the Edge... 46

THE RUDIMENTALS... 50

CAREER SOLDIERS... 78 Editor No tes...... 03 Headlines ...... 04 GIRLS!...

SupportSlo ... 12 t...... 14

REGULARS

Soundche ck..... 6 Reviews.... 0 .. 62 Under the Radar.......

74 Favourite s...... 90

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 03 |

This page: Tattoo Convention Girl © Tim Drunk.

ON THE COVER: Animal - Anti-Nowhere League © Grilly X.

H EADL INES News and other things you need to know

The Latest...

THIS JUST IN! The Ruts, Henry Rollins & guests special film screening at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London, UK. There will be a one off special screening of a specially edited version of the film made about the Ruts benefit gig on Friday 25th January at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London.

The gig on 16th July 2007 saw the 3 original Ruts performing together as The Ruts for the first time in 27 years. US hardcore punk and writer Henry Rollins did an excellant job standing in for Malcolm Owen who died in 1980.

Supporting performers were Tom Robinson, The Damned, Misty in Roots, the UK Subs, Splodge, John Otway, TV Smith and ED Tudorpole.

It has been widely acclaimed as one of the best punk gigs ...Ever!

Henry will open the show and we will have some very special live performances before we show the film.

Tickets for this one off event will go on sale by the end of the week. I would advise anyone who wants to go to buy their tickets asap. There is so much interest in this that they won’t hang around for long. There were a lot of disappointed people last time so don’t miss out this time All profits from this event will be going to charity.

| page 06 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Mighyt Mighty Bosstones

Mighty Mighty Bosstones are releasing a b-sides and rarities album complete with three new tracks on their own label, Big Rig Records. The scheduled release date is December 18th 2007.

DISTORTED is proud to be launching it’s very own online store. It will be filled with all the punk rock merchandise you’ll ever need. So please support us by buying your licensed merch from the all new Distorted Online Store.

According to a review on NME.com the Sex Pistols’ warm up gig for their Holidays in the Sun 2007 tour was a storming success at the Roxy on LA’s Sunset Strip. By all accounts Lydon’s acerbic wit has been honed to perfection and coupled with the band’s excellent performance, London, Manchester and Glasgow should be in for a treat in the upcoming weeks.

Got some interesting news? Send it to: nikola@distortedmagazine.com

|| NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2007 2007 || page page 07 05 ||

H EADL INES News and other things you need to know

10 MINUTES WITH: Dean of SLit Records Give us a brief intro into SLit records who is involved and what are its main aims and ambitions?

Slit Records has been set up in conjunction with Slit Promotions and is a label focused on up and coming punk and ska bands primarily in the North West of England. We currently have an event’s organiser, an artist / web developer, a small street team and me who deals with the bands and managers on a day to day basis and the online promotion.

Our ambition is to promote the music we like with bands that we feel deserve to be noticed.

What excites and motivates you at the moment within the punk scene?

The quality of the some of bands that play in front of small numbers in bars and pubs has been one of the factors in setting up Slit Records and Promotions.

There is an amazing bunch of young bands covering all genres of punk just in the Manchester area alone that have lots of potential and just need that extra push which is hopefully where we come in.

What bands are you involved with that you are confident will fly the SLit Records flag and do you proud?

We currently have 21 bands listed on the Slit website (www.slit.me.uk) that are all featured on the latest slit compilation. The involvement of the bands with | page 08 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Slit can vary from just having a track on a compilation to full management.

The Distrakted are an exciting young hardcore punk band from Manchester that have an excellent new CD out and produce a powerful live show. As far as bands off the latest compilation are concerned I would have to recommend DBD and The Shadowcops for their live performances and urge everyone to try and see them live and get hold of their latest CD’s and other merch.

Have you any long term plans as regards diversifying the music you deal with and the type of gigs you put on - for example introducing a bit of metal and ska or putting on a few all dayers?

We have been working with a few ska and punk/metal crossover bands regarding gigs already and the all dayers are definitely something that we would like to organise and promote in the future.

NOTE: Competition only open to SOUTH AFRICAN’s - no flights included, tickets only | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 07 |

R e m e m b ered: PAUL FOX words by John Robb

Paul Fox was one of the great guitar players from his generation.

| page 10 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

The Ruts may have had only a handful of hits but there would have been more if frontman Malcolm Owen had not died from a heroine overdose in 1980. They had it all and were a huge success in the short space of time that they had. A time when punk was meant to be dead and the music press was more interested in new romantics.

The Ruts went against the grain and due to sheer talent and a brutal and powerful honesty they took the music back to the people and for that they will always be celebrated.

The band only released one album proper, ‘The Crack’, but there was enough there to point to a big future. For many the band would have been the big UK punk band in the eighties, holding the scene together and pushing the boundaries of punk rock. Instead they collapsed and the American bands took the scene over. The Ruts spent eighteen months in the limelight and were Top Of The Pops staples and their UK tours are still spoken of glowingly by people who went.

Their powerful live reputation, great songs and Owen’s and Fox’s charisma as well as their hard living goodtime reputation were legendary and had them all set to be one of the biggest bands of the new decade until Owen’s tragic death.

There were loads of great second wave British punk bands but The Ruts were the best. They had the songs, the politics, the charisma and in Paul Fox a brilliant guitar player who managed to twist punk

rock into new shapes incorporating funk and dub into the molten mix and still managing to make great anthemic songs out of it. They were never dull and their incendiary songs stand the test of time with the Gallows recently covering ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’. Fox’s guitar style was highly inventive- incorporating the fast riffling of punk rock with the space of dub to create a sound that was both exciting and inventive and locked perfectly with the band’s brilliant rhythm section.

Their live gigs were wild celebrations and the band lived hard and partied harder. The Ruts were the real deal. The last great British punk band from the first explosion and a multi talented fireball of rock n roll brilliance. Their songs told the truth about a country on the verge of collapse from the state of the nation ‘Babylon’s Burning’ to the burning paranoia of ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’ to the anti drugs songs like debut single ‘In A Rut’ their lyrics reflected the seething frustration of late seventies UK, the cheap drugs and shitty times and turned them into powerful anthems, a rock n roll fight back. They spoke the truth like the Clash did and would have taken over Strummer’s mantle with ease if Owen hadn’t died.

They are one of the great British rock n roll bands and every reader of this magazine should own one of their records.

It’s as simple as that.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 09 |

© Cerven Cotter

Girls!

Name: Beatrix Von Bourbon Age: 23 Height: 5’ 9” Hometown: Reading , UK (studies in London) Occupation: MA Student/Burlesque Artiste Favourite bands: Nerve Agents, Crucial Unit, The Ramones, The Clash, Vitamin X, Betercore, Charles Bronson, The Cramps... but in other genres I adore Dolly Parton, Dizzee Rascal, Polysics, David Bowie, The Octopus Project, The Go! Team, Electrocute, O.Lamm, Beck, Buck 65, Gogol Bordello, Amy Winehouse and various lounge/rockabilly/stripbeat artists.

‘‘

‘‘

I’m always busy with some project or other. At the moment I’m making latex clothing, keeping a burlesque blog (http://www.vonbourbon.com/blog), studying for my MA in Cultural Studies, trying to complete The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, watching Hitchcock movies, Adult Swim and US sitcoms. Sometimes I sleep, too.

Website: http://www.vonbourbon.com http://www.myspace.com/vonbourbon

| page 12 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 13 |

SUPPORT SLOT

with...

trashed idols

| page 14 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Hi Kris, can you introduce us to Trashed Idols. Who does what and where are you all from?

Trashed Idols are Mike (guitar & lead vocals), Kris (guitar & vocals), Doug (bass & vocals) and Marco (drums). Me (Kris) and Mike are from Arizona, Doug is from northern California and our drummer Marco is from Venezuela.

Speaking of touring, which bands would you like to tour with?

There’s a lot. Time Again for sure because we respect those guys and how hard they work. When we make it overseas we would love to do some shows with the Strawberry Blondes. Great band and super cool people. Can’t ask for much more with that band!

Your new EP was produced by Daniel Dart of Time Again. What was it like working with Daniel and how did he get involved in the EP with you guys?

Working with Daniel was great. He has a lot of ideas and an ear for music. We got involved with him through another band Mike was in (Last Action Zeros) as Time Again and LAZ used to play shows together whenever Time Again came through Arizona.

Where do you draw your influences from both musically and lyrically?

Ahh, Stiff Little Fingers, The Clash, Swingin’ Utters, Rancid etc. Can’t go wrong with any of those bands.

The bands name is an interesting one, any reason behind it?

Basically the name is just an example of all our “idols”, role models etc and how most of the time they can be a huge disappointment.

Now with the EP out, what are the band’s immediate plans? I’m sure you’ll be touring loads?

Yeah, the EP came out in mid-August and

by August 31st we were on the road doing a tour of the western half of the US. We’re working on booking a tour for the entire US now. We book all of our own shows and tours so there’s a lot of planning and making things happen in this band. We love doing things DIY but we are looking for a booking agent. It just takes up too much time that should be focused on our music.

You have the Strawberry Blondes in your top friends on myspace, how do you know these UK punks?

Basically through myspace. We stay in touch and fill each other in on how things are going for our bands. They also know Daniel and do shows with Time Again when they go to Europe.

What does everybody get up to when you’re not playing in Trashed Idols?

All of us have day jobs. Nothing exciting but it pays the bills! I’m actually at work right now doing this interview! We can see where my priorities are. Hahaha!

Anything else you’d like to add?

We would like to thank you for taking interest in us and doing this interview. And a big thank you to all the people out there who have supported us so far. We feel very fortunate. Thank you!

“We love doing things DIY” | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 15 |

PUNK: Filmed & D Words by CERVEN COTTER

The power of film is undeniable. We all watch some form of film whether it be TV or videos on the internet, the moving picture is part of our modern culture. Punk has never been able to escape the intrusions of cameras, both moving and still – remember the Sex Pistols on the Bill Grundy show?

Most of us have watched our fair share of punk related videos, whether they be live shows or documentaries, but how often do we take the time to look at the people behind the show playing on our screen?

In this article, Distorted explore the legendary, the infamous, the fan and the converted directors of punk films. And this is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’; there are numerous other directors out there all of whom deserve our respect and praise.

LEGENDARY: Don Letts

Once the name Don Letts escapes your lips, you may already be finding yourself thinking about some of the best punk documentaries ever made. With films such as the Grammy winning ‘The Clash: Westway to the World’, the pivotal ‘Punk: Attitude’ and most recently ‘Stiff Little Fingers: Still Burning’ already in his portfolio, Don is one of the most respected punk filmmakers in the world. And his contribution to punk and music in general is far greater than just from a filmmaking angle.

Don first got into film using a Super 8 camera to capture what was going on in the Roxy Club during it’s heyday in the ’77 era. This would be the same place where he spun dub and reggae records as a DJ for the punks. The footage captured during this period served as material for Don’s debut film simply called, The Punk Rock Movie. This would start Don down the road of punk filmmaking and filmmaking in general.

Although best known as a punk director, Don has appeared in numerous punk rock documentaries, done his fair share of acting and directed the Jamaican film, Dancehall Queen.

Don’s list of films and projects would make any potential filmmaker green with envy but this is an individual who has shaped the sound of a generation and preserved one of biggest cultural revolutions on film for generations past, present and future.

Don, now 51, lives in London, UK, where he still DJs and continues to make films.

| page 16 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Documented INFAMOUS: Julian Temple ‘The Great Rock ‘n Roll Swindle’, ‘The Filth and the Fury’ and most recently ‘The Future is Unwritten’ are Julian Temple’s most notable contributions to the world of punk film.

Being part of the original punk movement in London, Julian befriended the Sex Pistols and proceeded to document their notorious rise to fame and the turbulent collapse of the band. Julian would also capture the rise of The Clash and many other notable bands of that era. The first film Julian would put out would be a short titled, Sex Pistols Number 1. Not really a proper film but a mere compilation of TV footage and interview clips. A year later in 1980, Julian gave birth to the infamous ‘Great Rock ‘n Roll Swindle’, a film about the history of the Pistols from the viewpoint of manager Malcolm McLaren.

Julian’s mixture of animation, video clips and live footage earned him respect from his peers and this opened doors for him to pursue a career directing music videos.

Although Julian dabbled in the world of feature films in the form of ‘Absolute Beginners’ in 1986, ‘Earth Girls are Easy’ in 1989 and the thriller, ‘Bullet’, in 1995, he would return to his roots in 2000 with the critically acclaimed documentary, ‘The Filth and the Fury’.

