Since 2006
Since 2006
17/11/24
10/11/24
03/11/24
Interview with last vocalist of British Standard (June 2008)
First of all how old are you now and which your skinhead/ns history? When you were involvent for first time in the movement and what force you to join?
Iam 40 years old now and first got into the skinhead scene in 1989 after hearing Skrewdriver for the 1st time. I met many other nationalist Skins at the political meetings and concerts i attended and became good friends with them. I eventually got into the Blood&Honour scene which iam now proud to say i have tattooed on my back.
How was the political/social situation in Scotland then and how is today? Any problems?
When i joined the "Fightback" as i call it Scotland was only just starting to feel the full force of the coloured immigration into our land. England had it much worse at the time so the Nationalists from Scotland would travel down to help our English brothers in their struggle. Today however Scotland has been Overrun (British Standard song) by paki/african/indian immigrants and the whole multi-cultural society which has been forced upon us is causing many problems for our people. In my opinion the only way we can reverse this situation is to struggle for independence from the zionist/immigrant loving British government and take our nation back before all is lost.
If im right, you was the second or the third vocalist of the great Scotish R.A.C band British Standard. Can you tell us a bit for your history inside the band? How and when you join, when you leave, etc…
I joined B.S. (British Standard) in 1990 and i was the 2nd singer, the band had a great female singer before me, called Lorraine who left to start a family. It was difficult for all of us in the band at the time to change our sound from female to male vocalist but i think we managed it pretty well. The main problem i had was the lack of songs we had when i joined so i immediately set about writting new material the best of which were probably "New Europe", "Overrun", "Back From The Dead" and 'Fatherland'.
We rehearsed in Glasgow for a few years playing small R.A.C gigs but became frustrated that every time a big concert or meeting came along it would be cancelled at the last minute so we decided to concentrate on getting records released and spread our message that way. The first record of course was the Last Chance compilation which we did 2 songs for "Violence, Rape & Murder" and "New Europe" we also recorded another two tracks "Race & Nation and "Keep Britain White" which were to appear on Last Chance Volume 2 but the Belgium Police force decided to raid the record studios and confiscate the master copies so it unfortunatly never made it onto record. I left B.S. in 1994 when my kids Victoria and Allan were born as i had little time to rehearse and i wanted to look after them properly.
You know what happen today to the other past and later from you, members of the band? They still active?
I have since lost touch with the other members of the band but i did meet Sim the bassist a few years ago and he had joined a reserve army unit. I have no idea who is active anymore but i know wherever they are they are still proud white patriots.
What you know about other Scotish bands like: Skin Deep and Condemned? Theres any other more quiet R.A.C band from Scotland?
Nemesis was the band that arose from the ashes of B.S. and became very successful, i dont know much about any other bands that came from Scotland since we spilt but i wish them all the best.
You was member or supporter in any political party? What your experience? What about marches on the streets?
I was a member of various Right wing parties first the National Front (NF) then left and joined the British Movement (BM). I would rather not talk about the many marches and battles we had in those early years with the communists but lets just say we are undefeated!!
B&H and Ian Stuart, your thoughts, experience and contacts with this great ns movement?
One of my biggest regrets in life is that i never got the chance to get to know Ian Stuart very well, i met him only once for a few minutes after a gig in London but the man was an inspiration to all of us with his "Never give up the fight" attitude, and he now sits with Gods in Valhalla. I have been a Blood & Honour member since it was started by Ian Stuart and i always will be. People tell us that we are in the minority but my message to them is beware because "The Minority are Everywhere".
Can you tell us some things that we don’t know about British Standard? And what other unreleased songs you have wrote or practice?
One unknown fact about B.S. is that all our T-shirts and posters were designed and made by my wife Gillian she spent all her time on them and had to make many t-shirts to keep up with the demand at the time. She even made posters for Battle Zone and No Remorse when they came to play in Scotland.
We have got a few unheard and unreleased tracks hidden away that i will be give to Glory Days of R.A.C for download.
How is the today world order in your eyes, what you wish for the future and what you believe?
The world is in a global mess and in my opinion we need a cultural and physical uprising by the white working class Europeans to bring down the corrupt left wing politicians that control most of Europe. I hope this will happen soon so that we can hand over the future of the white race to our children and grand children.
