Kickback generation is a very good English band which plays punkrock in a very nice style. Here they answers me on some questions in September-2014

Please tell me a little bit history of the group?

- Jim (vocals/bass guitar) plays bass in The Stottin Headaches (Punk Covers band), also plays guitar,solo under the name of Just Braggin (Billy Bragg /
Political songs) . Carl (backing vocals / guitar), ex Speedogs (Punk Original band - now disbanded). Mick (drums). The band has been together for two years now. Six months rehearsal at the start, quickly turned into an albums worth of songs, which along with a few
covers soon got us out there gigging with whoever would have us. Real Punkrock,live and loud.

Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone?

- Jim (age 51), likes nothing better than either playing live, which tends to be every weekend, or watching live music again, every chance I get. Something bad: Never happy with where we are as a band, always wanting the next step (is that bad)!!
Carl (age 49), pretty much the same as Jim, as far as weekends go,live and loud. Something bad: He keeps threatening to write new songs, but never gets round to it, lol, (and he plays too loud at
practice)! Mick (20), has a bit of a hard time being in the band with two old Punks, and does take a lot of stick. It’s an agething !! Something bad: Being at that certain age, it’s obvious that he knows everything there is to know about everything, lol !!

The name Kickback generation how did the name came up??

- It’s a name reflecting three traits of the society/world we live in today. Kickback - a sudden forceful recoil (violent reaction / repercussion. to chill out, drinking relaxing, an illicit payment made to someone in return for facilitating a transaction, or appointment (in other words, a capitalistic/corporate bribe).

 
Have you been thinking of being more than three in the group?

- The first rehearsal was intended to be a four piece, I was meant to be on vocals, and second guitar, but the intended bass player had already joined another band!! The practice went ahead, I took my bass, and the rest is history. We have no plans to add another guitar. Carl is quite loud enough by himself, thank you!!

What´s the best thing with playing live?

- When you get a good crowd, and a good connection. That’s when it all comes together. Class.

And where is best to play?

- Anywhere is good, but small pubvenues are best, for atmosphere, and full on in your face noise.

How is it to play punk in England?

- We have quite a good scene in the
North East, and some cracking bands, and small venues. The band is just starting to get our songs out to a wider audience up, and down the country. So bring it on, and let’s see how it goes.

How would you describe your music in three words?

- Makes you think.

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?

- It’s an attitude, have a go, make it happen.

How do you see on downloading, mp3 and that stuff?

- Anything that gets your songs out to a wider audience has got to be good, but being from a vintage generation, I prefer vinyl, and of course Cds. It’s got to be better to own the item, read the lyrics, read the blurb, and understand the work that’s gone into making it.

How is it to live in England now? Politically?

- Strange times indeed. All the political parties have created a very apathetic/cynical society, and people think that by not voting they are making a stand!! Which in fact is quite the opposite. A small voice will
never be heard. They work for us, and not the other way round. We live in a democratic society, but democracy cannot exist without everyone having there say. We`ve got a very long way to go.

Is there any good bands from England?

- Loads! Plenty original Punk bands still getting there arses out there. Check out The Rebellion Festivals, and North East/West Calling gigs for some cracking line ups. On a more local note, the likes of Gimp Fist, Crashed Out, Loaded 44, In Evil Hour, Diablo 66, along with ourselves, and many more are taking the music to the pubs week in week out.

What do you know about Sweden?

- Not a lot. But would appreciate some band names to check out.

Have you heard any good bands from Sweden?

- Abba, lol. Perkele of course, but no others I know of. But as above, let me know some names, and I`ll check them out.

Your lyrics, who does them and what influences you?

- Other than two songs on Waiting for the Punch line - Burnout, which is an old Speedogs song written by Mick Dixon, and Suicide, War, and Hate - written by Carl, all lyrics are by myself (Jim). Most of my lyrics, are an observational take on everything around us. How we behave, the good, and the bad points of human nature. Then of course, heavy on the political side, anticorporate, anticapitalistic, antimaterialistic. Basically, I write anything that will make you sit up and think. Not necessarily to change your opinion, but just to make you think, and question.