Another Sex Pistols piece, The Filth and the Fury, was the band’s take on what happened in the ’77 era. Julian was highly praised for this film and it is still consid-

ered the best Sex Pistols documentary ever made.

Despite being best known for his Pistols films, the most recent film from Julian is the documentary about The Clash’s Joe Strummer, ‘The Future is Unwritten’. Released earlier this year, it has already been credited as a brilliant tribute and portrayal of the late Joe Strummer.

A punk rock documentary with Julian Temple’s name on it is a guaranteed winner, and if there were a punk category at the Academy Awards, Julian would already be sitting with three Oscars.

At 54, the UK based Julian Temple is still active as a filmmaker, continuing to deliver films in his unique style.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 17 |

FAN: Susan Dynner

Susan Dynner is the director of the new film titled ‘Punks Not Dead’.

We spoke to her about the film and quizzed her about her background.

How are things going with your new film, Punks Not Dead?

Things have been going really well. In keeping with the DIY spirit of punk, we decided to self-distribute the film even though we got offers from studios, so it’s really been a real learning experience. Fortunately, we’ve been getting positive reviews and lots of people have been offering to help us spread the word with street teams, fan sites, etc. And the bands have all been great about promoting the film as well.

What inspired the film?

About five years ago, I saw an ad in an LA paper for the Inland Invasion – 25 years of punk rock - concert. Bands that were playing were The Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Buzzcocks, alongside TSOL, Circle Jerks, GBH, alongside Bad Religion, The Offspring, Social Distortion, alongside New Found Glory and Blink 182. And it was all | page 18 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

categorized as punk. It was in a huge venue that held like eighty thousand people, and it sold out in less than ten minutes. And Levis and Budweiser sponsored it. So I thought – this is a great idea for a film – nothing has been done about punk today, and how it’s become mainstreamed and corporatised and acceptable. Plus, it was a great way to incorporate a lot of my old photos (I was a band photographer in the early ‘80’s) into the film.

Any personal favourite moments in the film?

Yes. We decided to open up the film for anyone to become a part of it. So we posted questions on our website and invited bands to send in footage answering the questions and playing live. We got a nice response from bands all over the world, and that section - on bands from all over the world - is one of my favourite parts of the film. Of course, it was also great when Captain Sensible moons the camera.

As a director, which individuals have had the most impact on yourself in terms of punk and films about punk?

That’s a hard question because I got into punk when I was 15, and the music and the attitude and the scene inspired me in general. When I got into film, it really had nothing to do with punk rock, so I’m not sure that any individual had an impact on me in terms of punk, but it was certainly a part of who I am. There are great filmmakers whom I admire that I believe have that punk attitude - Mike Leigh,

Pedro Alm Allison A pola, Scor films abou

by Don Le Spheeris,

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madovar, the Coen brothers, Anders, Todd Solondz, Coprsese, etc. In terms of specific ut punk rock, I’m influenced etts, Julian Temple, Penelope Susan Seidelman, etc.

you consider your favourite Who was the first punk band d? loaded question - especially many of the bands are my love so many of them, but from the Washington, D. C. drawn to the more political Stiff Little Fingers, Angelic The Clash, Bad Religion, UK ve The Damned. There are good bands, that it changes robably the first punk bands ere The Pistols, Buzzcocks or h, because they got radio play. first show was Minor Threat, what really got me into punk nce I saw the energy of the was hooked.

ds of wisdom you’d like to th other potential filmmakhere? re at such an amazing period dustry right now because you ally go out and buy a broadity camera, editing software, o shoot a film, and it’s affordat’s what we did. Then, you bute it yourself and market it There are no more excuses. If a great idea for a film, invest lf, put it on your credit card go shoot it!

CONVERTED: Alan Parker

Only a year back if you had asked author Alan Parker if he’d be doing film, he’d have said no. Now 12 months on, Alan has already got a number of film projects under his belt and a few projects on the go. These include working with Don Letts on Stiff Little Fingers: Still Burning and his directorial debut, the Sex Pistols: An Alternative History which is being released in November. Alan is currently in production for a documentary telling the story of the Clash, and from what we’ve had the privilege of seeing, it is clear that Alan Parker’s talents are not only limited to writing.

As the world’s best-known authority on Sid Vicious, this author cannot believe that he has found his way into the world of film. He admits that much like writing, he has just fallen into the directors’ chair. With his friend Don Letts giving him the push to initially get involved, everything has snowballed and at this stage it looks as if Alan will be sitting in the director’s chair for at least another year.

As Alan Parker talks of 18 hours days spent in the editing suite, it highlights the downsides to being involved in film and unlike a book, one has to watch a film over and over and over. By the time a film is premiered, a director has watched the film so many times that it becomes too much. With a book, one reads it once, it gets printed, it is released and after the initial time period from completion to launch, it can be refreshing to reread the book, film on the other hand is continuous, you can never step away from it. Alan’s recent book, the third and final installment of his 21-year devotion to Sid Vicious, 21st Century Icon has been picked up by a production company and will become a feature film titled ‘Who killed Nancy?’ Thrilled by this news, Alan was dumbstruck when the company told him he would be directing this film, and he’ll be playing himself in the film too. Scheduled for a 2009 release, this big screen production will once again mark a new chapter in the life of Alan Parker. And as he says, “Who knows what will come along next.” | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 19 |

Anywhere will do Words by MR FUNNELL. Punk. Who would believe that there would still be genuinely exciting bands born from a genre that had supposedly died, and been buried before many of today’s upstarts were even born?

One band that has excited me and many others are Moral Dilemma. If you are unaware of them here’s an introduction.

This band are punk rock, pure and simple. Formed in the summer of 2004 Moral Dilemma have been playing gigs with mentality of playing anywhere that has electricity. Craig (vocals/guitar) Chloe (bass/vocals) and Pasty (drums), are one of the best bands that London has spat out in a while.

Mr Funnell: First up, new album just out, tell us about it?

Craig: We recorded it in Southampton, we went into the studio at 10am, left at 5am with a ten track album, Peter Miles and Itch (King Blues) produced it and did a great job, Pete is a guy who knows punk rock where as other producers tend to not be too familiar with it as a genre.

As a result he knew exactly how the album should sound and where we were coming from as a band. Itch has been a mate for years, and has said pretty much from day one that he wanted to produce | page 20 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

our recording. He knows our sound really well so it was great to have him on board, smoking weed in the corner and telling us to play louder. Because we did it so quickly it gives it a great live feel and sounds raw as fuck, and not too polished. It has since been released though Madman Records/Plastic Head Distribution and is available from most record shops, at our gigs and through our myspace (myspace. com/moraldilemmalondon) One of your distinctive features as a band is the boy/girl vocals and a harmonica.

“...we went into the studio at 10am, left at 5am with a ten track album...”

Any influences leading to this?

The dual vocals came along just because we happen to have a female bassist and like to split things up. I’ve been a massive fan of X for years and really like how they do it, it just gives a more versatile sound and allows us to play off each other. If I’ve got Chloe standing next to me screaming her lungs out it makes me want to play harder, and shout louder. The harmonica came about as I’m a huge fan of the blues,

particularly Sonny Boy Williamson and Muddy Waters, Charlie Harper did a pretty cool job too. I really wanted to play an instrument I could carry around with me, the harmonica was the natural choice. I like how soulful you can make it sound, there’s no bullshit either. With a guitar you’ve got all your tone control settings and a load of different ways to pick, on a harmonica you breathe in and out, that’s it. At the moment it only ap| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 21 |

pears on the song Bastard Sons but hopefully it’ll appear on some new songs, it depends if they need it or not.

You are a politically motivated band, anything in particular you want to speak out about?

There are a lot of things I want to speak out about, that’s why I write political lyrics. It’s not a conscious thing, but the thought of writing a love song, or a “1-2-3-4 oi up the punks” type thing really doesn’t appeal. I pride myself on writing honest lyrics about whatever I’m passionate about. I’m politically conscious, read and take part in direct action when I can, so as a result the lyrics tend to be of a political nature. I feel that if I didn’t write the

“...the thought of writing a love song, or a ‘1-2-3-4 oi up the punks’ type thing really doesn’t appeal.” | page 22 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

way I did I’d be lying to whoever hears us. I don’t ever want to do that. The main thing I want to get across is that everything should be questioned and challenged, whether its the government, the law or your own morality.

Maybe if more punks did that you’d see a lot more mohawks and Crass tshirts at protests. Some people don’t like to hear political music, where as others don’t wanna hear another fart joke or another fucking psychobilly band singing about fucking zombies or whatever.

I for one like a balance of the two. I think both elements keep punk rock interesting.

You are known as one of London key bands, how’s the scene now?

The scene is pretty cool, there are a lot of older bands like the Inner Terrestrials and The Restarts who have been doing it for years and put on great shows. At the same time there are a lot of newer bands like Defcon Zero, The KADT and Tommy | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 23 |

“Unfortunately you do get a handful of people with the stupid “I’m a punk and therefore have to act like a total arsehole” bonehead mentality whereby they fuck up the venues...”

Schitt and The Punishment Fuckers giving them a run for their money. Unfortunately you do get a handful of people with the stupid “I’m a punk and therefore have to act like a total arsehole” bonehead mentality whereby they fuck up the venues, sneak in cans and leave their empties all over the floor of venues meaning that they stop putting on punk gigs. That problem has always been there from what I’ve heard and is the same everywhere.

There’s a thriving underground squat scene run buy some truly amazing people who put on gigs that are nearly always more fun to play than “a proper venue.”

Even if you are playing with a broken drum kit, a mic that gives you shocks, and no PA. From go| page 24 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

ing out to Europe and playing there it has been amazing to see how spoilt people are in London for gigs. You can go to a punk gig practically every night of the week if you want, but as a result of an abundance of gigs people tend to be very disrespectful to new bands. This is mental when you see the extent people have to go to in Europe just to put on one gig. Sometimes they travel ridiculous lengths just for one show and as a result they really appreciate the bands playing and really go for it when you play. It puts it into perspective how in London most people can’t even be arsed to cross the Thames to see a band play!

What next?

Just what we’ve always done, playing anywhere with electricity that will have us, and hopefully doing another release of some sort next year. We really want to tour and play a lot more out of London, and hopefully tour Europe as we’ve only done a few one off dates there, so if anyone’s interested, e-mail us at moraldilemma_cbr@hotmail.com Any dilemmas as of late?

Just this interview. Ha ha

I can see grizzly bears as Hot Water Music fans, and polar bears liking Bad Religion.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 25 |

| page 26 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Despite being arrested at their debut show in 1980, Anti Nowhere League, have grown into one of the world’s most well known punk bands. Frequent brushes with the law and other figures of authority have proved that the ‘League have always done everything and anything on their own terms...

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 27 |

Their songs have caused outrage while at the same time striking a common chord with the underground and this has given the ‘League the opportunity to grow a varied fan base across the world.

Now in 2007, the ‘League return with arguably their best album ever, The Road to Rampton. In between their constant touring schedule Cerven Cotter, spoke to drummer NATO, about the roads the band have travelled and where they’re headed to.

Cerven: Anti Nowhere League are on tour right now supporting the new record, The Road To Rampton. How is the tour going so far?

Nato: Superb! We’ve been so excited about playing the new tunes on this tour and it has been amazing to have them so well received. Everyone loves the old classics, but the Rampton tunes are the ones getting the biggest sing-along’s.

Tunes like ‘unwanted’, ‘at the end of the day’ and ‘my god’ are getting everyone tearing the walls down. We have such a job sorting out our set now so as not to piss people off by missing out their favourite tunes.

Anti-Nowhere League are no strangers to touring, how much of your time is actually spent on the road? Where do your tours take you normally? You even toured down under in Australia and New Zealand, what was that like? | page 28 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

I love being on the road, we’ve been to so many different places and met so many people I don’t think I could live any other way now. In the past year we’ve been to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Croatia, Sweden, Spain and all over the UK. Of course a lot of our time is actually spent travelling so that’s why we have to party so hard whenever there’s the slightest opportunity! That does mean that none of us actually remember much about where we’ve been except that everyone we’ve met have been either fucking nutters or really cool people that don’t like us leaving until we’re so drunk we have to be carried out. (or a mixture of the two!). Australia was one of the greatest experiences of the past year, so much so that we’re going back again in November. Let’s hope we didn’t make any enemies when we were down there last time! We’re also currently looking into

a tour of the States for next year, but sshhhh, don’t say anything yet as nothing is confirmed.

