Litterbug is a really nice poppunkgroup which
makes me happy anyway. Stuart have been so nice
here and answered a lot of questions in just one
day. Read it and listen to their music.
June-2017
Please tell me a little bit history of the
group?
-Litterbug was originally a solo project dating
back to 2002. It was more experimental on sound,
with many instrumentals. By 2005 it became a 4
piece band, playing alt/indie . A 7 track ep was
released, called Speaking Through the Gaps. In
2009 it became a tighter 3 piece with a return
to punk rock roots for all members.
The same lineup
is together today and has produced 3 albums. We
are currently pushing harder to play more gigs
out and about, away from the comfort zone.
Something we should have done many years ago.
Please tell me a
little about every member in the group right
now, age, family, work, interests and something
bad about everyone? Earlier bands? Other bands
on the side?
-At 50, Stuart has decided to stop messing about
and grow up. He somehow gets by from organising
some music events, doing an infrequent delivery
job whilst making a profit from a betting
system. The list of bad things about him is too
long. Former bands include Seizure, king mob
echo, the deadstars and he also moonlights with
Cas in a Ramones covers band. Has no family due
to several nervous breakdowns.
Cassius aged 27
works as a graphic designer for a magazine.
Currently lives with his girlfriend Lauren and
used to play in the Adjusters from Wigan, UK.
Also the Tartan Scars. He is also a very bad
person.
Andy, at 52, is
the father of the band. His record label Just
Say No To Government Music has 32 releases to
date, including the latest Litterbug album. The
band practice in his garage too. This probably
makes him the greatest person on earth! He is
divorced with two fully grown sons. Andy also
plays in Sick56 and previously Erase Today.
I can hear much
different influences but mostly early punk and
new wave etc? Favorites from the past?
-Influences for all band members are mostly 1977
original punk bands, Pistols, Ramones, Damned,
Clash and Buzzcocks. Throw SLF and Killing Joke
in too.
In later years
it's Hüsker Dü, Pixies, Eels and Grandaddy.
Stuart and Cas are fans of Leeds band Cyanide
Pills, whist Andy remains obsessed with Stay
Clean Jolene.
Litterbug, are
you satisfied with the name? How did it came up?
You weren’t afraid that some other band would be
named like this? Which is the best bandname you
know?
-Finding a name for a band I often difficult. As
it was originally a solo project, there was no
debate. Litterbug represents spilling out your
thoughts on song format, but also in normal
life, when perhaps something is best kept
secret. So it ends up on the floor, out there,
like a big mess for the listener to leave alone
or tidy u . So it's mindful stuff with honesty,
even if some songs come over a little abstract
at times.
There is a band
in Canada with the same name, but it came from
my own mind before knowing if this other act.
Favourite band
names often relate to your favourite bands,
naturally. A band name often takes on a new
meaning, as the words become a symbol of the
band and not what the adjective or noun are
described as in the dictionary. Sex Pistols was
a fantastic name and probably stands out most of
all. It asks a question without being so
obvious.
What´s the best
thing with playing live?
-For me live performance is about adrenaline
whilst hearing your guitars make that big sound,
tight and in tune. Most bands are as good as
their drummer and we are very lucky with Cas.
Getting positive feedback or applause between
songs, obviously helps to make you feel
something is right.
And where is
best to play? And the worst place?
-There is no best or worst place to play. It all
depends on the sound system and the audience.
I do like to get out of town and play to a
different crowd and hope to win a few people
over. Berlin often feels like the European
capital of punk rock.
How is to play
this sort of music in England right now? Which
types of bands do you have concerts together
with? Are you playing on Rebellion this year?
-We've played Rebellion once in 10 years, which
is a disappointment. People have got to
recognise and appreciate us through fringe
events though, which has led to gig offers
elsewhere.
We play with
many different punk bands in the UK. Always
enjoyable to be on the bill with Cyanide Pills
and Drongos For Europe. We will be playing with
Duncan Reid's band later this year and have
previously supported uk Subs, Goldblade, the
Briefs, Peter and Test Tube Babies and Vice
Squad, amongst others.There are many small punk
events in the UK now and lots of new bands. For
me, we need to start playing on Europes main
land though.
How would you
describe your music in three words?
-In three words, Litterbug is Constantly Finding
Evolution.
What does punk
mean to you, is it only a word or is it a
lifestyle?
-I can't speak for everyone, but to me punk
means freedom of expression and opinions without
physical or mental harm to others. Obviously it
relates to a generic music format of up tempo
aggressive sound, but it does not have to be.
Clothes can make a statement, but often a false
or fake sign of a personality in relation the
punk. Give me substance over style anytime
please.
How do you see
on downloading, mp3 and that stuff?
-I think downloading is freedom of choice. It
certainly messed up the money men in the music
business. If people really like you, they will
but your cd or vinyl too. Downloads and streams
are a great medium for getting your material out
there.
How is it to
live in England right now? Politically?
Fascists? Brexit? Manchester?
