RF) Firstly, Who is in The Skeptix? Is it still the original members?
Fish) The Skeptix are Snotty-vocals, Ush-Bass, Chig-Drums and me Fish on Guitar. The same line-up as in the 80’s.
RF) How many years were The Skeptix split up for? Who’s idea was it to get back together?
Fish) We were spilt for about 18 years. After Captain Oi contacted us about releasing all our stuff on a CD (1998) we talked about reforming just to record the tracks which were abandoned when the band split up. Ush found an old practice tape which sounded pretty ok. At that point we had no idea that we had any kind of fan base in the U.S.A. however it took us another 3 years to actually get it together due to Snotty’s accident (he took a knock playing football and got septicaemia in his leg and a flesh eating bug… he lost a 3rd of his leg and his knee joint!!) and I was finishing off my commitments with another band which was an album and a Scandinavian and European tour. We started jamming in Dec 2001.. to be honest no one knew what was going to happen but after 2 or 3 practices the whole thing clicked and started to sound really good (well to us anyway).
RF) Have you any new releases out yet?
Fish) Our new CD about 15 to 17 tracks should have been out in Sept. 2002 but because Snotty is in hospital again, its all been put back. Check out www.theskeptix.com for all the latest details.
RF) Have you ever been ripped-off by anyone in the punk scene?
Fish) WE got about £80 for 3 singles, 2 split singles and an album…. You decide!!!
RF) What is your favourite Skeptix song and why?
Fish) Pretty much everything from the new CD. The older ones : Traitor, Routine Machine, Got No Choice, Stop it while you can, War Drum. Personally for me ‘Death Run’ from the new CD. Makes me wanna pogo.
Snotty) Traitor’ cos it kicks.
RF) What kind of stuff is on your turntable at the moment?
Snotty) Threats, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and GBH.
Fish) Threats, Damned, Clash, Chilli Peppers, Floyd…(well you asked!) Casualties.
Chig) Damned, Clash.
Ush) Dead Kennedys, Threats.
RF) How important are lyrics in your music? How would you sum up your political stance, are you involved in any political activity?
Snotty) Lyrics are quite important in our music, as our music and lyrics show the anger and aggression we feel towards governments, local councils and everybody else who fails to deliver their promises and policies after they are elected. Although not all of our lyrics are political. Some just deal with everyday problems, women etc!! Our political stance was and still is Anti-War, Anti-Corruption and World wide governments who fill their own pockets. No we are not actively involved in any political activities.
RF) Where has been the best gig you’ve played so far and why?
Fish) With The Skeptix? If not Sweden Rock in front of 10,000 if so….er cant remember.
Snotty) The best gig for me was the 2nd gig after we reformed, Blackpool HITS 2002, the reason was that the punks at the front knew the words to our songs… even after 20 years.
RF) There was only one Joey & Dee Dee Ramone, what did The Ramones mean to you?
Fish) The Ramones were the first ‘Big’ band I ever saw. They totally blew me away Gabba Gabba Hey… also I had the privilege to meet Joey at our Discharge gig at the Ritz in New York in 1986, he was a cool guy… they basically showed us how 3 chords could sound…
RF) What song would you like played at your funeral?
Fish) I don’t know, something cheerful. I don’t really spend a lot of time thinking of dying (was this question cos we’re all in our mid 30’s)
RF) Has any of the band been in jail?
Snotty) No! none of us has ever been in jail. But we’ve been detained in Cells overnight on several occasions.
RF) Who are the King & Queen of punk?
Snotty) The King and Queen of punk for me are Johnny Rotten & Siouxsie Sioux.
Fish) Sorry snotty but I disagree big time on Siouxsie Sioux I reckon the Banshees sucked big style. King for me was Joe Strummer (the Clash) and Queen is Adi Ny Relix for booking our US shows.
RF) If you could go on tour with any band in the world, who would it be and why?
Fish) I’d love to tour with the bands who meant a lot to me back then. The Clash, The Damned, Stranglers… also I really look forward to touring with the threats and Drongos for Europe… also I’d like to go around the States with The Casualties cos their mostly responsible for our fan base in the States. And I’ve been in touch with Jake and he’s really cool, we could do beer contests and stuff.
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