“I don’t really think that the 30th anniversary has had any effect on us at all. “ Now, you’re one of the newest members of the band, how does it feel to be playing the drums in a band as legendary as Anti-Nowhere League? What have been some of your favourite moments so far?

I feel totally honoured to be playing for the League and having the opportunity to travel so much. I have known the guys for years and I have depped for them whenever they needed a drummer to stand in, so I’d been around helping out well before I got asked to be a permanent member. We are all gelling really well on stage now and we have developed musically and professionally so much over the past year. It’s also great that we get on so well (most of the time)

off of the stage as well. It’s good to be mates with the people you’re in a band with.

My most scary moment so far has to be playing ‘So What’ live for the first time at a festival in Holland to about 5000 people. If you get that one wrong, every fucker notices!

I’ve too many favourite moments to mention and some that legally I shouldn’t mention, but the feeling of being on stage and seeing a bunch of crazy arsed punks going nuts to our tunes makes me realise why I was put on this planet! It’s as good as it gets!

Looking back on the history of the band,

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 29 |

the police and ANWL have never been the best of friends, what is the relationship like now in 2007?

Being slightly older and wiser means that there isn’t as much contact with the law these days, but only because we now know when to do a runner!

Are you guys as a band finding it harder to shock and outrage the general public in today’s world? It seems as if some of the happenings of the past just seem so normal by today’s standards.

The League has a fairly colourful past and I’ve heard stories about life on the road that have shocked me and left me feeling cold, but none of it was staged, they genuinely were a bunch of nasty c**ts. These days bands try to shock people or act like something they’re not and it shows. If something is false then people see through it. These days we tend to shock people by putting on the best shows the League has ever done, more fierce and full on than ever.

When Animal gets his arse into gear, he has promised a book about the Leagues sordid past, so if you want to know more keep your eyes peeled!

So the new album is now out, The Road To Rampton. Any particular highlights on the album for yourself personally?

The Road to Rampton is the best thing the Anti-Nowhere League has ever produced. It is the most exciting, thought out and kick arse album since ‘We Are The League’ and is getting everyone talking. It has a story running through the whole album and is a glimpse into Animal’s shady past, so to get the full picture you need to listen to the whole thing. My favourite tracks on the album are ‘Never Drink Alone’, ‘Run’ and ‘My | page 30 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

God’s Bigger Than Yours’. Obviously you can tell that we’re quite proud of it, but you need to have a listen to judge for yourselves.

The album was written initially by Animal and Jez and was then put to the rest of the band. It was recorded and mixed

by Paul at Audio Sorcery near Tunbridge Wells and is on our own record label ‘Nowhere Records’. We have had some delays along the way, and although it has been available through the website and at gigs for a while, it doesn’t hit the shops until November.

Animal is the only founding member of the band still left, and even though the band disappeared for a few years, do you think the whole 30 year anniversary of punk has given him a renewed sense of drive when it comes the band? How do you feel about the whole 30 year side of things?

I don’t really think that the 30th anniversary has had any effect on us at all.

What has happened for us is that with the current line up, the new album and our live shows being so positive it has fired us all up to push things as far as they can go. The 30 year anniversary makes you realise that there is a lot of heritage in what we do and with the exception of one short break, the League has constantly released records and gigged since they started. For me personally, it makes me want to make the next step of the journey the best possible.

What is your musical background? Surely you’ve always been a fan of ANWL hailing from Tunbridge Wells? Any other bands you hold in high regard? What about your biggest influences?

You’re right, I have played in various punk bands over the years (18th Emergency/Blitzkrieg) and I listened to the League, not dreaming that one day I would be playing for them. As far as influences go, I have played drums since I was about 5 years old (thanks Mum and Dad!) and it has been my passion ever since, the music I play isn’t as important to me as long as I’m playing, so over the years I have listened to and played lots of different styles of music. I think you need to be like that to be a successful musician, I’ve done more than my fair share of shit gigs and I’ve always said yes to any drumming job I’ve been offered and now I’m lucky enough to be

playing the music I love for a living.

My main drumming influences are John Stanier from Helmet and Fyfe Ewing from Therapy.

When I am not on tour I teach drums,

“This band has always been about doing what the fuck you want and not giving a toss about what other people think...”

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 31 |

I run a music school called one.8.e studio (www. one8e.co.uk) and I have just written a book on reading drum music which is being published. As well as playing for the League and teaching I play for a few other bands. 4th Wall (www.4thwall.net) are a band I’ve played with for years and we are currently recording new material and booking some shows, it’s not a punk band but it’s a bit different so check it out!

So who started punk rock, was it the yanks or the brits?

Ramones or the Pistols?

| page 32 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

No-one ever agrees on this do they? I would say that the roots of punk music come from Iggy and the Stooges and that kind of era, so probably the yanks.

We have definitely always looked better, so us Brits probably get punk fashion as ours!

In the punk rock timeline, where do you think ANWL fits in? The band have enjoyed their fair share of ‘bans’ and arrests. Surely that makes you guys ‘punk as fuck’, no?

Of course, punk is about an attitude and not about how you look at weekends or what bands you like. This band has always been about doing what the fuck you want and not giving a toss about what other people think, if Animal had been worried about what people thought there would never have been another song after ‘So What’. People have slated and criticised the Anti-Nowhere League since day one and I’m sure it will continue to happen but through all of that the real fans can see the honesty in the music and that’s why we have some of the most dedicated hard core fans around I’m curious, what is the association with bikes?

Animal has always been a biker and was part of a notorious bike gang many years ago, in fact some of the stories about trouble with the law and violence are from that period of his life. The League have always been called a punk band but originally they formed as a biker rock band. If you listen there has always been elements of that in the Leagues music and you can definitely hear that in ‘The Road To Rampton’.

I like Motorhead a lot, I saw them at the Download festival a few years back and they are definitely one of the finest old school bands around.

What about My Chemical Romance?

It upsets me to see what alternative music has become. When I was growing up music was my salvation, it gave me an identity and something that made me different from all of the trendy wankers that followed fashion and bored the fuck out of me. But now alternative is the mainstream, I hate it! Please may it all end soon!

And Enimem?

I’m sorry, I’m just flat lined on that question. I have no desire to talk about a white rap singer named after a pack of small chocolates.

Looking back, if you had the choice, would you still have taken up the sticks for this band? Any regrets?

Are you serious? I have no regrets what so ever. I have had a great time so far, I’ve met some really cool people, been to some amazing places and I get to play drums every night and get pissed, what is there to regret about that?

And finally, what would you like to say to the person reading this article?

Haven’t you got anything better to do? If not come and see us at a venue near you!

Buy the Road to Rampton, find out tour dates or just check us out at www.antinowhereleague.com or www.myspace. com/animalanwl

How do you feel about Motorhead? | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 33 |

Organic Composition American Steel Everybody is doing it. Perhaps the reasons are not understood, the speculations are rife, the rumours rampant but bands are reforming.

Yes, American Steel have come together to release ‘Destroy their Future’. But what prompted this four piece to part ways in the first place?

We chatted to front man Rory in the hopes of finding out.

“The insular self confidence (aka good snobbishness) of the underground is weakened”

| page 34 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Hi Rory, thanks for taking the time to chat to us about your band American Steel. What have you been doing lately?

Rory: I have been on tour in the US with our friends The Lawrence Arms and drinking too much.

Tell us about the idea behind the new ‘come back’ album, Destroy their Future?

The idea is that the dystopian future I see being formed now by the motivations of fear, superstition and greed can only be averted by the application of reason and logic and love. To strive to only be motivated by love when you are emotional or logic when you are cerebral, and encourage others to the same. It is a personal oath and plea to others.

Do you think this release will be up for any award nominations like your Rogue’s March release?

I doubt it, but that would be cool!

Was it a natural move to reform American Steel? What prompted the band to change direction in the first place and to pursue the band known as Communiqué?

We always just go with our guts, so there is rarely any one reason we’ve done things.

We just believe in not forcing things if they don’t feel right. When we started Communiqué we were tired and wanted a fresh start. This time around, I had been writing songs that just felt like American Steel and we all missed playing the older songs. It was very organic.

How do you feel about the punk rock scene today compared to when you first started American Steel back in 1995?

Has much changed?

Yeah, stylistically things always ebb and flow, but I think that popular culture is shaping punk more now, whereas historically, the mainstream was typically nicking our good ideas from the underground and warping them. The insular self confidence (aka good snobbishness) of the underground is weakened.

What do you think is the biggest difference between UK and the USA punk bands?

I really don’t know, is there one besides the accents? I mean there are all sorts in every country right?

Even though American Steel has reformed, how do you feel about all these other bands that are reforming these days? It seems like everybody is getting back together everywhere one looks.

Is there any particular bands you wish would get back together because they never should have disbanded - American Steel excluded of course...

I don’t know, I’m not going to make any assumptions about the motivations of any other bands, but I think it’s great if they are positive. Obviously, if someone is just doing it for money that is sad and cynical.

Of course many groups that aren’t “reunited” do it for the money anyways.

Last one, The Ramones or the Clash?

Why? Wow, I don’t want to insult Ramones fans with my disbelief, but really? The Clash are one of the best ROCK bands of all time, forget punk. I like a handful of Ramones songs a lot, but don’t care for a lot more.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 35 |

The toasters

Rockstars ne not apply Words By STEVE NOBLE | page 36 | OCTOBER 2007 |

eed

The Toasters are Godfathers to the ska scene, and are firmly placed in the black and white halls of two tone history. Sitting, sipping cool margaritas or whatever, Rob Hingley better known as Buck, drinks in leisure and he unleashes his experienced views on a quarter century of ska, The Toasters and a large vocabulary.

Steve: Hi Buck, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. 25 years and 10 studio albums is quite an achievement. Did you ever see the longevity of the band and your own involvement in music?

Buck: At the beginning, not at all. In fact the band was started as a lark and only really picked up steam later on when it became apparent that it was a project that could be developed much further than was the original intent. It was after the 1984 “Recriminations” EP that was produced by Joe Jackson that the wind caught the sails. Since that time we have been gigging constantly and the time has simply rolled by. Everything else – labels, production gigs etc. has happened as a spin-off from the band.

And as the only surviving member, are you looked upon as the granddaddy in the band?

How has the constant change of line-up affected the chemistry of the group and the out put.

Literally as two of the original members are sadly no longer with us. Granddaddy - that’s funny! I see 20 year olds who behave like old men so that’s all relative in my view. I look at a band like the Skatalites and I see how the music has kept them rejuvenated so for me it’s all on the positive side. If I wasn’t in The | OCTOBER 2007 | page 37 |

Toasters I’d have some shitty job that I didn’t like (just like everybody else!) so I think the constantly evolving line-up, which also by the way includes former members coming back into the ranks for 2nd or 3rd shifts, not only ensures that we can keep the touring steamroller going but also provides fresh approaches to tunes, new arrangements and a better blend of song writing. You have to look at it more as a sports team with a very deep bench of substitutes. Additionally I think the fans come to listen to the tunes and the personalities are secondary, which is the way it should be in a perfect world. I am personally well over having to work with pusillanimous rock stars who think it’s all about them so to me the ability to select a new mission impossible team to fit the bill based round people’s jobs, lives and wives is perfectly fine and the ultimate resolution to often complex personnel considerations. Not everybody wants to tour 200 days per year.

Line-up aside, you have seen many fads in music in your career with The Toasters and helped the American ska craze in the 80’s and 90’s, how do you think ska is sitting in the world today?

Like everything it goes up and down.

Maybe more precipitously so in recent years. But the fact that one has to keep in perspective is that ska music is not a fad.

It is not a creation of some mad major label scientist in a major lab(el). This genre has roots and culture stretching back 50+ years. It has a soul and an identity and that’s why it resounds so much with each new generation of fans that reshape it into their own sonic image.

Lab(el)! At least the humour hasn’t faded. What bands are leading the way in | page 38 | OCTOBER 2007 |

the ska/reggae genre today? As a label owner and band member, you have to have your ears firmly to the ground.

