Could you give a bit of band history, what got you together?

Most of us have been mod's at one time so there is a connection there (Bob, Mojo, Carol & Marcus). Carol and I knew Richie as he had helped out in a indie band called The Mayfields. We all met Lee when The Fuzztones played Salisbury arts centre. He eventually moved down for a job and we aksed him to join us, for his classic pebbles look. Our first practice took place on Halloween 1989 and our first gig was in Salibury in May 1990.

Voxx Records heard our demo in 1991, who in turn sent it to charlene at Merry-go-Round. So the 'Allergic Kiss/Colour Trip' 7" was born. In May 1992 Lee left, he was getting out of garage and into prog-rock!? Marcus took his place. Our next single on Dionysus, in America, came out in 1993/94. The 'Modesty Blaize' EP had two tracks sung by Lee and two by Marcus. Then we had a series of compilation LP releases on labels such as Misty Lane, Larsen and Detour. Our next single the 'Cemetary Chemistry' EP was released on the Italian label For Monsters Records.

In October 1995 Carol left to become more involved in the abolishment of fox hunting, etc. Andy replaced her on bass. Detour records released our next EP called 'Mistake' at the end of 1996 and Twist records released our first full LP, 'One Step Forward', in May 1997. We've also managed to play in Germany, France, Belgium and Italy, and also got played on Radio One by Mark Radcliffe.

Who have been the bands biggest influences?

The Beatles, The Byrds, The Animals, The Stones, The Pretty Things, The Artwoods, Them, Beau Brummels, The Seeds, Love, Choir, The Electric Prunes, The Thanes, Outsiders & The Grass Roots. Chelsea Boots, 12 Electric Guitar Sound, Groovy Organ Sounds, Swinging London, Bowl Cuts, Sunset Strip (..Riot On).

Heroes

RICH - Neils Bohr, Rat Scabies

MOJO - Scooby Doo, Lenny Helsing

ANDY - Bob (organ player with The Nuthins)

BOB - Lenny Helsing, The Man With No Name

Villans

RICH - Jack The Ripper

MOJO - The Hooded Claw

ANDY - Bob (organ player with The Nuthins) & People who whistle badly

BOB - Pussy Galore

What got you into 60's Garage Punk in the first place?

It was a natural progression I guess. You're into the 60's and groups your into talk about other bands, somebody say's try listening to this group or but this compilation LP, called Pebbles or Nuggets. You go to clubs and see other people, hear other music. Also a big thing which introduced The Nuthins to garage punk was seeing the The Fuzztones play live at Salisbury Art Centre at the end of the 80's (or should I say, it got us to form a band).

What music is keeping the band grooving at the moment?

BOB: A lot of Hollies stuff, The choir and choir practice, Fluer-de-Lys 'Reflections', 'New England Teen Scene' compilations.

RICH: Outsiders 'CQ' Sessions and a lot of R'n'B

ANDY: Grass Roots 'Where were you when I needed you' & 'Lets live for today' LP's

MOJO: Optic Nerve

Is there one LP you could say that The Nuthins would quite literally be nothing without?

Maybe not as a band, but individually:

ANDY: Leaves 'Hey Joe'

RICH: Outsiders 'CQ Sessions'

MOJO: Left Banke 1st LP

BOB: Animals 'Inside Looking Out'

Describe your music in one sentence

Folk Rock'ish, Beat Garage, R'n'B Psyche Pop!?

Is you image as important to you as you music?

At one time it was probably more important. With stripy trousers, Cuban heels & paisley, etc. Now it's more toned down and just part of what we wear normally, but I still think image is important. It all goes hand in hand with the music you're trying to put across.

Do you consider yourselves 60's purists?

No! Yes! er maybe.. For the group, we are definitely. Now we have more of a 80's garage feel, where as now we want an authentic sound and we feel we're getting there. It can be hard when you've got 30/40 years of music to draw on.

Do you think the press/music industry take Garage Punk seriously, or just treat it as a bit of a joke, a novelty?

I think the problem is that garage bands can be so colourful and so obvious, it's easy to attack and make fun of, so becomes a novelty. Everybody has influences and it seems the press has a problem seeing passed that 60's fashion to the heavily influenced music. Itís just British music has to be seen trying to go forward, Doesn't mean it's any better though.

It must piss you off when bands like Kula Shaker and Ocean Colour Scene ride the bandwagon to huge commercial success?

No not really! In the case of Kula Shaker, Jay & Crispian were in a garage band called The Sheds with Martin & Mole from The Mystreated, so they've cut their teeth in real garage bands, love, know and talk it. They just wanted some success and to have that you have to water certain things down, it doesn't mean you like it less. With OCS maybe Paul Weller introduced a lot to them but we all learn like that and again it doesn't mean you like something less. Anyway, bands like this introduce a new generation to the scene and bands which they may never of heard. It keeps it alive. I also don't think the 60's scene is that big for bands to jump any bandwagon.

The garage scene seems to be much bigger in Europe, are you quite big over there?

Yeah, about as big as we are here! Saying that we do get quite a lot of fan mail from Europe treating us like any chart band. They seem to be more fanatical and passionate. I think it's just a case of the British music legacy, they love to see a British band! You do get more people at your gigs, more money and get treated better. I donít think the scene is any bigger, London still has on of the biggest scenes.

What has been the highlight of The Nuthins career so far?

I think having Mark Radcliffe playing a couple of our singles quite a few times on Radio One! Having someone talk about you, then hearing your music across the speakers is definitely heart stopping stuff. The first time is feels special.

Future plans for the band?

Well at the moment Marcus is re-joining the band so we're rehearsing with him. Then we're recording for a couple of singles, one in Italy which should be out around the summer. Then back to gigging, hopefully in Europe as well and try to get a higher profile for the band.