Well, what can I say? Bluekilla are one of the finest ska bands to walk the earth (sensing a little media bias?). I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to ask a few questions of the lead singer Amedeo, just before they left for Australia. Lousy questions compiled by Jake.

Firstly, I must ask for those who don't know, who are you and who is Bluekilla?
I am Amedeo aka dr. deadlock - lead singer of Bluekilla and Bluekilla is a band from Germany performing pure ska since 1985.

Why do you think ska remains popular after so long?
Because everyone likes it. Even if it's only for one or two years someone's going crazy for ska, that's enough to keep it alive if everybody does.

I must ask, what brought on the decision to tour Australia?
It was gazza, the mad "skaman" from the skaman radio show "skankin' down under" in full plenty valley. He came to germany and infected us with this idea.
*Be sure to check out Skaman's site Skanking Downunder HERE for more info on the Bluekilla tour.*

What do you think of the newer incarnations of ska (ie: ska-punk and third wave)? Do you feel that they are a step forwards or backwards?
A sidestep? Yeah .. one step aside and then forward, together with all the other styles. But those who love ska-punk and third wave should definately give thanks to the fathers of ska in Jamaica and England. This is the most versatile era and music in history (60s ska and reggae)

This is probably a question that you get sick of being asked, but do you feel that German ska/skin gets an unfair stigma attached to it? Is there really the rascism we hear about?
I don't know what stigma you are talking about. Do people in australia say that german skabands are all wearing brown suits and swasticas? You shouldn't trust any coutry's mass media and yellow press. It's true that we have neo nazis and also naziskins like any other country has. But media never shows the majority of skinheads who are dedicated to the spirit of 69, which means: hate rascism, love music, fight fascism, fight for the working class, drink beer and never give up before the pub close doors.

Who would be playing at a Bluekilla dream gig?
You're joking? Just bluekilla and only girls allowed in the crowd.

What can Australian fans expect of the band on your impending tour?
The famous skabo :-) we tell more on our gigs (-:

Where do you see ska heading in the future?
I've got no clear vision, oh no, the picture is fading......

What's in the future for Bluekilla?
After australia: holidays! and rehearsing new material for a new cd (hopefully 2002)

Would you tell us a story? I am trying to come up with new questions, this just popped into my head.
Just what's poppin into my head? Sure. Support your lokal skabands! There has never been a skaband in Munich (our hometown) better than us though the specials and madness and lots other bands played here. Our 15th aniversary gig was the best gig we ever had and i've never seen so many girlies stage diving at a concert. This is when a local ska band plays, there's lots of fun and friends and party. On the other side you cannot play only in one city. this is why skabands start touring other cities first and then other countries and all of a sudden you realize that you playing in cities and countries where no skabands exist and you love it because they love it. You start spreading the word and all of this makes you get better and better. On the other side you start having bad gigs in towns where lots of other ska bands have been before and you fuck up because the crowd doesn't like you. This makes you get much better and at the end you are a good band and if you like your band mates even after 10 or 15 years you start touring in australia.....will you come up with a new question now?!

What got you into ska?
It just came like a bang, when the specials and madness made ska explode.

Well, since the name refers to your love of bluebeat (that's a form of ska for the new school readers) and tequila (that's a drink for the straight edge readers j/k), I ask which is better?
Bluebeat, definately. tequilla gets quite boring.

On your release "Ska is our business", you did the production and arrangements, do you put a lot of importance on control of your music?
Probably too much, that's why "ska is our business" has been produced by my brother. I produced only a couple of songs. Once i decided to give the job to a person i trust, i'm happy with it and concentrate on a few more dubby tunes which i love to produce and mix.

Well, just to finish up, any words for the punks and rudies of Australia?
We have no words for the kind response, our decision to make this tour called up, all those emails and guestbook entries, reinforced us so much and now we really can give it back. If we arrive in good health and no shit is coming towards us we will do our best to have a good time together.

Thanx again for answering the questions. Can't wait to see you guys live.
Cheers, Jake

You can find out more about the Bluekilla tour from either the Punk Downunder gig guide, the Australian Bluekilla site, Skanking Downunder (no affiliation) or the official Bluekilla site. Be sure to visit the official Bluekilla site for free audio files!