LET'S GO PUNK!

More to come...

2009-03-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

Hey there
Just to let you know that I am putting together a new, improved list of 20 Questions. I will be sending it out to unsuspecting bands from all over the globe and bringing the insightful, witty and sometimes silly replies to you as I get them.
If you have any questions that you think I should ask then please feel free to post them on here as replies....I will happily pinch, pilfer and plagiarize any good suggestions!!
Thanks for looking in...

Johnnyboy....

20 Questions with....the Subhumans

2009-03-14T02:15:00.000-07:00

Band Name? Subhumans
Where from? Wiltshire
Members? Dick Bruce Phil Trotsky
Going since? 1980-1985, and 1998-now
Other names considered? Superhumans [!]
Influences? Early punk, King Crimson, Discharge, Cardiacs
1st song written? Minority
Last song written? Mosquitoes
Favourite cover by you or other band? Banshees doing ‘20th century boy’
CD, tape or vinyl? Tape, easiest way to compile music, or vinyl for the room for artwork
Favourite take-out food? indian
Favourite drink? Jack daniels
Tattoos or piercings? None. At all. I think we may be the last unmarked band on the planet
Favourite live band? Anima Mundi
Favourite place to play? outdoors
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? Mrs Mills on piano, Lee Scratch Perry on vocals, the Circle Jerks drummer and Metallica’s guitarist, why? To see what they’d come up with given 3 prepaid hours in a studio
Meat or two veg? 496 veg and no death please waiter
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? Drink? Thanks very much
Any advice for people just starting bands? Ignore all critics -and get a van sorted out
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? Get some fresh air before they bottle it and stick it on Ebay; don’t forget the world is full of people who don’t know what Ebay is and have to walk to find fresh water every day

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:-
www.citizenfish.com
www.infowars.com
www.bbc5.tv

20 Questions with....The Zero Point

2009-03-14T01:59:00.000-07:00

Band Name? THE ZERO POINT
Where from? Aarhus, Denmark
Members? Anders Snotbeam: Guitar & Backing vocals Søren Lærkegaard: Bass Christian Svenningsen: Drums Steen Thomsen: Vocal & Guitar……… and it is me who am doing this interview ;-)
Going since? I originally formed the band in 1979 and we went on to 1987 and then split. Then I reformed the band in 2002…………. I just needed to kick some ass…. BADLY!!Søren, Anders and I have been together since 2003. Christian have just joint us on the drums and we are really happy that he is part of our family now. He adds a new dimension to the sound and I think that we have never sounded better than now…… but who am I to judge.

Other names considered? The first idea was THE RATS and then we came up with THE LAST RESORT…… but at last we settled on THE ZERO POINT. We have never done a gig or even rehearsed under any other name.
Influences? The very early Punk Rock scene. Bands like: Sex Pistols, Ramones, Damned, Clash, Dead Boys, Heartbreakers, X-Ray Spex, Slaughter & The Dogs, New York Dolls. Misfits, Stiff Little Fingers.Now we are listening to a lot of different stuff. We all really like Rancid, Dropkick Murphys and Lars Fredriksens solo stuff, Stigma, Disasters. Anders and I are really on a hard core trip right now you know bands like: Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front and Madball.
1st song written? “JOIN THE ARMY” was the very first song that we did. You will be able to hear it on the “HOOLIGANS WITH CHEAP GUITARS” CD………. It´s really crappy…. BUT how we sounded at that time!
Last song written? “1 – 2 FUCK YOU!” at least that’s the last song recorded. We recorded it on our last U.K. tour and it features Fish (THE SKEPTIX, SECTION 5, DISCHARGE, HEADCLINIC) on lead guitar and backing vocals. But real soon we will start writing new stuff for the next CD.

