Coming soon

After "Twice as hard" from 2008 now it's time for the second part of the cooperation between good old Ken Mclellan and guys from Arrow Cross. Again it won't be a real split cd because singer of AC left the band a while ago, but still worthy to hear Ken with Hungarian musical support. Produced by Loyalty records .

Hammerskins Milano Gig

As soon as I find out that "Bully Boys" will play in Italy I was in a hurry to search for details and to arrange my trip to Milano. I had several weeks to 21st January to find the easiest and most convenient route for me. I was glad to know that my friends from different countries that I have not seen for a while will be there. Most suitable and sentimental route for me was a flight from Sofia to Marseille and then a car drive to Milano with my French comrades. It happened to be a long and emotional journey. I arrived in Sofia at noon, having just 3 hours before departure time which I spent drinking a few beers with friends in Sofia. We had a great fun together, but time ran out so fast, so I got the flight in perfect condition of spirits. Flight was long, I switched to another one in Paris and arrived in Marseille late at the evening. Next day I went to the streets of the city. I was a little bit scared of this journey, because Marseille have the reputation of the capital of Islam in Europe, but thankfully I found out that the city is a really wonderful and combines beautiful sea and stunning mountains. On Friday night, we had a party with the local comrades, I was in a great mood and show them how strong drinkers people from Eastern Europe can be:).

So finally Saturday – the day of the gig came. We get up early in the morning, had a breakfast and headed to Milano. It was my first ever gig in Italy, so I was really excited. So after six hours of driving, a lot of RAC music and fun with comrades we arrived in the cold weathered city.

The concert was organized by Hammerskins, so it took place in their Skinhouse which was found easily by the French guys, who are regular visitors in this venue. I was happy to meet some old friends, which I haven’t seen in years :) Cheers Gergo! The hours till the start of the gig was spend in nice conversations, cold beers and a lot of laughs.

Codex Frei

 The gig started around 20.00 h. with the first band for the eve – “Codex Frei” from Germany. They began their performance with everyone’s favorite "Tomorrow belongs to me". Really well chosen song for a start. It’s was followed by their own repertoire of songs in German. I liked the style of the band in general despite the fact I’m not big fan of German music. The guys had a strong support from their friends and fans, with whom I met later. They were really great blokes, and unexpected for me it appeared that Germans are able to smile and have fun (hahha).

Second band on stage were Italians from “Garrota”. What a great band. A top level of classical RAC/OI! with Italian “trade mark”. I’ve listened to all this songs for the first time, but the party atmosphere they made was awesome. I’ve noticed that their singer didn’t stop smiling during the whole performance and all the Italians comrades sand and danced on their songs. To sum it up it was a impressing music and stage attitude from Garrota and wish them a long and successful “career” on the RAC scene! Hope I’ll have the chance to hear them live again.

Garrota

Third band for the evening was from Italy again – “Nativi”. To be honest during most of their set I was outside the hall at the yard of the club, I’ve heard just a few of their songs, all in Italian as usual, which left a good impression at me, but the previous band grabbed my attention a bit harder.

So finally…the time for the legendary “Bully Boys” has come. Their played songs like "Time to die", "Lionsheart", "White Kids Gonna Fight","Rage on This", etc. It’s needless to mention that the atmosphere they created was second to none and they were the top band of the night. The moshpit was dynamic and brutal even for the skinhead standards! The Texas guys ended their incredible performance with the all time classic “Skinhead superstar”!!!

 

Bully Boys

After the end of the gig I had the chance to share a beer with Scott, and I reminded him that Bulgaria and Belarus are two different countries (hahaha…see the Bully boys interview in our blog HERE ). We laughed a lot about this and I got the impression he’s very really nice and natural person.

Around 1.00 a.m. we got back into our cars for the long way back to France. Returning went nicely listening to the “People haters” songs and sharing the excitement from the concert.

The gig was attended by around 250 people from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary and at last but not the least – me from BULGARIA! All passed really well, perfectly organized and guarded concert (security guards were Hammerskins from different countries). The bar service was in charge of few Italians comrades, which done they job really fast and professional. Gig hall was clean, there was a large choice of merchandise items (T-shirts, cd’s patches, etc.) and all the gig guests were very friendly.

I would like to thank to Hammerskins Italy for the wonderful gig and professional organization, to the guys at the bar who took care not to run out of cold beer, the bands that made a gig night to remember, to Daniela from Italy, to B&H Hexagone and particularly Loic, without his help my travel and attendance to this concert would not become reality.

Exclusive report for Revolt NS by S.

New Brutal Attack T-shirt

Kommando Skin Interview

 Interview  conducted for  Russian National Resistance web site , December 2011

1) Hello German comrades from KOMMANDO SKIN band! First, typical question…Tell a bit about the history of your band. When was it formed? Has the line-up changed a lot during your band's existence?

Hello and thanks for your interest in our band.

