SHZ:First off, I wanted to ask about the Unity Tour...How did it goand did you accomplish what you hoped to?
Craig: The unity tour went really well for us, we got to play a lot of countries and cities we hadn't played before. We didn't know what to expect cos there were mostly hardcore bands on the bill, but the tour was still a huge success. The crowds were really good to us in every country we played. We definitely got to accomplish all that we hoped to, we played our hearts out in front of a packed house every night!
SHZ: In Europe this time around were people more familar with you and your music and how were you received?
Craig: Well, the last time we were in Europe we played mostly in the east, ( Germany, Poland, Czech, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland). But this time we went just about everywhere ( England, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, and Germany). I was surprised that people knew of us in the places we hadn't played, that was cool. The places that we had hit already were great, lots more people singing the words and stuff like that. We were recieved really well just about everywhere we went, especially the larger cities. A punk in England even had a tattoo of the bird from our first record cover! The only show that sucked was in some bumfuck town in France. We had to play at 7:30 on a tuesday night so no one was there.
SHZ: What was the funniest thing that happened to you guys on this tour?
Craig: This one's rough, a lot of funny shit happened. Getting our bus driver fired was really funny, he freaked out. He pulled a knife and everything. It was funny though cos he was such a pussy and everyone was just laughing at him. He didn't know he was fired and we wouldn't let him back on his bus. Also we got the cops called on us in Germany at a gas station. It was after the show and we were all really wasted and being obnoxoius, Gordy threw me over a table and the Gas station guy flipped. The cops came and did nothing. One night there was trouble with Nazis and our tour manager ( 6' 9'' 350lbs.) leveled ten people in like two minutes. He got backstage and was laughing. All he could say was " they're so slow!" Something that really wasn't funny; our merchandise guy ( god bless his crazy heart) couldn't keep his uncircumsized member in his pants. It looked like a burnt carrot with a piece of chewing gum stuck to the end!. I think he whipped it out every night after he drank a bottle of wodka. Everyone was scared. Oh yeah, everyone that passed out was given a Hitler moustache and swastika tattoo's with a sharpie marker. Fairly standard tour mishief.
SHZ: What country did you like the most?
Craig:Personally, I liked Holland, and not just cos of the weed. The clubs are all funded by the government and are fucking massive and crazy looking. I think the rest of the band would say Germany, they have the biggest punk scene there.
SHZ: Did you guys get to “discover” any more or less unknown European bands while you were there?
Craig:Actually yes. A band called DISCIPLINE was on tour with us and they were fucking great. One of the best bands I've heard in a while. They're a skin band from Holland and they sound like Rose Tattoo and Social D if they started an Oi! band. Just good tough rock n roll. They are on ISCREAM! records and their full length is called " Love thy neighbor." They also have an EP called "Hooligan's Heaven." Check them out.
SHZ: Now that you’ve travelled the World a couple of times, you should be qualified to answer this...What is the World’s best album, tattoo artist, beer and book?
Craig:It's hard to pick one favorite but here goes; The worlds best album is still Stiff Little Fingers- Inflammable Material. You can't beat it, great songs with high energy. The worlds best beer is definitely in Germany. I can't name one cos every town brews their own beer, and it's strong. The worlds best tattoo artist is Scott Sylvia, the guy is just a master a tattooing. Everything he touches is brilliant. Best movie? I'm going for a new one, and people may think I'm nuts....but for pure entertainment I like Fight Club. That guy is the epitome of anarchy and rebellion in the twentieth and twenty first century. He blew up credit card buildings to start a revolution...brilliant. The worlds best book is Willian Cooper's "Behold A Pale Horse." I'm not going to say anything about it, I just hope I don't get shot for spreading the word about this amazing and scary book. This book will change your life forever. Don't buy it with a credit card.
SHZ: Now that you guys are back home in the States, will you be taking a break from shows for a while or do you have anything planned?
Craig:We had a weekend booked in LA for when we got back but it fell through. We'll be playing shows again in January and touring the states in February and March. We plan on touring non stop or as much as possible for the next two years. We also will be back to Europe in April.
SHZ: If there is anyone out there who are not familar with The Forgotten, how would you describe yourselvees?
Craig: I would describe us as a high energy traditional punk band. Our sound is always evolving so it's hard to put one label on to it. Our first record is more rock and roll 77 style punk, while our latest effort is more GBH style punk.
SHZ: So do you guys listen to your own music?
Craig: Of course, I probably listen to our records more than anyone else. It helps me figure out what I liked and disliked so that we can put out a better record the next time. I never listen to them for enjoyment or put them on at a party or something.
SHZ: What bands are you into right now?
Craig: Right now I really like THE DEVOTCHKAS (NYC) and ADOLF AND THE PISS ARTISTS (Atlanta). I'm also listening to Social D's "Prison Bound" alot. THE ADOLESCENTS, CLASH's London Calling, GBH, and Johnny Cash are always on my record player too. Oh yeah, and THE REZILLOS from Scotland. Great punk band from the late seventies.
SHZ: Do you guys have anything in the works right now recording wise?
Craig: We recorded a 8 song EP for KNOCKOUT records that will be out in March. They put out OXYMORON's records so it should be easy to find in the states. Also CORETEX records from Berlin is putting out a CD of all of our rare vinyl and comp tracks. That should be out in March as well.
SHZ: What is the best way for people to buy your stuff?
Craig: I think chain record stores carry some TKO bands now, so if they don't have it, they can order it. It's not the best way but definitely the easiest. The best way to get our record is to find a local indie record store. If your town doesn't have that I would go online to Mordam Records or any online store.
SHZ: You guys have had a lot of success; good records, great tours and loyal fans...What goals remain for you guys and what is in store for The Forgotten?
Craig: We just want to keep touring and putting out records, maybe be able to pay our rent for once. That's it.
SHZ: Personally, what is your favorite Forgotten song and why?
Craig: My favorite song right now is a new song that is going to be on the KNOCKOUT EP. It's called Conflict and it's about America playing policeman for the world. We sell countries guns and then try to stop them from fighting, it's horseshit. We've got bigger problems that need to be dealt with. Instead, politicians are fighting these media wars on CNN so their poll ratings will stay up and they'll be re-elected. American politics are a joke and this election is testament to that.
SHZ: What one thing or person brought you into the punk rock scene?
Craig: My friend Shea, our original drummer, is completely responsible for bringing me to the punk scene. I was always looking for something that I could relate to and punk rock was it. He took me to Gilman Street where I got to witness the birth of bands like AFI and the SWINGIN UTTERS. These bands screamed about the lunacy of society and it just clicked. The most pivotal records for me were Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable Material and THE CLASH - The Clash. Once I found those records I was a lifer, there was no turning back.
SHZ: Lastly, what do you think that it is gonna take for punk music and punk rockers to survive in the coming years?
Craig: We've got to stop the violence at shows, it's what killed the punk scene in the early eighties. Violence is a part of punk rock and it always will be, but we need to keep the fights outside of the clubs and bars. Without venues there are no places for bands to play. There was a stabbing at a show in SF recently and it marred the already bad reputation that punk bands get. People just need to go across the street and beat the snot of each other, there is always a well lit parking lot to fight in instead of the club. Also, we need big bands like RANCID to attract new people into the scene. Otherwise a lot of the old punks get jaded and give up. Punk dies without new blood.
For more info on the band, check their website, The Forgotten dot net or BYO Records dot com.
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