Favourite cover by you or other band? Must be “Chinese Rocks”……. With an “s”!!
CD, tape or vinyl? For me it’s CD´s, but I still buy some vinyl…….. actually I really love collecting Punk Rock!!
Favourite take-out food? Depends on the mood but Pizza is always good. In the UK we fucking L-U-V Indian food…. And the local chip shop!
Favourite drink? Beer, Real Ale, single malt whisky…………… and I just love Cherry Coke… but you really can’t get it in Denmark………. GET SOME TASTE YOU DANISH BASTARDS!!! Ha!
Tattoos or piercings? Tattoos!! All of us got them……. Ehhhhh….. except Anders, he is still a nice clean canvas ;-)
Favourite live band? Ha! Ha! Absolutely US!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! We enjoy doing it SO much!!I have seen a lot of great shows, some of my favourites have been: Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Stranglers, Generation X, Slaughter & The Dogs, The Clash…….. but there really have been a lot!!
Favourite place to play? Anywhere they want us!!....... We just love doing it!!! We really like touring. We got a LOT of sweet memories of the UK and we want to go back real sooooooon!!! But we enjoy doing different countries…… so really any where they want us!!!
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! That’s not really fair to do things like that is it?? There are so many great musicians out there!! Well anyway lets give it at shot:
JOHNNY RAMONE, STEVE JONES & JOHNNY THUNDERS are some of my favourite guitar slingers. MATT FREEMAN from Rancid is a monster of a bass player and I am a really huge fan of his work!!The most impressive drummer I have EVER seen is RONNIE TUTT probably the greatest ever….. but MARKY RAMONE or POUL COOK would be great!I am sorry to disappoint you all but the front man that I want to see most of all now is Big E…… Mr. Elvis Presley himself!!
Meat or two veg? Meat! Absolutely meat for all 4 of us!!I have lived as a vegetarian for a couple of years but I just missed my steaks and burgers too much!! Fuck I am such a hypocrite: If you gave me a pistol and a cow I would NEVER get my beef!!
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? Q: Do you want a beer and a taste of the 30 Year old ARDBEG?A: Make a wild guess!!
Any advice for people just starting bands? Go ahead fuckers!! It is the best thing that I have done in my entire life!! Ha! But DON´T expect to earn money or become big stars over night…………or at all…… but if you are a rock´n`roll junkie like me: GO FOR IT!!
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? Keep on supporting the scene motherfuckers!!Go to shows…. Even with bands you don’t know!! BUY albums…. Bands put a lot of money in it…. Support them…. Buy their albums and t-shirts at shows!!
BOOK US!!!.......... please JGet in touch with us through our homepage or MySpase!

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:-

http://www.myspace.com/thezeropoint

http://www.thezeropoint.8k.com

20 Questions with....Ten Foot Pole

2009-03-14T01:50:00.000-07:00

Band Name? Ten Foot Pole.
Where from? Los Angeles area, California.
Members? Dennis, Chris, Dan, Keith.
Going since? 1993, but with several different members along the way.
Other names considered? Apeshit, Assfault. It was Scared Straight before TFP.
Influences? Minor Threat, Circle Jerks, NOFX, Bad Religion, Crucifix, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, the public school system, and the fascist US media.
1st song written? “Surfin on Freeways” about skateboarding.
Last song written? “Sunset” on a Japanese release with 3 other bands.
Favourite cover by you or other band? Back in Black.
CD, tape or vinyl? CD, good quality, no scratchy sounds, no loss of high frequencies.
Favourite take-out food? In and Out or Pick up Stix.
Favourite drink? Café Mocha.
Tattoos or piercings? No thanks.
Favourite live band? AFI.
Favourite place to play? Belgium.
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? The guys in Muse, because they just rock, and maybe have them join with Pink Floyd, just for giggles.
Meat or two veg? Uh, why do I have to have 2?
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? So far this is it!
Any advice for people just starting bands? Don’t quit your day job! Try to write good songs. Try to pick bandmates who are creative, talented and good people, not just guys who have good vehicles for moving band equipment.
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? If communism is doomed to failure due to human laziness, and capitalism is doomed because of human greed, where can I get a good veggie burger?

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:-
http://www.tenfootpole.com

20 Questions with....Pete Bywaters from Peter & The Test Tube Babies

2009-03-14T01:41:00.000-07:00

Band Name? Peter and the Test Tube Babies
Where from? Brighton
Members? 4
Going since? 1978
Other names considered? none
Influences? Music, alcohol
1st song written? The Queen gives good blowjobs
Last song written? Traffic Jam Man
Favourite cover by you or other band? Final Countdown by Toy Dolls
CD, tape or vinyl? Mp3
Favourite take-out food? indian
Favourite drink? ale
Tattoos or piercings? branding
Favourite live band? none
Favourite place to play? On a stage
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why?
Me,Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix,Phil Lynott
Meat or two veg? both
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer?this one
Any advice for people just starting bands? Write some good songs
A short message to the masses….the world according to you?
My world is shit. Yours is better

Busy Body....

