SURF WEASEL

surf weasel

Underdog Zine interview

Who are you, what do you play? Describe your music. 
We are the result of several local bands who died early deaths for various reasons. James on the guitar has been in every band going in our area - he just can't say no! His other bands were/are Anathema, Maniac and Compassion. Compassion have similar members to Surf Weasel. They sound like Ozric Tentacles, it's hard to say what we are - we have been called metal, punk, hardcore, brilliant, crap - you name it - we've been called it! I guess that's good if we can't be categorised. Chris the bass player was in local college heroes Sex With Sharon and Pablo, our drummer was in a thrash metal band Max Penalty but he's better now! Myself, I was in the Throbs, as was James and Chris. Confused? You should be, it's an incestuous scene round here. 

Does the name Surf Weasel mean anything? 
It means nothing, at least nothing to do with furry mammals out on the waves. We just chose two words that sounded good together, and well, anyone can look into it's significance. Names mean very little, Wet Wet Wet is a crap name for a band but it never stopped them from getting to number one! 

For those of us who don't want to bugger up our stylus, what does the backward message on the single mean? 
Aha! The famous backward message, it actually says "You wouldn't let it lie, you had to find out what the backward message was, you wouldn't let it lie" (Honestly). So I guess we got you on that one as you wouldn't let it lie! The best backwards message of all is on the Jugheads Revenge LP - it says "Warning, this will break your needle stupid"! Isn't it amazing what will amuse a band with five minutes to spare in the studio! 

What are your current plans as a band? 
DRI, the thrash metal band once said they had a five year plan. We've got the same but we're taking the first four years off! Just like homework, we're leaving it all to the last minute. We are working on our debut LP which may or may not be on Full Circle but it's hard for new bands to get gigs etc. At the moment things are looking up now though, maybe we'll do another single, who knows? 

What do you think is going to happen politically in the next five years?
I think we'll see the rise of the right wing in this country and more so in Europe - stick to your guns and counter racism and fascism anywhere you see it. I feel optimistic it can be stopped. We have a history of stopping the extreme right in this country but after the last ten years who knows what will happen in this take, take, take society of ours. Corporations will also take more control in government decisions around the world, there may come a day when people don't fight wars but large corporations, media organisations just buy up resources - both human and natural. It's frightening the power of a company such as Unilever. You, yourself have to be optimistic about the future - keep kicking in the right direction and believe in your capabilities to change things if only on a small scale. 

Have any of the band ever been arrested for anything? 
Myself, I've been questioned several times and been asked to help with enquiries about such things as my fanzine Crisispoint (Did I write those nasty things about Barclays Bank - giving out their freephone numbers? Did I suggest that paving slabs should be sent to local master of foxhounds, not me honest officer)! through to getting picked up on suspicion of ram raiding last Christmas! I have no criminal convictions but I'm sure I could have done quite easily...say no more. James got a breach of the peace fine for mucking about in Kingston one night. The cops wouldn't believe he was only play fighting with one of his mates. He's also been picked up with a load of parking meter cash boxes, which he found! The best was one was rearranging the traffic cones in the local town centre which he got nicked for - and it was me who did it! He refused to put them back as I'd done it and all of a sudden there were cops everywhere! Pablo and Chris have kept their profiles clean I think. I've been lucky, what with hunt sabbing and the like over the years. Except for speeding and jumping the lights that is! 

Do you play many gigs? Have you played outside England? 
We play what we can, not enough - must try harder! We're playing in Ireland in a months time with Chaos UK (!) which will be our first trip overseas - anyone who can help us out with a gig, get in touch,. We're cheap and easily pleased! 

What's the best form of punishment for a politician? 
Photographing David Mellor in an Arsenal kit and then taking him to Stamford Bridge.. Smearing napalm on Cecil Parkinsons todger (should get rid of half the cabinet). Kenneth Clarke (ex minister for Health) is drinking and smoking himself into an early grave. John Major should be told he's no good. He'll get such a complex he'll probably top himself if he's as nice as he reckons. Neil Kinnock suffers enough already, he goes to see Brentford FC at home matches. Best of all make question time last 24 hours with Arthur Scargill as the host and real people as the questioners (i.e. not retired majors). 

Anything else you'd like to say and hello's? 
Yes, many thanks for the interview and good luck with the zine. Lets make '93 the best hunt sabbing, cop baiting, royal hating, fascist kicking, racist whipping year on record. We're always open to communication, thanks again for the chance.