At the moment we are in a rebuilding stage but the quality of some of the younger bands like Westbound Train, The Aggrolites and UK bands like The Scrub and Kebabs are really a great augur for the future. More people than ever know what ska music is about, and that’s a plus! We still have the Skatalites and bands like the (bifurcated) English Beat. There are also some great bands on the continent such as Rotterdam Ska Jazz (NL), Panonia Allstar Orchestra (Hungary) and Baby Love and the Van Dangos (DK) so people should make an effort to check them out at www.megalithrecords.com. As for signing bands, well rock stars need not apply. It’s all about having a good sound and working hard these days.

Much like yourselves. A lot of younger bands are re-introducing the older style of ska and reggae, which has led to a mini resurgence of genuine music rather than pop brushed punk ska. Do you see this as a positive?

Yes. Like I said before, Westbound Train and the Aggrolites in the USA. In Europe The Upsessions, Red Soul Community and the Pepperpots in Spain. PASO, Babylove - quite a long list really. Ska punk, thankfully, is well on the way out.

With comparisons like the “Miles Davis of Ska” and the “Ramones of Ska”. Do these flatter or do you feel they are undeserved titles?

Well I don’t deem myself worthy to sit in that pantheon , but I’ll take it! We have played almost 5000 live shows so maybe we are the Odysseus of ska as well.

“Ska punk, thankfully, is well on the way out.”

Too many big words here kids. You’re famously a Brit expat yourself, bringing the influence of the 2 tone movement to NY when you formed the band in the early 80s. What does NY offer musically? I also read you now reside in Spain, where is home for you and the band?

We are split between NYC, Florida and Spain. The beauty of the global village is that all you need is an internet connection and an air-ticket. It’s cheaper for me to live in Valencia than NYC and I didn’t want my kids growing up

there anyway as they are much better off enjoying their age of innocence whilst that valuable commodity still remains an option. NYC has also - in my mind lost all of its cutting edge sociologically and musically. Back in the day there were 100 places to play on any given night, now a combo of bourgeois city government and yuppies has killed the club scene stone dead so there’s no point being there any more. Closing CBGB’s is about as close to cultural suicide as you can get.

| OCTOBER 2007 | page 39

Agreed. Your upcoming European tour in support of 25 years and the new record brings you to the famous 100 Club in London. Does it feel surreal to play venues like this and CBGB’s as you did in New York?

It’s actually 26 - we forgot last year. We have always wanted to play at the 100 club and Dingwalls has also been a great venue for us in the past. We cut our teeth at CBGB’s so I was horrified to see that closing down simply at the behest of some moronic “charity” landlord.

Venue closures are sadly more commonplace despite an increase in records. Tell us about your new record “One More Bullet”. You’re over the troublesome twosome’s in terms of record releases but 10 can’t be any easier?

The hardest thing about making this record was getting round to doing it as we have been playing out so much these past few years. For me it was more important to play live than produce another album but this year the planets aligned in terms of a label, studio and line-up. So we took our time with the recording (two years in the end) and we made an organic record that wasn’t subject in anyway to deadlines.

We are happy with the results. Some people say it is the best record since “Dub 56” and some other people hate it, but there you go!

Critics- what can you do? Do you ever struggle with new ideas to fit into The Toasters sound?

Not really. In the past we have mixed in Reggae, Merengue, Salsa, Samba, Calypso, Ragamuffin, Swing, Jazz, Blues, Punk, Disco, House, Rap, Funk, Compa, Soca, Zouk, Jit, Country and Western, R+B, have I missed anything? The reason this | page 40 | OCTOBER 2007 |

took so long to record is that we wanted it that way. Also, to have the luxury of spacing the remixes according to our own schedule and not somebody else’s. Having said that we now already have three tunes in the works for the next project Good to hear. Does the recording and writing for the albums vary substantially with each release?

Somewhat. Different combinations of songwriters produce different sets of tunes. Right now we have a good understanding between Jason and myself. He is also able to bring the Jamaican ragga style to the mix as well which is important in regards to the roots. In essence though we are a 2-tone band so the core of the albums reflects that. Some people don’t like the fact that the albums sound similar but for us the biggest compliment is for people to hear a tune and recognize it as being The Toasters. That is called having a signature sound and it’s what all artists strive for.

And 26 years is testament to that. What can fans expect from this record?

They can expect the same! I have learned that fans only like their changes to be gradual and one of the things that has kept the band around is our fan base, so it’s important not to keep throwing them curve-balls like concept albums. I also feel that bands that try to chase other people’s sounds don’t stick around too long because they never get it right.

Well said. Moonska Europe is distributing your record in Europe, right? What was the reason for that?

Lol is doing the distro in the UK as I feel that Moon is our best available partner there. European continental distro is split

between Megalith and Leech records.

You are a godfather of ska in the States, but perhaps not praised as much as other bands. Are you happy with your recognition and place in the history of music?

I don’t care what other people say or how they feel, it’s immaterial.

- what the Chinese call the twittering of the sparrows. I don’t look for recognition or acclaim, that’s for the wankers. At the end of the day hopefully I will have done my bit in the spacio-temporal continuum that is ska music, the genre is greater than all of us so we need to put that first and not our own (over-inflated) egos. I am happy to be able to go to countries that other bands won’t or can’t go to in order to play some ska music for them Toasters-style. I’ll let the public be the judge and what other bands have to say about that is none of my concern - but I’ll bet you a couple quid that they wouldn’t mind being in my shoes.

wing political movement). For me those socially conscious bands had something to say way above and beyond the sheer exuberance of their music. People should

“I hate it when people disrespect the root, especially by not having a clue about them.”

Fair enough! So what are a couple of your fondest memories of The Toasters to date?

Our first gig in communist Yugoslavia and our trips to Brazil – most fun place in the world.

not forget that ska music has been rebel music from the get go and is not all about the party. I hate it when people disrespect the roots, especially by not having a clue about them.

Any parting words? What about the future plans of the band....

More touring. More touring and then some more touring. Please check out our websites www.toasters.org and myspace. com/toasters and don’t let the bastards grind you down.

What was it about two tone that you so loved? And, what is it about ska music that gets you going?

The defining ethos of 2-tone lay in the socio-political message that it espoused.

Not only did it carry the flag for racial tolerance but it also railed against the then fascist government of Margaret Thatcher who turned a blind eye to the ascendancy of the National Front (a racist right | OCTOBER 2007 | page 41 |

Punk Dad The JimRock Lindberg inte rview

With the recent release of Pennywise front man Jim Lindberg’s first book- Punk Rock Dad- gathering critical acclaim across the world, we decided to grab a few minutes of his time to find out more about the book and being a Punk rock dad…

Distorted: How are things on the home front?

Jim: Things are good but hectic. Three kids and running a band and other endeavours make things a bit frantic most of the time.

I’ll rest when I’m dead, or senile.

What brought on the idea of Punk Rock Dad? I’d been working on a book about the Hermosa Beach punk scene and our booking agent said they were looking for someone to write a book called Punk Rock Dad. Since I’d been living it for the last decade I’d figured I could give it a try.

Did you find the book came together very easily? Any parts of the book harder to write than others?

Overall it came out pretty smoothly. Surprisingly the hardest part was trying to write when I was home. Writing on the road with the band was easy, when I’m at home sitting in a chair in front of the computer I’m an easy target for the kids to attack me. The part about Jason was the toughest part to write, it was hard to approach that subject matter within a somewhat light-hearted book.

How did it feel to open yourself up to the entire world through your book? Are you a little worried that your ‘punk’ image is | page 42 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

now forever altered?

I couldn’t care less. In fact, that part of it I liked. Punk is supposed to piss people off.

Doing the opposite of the tough guy, punk rock stereotype is more punk than following rules and codes of behaviour that were set two decades ago. Punk to me now is getting up and making my kids breakfast and then going into the garage and writing a song at 225 BPM. What was your wife’s reaction to the book after she read it for the 1st time? What were some reactions from others that know you and that have read the book?

She laughed her ass off. She couldn’t believe I was willing to make fun of myself and the rest of us so easily. After years of taking myself too seriously and being the ‘message’ band, I was definitely ready for some poo jokes. So far all the punk rock dads I know who have read it have had nothing but good things to say about it, the rest don’t read so it makes a nice paper weight.

How do you think the children will feel when they read the book in a few years time?

Probably horrified. I really wish my wife would have told me not to put certain things in there. I figure they’ll probably hate me no matter what I do so this way

Jim the dad...

“Punk to me now is getting up and making my kids breakfast and then going into the garage and writing a song at 225 BPM.� | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 43 |

Jim the punk rocker...

I can get back at them now for whatever they plan to put me through later.

You constantly make reference to the fact that you’re dreading your little girls becoming teenagers. Could we expect a 2nd book in the future?

I doubt it. It was fun to do, but I think my next books will be either fiction or social satire. Besides, I think I’ll have enough | page 44 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

trouble dealing with it without having to relive it by writing about it. I’ll probably just want to remain in denial while it’s going on.

Will any future boyfriend screening involve fellow Pennywise guitarist and general madman, Fletcher?

The screeners will be me and my two friends, Smith & Wesson.

Do you think your musical tastes are slowly rubbing off on the kids?

They love the Clash and the Ramones.

Otherwise they like what other kids their age like, High School Musical, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Lilly Allen, stuff like that. They’re not pissed off yet.

How would you feel if all three wanted to pursue a career of being in bands?

I’d support it, but I’d want them to have a lot of interests as well. I think too many people go for a music career and feel like a failure if it doesn’t pan out. Some of the best bands I’ve ever heard never could get noticed, while others less talented bands (No Pennywise jokes please!) have fared better.

Do you think your book will help other ‘punk rock’ parents and future ‘punk rock’ parents with dealing with the transition from reckless abandon to responsibility?

I hope so. I just wanted people to know they weren’t alone and there were other people that had a fairly warped way of approaching having kids and that we can still be good parents and like the Misfits.

Has the band been supportive of you being a ‘punk rock’ dad?

Definitely. Over the years we haven’t toured as much as some bands and there were times for them that it was frustrating, especially Fletcher who would play for you and your cat in your living room tonight if you asked him, but I wanted to be there for my kids as much as possible and not miss out on the important

things. I firmly believe though that had we done much more touring we would have burned ourselves out.

Do the other band members play a part as the cool uncles to your girls?

I tell them that Fletcher throws up on people so they tend to give him his space.

Do you see yourself pursuing any new books in the future?

I’ve got no less than three books going on at the moment. Two are fiction and one’s non-fiction social satire. I’m really looking forward to people reading them and getting them out to the public. I’ve always liked writing and it gives me another way to release stress that doesn’t involve things that could damage my lungs and liver.

What is the latest with the band? Apparently you’re working on your 9th studio album right? Any idea when we can expect the new record?

We’re battling it out working on songs now, recording in November-December hopefully for a release soon after the newyear, February or March.

Any finals words of wisdom you’d like to share?

Never give up and always be there for your kid’s soccer games.

Also - check out www.havoctv.com - a group I’m working with for being people the best in action sports and music. Surf, skate, snow, motox, music. What else is there?

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 45 |

ON THE EDGE:

Table manners ANYONE?

Words + Photos by Willa

Our hardcore girl, Willa, gets clever and makes Rob Sullivan (Ruiner) and Danny Hesketh (Sinking Ships) sit at a table for a combined interview. However, leaving her notebook with questions open for the two to see wasn’t so smart… the following interview was the outcome of this rather formal affair.

Danny, what do you think of the tour and how does it compare with last year?

Danny Hesketh (DH): Awesome! I wish I was back on tour with the Shook Ones but unfortunately we’re with Ruiner which is a bummer…okay, I was being sarcastic. This tour has definitely been good. The shows I expected to be amazing haven’t been…but the shows I expected to be not-amazing have been amazing. So it’s really thrown me off.

RS: Ha! DH: Okay, that’s over with that question. What’s the next one? Hit me!

For example?

DH: Hmmm… no examples.

Rob Sullivan (RS): He can’t even think of one DH: Well, I have examples but I’m not going to say them because I don’t want to fucking whine about shows.

Have you had a chance to check out any of the opening bands?

DH: Oh, you mean like Your Demise who were doing an interview while they were playing. Haha, no I haven’t had a chance to check that one out. Fucking Honor Among Thieves are a great fucking band and we’ve played with them three times…Dead Swans…we got to play with The Legacy again which was awesome, we played three or four shows with them last time we were here. Amazing people, great band. Uh...those are the ones that stick out in my head but I’m sure there were other good bands we played with.

What did you think of the Kingston Peel show?