2009-03-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

Hey there
Sorry it has been a while since my last post but I have been a bit busy. Just to let you know, I haven't given up and I will be posting another load of '20 Questions with...' over the next couple of days...and I have a few good'uns for ya!!

Johnnyboy....

20 Questions with....Chumbawamba

2009-03-01T03:48:00.000-08:00

Band Name? Chumbawamba
Where from? Leeds UK
Members? Jude Neil Lou Phil and me
Going since? 1982
Other names considered? None
Influences? Wire, The Fall, Crass, Duke Ellington, The Beatles, Martin Carthy, Orange Juice, Frank Zappa, Conflict, Green Day, Count Basie, Bonzo Dog Band, Sex Pistols, Dave Clark Five, The Clash, Philip Glass, Ludovico Einaudi, Randy Newman, Crosby Stills & Nash, Patrik Fitzgerald, etc etc
1st song written? ‘You’re Not A Punk’.
Last song written? A celebratory song about Margaret Thatcher dying. Called ‘ So Long, So Long’.
Favourite cover by you or other band? Favourite cover by any band, ever? Probably Joe Cocker doing ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ – for resurrecting a great song about working together from the death-throes of Ringo Starr’s voice.
CD, tape or vinyl? Vinyl. Brian Patten’s album of poetry put to music still hasn’t materialised on CD.
Favourite take-out food? Indian. Absolutely Indian. We live in West Yorkshire, it’s our traditional dish.
Favourite drink? Tea.
Tattoos or piercings? Both.
Favourite live band? Mik Artistik, of this parish.
Favourite place to play? City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds.
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? Lenny Bruce on vocals, for saying what needs to be said. Bettina Schelker on backing vocals because she has the best voice. Joe Strummer writing the band’s manifesto. Harry Hamer and Neil Ferguson (Chumbawamba) on drums and bass, cos they can play with anyone and make it sound tight. Martin Bramah of the first incarnation of The Fall on guitar. Or Terri from The Ex. Amazing guitarists who never played solos.
Meat or two veg? Two veg, no meat.
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? Is it true that you all sleep together? Answer: of course. Always.
Any advice for people just starting bands? It’s not a career, it’s for love. Do it for ten years, with no money at all, before you’re convinced you really mean it, before you know you really want to do this with your life. If you’re still doing it after ten years, you’ll make it.
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? The world is a mess. Rock n Roll alone won’t save it. In fact, Rock n Roll will probably help the world along towards its destruction. Unless you get involved, use music to change things. xxxxx

Chumbawamba
PO Box TR 666
Leeds
LS12 3XJ
UK
www.chumba.com
www.myspace.com/acoustichumbawamba
chumba@chumba.com

20 questions with...Less Than Jake

2009-02-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

Band Name? LESS THAN JAKE
Where from? GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
Members? 5
Going since? 1992
Other names considered? THE SHITS, LOPAN TAKES JAPAN
Influences? THE DESCENDENTS, ALL, SNUFF, IRON MAIDEN
1st song written? MY VERY OWN FLAG
Last song written? ABANDON SHIP
Favourite cover by you or other band? OUR VERSION OF CHEAP TRICKS’ “SURRENDER”
CD, tape or vinyl? VINYL, DUH.
Favourite take-out food? PIZZA
Favourite drink? BEER, WHISKEY, COCA COLA.
Tattoos or piercings? YES WE ALL HAVE THEM EXCEPT BUDDY...HE’S A BLANK CANVAS.
Favourite live band? THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES OR NOFX
Favourite place to play? FLORIDA OR THE UK.
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? ALREADY GOT IT. IT’S OUR BAND.
Meat or two veg? MEAT...LOTS AND LOTS OF IT.
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? THIS ONE.
Any advice for people just starting bands? STOP.
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? LIFE IS SHORT, LIFE IS SHIT AND SOON IT WILL BE OVER.