The story actually begins in the early 90ies when the three of us were about 14 or 15 years old, we already played together a little bit just for fun. The band eventually was formed in 1996, but back then we used a different name and we had another bass player. In 1999 we changed the name to Kommando Skin, the first album "Bootboys" was released and Andy joined on bass. The line-up stayed the same ever since.

2) What was the motivation behind forming KS and what did you planned to achieve as a band?

When we started we were young skinheads and just wanted to make music and have fun. There was no plan or anything. The first songs are very much about the skinhead way of life, about drinking, fun, violence and hatred – there is only very little politics in them. Later on, as we became more political ourselves, our lyrics turned more political, too. Today first of all we still play because it's fun. But also we have the possibility to spread a message and we get people together on our shows.

3) Could you tell us something about KS discography?

The first album "Bootboys" was released in 1999 by Dim Records. Our second album "Die Ruhe vor dem Sturm" (The calm before the storm) was released in 2002. The album was "indexed", which means banned from public selling, in 2004. Our third album "Alldeutsch voran" (All-German forth) was released in 2005 by Streetfight Records. The label is defunct now. Two years ago, in 2009, our latest album called "Trotz allem heiter" (Cheerful in spite of everything) was released by Panzerbär Records.

Also we had some songs released on compilations like "Skin Conquest" in 2002 and "The Skinheads Come Back" in 2005.

4) We know you are from Stuttgart, what can you tell about your native city and your local right –wing / NS Skinhead scene?

Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg and is in the south-western part of Germany. It has quite a long history. People first settled here in the first century and its name was first mentioned in 1160. It was also the residence for the monarchs of Württemberg.

Today Stuttgart, like many large cities in Germany and Europe, has become a residence for legal and illegal immigrants from all over the world but mostly for Turks. The official statistics say we have about 23 % foreigners living in the city, but that doesn't cover all the foreigners who got German passports. A piece of paper doesn't make someone German. So the rate is probably up to 40 % or even more.

The right-wing movement in the city itself isn't very big. There's hardly a skinhead scene anymore. It used to be strong in the 80ies and early 90ies. However if you see the the whole region, with the surrounding cities, it is ok.

5) Please, tell us details about your last to date full length CD “Trotz allem heiter”!

I wish this question would be a little more specific, hehe. Hmm, where do we start? As we liked the sound of "Alldeutsch voran" a lot, we tried to keep that style. There are only fast, rocking songs and no ballads. Five of the twelve songs are in English, seven are in German. The lyrics are e.g. about the problems of a multi-cultural society, about the plutocracy in Europe and about all the bans and prohibitons. Also there are some personal lyrics and one song is only about having a good time.

For "Nie wieder Knecht" (Servant no more) we invited Nogge of Faustrecht to sing with us on the album. Michi, their bassist, also joined for the chorus. The artwork was created mostly by ourselves and the album was released as a digipak.

6) KS is the classical Skinhead OI/R.A.C. band musically. We always address this question to Western European NS Skinhead bands, cause the realities in Russia are so hard and different to Western Europe that there are almost no Skinheads within NS Movement: do you think that Skinhead cult is still so important today? What does being a Skinhead mean to you personally? What do you think about the future of the Skinhead RAC scene in Germany and in other European countries?

What really is important, is what's on your mind – not the clothes you wear or your haircut. However to be a skinhead in your youth is a good school. It's a school of hard knocks. It sorts out the ones that are only in it for the fun time from the ones that stand firm for their beliefs in spite of federal repression and hatred from society. What really counts at the end of the day is if you are willing to stand up for your people and your nation.

In the 80ies and 90ies skinheads were closely associated with nationalism in Germany, but not so much anymore today. There will be and there already are new groups within the movement e.g. autonomous nationalists. But this is ok – you don't have to be a skinhead to be a nationalist. Yet skinheads won't fade away. They will keep existing along with other groups. You don't have to be part of a special suculture to be a nationalist and to dedicate yourself to the cause. That means on the other hand that you can be part of (almost) every subculture and still be a nationalist. And why not try to influence a subculture to become nationalistically active?

7) You had very good and big Oi! / RAC Skinhead scene in Germany in the past. Now you have a strong NSHC scene as well. Could you please represent German right-wing musical scene of today to us! How it looks nowadays? What is the difference between the times in the early 90’s and today?

Like you said, in the 90ies there were a lot of skinheads and therefore skinhead music, classic skinhead rock. There were very few other musical styles. But already in the late 90ies it started to change. A lot of nationalist hardcore music came from the United States to Europe, like Blue Eyed Devils, Nordic Thunder etc. Today we have a huge diversity of musical styles. Hardcore, Metalcore, Heavy Metal, Black Metal, RAC, Punk, Folk and many more. It is a good development.

8) In your opinion, what is the main difference between RAC and NS Hardcore (or like some people like call it - "Hatecore scene") scenes, not in music, meaning between people at these scenes?

I wouldn't try to seperate the two. I guess the two are not clearly seperated. A lot of people that primarily like hardcore also like some classic RAC music, and the other way round. Sure there are e.g. some who are straight edge and they dislike the drinking. But as long as the nobody fights over what is better or what anyone must to do or not, it's ok.

