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!!
