Oxydants from Norway sent me their three records and it´s really nice punkrock this group plays. Harald  (And Tore) have answered the questions from me which took it´s place in march 2024.

Tell me a little about how you started, why you started, when you started and if you have played in any other groups before?

-Tore and Harald have played together for 2 decades. The Oxydants is, I would say, is a soup of everything we've done together in different bands all these years. Of the bands that we haven't played in together, the most famous are probably Muzzelwhite, which Tore and drummer Finn played, and Pink Dirt which Harald played.

Members? I feel that you´re up in age and is like me grown up with punk. Which ages are you and which members is in the group. What do you work with when you don´t play music?

Hell yeah We are starting to get older, and wiser. Bassist Harald is in his late 50s, the rest of the band are in their early 50s.

Tore is an author and has written a bunch of books. Terje is a teacher who teaches welding and sheet metal work. 

Finn is a plumbing engineer, and Harald works with waste landfills.

I got three records from you and all of them are superb, I saw on Spotify that you have done one more album, with covers , is it only digital or how is it? Was it difficlut to choose songs to a tribute LP becaue there are so many good old punksongs around?

-Yes, we wanted to record a cover record with some of our old heroes' music. Everyone chose some songs. 

We went to the studio with a couple of cases of beer and recorded the songs straight away. 

Towards the end of the record it sounds pretty good that we`ll soon run out of beer..

It was both easy and difficult to choose songs, difficult because there is a lot of good stuff out there, easy because 

a lot of stuff out there is good. This release is unfortunately only available digitally, but we think it's so good that it deserves 

to be released on vinyl

Does it feels like you have released a record if you only put it out digital?

-There is a difference between releasing music and releasing a new record. If we are to release a new record, 

it must definitely be released on vinyl

You only sings in english, you have never done or have any thoughts of singing in norwegian?

-Harald's old-school Punk band, Pink Dirt sang only in Norwegian. The Oxydants sing in English and probably always will.

 But we do sing in Norwegian as well, on one song, on the coming tribute album to legendary Oslo rock'n roll hero Joachim 

"Jokke" Nielsen. 

Your lyrics, what are they about, can you put in some politics sometimes or is it something you think that have with music to do? Your most political song?

-We are not very traditionally political, the songs are mostly about everyday problems, scary things, fighting and partying or anything else that we think is worth writing a song about. Then it will be up to people to interpret whether this is politically motivated or not.

Which are your favorite political band, I mean which is the best band to get out politics in the best way?

-Harald's favorite band, which also has political lyrics, is The Clash. There are a lot of bands that are clever and important in their political message, Rock has always been an instrument for the oppressed in the world

Is Norway a good punkcountry nowadays or how is it? Any good bands worth to mention?

-There is a lot going on in the underground punk scene in Norway these days. We are very lucky to have a label like 

Fucking North Pole Records. They ensure that narrow bands are able to release records on vinyl.

Unfortunately, the punk scene in Norway is a bit like Ebba Grøn's song "Alla Visa män"

Norway have a good history with old bands like Svart Framtid, Bannlyst and other bands, is that something that you like and which of the old bands are the best?

-These bands and many other bands are clearly something we listen to. It`s difficult to say who is the best, and 

we are not fans of pitting bands like this against each other

Is there any of the old bands still playing?

TORE: A few – we played with Bøyen Beng at a festival a couple of years ago. But Haralds old band, legendary Pink Dirt, 

are on a long break.  

Oxydants, where did the name came from? Any special meaning with it?

-When the band had to come up with a name, there was a lot of talk about anti oxidants and how health they are supposed to be. 

So the name The Oxydants is probably an Anti case against anti oxidants

When you play live, which type of people comes, is it only punks and rockers or how is it? Old and young?

-All kinds of people, young and old, people in suits and young punks

Is there any people you miss on your concerts?

-Not really, we rather play for a few people who like our music than a lot of people who are just there.

I imagine that you have been playing music for many years, which is the biggest difference of playing in this age that you are now if you compare when you started to play?

-We play havoc and drink beer on stage, pretending to be 20 years old, but we're not. So the biggest difference is that we are 

exhausted after a concert.