9) As we know KS formed in 1996. We can say that you are veterans on the German right-wing scene. Tell us about the glorious days of German RAC? What are your most favorite German RAC bands?

Haha, there are bands that are longer existing than our band. We still feel as a young band. To name a few examples... in the old days we used to listen a lot to Störkraft, Endstufe, Oithanasie, Landser, Stahlgewitter, Tonstörung, Kraftschlag, Freikorps, Strumtrupp... and we still listen to some of them. And there are many good bands today like Faustrecht, Division Germania, Carpe Diem, Rotte Charlotte, Heiliger Krieg or Die Lunikoff Verschwörung.

10) Unlike the majority of German RAC bands You have an excellent web-page (www.kommandoskin.com). How important do you think is Internet in promotion of right - wing music and its ideological propaganda message?

Thank you, we appreciate it. It's a good opportunity to present our band and give people the chance to read news about us. For the use of propaganda the internet is perfect. With hardly any costs and with little effort you're able to reach millions of people. But there's always a disadvantage to everything: for everybody else it is as easy, too. Thus it's easy to spread rumours, gossip and lies. Also sometimes I wish people would use the possibilites of the internet more efficiently.

11) Several questions regarding your concert activities. There are a lot of good and quite big official fests of right – wing music in Germany like GERA, PRESSEFEST, FEST DER VÖLKER, etc. What is your personal opinion about these musical actions and have you ever played at these shows?

No, we haven't played any of those big official festivals yet. As many small nationalist concerts get banned those festivals are a good chance to play legally. But we're more of a underground band and we don't feel we really fit in with them, hehe. We like the small shows.

12) We heard that your band played in different countries of the Western and Southern Europe like England, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, etc. Have you ever been in the Eastern Europe for a gig?

We should play in Hungary in August if this counts as Eastern Europe. But that's about it. There were some invitations from Slovenia, Russia and Ukraine before but we couldn't make it yet.

13) Could you recall where have you played your best gigs? Tell us about your last to date concert!

Some of the best gigs were the ones in the Skinhouse Trikala in Greece. It is a small place and compared to other concerts only a few people were there. However everybody was very nice and there was a great mood. It was really fun to play there. Of course there were a lot of other great shows. For example our latest gig was in our area, only about 100 km from our hometown. It's also a small place where they used to have shows every month over a few years. But they had to close down the place so we played the final show there together with Faustrecht, Sturmtrupp and Devil's Project. It was our third gig there and it was great. Everything was perfect – except for the extreme heat. The crew that organised it is really a good bunch.

14) Legendary German "Ian Stuart Donaldson Memorial" festivals with best domestic and also with top international RAC bands took a place in Germany at regular level during glorious 90s. Those musically - political events were organized by the comrades from then absolutely legal "Blood and Honour Deutschland" organization as a rule. Later, after the ban of German "28" division those somewhen massive "ISD Memorial" fests became more or less small "private parties" (which was unavoidable, because of repressions) for the rather small circle of comrades and friends. Could you please tell us what about "ISD Memorial" gigs in Germany now? How many comrades attend at these fests and what bands play at these actions nowadays? Did your band played at some of these memorial concerts?

We only played ISD Memorial Concerts in England and Belgium, none in Germany. I don't really know if there still are any in Germany. So I can't tell what they are like or how many people attend.

15) You wrote a very nice song – “The Skinheads Come Back”. We can say that this song is one of the hymns of European NS Skinheads. Tell us about the main idea of this song.

We wrote that song for the compilation "The Skinheads Come Back". When the label told us about the idea and the title of the compilation our singer came up with the idea for the song.

I think it was written in a time when autonomous nationalists and hardcore became very present and we felt to tell everybody that the skinheads are still alive and back. And of course the song is about being a skinhead and being proud of it.

16) We heard that one of your CD was "indiziert". Why? Do you have problems with police? Are you persecuted for your convictions? Could you please tell us about the repressive system in Germany?

Our second album is "indiziert", which translates "indexed". It was put on a list of media that the state thinks is "harmful to minors". It is banned from public selling and of course from selling it to minors. It becomes almost impossible to sell it anymore, even to adults. Basically it's their way of censorship even if it's not called censorship. There is no censorship according to their laws.

There weren't any problems with the police. The album was just indexed and that was it. It happens to a lot of nationalist albums and they always come up with new ideas for banning them.

In Germany there is a law against the "incitement of hatred against a segment of the population". They use this law to criminalise your opinion on immigration and such. It is one of their most effective tools for repression against nationalists. On the other hand the media works hard on discrediting our opinions and beliefs. Things are getting worse.

17) Let’s speak about politic. How is the political situation in Germany at the moment?

The tendency is that all parties become the same. There are no differences anymore. The parties that were "a little bit" left- or right wing parties in the past have merged to the same unsubstantial middle. All of them are very much influenced by economy and everything they do is orientated on money, not on the needs of the people. "Panis et circenses" – Bread and games. That's what you need to keep the people silent. It still works today. And as long as they have food and entertainment they will not stand up. Most of the people don't really care anymore. They just complain every now and then but will never learn.