DH: The Kingston show was better than last time. The UK, in general- let’s just focus on the UK and forget about the rest of Europe- the UK has been way better show-wise. I’ve had so much fun and being with Ruiner has been…alright I guess.

If you’re leaving Revelation Records then how come you’ve just released a 7” through them?

DH: Oh shit! You’re supposed to ask me that later so it can be revealed in the interview. Well, yeah, we’re planning on leaving Revelation. We’re out of a contract. This is the first anyone else knows about this-

| page 46 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

RS: Well, I actually told a bunch of people DH: Okay, well besides that nobody knows. You’re breaking the news and I think about two people will actually care, but like you said, we put out the new 7 ” Ten on Revelation Records because we didn’t plan on leaving Rev at the time. We decided while on tour.

(Danny looks at the notepad) DH: Seriously, you’re gonna pull that shit? C’mon…

RS: HA! You can ask me that question.

DH: Man, how fucking old is this? You guys gotta get over it. No, I wanna ask this one. (Leans into tape recorder) Basically, it looks like they’re asking me ‘Jim Hesketh vs. Danny Hesketh’. Like, what, in a fight? Yeah, I’ve never been able to beat up my brother. I can’t even say I’ve gotten close, ever. The dude pummels me every fucking time…like, I’ll get in a couple of good shots and then he’ll just hit me on the top of the head and I’ll just fall. So no, never could take him in a fight. The dude is a gorilla.

I think it was more supposed to be how has he influenced you and is it hard for you to live up to him and Champion?

DH: Well, he’s my older brother so it’s like would I even know about hardcore without him...fuck no! Dude, I got into punk rock because of him. It was all him coming home with cds and me taking those cds and listening to them. And no, without him I wouldn’t be in a hardcore band, I wouldn’t be going to hardcore shows at all. I owe him everything. Do I need to live up to him? No, I don’t even try. Champion were one of those bands that come along every 10 years and it’s huge- they affect so many people and sell tons of records. There is no fucking

way I could ever touch that, so I don’t even try. Like what I try to do with my band is a little different. Like, we’re not a straightedge band and that’s a big thing…

(Rob snorts) DH: Oh I’m sorry. I’m sorry that we’re not a straightedge band. Ruiner is a straightedge band.

RS: What? No we’re not!

DH: Anyway, it’s not even about living up to my brother- that dude and that band are untouchable. I don’t think many bands that are around today can say that they’re anywhere near that.

Rob, you reference a lot of movies in you songs. What are your favourite movies?

RS: Love Actually, Princess Bride…most movies that involve Ryan Reynolds or | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 47 |

John Cusack…most Kevin Smith movies. Right now I’m pretty much reciting my Myspace.

DH: And all those fucking movies you brought on tour!

RS: And all the movies I brought on this tour; Ghostbusters I & II, the Back to the Future trilogy, most interracial porn…Cinderella Man…I guess that’s it.

DH: That’s a good movie! First time I saw it was in the van. I like Kevin Smith movies, most Rodriguez stuff, some Tarantino is really goodRS: Some of its shit.

DH: Some of it is fucking terrible.

DH: Okay Rob, what are your favourite songs to play live?

RS: I like playing ‘Paint Peals’ a lot.

DH: Is that the time machine one?

RS: No, that’s ‘Adhering To Superstition’. I like playing that a lot too but like, sometimes you wish you couldn’t play that song because you’ll play to a whole bunch of kids and sometimes they won’t know shit and you get to that one part and the kids go buck-wild. It’s just fucking stupid. Because those ‘days spent/weeks spent’ lines that they remember are something a friend of mine said drunkenly at a party that I related to my life and I was like ‘yeah man, I’m totally down with what you say’ and put it into a song. It’s not like I was sitting at home one day thinking ‘man, if only I had a time machine…’

DH: Wow…I just figured it was because you really liked Back To The Future.

RS: I do like playing that song, regardless if it’s the only one where kids go off.

DH: Okay, last question for Rob of Ruiner. Will you headline a UK tour?

RS: Will I headline a UK tour? | page 48 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

DH: No, not Ruiner. Rob, doing spoken word.

RS: Are you fucking serious?

DH: Haha, no, it says Ruiner.

RS: Ha, okay. Uh...I don’t know. I don’t care.

DH: You are headlining this tour right now!

RS: Basically this whole tour has been this debate about who should play last thing at night. Every night I’ve said “I don’t care”. And I’m dead honest, don’t give a shit. We can play first, we can play last, we can play middle- I don’t care.

Mainly because I don’t give a fuck how anyone reacts. If someone sings along I’m stoked because it means I don’t have to sing and my voice will be a little bit better the next night. Honestly, I’m amped when kids go off- it rules.

But I’m gonna act exactly the same way then as I would if no-one was there. You might get a little more ‘tude from me and I might act like a dick, I might act like a total fucking asshole when there’s a ton of people in the room if for some reason before we play I was thinking about something thatDH:* cough* Sound of Fury Fest *cough* RS: Exactly! There could be fucking tons of people going off and they weren’t at that show. There can be tons of people at a show and I will still get up on stage with a fucking attitude and just not give a shit at all. Headline? I don’t know. I don’t like that word…

DH: You’re playing last tonight!

RS: I don’t. Fucking. Care.

DH: That’s because we swap.

RS: Yeah, I bet you CDC should be playing last tonight.

DH: I think you’re right. I saw their merch table and that’s where everyone

was at.

RS: Flat-brim-hat kids don’t like Ruiner and there’s a lot of them here tonight.

DH: Oddly, they love us! Wait..no..that’s not true at all.

What is the legend of Andy Rice?

DH: Muthafucking Andy Rice! (slams hands down on table) Alright, let’s talk about Andy Rice. Andy Rice is not a man. Like it says in the notebook, he is a legend. He’s a god.

RS: He’s a myth. At certain points your stories become legend, a fable if you will. Things with morals.

Is he the moral?

RS: Yes…in more ways than you could ever guess…

DH: That’s all we have to say.

How do you find UK audiences?

DH: They’re the same as other audiences.

RS: I find them…at shows. (grabs notebook from DH) Ha, Danny, I wanna hear your answer to this one: Do you constitute a good show on audience reaction? Some bands hate it when people don’t move.

DH: I constitute a good show on how much fun we have when we play. Hands down. Uh, I don’t really care if there’s five kids there or 500 kid there…which we’ve never played. But, for me personally- and this is me talking for myself and not for my band- I enjoy a show most when we’re having fun. Yes, the songs that I write are very personal, very serious, but the times when I can sidestep that and just fucking get up there and fuck around and just have a fucking blast- those are the shows that I think are the best. Which is how I feel about

tonight.

RS: Oh, I have an example for you now: Belgium. Terrible fucking show.

DH: The worst! But I loved it.

RS: We had a lot of fun.

DH: Okay, I don’t know what the deal was but this band Blood Redemption labelled it as their record release show and that’s all they labelled it asRS: Not Sinking Ships and Ruiner. Just ‘Blood Redemption release’…no other bands.

DH: They get this giant fuckin’ pro stage, pro light gear- they have boxes on each side of the stage, full of fucking strobe lights. So you’re standing on top of the box playing the guitar with the fucking strobe light and a smoke machine and everything. So we had a blast. We were just running around being ridiculous.

Did you feel like Styx?

DH: We felt like assholes. But we had fun. The three kids that were there and actually knew who the fuck we were seemed stoked, so good for them.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 49 |

Afri-Ska

Words by Curvball

“There is collectively almost 100 years of combined music between us. ” | page 50 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

On the southern tip of Africa is a city that is overshadowed by a mountain known as Table Mountain. This South African city of Cape Town is home to The Rudimentals. This group of musicians have been the forerunners of a unique brand of ska, Afri-ska.

Drawing from African rythmns, the politics of the country and the flavours of the original two-tone genre, the Rudimentals have already released two albums, a DVD in the works and they have been playing some very high profile shows, it is safe to say their future looks bright. Curvball chatted with bassist, Bong, about the band in general.

Curvball: Hi Bong, what’s new in the land of African ska?

Bong: Big things going on. New DVD coming out, lots of high profile gigs and lively up yourself always.

How exactly did the Rudimentals come together?

Ettienne Harris, Barry Clausen and Duane Heydenreych who wanted to play some ska in early 2001, started the band.

They put an ad in the newspaper for a vocalist and Teboes responded. After a jam together, the guys knew they had found the right vocalist. Milandro Mapenga joined them on keys and this was the Rudimentals’ first line up. Thereafter, they hooked up with the brass section and

long time friends, comprising Jody Engelbrecht, Simon Bates and Ross Macdonald, all from the University of Cape Town School of music. Later, in 2003, Milandro left and was replaced by Dirk Meerkotter, and Doctor Mike Levy also joined as lead guitarist. Subsequently Barry left and was replaced by myself on bass. In 2005 Ettienne Harris also left the band and has not been replaced yet.

Ska bands seem to be large bands when it comes to the number of members and you are no different, how many members are there in the Rudimentals and who does what in the band?

We are eight core members at present and we also have a string of guest musicians | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 51 |

that join us from time to time, depending on the event. We are pretty true to form in the ska genre with regard to the big-band thing. The current line-up is: Teboes – Vocals, Duane – Drums, Doc Mike – Lead guitar, Simon – saxophone, Ross – Trombone, Jody – Trumpet, Dirk – keyboards and myself on bass.

Apparently there have been some line-up changes recently. How has this affected the sound of the band?

Well, to start off with, when Barry first left and then Ettienne, the core sound was hard to maintain, what with these two being instrumental in song writing.

But then, after a while things smoothed out and the sound that is currently heard now, came into its own. It’s all about the song-writing and musical structure. The early stuff was very traditional ska and the latest stuff became more musically complicated and arranged. This is a hard question because one cannot always tell or judge whether the sound is better or worse. That is for the fans to decide. We depend on that feedback a lot because that is the deciding factor: What do our fans expect?

The Rudimentals have released two albums to date. Can you tell us when these came out and how the two albums differ from each other? Which album do you prefer?

The first album, “More Fire” had fewer musicians contributing and the sound was influenced more by traditional ska.

The second album “Set It Proper” was more of a search for the African mix and rhythm in the music yet still incorporating the band’s mission to continue to play good ska with our own twist. What better way than to flavour it with our own | page 52 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

traditional sound? This comes through in quite a few of the songs on the new album.

There is no preference; we realize that our sound will go through many volumes in one composition, so it is hard to predict what will come out next.

Have you been pushing your sound to overseas markets such as the US and Europe?

To be honest, we haven’t dedicated much time to actively seek out foreign support/ fans yet. The first album, “More Fire” is about to be released in the UK under the Moonskaworld label. This has been quite a while in the making and thus we have been patient in pursuing international support. We are talking about this, touring overseas, or out of South Africa, that is, but the timing has to be right and justified. We still have a lot of work to do at home, breaking ground here with our sound. The music market is a tough nut here in SA if you are not playing “commercially viable” stuff, and it is the breaking of this barrier is keeping us constantly busy. We know it is hard work, but fun to see it all developing. Also, the gigs here in SA that we have been getting lately, especially over the last two years have had their share of being labelled “high profile”, so this has also contributed to us staying rooted to home and country. But we know that we have to go out there sometime, to measure where we stand in the broader scheme of things.

Do you think the African flavoured ska you play is purely because of geographical reasons? Where do you draw influence?

Aside from local flavours, what other ingredients do you add to your sound to write music as the Rudimentals?

No, the African thing is definitely a pre-

meditated thing on our part. We will explore this some more as we continue to develop new material.

African, or South African melodies are a very soulful melancholic structure of notes that one can only describe as rural happiness. Our country is very diverse and so is our band. The African sound is hinted at in our songs, like in “London Sux” and “Radio Skaweto”, but then we cross that with Ska and a bit of Swing, some Reggae, and throw in some straight out belting Rock just because it sounded right at that point in the song to do that. We all write and contribute to the music, so we always accommodate something different from everyone, sift through that and invent a new song. That is pretty much how our song-writing works. We see it as collaboration from all the members. We draw influence from each other primarily, because there is a multitude of experience in the band. There is collectively almost 100 years of combined music between us. It’s just a matter of tapping into something you learned a few years ago and converting that and changing the beat and rhythm and what-

ever. Then you’ve got your own sound. We try not to sound like anyone else; otherwise one would not be breaking new ground.

That is pretty much also our mission thing. To not sound like anyone else.