Can you tell us the meaning of the song New Europe? What believe for the today situation in Europe?
New Europe was about the collapse of Communism in eastern Europe, i was so inspired by the efforts of the our brothers in East Germany, Russia, Poland etc who had the courage to attack and bring down the hated communist regimes that i had to write a song about it. I like the song as it has a strong message and i hope our Hellenes fans like it as well.
Which was your first R.A.C gig that you watch and which was a normal gig? What kind of music you like most?
I don't actually have a favourite R.A.C gig but i would say that any Skrewdriver or No Remorse gig was always memorable for one reason or another. I still enjoy listening to all the old White Power music and of course a new band for me No Surrender, you are lucky to have such a good band in Hellas.
With which other bands you played in the period you was in vocals duties?
I played in a few bands before and after B.S., i started as a drummer with a band called Young Offenders then became a singer as i was so bad at drums! i also sang with Final Solution and The Slugs but only B.S. produced anything worth listening to.
Your oppinion about:
a. Kev Turner
b Ken & Brutal Attack
c. new R.A.C bands (your favorites?)
d. skinzines on paper and net
Kev Turner: Crap rave DJ, but excellent with Skullhead
Ken (Brutal Attack): Older than me thankfully but top bloke with a top band!
New Bands: none the oldies are the best!
Skinzines: any Blood&Honour publication from around the world!
Thank you very much brother for this interview. Please closed the interview with your oppinion about Glory Days of R.A.C site and what you know about our country. I wish you all the best for your family! Regards! 14!
Thanks Albert for giving me the chance to speak for B.S. The effort you and others are putting into No Surrender and Glory days of R.A.C is a credit to you all. I actually know quite a lot about your country as i enjoy reading History and Hellas has some of the most interesting history in the world, my favourite is the story of King Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae. I have visited Crete twice and Zante and i hope one day to visit Athens. Good Luck to all my Hellenes Brother and Sisters. Keep the Faith as one day our day will come and the world will tremble when the white men of Europe cry out in one voice! "Tomorrow Belongs To Us".
14 words Midi.
02/11/24
Tom & Vengeance
Ι thought to put again the first interviews i have taken in the beginning of this website as archive. EnjOi!
Hello Tom! First of all is honour for me to do an interview with a member of one of my favorites bands! Can you tell us some things for your today life? Family, work? How old are you now?
Thanks. It’s always nice to hear Vengeance is still listened too and liked across the world. We used to get lots of letters from people when we were together in the 80's. We even got some love letters from Skinhead Girls which was nice!! I'm 42 now and married with children. I'm still a Skinhead, always will be.
Can you give us the story of your band Vengeance? Line up, gigs, etc? You have any unreleased songs?
Vengeance was created from an idea by Me and Daz in 1985. I was a drummer anyway and Daz was a keen vocalist so we set about looking for a line up. Daz recruited two friends of his, Tim, a really good lead guitarist and Rach who played bass. Vengeance was formed and we spent many months writing songs and practicing. We laid some tracks down in the studio and released them on demo. We played our maiden gig in Norwich supporting Condemned 84. The gig was a huge success and we got a taste for playing live. In the summer of 1987 we played an R.A.C gig in Suffolk headlined by Skrewdriver. I seem to remember it was bloody hot that day!!! That same year we played a few more gigs with a great band called Section 5 and again with Condemned 84. Unfortunately Tim and Rach left the band and we persuaded two friends of ours to join Vengeance, the legend Vernon on bass guitar and his good friend Andy on lead guitar. They had both been playing in another band of which I can't remember the name. We spent a few months practicing the new line up but Daz announced he was quitting which we were all gutted about. The three of us were determined to carry on but we couldn't find a decent vocalist anywhere so Vernon took on vocals as well and Vengeance became a three piece. We quickly got writing and recorded another demo called 'Fight For Your Life' which I think became one of the most popular songs with our supporters. We played a great gig in Stoke with Section 5 a short while after. We signed to Rock O Rama Records and recorded our debut album 'Forward Into War' in May 1988. This was released a few months later along with a video which was shot in the studio whilst we were recording the album. The album was a big success and we got a lot of fans from Belgium, USA and Australia writing to us which was great. We played in London later that year with Brutal Attack and Skrewdriver. In the autumn we slowed up and had a break which lasted a bit too long and we decided to call it a day as we all wanted to do our own thing for a while. A second album was released called '1986' which contained some of our earlier recordings and a couple of our tracks made it into a compilation album. Me and Vernon spent a long time talking about getting something going again but it just never happened. A number of years later after we had all lost touch Andy contacted me and told me the tragic news that Vernon had died. I couldn't believe it and I was very upset. We went to his funeral which was one of the most upsetting things I’ve experienced. R.I.P Vernon. (Legend).