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:-

WWW.LESSTHANJAKE.COM

20 Questions with....Red Union

2009-02-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Johhny,Thanks! Here... laying in bed with fever has some advantages...cheers!RED UNION

Band Name?
Red Union
Where from?
Novi Sad, Serbia
Members?
Nenad – Guitar, Dasko –Vocals, Ljuba – Bass, Chiatto - drums
Going since?
2000
Other names considered?
None. In fact, we first had the name and then the band!
Influences?
Clash, SLF, Swingin’ Utters, Newtown Neurotics, Living End...
1st song written?
Loaded Gun
Last song written?
Rats and snakes (just this week we made it)
Favourite cover by you or other band?
We play: Rat Race (specials), In the city (Jam), career Opportunities (Clash), I got yer number (Cock Sparrer), Radio Radio (Elvis Costello)
CD, tape or vinyl?
We love vinyl
Favourite take-out food?
Chinese
Favourite drink?
Me (Dasko): white wine, the rest – Beer!
Tattoos or piercings?
None. We are lame and don;t know how to follow trends, sorry...
Favourite live band?
Fave concerts: Dropkick Murphys 2001, The Damned 2008, Manic Street Preachers 2008, Turbonegro 2005
Favourite place to play?
Germany, Novi Sad, Croatia
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why?
Joe Strummer, Chris Cheney (living end), Mat freeman (Rancid), Bruce Springsteen (3 guitars, fuck it!) and me and Dave Vanian (Damned) on Vocals (I would have an orgasm on stage and die)... oh drums: Derek Grant (alkaline trio)
Meat or two veg?
Meat. We are sorry for that, really,
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer?
Are you sex gods? Of course. We please the girls and fight the system – at the same time.
Any advice for people just starting bands?
Do not do it unless you have a clear vision and if you haven’t listen to enough good music that’s been around for ages. Do not do it to be famous. Art for fame’s sake is shit. Like going to the nice restaurant just to have a good shit later.
A short message to the masses….the world according to you?
Music, food, sex and social revolution.

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:-

Thanks! www.redunion.info and myspace.com/redunionhq

I would really appreciate it if you could put a link to my blog if you have a website, blog or MySpace page…thanks…

No problem, mate!

Dasko, RED UNION

MMmmmm...what to post next?

2009-02-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

Hello there peeps

I am having a hard time deciding what to post next on this 'ere blog thingy! Do I ramble inanely about what bands I like or about the things I used to get up to (maybe not, ya never know who is reading this!)....or do I post up another 20 Questions With....

Yeah...that's what I will do...maybe even two just for the hell of it.

So here you go...

Johnnyboy...

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy...

2009-02-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

Well hello there...
I am feeling particularly joyous today! Why is that I hear you all ask? Well, I will tell you...
My quest to ask various punk bands my 20 little questions has begun to bear fruit!!
As you can see I have already posted replies from Midget Fan Club from the US (check out the free album download, it's really rather good!!) and also from Phil Vane from the flippin' awesome Extreme Noise Terror!
I have received more replies and they include some rather spiffing punk rock combo's from past and present, from near and far so keep popping back to see who they are....
I have also had some replies from people who are busy right now but have promised on their pet goldfishes life to get back to me soon....

Johnnyboy...

20 Questions with....Phil Vane (ENT)

2009-02-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

Here's the answers Johnny! Cheers mate....Phil/ENT
1. Band Name? Extreme Noise Terror
2. Where from? Ipswich, Norwich, Colchester, Leicester UK & somewhere in Wales!
3. Members? Dean & Phil - Vocals / Ollie - Guitar / Staff - Bass / Woody - Guitar / Mic - Drums.
4. Going since? 1985
5. Other names considered? None
6. Influences? Life & Hardcore Punk.
7. 1st song written? System Shit
8. Last song written? Divided & Ruled
9. Favourite cover by you or other band? Who The Helpless - originally by Kuro
10.CD, tape or vinyl? Vinyl
11.Favourite take-out food? Indian Curry
12,Favourite drink? Fresh Coffee
13.Tattoos or piercings? Tattoos
14.Favourite live band? Converge
15.Favourite place to play? Japan
16.If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? Kill Your Idols!
17.Meat or two veg? Veg
18.Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? Can't remember!
19.Any advice for people just starting bands? Innovate don't immatate
20.A short message to the masses….the world according to you? Resist/Revolt/Distort!