18) Please tell us about the German right – wing political Movement (organizations, actions etc.) of today in general!

There is the NPD, basically the only nationalist party that is left. In some German states they are part of the parliament every now and then but have only little power or influence. And then there are mostly small, regional and loose organisations that put up demonstrations, spread flyers, organise festivals and so on. After many organisations have been outlawed in the past, this has become one of the very few ways to be active.

19) Do you support any political right-wing organizations or political partys? What is your opinion on NPD, which is the most popular nationalistic political party in Germany? As far as we know a lot of the biggest festivals of right - wing music in Germany was organized by NPD?

We're not part and never have been part of any organisation or party. The NPD is a party that you can vote for in lack of alternatives but it seems the government lets the NPD exist so that they can control a large part of the right-wing movement. Even though there are a lot of good people in the NPD I think there are also a lot of snitches and rats in it. They will probably never succeed. And if they would become more powerful, they would be banned.

20) As far as we know AN (autonomous nationalists) is the main and most numerous fraction within German Movement of these days. What is your personal attitude towards the methods of resistance, which practise autonomous nationalists?

I'm not sure if they are the largest part, but sure they have become quite large. It's strange how they copy so much from the autonomous left wing. Sometimes it's really ridiculous. I'm sure they could be more creative. But basically they also have good ideas and many activities are good. They sure have their right to exist.

21) Your personal view on Islam in Europe and especially in Germany where you have millions of Turks?

Islam, like Christianity, is a foreign religion which doesn't fit with our people. But religion in general isn't a good thing. It makes people lose sight for the real problems. Your nation, your history, your culture must become your religion. This is the higher power that will really help you, if you help it to become strong. It's your family. Sadly it has become worthless to most in Germany today.

Muslims and especially the Turks in Germany are so different from our culture that there is no possibility of getting along with each other. Actually they seperate themselves from Germans, which is positive. Integration won't work. People have to realise that.

22) Your last to date CD “Trotz allem heiter” was released in 2009. Do you guys prepare something new and when? What are your plans for the future in general? New recording (s), gigs?

We are currently working on songs for a new album. We already played some of them live and I guess most people liked them. We don't know yet how long it will take until we release the new album but it will still take some months.

We will play live every now and then but we don't have time for many gigs.

23) What do you think about Russia, about our right - wing Movement and musical scene? Do you have contacts with Russian comrades and what's your attitude towards Russians in general? What's your opinion on chauvinism and German ultra - nationalism with anti - Russian (and anti - Slavonic) attitude?

We don't really have any contacts to Russian comrades and we don't know too much about the Russian movement. As far as I know there's a broad musical variety in Russia – RAC, Metal, Hardcore and there are many good bands like Коловрат и Русский Стяг. The movement seems to be very strong and sometimes it seems very extreme. Maybe sometimes a little bit over the top.

The anti-Russian/Slavonic issue is a very difficult topic with German nationalists and there can be discussions for hours and hours.

As I see it: on one hand there once were very strong ties between Russia and Germany in the past, on the other hand there were also a lot of conflicts. We shouldn't forget about the conflicts but as we both face the same problems today, we should try to remember the positive sides of history as well and fight together, not each other.

24) You're one of the most known German RAC bands, also you're involved with the Movement for the quite long time. Sure you remember that story, when "ISD Memorial" festival and political demonstration ("Antikriegstag") were organized at the same date and some conflicts happened because of that. The organizers of "Antikriegstag" even were calling for the boycott of "ISD Memorial" under "Politics are more important" than music". What is your attitude towards this motto? Is politics more important than the music for you?

In general organisers should check a date before they are putting up a concert. But it's also possible to have both on the same date if the concert is not too far from the demonstration. Demonstrations are usually during the day while concerts are usually in the evening. So it could work together perfectly. Sure there are justifiable reasons for boycotts, however we shouldn't try to boycott each other, but rather try to work together whenever possible.

In our (nationalist) case music is not just entertainment, but politics as well. It may seem not too significant at first, but I think it's quite important to meet other comrades at a concert and see that they're still there, still a part of the movement. Also you have the chance to exchange ideas and talk about activities. It's good for the morale.

25) Thank you for the interview. Your final message to the readers of this interview in Russia and your wishes to the editorial staff of our web-page (www.national-resistance.com)?

Thank you very much for your interesting questions and keep up the good work.

Stick to your ideals and beliefs! "Hold your head up high for all the scum to see!"

New book about ISD

The follow-up to the highly popular "Memories" book, also featuring a lot of material from the archives of various people around the world, with many stories, anecdotes and exclusive interviews with the producer of the "Back with a bang" maxi, Pajen of Midgard, Jeff Clayton of Antiseen and many, many more. This English version has come out as "Limited fanzine version", but it looks more a book as it's properly printed and the photos are of good quality. 80 pages. Only a limited quantity available, as only 100 were made in total.