Do you do any covers when you play live, which(if you do) ?

- We tend to have three covers in out catalogue that we bring out if, or when required - Emotional Blackmail (UK Subs), Sonic Reducer (The Dead Boys), and Martin, by (Snuff)

Politics and music, does it goes hand in hand?

- Its very much a personal choice. A lot of the original Punk bands had a message, something to say, and being in my early teens in 1977, it was this that grabbed my attention. Yes, the music had energy, the bands looked great. But they also meant it!, but that’s my bag. There are some great bands out there, who have no message, just full on noise. Whatever floats your boat.

Best political band/artist?

- I could go on forever. Angelic Upstarts,Dead Kennedyss,Crass,to cover a wide range, but on a personal note, …. Billy Bragg has always made sense to me (bit of a folkie at heart lol !!)

Do you think that music(lyrics and so on) can change anyones life)I mean people who listens to music)?

- There’s only you can change your life, but it’s a nice thought to think a song could make someone see, or think in a different way, or have a new perspective on something.

Have you done anything more than these record you sent to me? If you have how can I get it?

- We have enough material now for a second album. These songs are slowly being brought into the set, so early next year we are planning some studio time to get them down.

 

Is it important to release your records as “real” records??

 - I think the crowd we play to, need to buy a real record Old School Punk Rock !!
 
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during your career and under some gig?

- We`ve played gigs to packed pubs, and great
crowds, and we`ve travelled miles to play to half a dozen people. All part of the learning curve.

How does your audience look like? Which people do you miss on your concerts?

- Mixed ages, but all Punks, or at least great people with great attitudes. It’s these people that keep our small scene alive, and we always make a point of telling them that, at some point in n the show. Cheers.

Please rank your five favorite records, five favorite concerts and five most important things in life?

- Records - Jim - The Clash (London Calling), Blackout (The Drop Kick Murphys), Leather face (Mush), Tom Robinson Band (1st Album), Gimp Fist (The Place where I belong). Carl - The Damned (Machine Gun Etiquette), The Clash (1st Album), Leather face (Mush), Husker Du (Zen Arcade), Pearl Jam (Vs) Mick - Green Day (Burnout), The Clash (Death or Glory), The UK Subs (Emotional Blackmail), The Foo Fighters (Breakout), Nirvana (In Bloom).
Gigs - Jim - UK Subs (The Three Tuns),
U2 (Newcastle Mayfair), Gimp Fist (Rebellion), Cocksparrer (The Melkweg), The Damned (Sunderland Mayfair). Carl - Snuff (Reading Festival), No Means No (Leeds University), Sugar (The Riverside), Dirt Box Disco (Rebellion), New York Dolls (The Cluny) Mick - Capdown (Rebellion), The Toy Dolls (The Cathouse), UK Subs (The Three Tuns), Gimp Fist (Rebellion), Reel Big Fish (Rebellion).
Important things -
Jim - Friendship, Goals, Morals, Belief, and music. Carl - Sight, Hearing, Taste, Touch, Guitars Mick - Music, Friends, A good attitude, Laughter, and Non conformity.

I compare you a little with old bands like Cocksparrer, Angelic Upstarts, Red London, and with comment on that? Other bands you have been compared to?

- That’s an achievement in itself to be thought of in such company, thank you. But we`ve never intended to sound like anyone, just to write a good
tune, with a lyric to match. Old fashioned Punk Rock really.

Do you understand that reviewers always compare bands to other bands? Is
that disturbing when you try to something own?

- Its human nature. We all need to compare. It is what it is. No problem.

Futureplans for the band?

- Just keep pushing, gigging, writing, and making noise till we take it as far as it will go.

For yourself? -
-Keep enjoying it. Never too old to Rock and Roll !!

Wisdomword?
-You never know what s round the corner.

Something to add?

 - Keep it loud, keep it live, cheers.