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then please put the addresses here:- www.extremenoiseterror.co.uk

20 Questions with....Midget Fan Club!!

2009-02-22T03:23:00.000-08:00

Band Name? Midget Fan Club
Where from? Simi Valley, CA
Members? GFS vox/bass Myke drums and we're currently auditioning 6 guitarists, and each week america votes to kick one out until we're down to 2.
Going since? 1998
Other names considered? subzero heroes
Influences? Lagwagon, NOFX, Green Day, the Beatles
1st song written? Mister Me
Last song written? Dura Mater
Favourite cover by you or other band? Smokey Robinson's You Really Got A Hold On Me, when the Beatles did it.
CD, tape or vinyl? Vinyl. CDs and tapes just don't make that squeaky noise when you wear them.
Favourite take-out food? In-N-Out Burger
Favourite drink? Singapore Sling
Tattoos or piercings? Tattoos.
Favourite live band? Bad Religion
Favourite place to play? Las Vegas, NV
If you could form your ultimate super-group from people, living or dead, musicians or not, who would be in it and why? George Washington, John Linnell, Pete Best, and "Mississippi" John Hurt.Cause if Washington was gonna start a band, he would need some real hard asses to back him up.
Meat or two veg? Whatever's cool with me.
Best question ever asked, and what did you answer? "Have you been drinking tonight, sir?" "No." But ya know, this seems like a pretty good way to get out of thinking up a good question. Nice one.
Any advice for people just starting bands? Don't give up the drugs.
A short message to the masses….the world according to you? Just remember, in the end -- we're all killed by assholes.

If you would like me to put a link to one or more sites then pleaseput the addresses here:-http://myspace.com/midgetfanclub http://midgetfanclub.com/ http://midgetfanclub.com/atotalnightmare - free album download.

Latest

2009-02-22T03:10:00.001-08:00

G'day
For the last few days I have been deliberating as to what I really wanted to do with this blog...what would I want to read about if I was you??
Of course my personal ramblings and memories will be superexciting and totally unputdownable but I want more, MORE I TELL YOU!!!
Soooo....I have put together a short list of questions that I will be E-mailing out to random punk and noise bands all over the world...just to see what happens....
As I type this I can tell you that I have already had one reply from a very eager bunch off noisy rapscallions from the good ol' US of A and I shall be putting the reply up today for your entertainment and delight.
Every band who replies has been promised that I will faithfully reproduce their answers without editing...so all views expressed are their own and nothing to do with me , right!!
I have also said that I will put up any links that they have so that you can go and check them out on homepages, MySpaces and even music download sites where you can hear their dulcet tones for yourselves....aren't I good to ya!
Anyhoo, I will still be putting up my own personal stuff as well and hopefully reviews of gigs, other sires and anything else I find interesting that can be related, even tenuously, to all things PUNK...

Johnnyboy...

Welcome....

2009-02-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

G'day
Welcome to my latest blog.
I am an old punk rocker at heart and as the years pass I have seen the music scene chop and change as new acts and new styles come and go. One thing that stays constant is the desire by some people to make loud, raucous and personal music. This manifests itself in many ways, from politically charged to fun, blindingly fast to slow, uberheavy to almost pop...but the underlying constant is the love of good ol' punk rock!!
Since the late 60's garage bands to the 70's explosion of angst and artnoise to the 80's onwards where punk was taken in many different direction, music for all to listen to and, more importantly, all to make has given a voice to many that no other form of music has.
Punk is a worldwide voice. It can mobilize masses, inform and educate, offend and disgust, entertain and humour. No other genre has had the immediate impact that punk had with the longevity that still sees new bands and new fans making a difference whilst singing, sweating, swearing and caring about anything that matters to them.
In this blog I will ramble on about the bands that I love, the gigs that I remember, the politics that I stumbled through and all the craziness that has kept me loving punk for over 22 years. You will probably notice me wandering off on to other subjects or talking about bands that may not seem 'punk' but bear with me cos I have always believed that punk is an attitude, something in your heart, not just three chords and a haircut!!
Please feel free to leave me comments and stuff as we go....
As the great Ramones led us...
ONETWOTHREEFOUR......Hey Ho...Let's go....