Review by Pure impact rec.

Nessura Resa

The project Nessuna Resa (No Surrender) starts in Lucca (Italy) in the year 2008 by the hands of Adam (voice and guitars) and Cicogna (bass), with the purpose to give a voice to the local Skinhead movement. Togheter with Francesco (drums) in 2009 they record a demo called "Terra di Nessuno" ("No man's land") and start playing gigs around Italy supporting other Oi! and RAC legends of the italian scene.

In December 2009 during a gig in Bologna left-wing militants made a manifestation against the band because of their fascist and nationalistic ideals and topics.

Unfortunately the band had to give it a hold-on in the first months of 2010 because the bass player Cicogna had to serve one year jail for a personal assault against a left-wing militant that was a police informer. While Cicogna was serving time, Adam and Stefano (a comrade friend to all components of the band) got arrested and sentenced 7 years first degree for a aggravated assault to a pub that was a usual Sharp hangout. Because of this Nessuna Resa are actually on hold but with new material and new projects to be made once the time is served! No surrender, no remorse!

Bellow you can read an interview, which is a cut out from "Skinhead magazine - in English" # 6



Kill Baby, Kill! Interview

This  is the English version of amazing interview that was originally published in zine Der Bewährungshelfer #16 in April 2009.

1. What means the name Kill Baby Kill? Why this name?

It means absolutely nothing! When I first started this band we needed, like any other band obviously, a name. This was harder to find than I thought, because all the obvious names were already taken. Every idea that came up was already taken by some band after a little research on the net. Then I found some list of B movies somewhere and selected a few, which I proposed to the other guys who were in the band at that time, and some friends. Kill Baby Kill was the stupidest name on the list so after a good laugh I decided this was going to be the name! Of course after a little while I discovered some other band with the same name, but fuck it, too late to change.

2. Who is playing in the band (today) and what are the aims of the band?

Let me start first with a little “secret”. KBK are actually 2 bands. I’m making the songs in my home studio and make some kind of demo-version using a drumcomputer. This demo I bring to the studio and a drummer ‘Jens’ plays in the drums following these demo’s. Then I’m recording bass, guitars and vocals, and at the end Spandex plays the solo’s. Due to other commitments neither Jens or Spandex have the possibilities to play live so I had to find other musicians for the live gigs. Some came and some went, but for the last 2 years we’ve had the same ‘live-line up'. There’s me doing the bass and vocals, Sven aka fatboy on drums. We’re both from Brugge in Belgium. We use two guitarplayers at the live gigs: Nudel from Germany, and Rob from England. So you could say we’re an international band. As I’m the only one making the songs it’s possible for us not to practise (which is virtually impossible due to the distance). Everyone just practises his part listening to a CD.

There is no aim, just to have fun, play many gigs, meet people all over the world. There is absolutely no political ideology behind the band, even though some of the lyrics might have political statements in it. I know we are often labelled as a political band but I’ve got to say this never was and never will be the aim. We play the music because we like to play music, that’s all.

3. What give you the strength to go the way you choose?

I’ve been a very angry guy for a long time. This really reflects in the lyrics. For most of my life I’ve been kicking against all kind of authority. Teachers in school, the boys in blue, religion, … basically every power that tells other people what they should and shouldn’t do. Unfortunatly living in a “scene” isn’t much different. Still there’s people telling others what they should or shouldn’t do. What music they should listen to, what views to have.. bah! Unregarding political background. Both leftwing and rightwing do this.

4. Skinhead is ……..?

Live your life the way you want it, having fun, going to gigs,…

Being proud of what you achieve in life. We are all on a journey to where ever it may take us due to different decisions we make. Being a skinhead is being there for your friends and family. To help each other when needed. It’s about being aware of what goes on in the world and not to follow like sheep to the slaughter, like many people live their lives. Being proud to make a stand for what you believe in. To follow your own heart. But of course it’s also a subculture with its own fashion. Otherwise we wouldn’t all wear the same clothing brands would we? Like other subcultures music binds us.

A friend of mine from Martens Army had a good statement that says it all ‘PROUD to be PROUD’!

5. What do you think about political correctness, and what political opinion "must" a Skin have?

As I answered in another question, I hate people telling me what to do. How can you call yourself a rebel against a system but at the same time create a system with its own rules yourself? This doesn’t seem logic to me. Political correctness is everywhere, both in left and rightwing scene. People should have their believes, and it’s ok to spread your believes, I have nothing against that. But when you start to tell people what they should and shouldn’t do, what they should and shouldn’t think… wow, that’s a bridge too far! Everyone has the right for their own opinion, whether I agree with it or not. But everyone that tries to force their opinion can go to hell.

6. You play in a band, but what kind of music do you like private (and what are the reasons)?

Well I’ve got a very wide taste of music. I can listen to all sorts of music except for hip hop, R'n'B and rap. It’s quite funny that I recently started listening again to the bands I’ve listened to when I was a young kid. Bands like Guns'n'Roses, Skid Row, Motley Crüe, AC/DC, Motörhead,…! I like a lot of the old punk bands and even some blues once in a while. I like the passion in it. For me a good song is a perfect mix of smart lyrics and powerfull guitarriffs. I also love guitarsolo’s like the ones in Iron Maiden or Manowar songs.