When the band started out you shared many

stages with punk bands such as Hog Hoggidy Hog and Fuzigish, do you still find yourselves playing shows and festivals with punk bands in general or have you moved away from this? Why? The gigs we have had of late have been totally out of that genre, but we still | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 53 |

occasionally get the chance to share a stage with our good friends, whom we hold in very high esteem. Most of the festivals in SA are a pretty mixed affair where you will get a total crossover of genres sharing one stage at a fest on one night. First maybe a Punk band, then next up Rock, next up Reggae, next a Hip Hop band, or something like that. The festivals tend to showcase as much diverse talent as possible and audience taste is very diverse as well, so

throughout the country over a four-month period. That was very out of the box for us. The Cell C Sounds of the City was a similar thing except that the music format was much more varied. Somewhere along the line, Mad Caddies came down to Cape Town, our hometown, and we were invited to play with them. It was great! Ditto for UB40. When they came to our country a few months ago, we got to tour the country with them. We played four massive shows with them in the major cities, and it was a blast. It was great to meet them in person.

UB40 have a huge SA following and touring with them taught us a lot and also provided us with mass exposure. We’ve also played at the biggest horse race show in the country, and another huge highlight was being invited to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival earlier this year, as well. That was an awesome event. It is the biggest music event in the country. That was a huge honour for us. It is also one of the biggest jazz events in the world.

Then, just three weeks ago, we shared the stage with Luck Dube, South Africa’s oldest most successful Reggae artist. Just shortly thereafter, a few days ago, he was tragically shot dead in Johannesburg. I think that was his last concert. Our condolences go out to his family. May his soul find peace.

“We shared the stage with Luck Dube, South Africa’s oldest most successful Reggae artist. Just shortly thereafter, a few days ago, he was tragically shot dead...” you will have a Goth who absolutely loves the Rudimentals, or a hardcore metal-head who also appreciates or plays jazz. It’s all very eclectic. We do have plans to play with these bands again, or on shows with a Punk format, that is where our audience base grew from, so we always have the most fun at these gigs.

We have noticed a definite shift though, in that the performance invites that have surfaced has radically changed to a more mainstream, or broader spectrum audience.

You’ve recently been playing some high profile shows, more commercial events.

Tell us about some of them and of course your favourite moments from them.

Okay. We performed at Bassline in Johannesburg alongside some African artists at a mainly African music event. That was for the “Edgar’s” Music Series. These were a series of high profile concerts held | page 54 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Rumour has it some of the band members are professional jazz musicians? True?

That is true. Our brass section all have degrees in Music from the University of Cape Town, and that covers mostly jazz music and classical. The guys still regularly perform jazz concerts when they get a chance.

Having toured the majority of South Africa, do you have plans to play in other countries? Where do you want to go and play? And who would you like to tour with?

Yeah, we would definitely love to get out of here to see the world together but there are a multitude of factors that have to be right for that to happen. I suppose the UK, and Europe would be a great starting place. We understand that there is a lot more happening over there regarding opportunities to perform at big events, but we have our fair share here as well.

As an independent band, finance is also a huge factor, so we have to take that into account as well. It has to be worth our while. All of us hold day jobs, Teboes is an Environmental Scientist, Doc Mike is… well he is a medical doctor, Duane is a Logistics Manager, the brass boys teach

music full time and do studio work, Dirk is a High End Graphic Designer and WebProgrammer as well as a teacher, artist and philosopher, and Bong is a Market Researcher. So, it’s a matter of synchronizing time as well as schedules. Yeah, we would tour with anyone who has a high profile but we will not do anything without a solid plan. It has to be worthwhile in terms of exposure. I think that will be the main criteria for us to just up and leave on a whim.

Anybody you would like to thank?

Yeah. Loads! Critik Shoes, Moskow Clothing, Periphery films, The South African National Botanical Institute (seriously!) for letting us perform at Kirstenbosch and produce and launch our DVD there over a two-year period. Big Concerts, UB40, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Fuzigish, Awesome Africa, The City of Cape Town Local Government, Celeb SA, Lucky Dube, Cell C, Manenberg’s Jazz Café, Zula Bar - our second home, Roots in Observatory, Liam the sound engineer, Dylan and Antonio, also sound engineers, for always giving us a good mix when they are around, Ettienne, Barry and Milandro – Hope we can make you proud. The South African Rugby Team. They kicked ass!! All the bands we have shared a stage with – you know who you are.

The list goes on, but we will limit it to that at the moment.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 55 |

Come one, Come All! This is the Creepshow

Words by TIM DRUNK.

We really needed to find the right band to feature so we could base some questions around Halloween, and the one band that many people have been talking about is The Creepshow. We checked ‘em out, saw they liked zombies, ghosts and other Halloween type things and we were sold. Much like an unsuspecting screech from a banshee, the sound of The Creepshow whipped us off our feet. And damn, they’ve got some brilliant songs too. After we got back to our feet, we sent Tim Drunk to find out more about their latest music video, losing their front woman to a child, touring, and Halloween.

Sean otherwise known as Sickboy, The Creepshow’s bassist, was kind enough to talk to Tim Drunk.

Tim Drunk: Hi Sean or would you prefer Sickboy? So you have just finished filming a video. How did it all go? Could you tell us about the shoot and which song you were shooting it for?

Sean/Sickboy: Hey there, either name is fine! Yes, we just shot a video for our song “The Garden”, it is pretty much just a performance video... no real story line... just us playing in different, creepy lookin’ backgrounds... should look really cool.

| page 56 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

’Sell Your Soul’ is your latest release and it is sounding really good. What is the secret of Creepshows sound? Is it the mixture of blood and bat wings?

Definitely about 50% blood and bat wings mixed with elements of rockabilly, psychobilly, 50’s rock n roll, and punk rock. There is no real secret to our sound.

We just don’t want to sound like anyone else... that’s the main ingredient.

With Halloween only a few days away

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 57 |

now, you must be excited? Any plans?

Very excited! We have a whole bunch of shows booked! Chatham, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa. And then a secret show that will be announced this Friday. We are working hard on the live show for these upcoming dates.

Your front lady, Hellcat, isn’t touring with you at the moment, apparently she has taken maternity leave? How is she doing?

She’s doing great! She had a beautiful baby girl named Lilly-Mae and Hellcat is enjoying being a mommy now.

Has her sister, Sarah Sin, (is it really her sister?) managed to fill the shoes of her big sister?

Sarah has been amazing. She actually enjoys touring more than her sister, which has allowed the band to be on the road a lot more. This is the first fullband she has ever played with, so it took her a little while to get used to being a front woman, but as soon as she was ready, we hit the road, and after gaining some experience, she kills it and has become an amazing front woman. We couldn’t be happier.

By the sounds of things, Hellcat has lost her spot in the band?

In between tours, Hellcat, the band, and Sarah Sin, we all sat down, and decided that it would work out better for all of us if The Creepshow continued with Sarah on lead vocals. Hellcat will start her own solo act, Hellcat and the Prowl.

There are no bad feelings between us, and we wish her the best.

| page 58 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

Surely having an attractive front woman makes a difference, and I’m not saying Hellcat or Sarah Sin ain’t good lookin’, I’m just saying...

It definitely doesn’t hurt... sound guys are a lot nicer it seems, when you have an attractive front woman. Sometimes we have to worry about creepy dudes hangin’ around too much, and sometimes it gets a little tense in the van around a certain time of the month... but other than that, it’s pretty awesome!

So how did the band come together?

Please don’t tell me you all met trick or treating... Or worse bobbing for apples...

Hellcat and I are old friends, and started writing some songs together, it seemed really easy to write together. Once we had a few under our belt, we added another old friend, Ginty on the keyboards and found our drummer Matt on the internet.

Now pyschobilly has a certain look that most bands adhere to, what are you doing that makes you standout from the crowd (aside from brilliant catchy songs!)?

We are more concerned about our sound than our look. A lot of bands are trying to sound like Demented Are Go, and the Meteors. We really wanted to do something that is completely new, and has a sound all its own.

So you’re heading towards the UK soon and you’re playing with Demented Are Go – I take it you, as a band, are fans of Demented? Who else are you play-

ing with on your tour and where are you going?

Yes, we are big fans of Demented. We got to play a few shows with them on our last European tour. They are all really nice guys! On this tour, we play London with Demented are Go, and a festival in Birmingham with the Meteors. All the other shows we are headlining, and playing with local bands. Later on in December, we go back to Germa-

ny, and play five shows on Mad Sin’s “20 years of Sin Tour.”

Anything else you’d like to add?

Yes, we are touring our nuts off. So make sure you go to our websites, and checkout when we are coming to your town! www.myspace.com/thecreepshow or www.thecreepshow.org

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 89 |

REVIEWS

Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

Energy

Operation Ivy (Rancid)

What started in a garge back in 1987 quickly became one of the most influential sounds of punk of the modern era. The band, Operation Ivy. Much like many bands who have left their mark on history, this band was short lived, as they broke up two years later in 1989. Members of this ska/punk collectieve moved on and have continued to produce some of the finest punk material today. Reasons for them splitting came down to numerous thngs, but essentianly the hype got to them and they opted to bow out gracefully keeping their ideals and ethics firmly intact.

During their two year existence the only recorded 28 songs which were put out on ‘Hectic’ their first EP and a month prior to the implosion they released their only full length album, ‘Energy’. | page 62 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

It is now wonder that today people still hold the name of Operation Ivy in such high regard. The music speaks for it’s self and even 18 years later, it still sounds as fresh as the day as it was recorded.

‘Unity’, ‘Caution’, ‘Freeze up’, ‘Take Warning’ and ‘Sound System’ are just a few of the athems these East Bay punks have left us with.

Originally re-released in 2001 on LookOu! records, Energy has now returned to it’s righful owners and released now on Rancid Records. ...and if you interested the members of Operation Ivy were Jesse Michaels, Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman and Dave Mello, you can work out the rest. ~ Tim Drunk.

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS

The Boss Harmony Sessions

ROAD TO RAMPTION

(Rockers Revolt)

(Nowhere)

The Slackers

A sweetly fine offering from one of New York’s finest exports in the ska, reggae, rocksteady flowing output. This release will catch some fans off guard.

Having departed Hellcat the record has been produced as a mixtape fleamarket offering with much guidance from LA DJ Boss Harmony adding his skills with added effects, production and guidance. The Sessions include covers, old tracks redone and new tracks but manages to offer a sample of the Slackers live where they are so very very special. Let them intrude your personal space with a gem of a record. ~ Steve Slack.

Anti-Nowhere League You’re probably going to be one of those punk fans who either like Anti-Nowhere League or you think they’re a waste of space.

Well, I must be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of this band, but this album sure has me hooked. Lyrically it is superb taking you on a story over it’s 16 track length. Call it a concept album if you wish, but there are some tasty hooks that will slap you sideways, an abundance of choruses crafted for you to singalong to - especially after a drink or four. The best part of the album? I’d say track 12, ‘My God is Bigger than your god”. ~ Tim Drunk.

Alexa Artiste Trashed Idols (DropOut)

So Daniel Dart produced this EP from Trashed Idols, what does that mean? For starters it sounds really good, there are hints of the Time Again influence but you’ll also hear some Clash in there and the odd moments of Rancid inspiration. Enough with the comparisons, Trashed Idols are onto some fun rocking punk, and it really gets you going and will make you want to see them live. The title track is catchy as fuck but at the same time raw enough to remain cool. This is the theme that present thought the six song EP. I honestly think their full length will be a must have album. ~ Tim Durnk. | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 63 |

REVIEWS

Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

All Yeastin’ Cider

Summer Dreams

Held Down to Vinyl... at last!

(Dead)

(BurningHeart)

(CherryBomb)

Left for Dead

Guitar heavy, described as old skool but with tracks that are mostly four minutes long. And not as fast paced as I would have hoped, with rough and readiness thrown in the mix. For a band that’s been playing more than a decade it remains Oi sounding and British with distinct signs of trying to move with the times. ~ Mr Noble.

| page 64 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

The Accidents Combining the abrasiveness of the 77 era punk rock with 50s rock and roll, this Swedish four piece, manages to find its own identity within a world of coat-tail hanger ons. With neat licking guitars and gruff vocals, its an album that grew on me with its catalogue of diverse, fun, fast paced rock and fucking roll. . ~ Stevo.

The Guana Batz

The re-release of the first ever LP from the psychobilly heroes has been out of print for many years.