Please tell me a little about the following lyrics,

-Back for the sequel

-Shitty water all over the floor

-Old dead fucks

-TORE: Back for the Sequel is a love story about a tragic relationship that’s rekindled – like the sequel to a trashy horror movie. 

Shitty Water all over the Floor is about what the title says, literally, in a dingy bar somewhere. But of course it reflects the 

protagonists state of mind as well. 

Old Dead Fucks is a tribute to old dead heroes in literature and music: Raymond Chandler, Warren Zevon, Dylan Thomas, 

Joe Strummer, Stiv Bator, the whole gang, basically. 

Who does the lyrics and how do you do your songs. Is there some who comes to the rehersal with a whole song or do you jamming them together?

-Tore writes most of the lyrics and all the songs. Harald also contributes some lyrics. We make demos of new songs 

that we practice before rehearsal so that everyone knows the basics. Then we rehearse and make some adjustments along the way.

If you should describe your music in three words for someone who never have heard you-which three words comes to mind?

-Old School Shit

Please tell me a little of following records and a little about it.. -The Record which makes Oxydants sound like you do? .The first record you bought yourself? -The record you want to have recorded and be a part of? -The Record you like which you shouldn´t like? -The Record which made you wanna play rockmusic yourself?

-The Oxydants play heavy and simple, the rhythm section lays the foundation with simple bass riffs, and heavy drums, the drummer does not use a HiHat. Tore's whimsical chords and Terje's spices on top give The Oxydants a distinct soundscape.

Have you been much outside Norway and played? Which are the dreamplace to play?

-No, we have been mostly busy making music and playing limited concerts in Norway. However, we are planning a small tour in Germany

If you could put together a big concert with both dead and living bands and a minifestival with five bands plus Oxydants, which five bands have you choosed then?

-TORE: Wow, I guess our great heroes and sources of inspiration: Iggy Pop, The Clash, The Saints, The Dictators, Patti Smith? Could easily have chosen a bunch of others.

Is there any swedish bands you like?

-Oh yes, many,  Charta 77, Nationalteatern,  Ebba Grön and everything Thåström has done afterwards, We are also fans of The Hives who tour during the day.

Do you care about reviews? Which is the most peculiar you ever had, with this band or any other band you have been to?

-It's always fun to get good reviews, especially when they come from unexpected places. The Oxydants' latest single 3 Legged Dog received a roll of the dice 5 from a national newspaper in Norway. It was great

Which bands does people compare you to? Is it frustrating that people compare bands with other bands or is it understandable?

-Haha, We often hear that we sound like a band spit out from CBGBs, we like that.

You have a done a new record now, Bite The Bait? Are you satisfied with it or is it something you wish you have done different?

-We are very happy with the newest record. We love the cover which is a rip off from a very famous classic (from 1967!! ) which is one of our absolute favorites albums.

Are you planning for another record soon? Tour or what happens next?

-We're always making new music, so there will be a new album eventually.

Which is your own favoritesong among your own songs? And which song is the people choice?

-It is very difficult to choose a favorite, a song that always hits live and that we love to play is "Waiting For The Storm to Break" from The Oxydants' 1st album.

Which is the record that you always must have in the tourbus?

-Hard to say, but it often goes in classic punk.

Do you buy much records, or is it only Spotify and those type of things to listen to music? Is there any good record shop in your hometown?

-We buy a lot of vinyl, music sounds best on vinyl. Oslo is a good place to buy vinyl . Both new and second hand records

Is music a good way to get out frustration and become a nicer person outside the music?

-Music is good for everything, no music no life...

What shall a young guy do today to shock their parents as the way we did when we were young? They have already seen everything ?

-I think they would shock their parents if they weren't at SoMe 😊.

Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews? What do you prefer Telephoneinterviews, face to face or as this one via e-mail?

Interviews are great, it's easier with face to face interviews, because you might be more spontaneous.

Futureplans for the band? And for yourself?

-Punk Punk Punk

Wisdomword?

-The Old Shit Will Never die.

Something more to add?

-TORE: Thanks for the interest! We are thrilled that you enjoyed our music!