I enjoy listening to music when I drive in my car. I travel very often and what I do is fill a big box to take in my car and then I just put on what I grab. At home I’m mostly busy writing new music so I don’t really listen to much music there…

7. Give back the Oi! to…… and why? Who took it away?

It’s a slogan against political correct bands. They try to take away the real spirit of Oi! music and sell it to a mixed audience. They turn some words into a fashion instead of a statement. Anything to increase record sales right... Oi! music never has been mainstream music and I’m thankful to that. It’s what distinguishes us from the normal crowd. Its something different and it shouldn’t become a light version of what it used to be. Oi! is straight to the point. Powerful music with lyrics straight from the heart. But often with a good sense of humor included offcourse! ;-)

8. What is the different between Punk and Skin? (When we travel to Belgium we can not see a different and that is GREAT !!!)

There are many types of punks as there are many types of skins! Some punks and some skins come very close together, they just dress differently. For the rest they have the same ideas, love to drink, go to the same shows, listen to the same music.. I’m talking about real punks of course. Crusties I shouldn’t even call punks. They are in in nearly every possible way opposites from skinheads. Actually the most punks you see in Belgium at the gigs are Germans, haha!

They are like us, they only have a different fashion. I can’t understand why there’s people that don’t like punks coming to our gigs. These guys deserve respect. They get shit from the leftwing because they make a stand against the reds, but still they don’t kneel or change. It would be so much easier for them to shave their head but still they stick to what they are. That inquires a strong mind and a strong will. Respect!

9. The first LP you ever have bought - first Punk and/or Skinhead LP you have bought?

Well I grew up when the CD was just conquering the world. I have never been a vinyl freak actually. I think the first CD I ever bought was Appetite For Destruction, the best G'n'R album ever! The first punk CD I ever bought was Never Mind The Bullocks from The Pistols, or Chaos In Belgium from Funeral Dress. Or was it Michael Jackson? I’m not sure…

10. You became a Skinhead because of….

I started my "teenage rebellion" at the age of 12. I had a friend who was a 17 year old punk girl. Through her I got to know bands like Blitz, Cock Sparrer, The Oppressed, Chaos UK, Dead Kennedies, Slime, Crass, Special Duties,... a lot! I think I still have one of the tapes she gave me back then. Also through her I got to know the Antwerp AFA punks, and I hung out with them before I ran away from home and lived in a squat in Holland. Yes I lived in a squat as a little runaway.

There I discovered that doing nothing all day ( I looked for work) and that political correctness was not my thing so we had our own group of people who thought a little the same. We distanced ourselves from the leftwing politics which are present in those squats. Slowly some of us, including me started to change our style more into skinhead style. Then shaving the head was just a step away. I’m actually the only one from back then that continued being a skinhead until this day. I first got in touch with rightwing skinheads at age 19 when I met them in a bar in Rotterdam. As I was just stabbed in the neck by an Arabic guy and nearly died I was full of hatred and anger and I agreed on becoming the new bassplayer of their band 'Landstorm’. At that time I had already moved back to Belgium and got to know more and more people there, until 7 years ago ( I’m now 28) I moved to Brugge, the city I was actually born in. I became the guitarplayer in Les Vilains, and then started travelling doing some live gigs with Steelcapped Strength before I started with KBK.

11. You stay as a Skinhead because…..

Because I look stupid with long hair, hahahaha!

12. You play in a famous band. Does it bring you advantage in the scene to be a well known member?

Ofcourse it’s really nice to get aknowledgment for my ‘’baby’’, my creation. It feels really great to see people enjoy what you do, and I would lie if I would say I don’t like to get compliments. It’s also a rush to see people having fun on our music when we play the live gigs, sometimes shouting the songs louder than I can sing! The connection with the crowd is a great feeling. That’s why we enjoy the smaller gigs much more than the bigger ones.

Some advantages with the band is that with the money made of merchandise I was able to buy an entire backline: good guitaramplifiers, bassamplifier, even a PA system. As many readers know we’ve got the famous Kastelein (now Moloko) pub in our city. So we put all the equipment there so the concerts there have a much better sound. Also all the bands in our town (Les Vilains, The Pride, Headcase, Molokids) can use the amplifiers for practise! When people want to form a new band now it will be easier for them because they won’t have to pay for practise room or equipment, which is often a barriere for young kids to start a band. Next project is a studio so we all can record our own stuff!

A definite plus with the band is that we get to travel a lot and meet people all over the world. It’s much easier to maintain friendships and contacts when you’re able to travel a lot. Also we met some really nice people on our travels and saw beautiful countries!

Last but not least I have to dissapoint you with saying that there’s no groupies.. hahaha!