It also includes 3 bonus tracks taken from an early maxi single and is part of Cherry Reds ongoing collectors series.

Kwiffs, bass, high pitched shrieks in the middle of good ol’ fashioned 80s Psycho. ~ Steve BubbleBeeTuna.

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS

QUICKIES

No Justice BillyClub

(CultJam) Bringing the spirit of 77 is much talked about, but rarely delivered. This is is straight up, leave your self indulgent guitar wanking at home punkrock-infused metal (ala Motorhead). Short simple songs aggressive and edgy. If this record, as they often do, has failed to capture their intensity and sound live, bring ear muffs and shoulder pads.. ~ AggroSteve.

S/T

The Machines Another ex 77 band that has reformed. As there was such a plethora of bands in punks heyday, many will have escaped the media radar. The Machines managed some notoriety in their day, but this sounds dated and will very much please the middle aged punks holding on to flashback memories.

In terms of the future of punk rock, this wont win many young fans over. ~ Steve77.

Chaos UK Total Chaos: The Singles Collection 19 tracks of Chaos UK, pretty standard catalogue material, check it out if you’re fan or if you’re curious, it’s punk rock, raw and real.

Thrice Alchemy Index I & II These experimental posthardcore punks are doing the concept thing based on the four elements with part I and II dealing with fire and water respectively. interesting, but fairly run of the mill.

TRAP THEM Seance Prime A great EP by these hardcore rockers. It’s brutal, so not for the faint hearted.

Try it, if you feel a little dark.

VISUAL OFFENCE S/T They playing with the Unseen in the UK, this is an old release, so go see ‘em and tell us about them. | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 65 |

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS DVDs

My and my people Spermbirds Perhaps they’re the European gods of skatepunk, but whatever you choose to call the Spermbirds, they’re always going to remain one of the most importnat punk bands of the 80s. In this double disc DVD you’re in for a treat with interviews with the band members, footage from some of their tours such as their 2005 tour of South Africa with the 2nd disc providing an 80 minute live set recorded infront of 1500 fans. If you don’t know much about this band, grab a copy and find out more about the Spermbirds and their friends, their people, and you, their new fan~ Tim Drunk

BOOKs

PUNK ROCK DAD

By Jim Lindberg

For most of us punkers, the idea of settling down and having a normal family life is aberrant. The idea of losing our freedom and becoming a role model to impressionable kids whilst running around giving the finger to authority seems incomprehensible. Jim Lindberg once thought the same but these days he has three girls who he is trying to guide through life.

‘Punk Rock Dad’ provides the reader with an offstage insight into the Pennywise front man’s life and his daily battle to balance the ideals of an aging punk rock anarchist with providing ground rules and stability for his three daughters. Peppered with laugh-out-loud anecdotes about everything from childbirth to tantrums in the supermarket, soccer games with a hangover to teaching kids to ‘share’, and everything in between, Punk Rock Dad keeps you entertained until the very last page. Throughout the book you have an enormous sense of Jim’s unconditional love for his family and leave with the notion that although his living with four females may be at the very least taxing, he simply | page 66 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

R E V I E WS Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

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Punktastic Internationale

Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, London, UK (7 October 2007)

This was yet another fantastic punk show run by Clive of Daggers Punk.

Command 9mm from Spain were a last minute addition to the line-up and went on first. My immediate impression was “ohhh, they’re fast”. Classic punk rock style with lyrics in English and Spanish, and a pregnant guitarist, they did their set straight through taking no prisoners.

One of the highlights of the day for me, they really deserved a higher placing up the bill.

The Ipswich contingent were out in Full force for covers band Suspect Device and the ever popular Red Flag 77. I personally was not overly taken with these two, but they entertained the masses well.

London lads, Mad Mush gave their slightly lighter style to the proceedings, getting us ready for what was to come.

Another highlight was Dead Identities, who I had also not seen before, and I thought they played a tight set, even with having to switch guitars half way through. Will definitely be up for seeing them again.

Dun2Def? Well, what can I say? If you haven’t caught these guys yet then you definitely should. High-energy madness with great crowd interaction and thoroughly entertaining.

Right... The French. So what to say about the Hate Pinks? I had listened on-line to some of their stuff and thought it was quite good, but seeing them live I found the sound a little hurried and couldn’t quite make out the vocals clearly. I might need to see them again to make up my mind once and for all, but they went down very well with the rest of the audience, their style was a little more rock n’ roll compared to most of the line-up, and I’m not too sure about the pink vest and neckerchief combo.

Demob took to the stage and owned it, as is their usual style, and played an energetic tight set of old favourites and new material ending with the classic “White Riot”. They definitely got the crowd fired up after what had already been a very long day, and their performance had not lost any edge from having played in Ramsgate the night before. One of my favourite live punk bands of the year.

So after a seven hour wait it was time for The Briefs. Now rumour has it that this tour will be their last time in the UK, and really hope it’s not true, as after tonight I would love to see them again. They took the stage and the energised crowd surged forward. They gave a sharp fast paced show and after a bit of coaxing , an encore too. In my own words “squeaking bouncy fun”, and if you know me then you know that is a good thing.

Everyone went away at the end of the night thoroughly knackered, but very happy.

Others in attendance that night were The | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 67 |

RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

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Duel, Saxby from The Warriors (ex Last Resort) and Steve Bruce from Cock Sparrer. ~ Eggle.

All pics on this page © Gemma Eggle/LibraSnake Photography | page 68 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS

3rd London Tattoo Convention

THE OLD TRUMAN BREWERY London, UK (5/6/7 October 2007)

People can argue and debate it, but personally I feel tattoo’s and punk go hand in hand, and, ironically enough in present day, they both have so much mainstream appeal.

As any fan of ink will tell you, the 3rd London Tattoo Convention was an event you couldn’t miss. Nowhere can one find such beautifully coloured people from all cultures all in one place who share a

common bond. Held at the Old Truman Brewery, the building was crawling with tattoos, some brand new, some from the past. With three floors of stalls from everything from clothing through to girls, tattoo machines to body jewellery, it was all here. The goths, the punks, the metalheads, the average joe, the psycho’s and the freaks, everybody was present, all wanting to catch a glimpse of each others body art.

With over 150 artists present, it would take you all of the three days to actually truly appreciate all the artwork on display.

Some of the most notable artists present included Phil Kyle, Paul Booth, Filip Leu, Bugs, Joe Capobianco and many others.

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 69 |

RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

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Aside from the main attractions, the event also played host to the international phenomenon known as Sabina Kelley, whose burlesque dance performance was breathtaking to say the least.

With so much happening over the course of the three days it was tough to keep up with everything but other special moments included the ArtFusion session and the Les Soeurs Tribales dancers.

If you missed the event this year, be sure to pencil the 2008 event into you diary, because whether you’re interested in tattoo’s or not, it is a visual experience that will stay with you for many months. ~ TattooJim.

| page 70 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS Bad Brains © Willa

Bad Brains

tial disciples here tonight as it’s a long time since BB were entertaining in the capital and the first time they have showcased Build A Nation. You have to be on the ball as one minute you’re chilling out to extended heavy dub beats and then in a flash you’re eating 60 seconds of blinding hardcore completely by-passing punk and back again. The old ROIR slammers are the real pleasers – ‘Sailin’ On’, ‘Regulator’, ‘Banned In DC’ are duly delivered in a frightful blur. They leave us with the song that made hardcore – ‘Pay To Cum’ – “the right to sing, the right to dance, the right is ours we’ll take the chance”. Universal Peace may be a long way off but while there’s Bad Brains there will always be Natty Dreads ‘pon the Mountain Top. For now they leave us with boos ringing in their ears because they only played for an hour and the crowd wanted more... Jah more. ~ Herbert

(16 October 2007)

Rezillos Islington Academy, London, UK

When H.R. comes on looking like a camp version of Mullah Omah after a visitation from the spirit if Rock n Jah you know there is no point in trying to second guess the inspiration, politics or religion of Bad Brains. Nevertheless, a message of peace and ‘luv’ from Washington DC to the London faithful can’t be a bad ting if the crowd respond by going joyously apeshit. OK so that’s the main problem with preaching, it’s mainly to the converted.

However, there will be a few new poten-

I’m not jumping on the bandwagon of pretending I love rugby just cos England won a couple of matches which is why when I found myself in Bordeaux on the night of the France/England semi-final, I was hiding in the Eat n Soul bar where they pay vinyl on an old gramophone and the menu is written on old soul LP’s by people with names like Anita Baker, Bobby Womack and Millie Jackson – I know, it sounds desperate doesn’t it. So I wasn’t

Astoria, London, UK

(20 October 2007)

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 71 |

RE V I E W S Don’t take our word for it, make up your own mind!

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going to change tack when it came to the following weeks England/South Africa final. There was only one place to hide – go and see a Scottish band and luckily the Rezillos are in town.

There was a frankly bizarre bad taste faux scare immediately before they came on as an announcement was made that due to an incident involving mental breakdown and hospitals, Fay and Eugene wouldn’t be appearing. Instead we would be entertained by an acoustic folk set followed by the remaining members of the band playing a few Rezillos numbers. Given the earlier entertainment had been from a 20 legged, 10 hat ska troupe followed by a female fronted Scottish goth broth concluding with a rendition of Sanctuary such a conclusion wouldn’t have exactly been the desired outcome.

Fortunately that was all a load of bollocks and on came the full Rezillos ready for a proper mental beat and straight into Can’t Stand My Baby. The old songs were on Top Of The Pops and the new songs stand proud, I’ve been singing ‘Yesterday’s Tormentor’ all week “Get out of my face, You’re a waste of space, Get off of my case, You complete disgrace”. Then there are the covers. ‘White Light White Heat’ fairly unnecessary but ‘River Deep Mountain High’ is pop sensation and could see Fay appearing at the Eat n Soul café some time soon. The group that literally take you into space with ‘Flying Saucer Attack’ and ‘Destination Venus’ and down

| page 72 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

to earth with fighting in the dancehalls…

‘Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonite’. I think it was England. ~ Herbert

Anti-Nowhere League / Strawberry Blondes Underworld, London, UK (26 October 2007)

An ominous start to the evening as the doors remain closed for an hour after advertised start time and candles in bottles light the World’s End above. Power is restored and a relatively sparse crowd witness an energetic set from Strawberry Blondes. Disappointing given we might have hoped for a younger crowd from the new generation to lap up this impersonation of Rancid impersonating The Clash as their own. Looks like the Blondes are going to have to blag every major gig like their Gold Blade heroes if they are going to draw the breakthrough following their latest album says they merit. Songs like ‘Rise Up’, ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Rip It Up’ are certainly send out the call to arms that trumpet their intent.

A considerably swollen crowd greets The League but when they have played ‘I Hate People’, ‘Let’s Break The Law’ and ‘So Wha’t in the first part of the set you are wondering what they have left to hit us with. Then you remember gem after gem ‘Fucked Up and Wasted’ here ‘Dead Heroes’ there and ‘We Will Not Remember

> ALBUMS > EPs > BOOKS > GIGS

Strawberry Blondes © Herbert

here and we’re doing it” – They are The League. ~ Herbert

Sex Pistols Experience / The Delinquents 100 Club, London, UK (27 October 2007)

Well, well, back at the 100 Club for another Sex Pistols Experience show, and what a special one it would be. Not only would it serve as the warm up show for the real thing in two weeks but this evening would also mark the 30 year anniversary (aren’t you getting a little tired of that phrase?) of the release of Never Mind the Bollocks.

The turn out seemed a little dismal to begin with but a few drinks in and the place was feeling a little more lively with more bodies floating around. First up for the evening were the Delinquents led by one Mr Steve Dior. For a better part of 30 You’ from the first album vaults. This is minutes they played their Rolling Stones the “Road to Rampton” album tour and tainted style rock n roll, and although it so we get a few tasters from the new al- was good listening, one got the feeling bum like ‘Unwanted’ and ‘Medication’ that the punters gathered weren’t really – all good stuff. And if you think maturity into it. comes with the age think again as we mix Soon after, the ‘Sex Pistols’ took to the the school-ground chant of “ner ner ner stage and proceeded to deliver all the Lesssongs Thaneverybody Jake © Less Steve wantedthan to hear.