What forced you to stop the band and which was the reasons? After Vengeance you play in any other band? Before Vengeance?
I think we just finished naturally. We had done a lot of recording and live gigs in a short time and I reckon we were just tired. Me and Vernon wanted to start up again but it just never happened. After we had split me and Vernon wrote a few songs which never got recorded. I jammed around with a local thrash metal band a few times but nothing serious.
Personal you prefer your sound in the first days (1986 lp and singles) as a four member band or when you was a 3-piece band with the more strong R.A.C sound (‘Forward Into War’)?
Each line up was special to me in its own way. I was lucky to be the founder of the band along with Daz and also to see it through to the end. We had a different sound at the beginning compared to the end. Daz was a strong vocalist and our guitar sound was unique. However Vernon brought in his own great musical and vocal talent to the band which was great. Andy had a different style on guitar to Tim which worked with what we wanted on 'Forward Into War'.
Your memories and strange things from the band’s years?
I’ve got a lot of special memories from my time as drummer for Vengeance. The people I played with and the many people who came to see us play and give us their support. We got drunk a lot!!!
Can you tell us about the death of brother Vernon (R.I.P). It was also the artist of ‘1986’ lp cover (I hope you like it in Glory Days banner!), like the great painting of ‘Forward Into War’?
Vernon was a great loss. The band had finished for a while before Vernon died. I had lost contact with him which made it all the worse for me. Vernon was a true friend and a truly great singer/guitarist and song writer. I miss him, even now. R.I.P.
From the time that Vengeance stop, you still active inside the skinhead / R.A.C movement? You visit gigs in England like for St. George day etc?
I remained true to the Skinhead cult but wasn’t active. I went to a few gigs to see other bands but devoted myself to my wife and children. I am patriotic and hold right wing views but have mellowed now!!
I thing you was one of the ‘first line’ bands of B&H Britain in the golden days. You still a B&H skinhead? What about other organization or parties? You follow ever some of them?
I still regard myself as a Skinhead but am not politically active. There is a lot wrong with the world and my country and I still hold my true beliefs.
Can you tell us about skinheads, bands and happenings in your area Norwich? What happened in early days and what today?
Norwich had a lot of Skinheads in the 80’s but there is not as many around now. I meet people from those days sometimes and we talk about the old days. There is still a lot of interest in Vengeance on the internet which is great.
You know anything and you still in contact today with any other band’s member? Is true that Daz stil skin?
Im not in contact with anyone from Vengeance anymore which I guess is a shame. I don’t know if Daz is still a skinhead. I reckon he is as he was very true to the cult.
English band Legion of St. George have covered your song ‘Pride & Pain’ and Germans Bloodshed ‘Battle Dressed In Black’. You have listen these?
No I haven’t heard their covers. Are the covers better than the originals? I hope not!!! (GloryDays: of course not mate!!! Vengeance rules!)
Which are the best European bands today for you? You listen also any other music style except Oi! and R.A.C?
Condemned 84 are still going, great band. I’m into AC/DC and Motorhead.
Your opinion about Brutal Attack and young R.A.C bands in your country?
I am a big fan of Brutal Attack. Great band. I don’t really listen to present R.A.C bands but still listen too Sham 69, Cockney Rejects and Condemned 84.
What you know about my country Hellas?
I went to Spetses on holiday just after Vengeance broke up. I got very drunk on Ouzo!!!! I would like to come back. Any chance of me staying with you guys for a week?
Thank you very much mate! Something you want to say more?
Thanks for the interview and keep your blog going, it’s great. Forward into War!!
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