13. Is it easy for you, to visit Oi!-gigs, when the antifa stood at the entrance, to look for "well known“ "Neo-Nazis“?

Pffff, Punk And Disorderly.. the perfect example of what ‘Give Back The Oi!’ stands for…

I was there and I noticed that it really wasn’t my kind of world… I haven’t noticed AFA standing at the door actually. I just know that some retarded people were looking for ‘nazis’ to throw out. Except for 1 punk they haven’t thrown out anyone I think..

Funny thing, when we left the gig, I met the crossdressing singer of The Pestpocken ‘Danny’. Wasn’t really hard to spot him as he wears make up and high heels. He recognised me as well and when he crossed the street he threw a snowball at me.. haha! I must say that really did hurt my feelings and until this day I’m still not over it!

14. What Oi!-band / RAC-band / Punk-band would you like to see (and why) or to play with (and why)?

I would love to see The Macc Lads, because I love their sense of humour, but unfortunately they don’t play anymore. Another band I would like to see is Stiff Little Fingers and if all goes well I will go and watch them somewhere this year! They are brilliant musicians! The bands I wanted to play with we’ve already played with, so that’s already good! I can say that in the near future me and a friend will start organising gigs in Belgium ourselves.

15. What do you know about "the good old times(the 80ties)“ and what is the difference between today and than?

I was born in 1980 so while you guys were going to gigs I learned how to walk, talk and not to shit in my pants!

I really don’t know much about the 80ies so I can’t really say a lot about it.

16. Do you like zines or do you think the www has got enough informations? What is the difference, where is the advantage?

I really like magazines a lot and I used to collect them. Police took hold of them as I had a house search though…

The magazine versus the www is like the CD with artwork or LP stands against the downloaded song. It’s something original, collectable. Just like in my CD collection I don’t have copied stuff, I really like to have the magazine. Allthough it can work together.. For example a paper edition for the collection, and a www edition, posted some months later to reach more people.

The web has some advantages, it’s easier to keep in contact with people all over the world. Skinheadgigs are becoming bigger now because a lot more people know about what gig is going on. Unfortunately so do the opponents from certain gigs. So far for the positive things on the net.

I do absolutely HATE forums where people can anonymously post bullshit on other people, make threats, its like kindergarten! The internetwarrior was born!

Then another thing I dislike is all the downloading. At one hand it’s cool that more people listen to the music, but downloading kills small bands. There already isn’t a lot of money in Oi! music, and making everything for free only makes it worse. We don’t drive fancy cars and live in big villa’s because we sell our CD’s.. But for us it’s a way to afford instruments and equipment. To grow as a band, to make the productions better… and to help out other bands.

17. When we talk about the net, who do you think writes there about your "drug-problem“ and why?

I don’t know who are the people that love to write. It’s quite funny actually.. they are the same kind of people that call us rockstars, because we play in a band and aren’t political enough for them. But at the same time they act like papparazi and write about us every time we even fart. They write about what we were in the past, who we are friends with, what concerts we visit, who we drink beer with, what weeat (yes I eat ethnic food sometimes!) where we train sports.. every possible thing you can imagine gets on the net. I’m not just talking about myself, but about so many members from other bands that have been slandered, talked about for many different reasons. I really don’t know what these people have to prove. I never said I’m perfect, I never wanted or claimed to be an ‘’example for any cause” a messiah, whatever… I’m a normal guy with normal problems like everyone else. I just write songs about it. Of course the fact that I did use coke on a few occasions is very spicy ammunition for these vultures. I don’t need to justify my actions towards these people anyway. They’ve got no right to judge me. The only people who can judge me is the friends or family that I caused pain when I was going through rough times. I apologise to them and thank them for standing by my side when I needed them. They have shown true character!

18. What is the truth about that (just only some short word).

I’ve been going to some serious personal problems the last year, and under influence of doctor subscribed medicines I didn’t care about anything anymore. I started to drink a lot and hung out with different people who did drugs in the weekends. It happened a couple of times when I got really drunk that I got offered and accepted some coke to get sober again. Thinking back it’s just really stupid because that stuff is really bad for mind and body and an easier solution would have been not to drink that much! But I guess I was too fucked up in my head to realise it. After some good talks with some true friends I opened my eyes and saw I was busy destroying my own life completely. I went to seek for professional help and I ended with all the sleeping pills, calming pills, anti depressives etc that were turning me into an emotionless zombie. It wasn’t easy because I found out I was really addicted to it, but I’ve succeeded and managed to stay of that stuff. Now I found a new drug: Sports!

19. What do you think about people, who just read something and "spread the message around the world“ without asking the concerned people?

I’m open about what happened and I’m man enough to take responsibility for my actions and mistakes. Everyone that contacted me about this issue I’ve answered openly. Of course there’s always some people who don’t take the time to find out what really is going on, but just talk, talk and talk. Thing is, information is power… Some people think they become more important when they can give more, bigger, spicier information about other people. They live and the breath gossip. Asking the concerned people would possible make the story less interesting, so why bother? No let’s first throw around the shit and then hope that some will stick like it always does.