I’m ner ner ner” with the resurrection of the not going to list ‘em, because if you don’t ‘Landlord Is A Wanker’ and climax with ‘Fuck Around The Clock’. The ANWL can know them by now… go grab yourself never be quite categorised and never quite a copy of Never Mind the Bollocks. All tamed as shown by two blinding encores round a good night at the 100 Club, next of six and three songs respectively. “You stop, Brixton Academy for the real ‘Piscriticise us you say we’re shit but we’re up tols. ~ Tim Drunk

| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 73 |

under the radar with FungalPunk OMD.

Shadowcops

Recently hailed by none other than my good self as ‘the best band in Manchester’ The Shadowcops’ infectious blend of village destroying riffs and shit kickin’ punk rock n’ roll has really been turning heads on the local scene over the past few months. With their latest EP ‘Ready When you Are’ starting to really take off and further recording imminent, I caught up with the boys, singer/guitarist Nathan, drummer Mackle, bassist Mike A, and singer/guitarist Mike P for a chat about the last 3 years and their plans for the present and the future.

| page 74 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

In 30 years mooching about on the punk scene I can truly say that the wall of noise you bring about has its own unique identity that I find difficult to compare to anything else. What are your influences and when composing a song what are the main targets you try to achieve?

Nathan: Music-wise anything can happen. It might be me or Mike (Pollitt) turning up to practice with a fully completed song, Mackle locking himself in his riff room or everyone throwing their ideas in. Whatever happens, it always ends up a Shadowcops song with as much energy packed in as possible. Lyrically, I’ve just got the one rule: No songs about girls or anything exclusively about politics.

If I’ve got something to say I try and make it subtle.

Mike P: I think the uniqueness comes from the fact that our music encompasses so many different genres and styles. Although inherently based around the punk rock spirit, ethos and energy it’s somewhat more elaborate than the basic ‘three chords and the truth’ format. I suppose that the fact we all have such an eclectic range of influences helps to bring these different elements to the mix to create fine punk rock tunes. We all, for example, grew up in the mid-late 1990s and thus you can definitely hear elements of the British rock music which was prominent at that time, such as the Wildhearts or Therapy? The fact is that our influences might range from Muddy Waters to Magazine, or Little Richard to Leatherface, meaning that with so many different elements being drawn upon, we can always write a varied mix of tuneful songs which don’t sound too alike.

“We just whore out our services, simple really.”

Hailing from the North-West how do you find trying to get gigs and compete in an area awash with talent and bands?

Nathan: There are some really down to earth, regular-types promoting and generally doing good things for bands and, as long as there’s people like that about who share our eth| NOVEMBER 2007 | page 75 |

under the radar with FungalPunk OMD. ics, then bands like us can get on with what we like doing. It’s all about the love of decent music for me. We’re not trying to compete against anyone.

Mike P: Like Nathan says, it’s not seen as a competition – at least not with anyone we are involved with – and Manchester has quite a receptive and inclusive punk scene where most people will try and help you out. Gigs aren’t usually a problem around here, though it does get more difficult when trying to expand and get gigs further a-field – mainly because all 4 of us are proper shit at organizing it... usually cos we’re in the fucking pub! As a wise man once said “there’s a drinking culture in this band and it needs stamping out”.

Mackle: We just whore out our services, simple really.

Tell us about your individual greatest musical moments so far and what as a band has been your zenith?

Mike A: I don’t think we’ve had a zenith as such, but these here bones know something’s a comin! Personally I think 2008 could really be our year and see us take some big boy steps instead of sneaking on tip toes like some Russian ballerina who doesn’t eat properly and was forced into ballet training because the world is too fucked up to give someone money otherwise. My favourite moments are when someone comes and talks to me even though they’ve never met me and we just seem to be on the same page. There’s been a few people like that we’ve encountered and they really make all the difference.

Mackle: Appreciation after a gig that’s all you can ask for, and maybe a fuck if we’re lucky. | page 76 | NOVEMBER 2007 |

The gigs I have seen you play so far are usually to mixed audiences with young and old alike appreciative of what you do. How is the feedback regarding the band and what plans do you have to spread the Shadowcops word further afield?

Nathan: Taking into consideration all our personalities, I don’t think any of us are the pushy type so I like to think that if we were to get anywhere in terms of coverage and fan base then it would just be because we’re a decent band with decent tunes. Saying that though, I’m happy when someone comes up to me at the end of a gig and shakes my hand and tells me that they enjoyed us.

Mike A: To be honest I like to think we have a good appreciation and a fine delivery of rock music which can skip across generations. Well, maybe not skip, or if it did skip there’d be grenades involved; either way suits me fine. As for plans, we’ve got some offers for 7” splits which will hopefully be kicking about in the next 6 months or so which will be a good change of pace. Plus we’re looking to finally getting a UK tour going so we can spread the seed in every town we go; maybe even branch out to Ireland. We had some mates go over and they had a laugh. Aside from that, I’d love to have an album. I like the bigger challenge of having to make a record that can sustain someone’s interest for that long!

The punk circuit at the moment is the most diverse I have ever seen it and bands can be a hit at one gig and flop at the next due to them not ‘fitting in’ with the nights style. What sub-genre are you most comfortable playing within or are

you quite prepared to give it a go at any gig.

Mike P: For me a gig’s a gig I’m afraid, and I’ll play anything! Obviously you’re going to enjoy and be more suited to certain line-ups and venues, and there are some unscrupulous promoters who make no effort to maintain such standards. We’ve played metal nights, indie nights… we even supported eternal teenagers Wheatus last month ha ha! Having said that, with each of these we always just play the usual numbers and it’s always in the back of my mind to try to convert at least a few to the punk rock cause!

Mike A: We don’t really have a sub-genre to be honest. We seem to sit quite well with the Rockers crowd but I still get a feeling that sometimes it’s a bit too harsh for some of their tastes, and with the punk scene we generally get huge appreciation once they’ve seen us play but few seem up for just giving us a listen based on our description. Personally I’m prepared to give anything a go, even the much despised ‘emmey-screamy-miney-mo’ gigs with the gallons of fringes. Worth a pop isn’t it?

Mackle: I think as a band due to our wide range of influences we can mix it up with most crowds.

Finally what are the main driving forces behind The Shadowcops and what ambitions both musically and personally do you guys have.

Mike P: Ambitions at moment are pretty much to really get going off the ground and find a bit of exposure and opportunities to let our music do the talking. We are of course looking for labels and management/PR who might be interested in helping us release the wealth of material we have in our arsenal, and find the right gigs in the right places, but other than this it’s to keep up the standard of song writing and to keep receiving the sort of critical acclaim we are doing.

Mackle: I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was alcohol, so I’ll say it’s alcohol. Some bands would rather spend an hour in front of the mirror where as we’d rather spend an hour rocking it out, I think you can see which side our bread is buttered on.

Nathan: At a risk of repeating myself, it’s all about the songs. As long as The Shadowcops keep coming up with the kind of material we’re knocking out at the moment I’ll be proud to call myself a member. | NOVEMBER 2007 | page 77 |

Words & Photos by Less Than Steve

a punk band Pursuing a career as daunting st mo the of e can be on as far as the t challenges around, bu coast of the st ea the four punks from er Soldiers USA known as Care t needs to be go, it is a challenge tha gth album hit len l done. Their 2nd ful back and s ek we few the streets a em to be on even though they se Tim Drunk r, one continuous tou with founding up tch managed to ca n, Jake, about member and front ma Skynyrd and playing guitar, Lynyrd ambulances.

Tim Drunk: Hey Jake, what’s the band been up to lately?

Jake: We just played a few shows this weekend with Youth Brigade and Monster Squad. Both shows were a lot of fun.

You’ve recently put out your 2nd full length titled, Loss of Words.

How has this been received?

Really good. We weren’t sure if kids were going to like it because it is a little different from our first album, but we’ve gotten a really good response from everyone so far which is awesome.

Like many punk bands, Career Soldiers are no strangers to touring.

Do you feel it is important to be on the road? Why? Yeah, (touring is) really important.

Not only is it crucial to tour for the | page 78 | OCTOBER 2007 |

This is our scene Career Soldiers

| OCTOBER 2007 | page 79 |

is bands sake, but the experience itself e unlike any other. I strongly encourag lot. a learn you use beca tour to s band on After all the shit we went through ive this last tour I think we could surv anything. a What was your worst moment on tour? we We’ve got a lot, ha ha. The last tour did this summer with Lower Class Brats or I think we broke down at least nine We . here now of le midd the in s time 10 had so many van problems that we’re now thousands of dollars in debt. Our original van broke down the first week of tour in Boise, Idaho and we were stranded there for a few days. We had to miss two shows and eventually leave ed the van there because it was so fuck up. We found a used ambulance and bought that to finish the tour. The amso bulance was a piece of shit. We had top To . thing that with lems many prob or it off there was no air conditioning windows in it and we had five more say, weeks of tour to go. Needless to le driving across the south in the midd in of August with no AC, no windows, y an ambulance that barely runs is prett rough. beThe sound of street punk seems to t inen prom more and coming more to again, do you think it is a reaction last all the screamo/emo music of the s? few year it Based on what we’ve been seeing as seems like street punk is not nearly A prominent as it was a few years ago. have e genr that in know lot of bands we broken up, and it seems like a lot of people are starting to do the ‘77 rock and roll thing. | page 80 | OCTOBER 2007 |

Do you see Career Soldiers as a band that will help push the street punk sound to high levels?

I honestly have no idea. I see us as four ic kids who love playing punk rock mus and that’s it.

As a street style punk band, where have s Career Soldiers drawn their influence ? from es Anything that’s fast, angry, and com y from the heart. We listen to a prett influ been I’ve ic. mus of e rang wide The like s band ” punk et “stre enced from s Unseen all the way to hardcore band like Converge. There are so many good bands in the punk/hardcore genre that you can’t listen to only one type. beDo you have a particular agenda hind your music? Many bands use their music to convey their thoughts on polire tics, others sing about religion. Whe ally lyric from come iers Sold do Career speaking? on We always write about whatever is n dow sit r neve We . time the at s out mind t and say, “Okay, we need a song abou this, and a song about that.” Whether s it’s politics, religion, or personal issue r neve it’s ic, mus our in that comes out a pre-determined agenda. I think when you do that it slows the creative proc d soun sic s/mu lyric es mak ess down and weak and watered down.

The band started out as a three piece ls. with yourself on guitar and voca ls Why the move from guitars and voca ls? voca to just r We thought live shows would be bette as a four piece. Being a three piece and If putting on a good live show is tough.

you have someone who is just singing, they can interact with the crowd more which is what we are all about.

Do you find yourself stil l pla in recordings or have you ying guitar completely put the guitar down wh en it comes to Career Soldiers?

I’ll never put the guitar down. I still write a lot of the guitar for diers, I just don’t play it Career Sollive or on recordings. I did play dru ms on this last recording though. Our dru mmer at the time quit shortly before we recorded and we didn’t know any one who could do it. Ryan, Ricky and I practiced every day with me on drums so we could get the recording done on tim e.

If you got a chance, wh ich one nonpunk band, pop act, wo uld you share a stage with? Would you ever consider writing a song with som ebody like Eminem or Britney Spears?

Fuck no. That would be horrible. If

I got to share the stage wit punk act though, it would h one nondefinitely be Lynyrd Skynyrd when the main dudes in that band were still aliv e. the greatest rock ‘n roll ban They were d of all time.

Ronnie Van Zant - Rest In Peace!

Okay, all jokes aside, any pla with some of your fav ns to work ourite bands in the future aside from touring with them?

Not as of now. Mark fro m and I have always talked the Unseen about starting up a band though, we’ve got written but nothing record a few songs ed.

With the idea of punk hav varied meaning to so ma ing such a ny, what does punk mean to Career Sol diers?

Being yourself regardless of what anyone else says or does.

Any final words of wisdom you’d like to share with us?

Skate and Destroy. | OCTOBER 2007 | page 81 |

A few of my favourite things...

Tomas Lindberg The Great Deceiver

1. Favourite all time band: Velvet Underground

2. Favourite: ‘77 punk band: The Heartbreakers

3. Favourite drink: Indian pale ale

4. Favourite food: Pasta Putanesca (spicy)

5. Favourite book: East of Eden by John Steinbeck 6. Favourite album: Over the Edge by The Wipers

7. Favourite movie: Goodfellas

8. Favourite item of furniture: my bed

9. Favourite pet you had when you were a kid: cat

10. Favourite past time aside music: Read/Travel/Family “Life Is Wasted On The Living” is now out on DeathWish Inc.