Anyway, people make mistakes in their lives. No one is safe from that. Hanging out someones dirty laundry in the world is quite sad anyway.. when someone has whatever kind of trouble it’s up to that person to decide how much he wants to share with the outside world, and not to people who just love to talk because it makes them lose focus from their own shit. Anyway, I’ve already spent waaaay too many words on this subject.

All by all, we are a band, we are not political examples, don’t want to be somebody’s hero! (haha I took that from SLF) we make music. Love it, or don’t listen to it! There’s nothing more to say about that.

20. Drugs are…..

Totally unnecessary for me. I don’t need them.

There’s many different sorts of drugs, mind altering substances. Alcohol is a drug too, we shouldn’t be hypocrite about that. Why else do we drink, to get in a different state of mind , right? Or what about all the calming pills, sleeping pills, anti depressives.. those are far more dangerous than the odd line of coke, and I am speaking of experience. They call these drugs legal, but they can turn people into emotionless, heartless egocentric selfish bastards like I was on them. There’s a big difference between drug users and drug addicts. I know some people who do drugs during the weekends but have a good job and family life. Then I also know people who don’t do drugs, just drink, but fuck up on every other thing in life.

The problem lays in how these things are being used. Including alcohol! I’m not judging people that decide to use something, they are old enough to make their own decisions in their life, but people who are addicted to any kind of drugs whether it’s doctor subscribed, or heroine, alcohol,… should get professional help to get rid of their addiction. Life is much more than looking for a rush!!!!!!!!!

21. Family is….

The most important in life, or at least it should be! Family is there in times of need, family is always there nevertheless how much you fucked up. I really love my family and I’ll always be thankful for everything they did for me and still do! I hope that one day I will start a family of my own.

22. Is the band, the movement a kind of family?

Not really, although some band members became really close friends, and some close friends became like family. I’ve realised this in the hardest times. The movement? Absolutely not. The movement is too much about appearance unfortunately… in a movement it’s too important what the outside world sees of it.

23. As I have heared, you will have next time a German song! Tell us about how this can happen and why? Who write this song and where do you med that guy first? (Ha ha, now we will see who can better remember!!!)

Actually there will be at least 2 german songs! They are written by you and I’ve got no idea where we met first! I did find an old picture of us in a hostel in Brugge years ago!

Wasn’t this the first time we met? My memory is like a Swiss cheese, hahaha

I’m looking forward to recording the songs, let’s hear how my accent sounds like in German!

24. If you see Europe, what is the difference between the countries? Where do you like to live, and why?

Most European countries are quite the same I think. We’ve got more or less the same kind of governments, economical crisis, etc.. The last couple of years I noticed that the laws are getting stricter on us. The more they spread the message that we should live in a free world, the more laws they impose to us. The more they talk about freedom of speech, the more they gag our mouths with political correct tape. It’s a controversy. I heard the split CD with ER has been indiziert in Germany, while I’ve been charged in Belgium too with racism charges because of Kill Baby Kill. It doesn’t look like things will improve soon…

25. Can’t they see we only want to have some fun?

I’ll stay in Belgium though, at least for the first time…

26. Germany is…..

Big! It’s a beautiful country with a lot of nice places I love to visit. Recently I’ve been in the old part of Dresden and I couldn’t believe my eyes how beautiful it is. Also all the castles everywhere are something special! I’m visiting Bremen next week to have a few drinks and I’m looking forward to see the city as I’ve heard it’s really worth visiting.

27. German beer is….

Come on, you’re asking the wrong guy, I’m from Belgium.. THE beer country in the world!

28. German Skins are….

All Nazis? Haha

Serious now… I wanted to move to Germany for a few months to learn the language, but my lawyer strongly advised not to, because the prosecutor would use that in court against me, because german skins = nazis! Hahaha

I really like a lot of the skins in Germany, they really keep the true skinhead spirit alive. And they are good drinkers!

29. Der Bewährungshelfer is….. (my zine, and 18 years old)

It’s in German obviously, but I do take my time to translate the road trips and concert reviews as they’re often funny to read! It’s not just the concert, and what bands, but reading it also gives you an impression of the atmosphere!

30. If we talk about Skins, where is the difference between all the kind of "we are the original Skins“? What about Hammer-Oi!-Sharp-Red-and what ever-Skin?

Everyone should do what they think is best and follow their own heart. If people want to be part of an organisation then that is their choice and I respect it. It’s just nothing for me. My band is my organisation.

31. What do you think about the "Spirit of 69“?

I like Short Cropped’s view on the spirit of 69! Hahahaha

32. If we talk about Skins, which German Bands you know and which one is the best?

There’s too many bands to mention..

Der Clou of Endstufe is probably my favourite German skinhead CD. Other bands I like are old Onkelz, Störkraft, Freikorps, Barking Dogs, Faustrecht,… well, mostly fuck-PC Oi! music.

33. Here the possibillity to ask me some thing...

How tall are you exactly? ;-)

Greetings and best wishes!

Dieter, 11 april 2009

 
Source: Boots and Braces web zine