-Right now it's a political miasma. We have an
election due and I can confidently say most
people I know will vote Labour. Jeremy Corbyn
has ignited the imagination for a better future
in terms of equality and human rights. He will
most likely lose and as sadly most Conservatives
look to preserve their own status. I could go on
and on!! I will say one thing, the UK or anyone
should not be doing arms trades with Saudi
Arabia. It's sickening to realise the blatant
lies of our current government, who our
destroying the health system and stopping
benefits.
It has all
probably galvanised the left wing punk scene.
There are fascists in most places who tend to
keep quiet, only to rear their heads in times of
vulnerability, like Manchester. Unfortunately,
ISIS probably want for that inner turmoil they
create. Nationalism is a sickening thing to me.
I know its cliche, but we are all individuals
who happen to live on the same planet.
Intolerance and division is something I don't
understand.
What do you know
about Sweden?
-In all honesty, I know little of Sweden and its
music scene. All I hear is how expensive a beer
is! But I'm straight edge and it doesn't affect
me. I heard about some right wing Swedish
skinhead band coming to play our town the other
year. Thankfully they didn't get too much
attention. Then there was Klawhammer ? I think?
They seemed to swear a lot for no good reason.
Abba were a childhood favourite and produced
fabulous pop songs. I quite liked a few of the
90s indie bands. Due to my age, I have started
to forget names. Sorry!
Your lyrics, who
does them and what influences you? Is it easier
to do lyrics now or was its easier to do it when
you was younger?
-It's me Stuart, who writes, but I have no issue
if someone else comes up with something good. A
lot of the new songs revolve around life
experiences and of course that includes
nostalgia. In the past I wrote some songs from
dreams that came over more abstract. That was
fun to me. Creating a weird mystery open to
interpretation. Most songs probably contain some
form of unstable melancholy that is relieved by
playing through it. Hopefully people can relate
to that.
Politic and music, does it goes hand in hand?
Which is your most political song?
-Most of the songs could refer to social
politics, but I try not to get bogged down in
serious world politics based around injustice.
We have one new song though, called smokescreen.
It references corporations and unelected leaders
causing death of innocents whilst ruining your
world. It plays on the notion that aliens will
save us from ourselves whilst the Russians
really want friendship. Also not to believe what
you read etc etc.
Best political
band/artist?
-There are many bands doing politics, but to me
the Pistols lyrics were very deep for the time
in 77 . I guess most will opt for Crass and
Discharge in the punk environment. I think Frank
Turner makes his point well with a solo project.
Do you think
that music(lyrics and so on) can change anyone’s
life, I mean people who listens to music?
-Music without doubt helps people through tough
times. Usually the most tormented are the most
passionate, both listener and artist. Others
will do it for fortune and fame while some
listen for easy pleasure or dancing. Alles ist
gut!
.Your cover on
your CD looks really nice, is it important to
have a record cover which shows people which
type of music you play? Your favorite
recordcover? Who does your covers? And do you
have any good recordstores in your hometown?
-Our home town has a few record stores, but not
like big cities. I do the artwork. It can be hit
n miss quality wise, as Cas the graphic designer
always reminds me. On this occasion, Kit Reeve
of the Screech Bats drew the monkey with guitar.
The monkey or chimpanzee theme has run through
our work for some time now. I see the world with
people behaving like monkeys waiting with guns
at the moment. So pick up a guitar and do
something constructive instead.
We never have
band pics normally, as music is sound and not
vision to me. On this occasion the vinyl version
finally has a live shot, but blurred. The cd is
different.
In the past we
used an iconic image of Captain Kirk with
Dr.spock in Star Trek. Hence the title, its punk
rock Jim but not as we know it. The album was so
called as we never have really been accepted in
the uk punk scene.
Is it important
to get out physical records of your stuff? Why
or why not? Vinyl, CD, cassette, what do you
prefer if you could choose whatever?
-I see cds and vinyl as part of the process
being in a band. If people like your gig and
take one away, sometimes for free, it can only
enhance you to them. We have done our first
vinyl recently and need help distribution wise,
if anyone can help. Just throwing that out
there!
Please tell me a
funny thing which have happened during your
career and under some gig?
-Our first ever gig started by playing behind a
curtain. The amp broke just before we were to
begin. Somehow there was an old keyboard amp at
the back of the stage. It worked! I was kind of
panicking for a bit.
These days there
is element of banter between some songs,but we
tend to play and not talk much. I guess it's not
that funny!!
How does your
audience look like? Which people do you miss on
your concerts? Which is the biggest band you
ever have played together with?
-At the moment we play a few gigs at a time
maximum. Do rarely away long enough. We really
need to test the water sooner or later though.
Cas would miss his girlfriend and his mum
🙂
Our audience, if
we have one, tends to be punky in style.
Obviously over Rebellion it's a cross section of
ages. In general punks tend to be 30-60 years
old these days.
We played with
Uk Subs as mentioned before. Oh yeah, 999 too.
Please rank your
five favoriterecords, five favoriteconcerts and
five most important things in life?
-Obviously I'm speaking for me here, but records
1. Never mind the bollocks.. Sex pistols 2.
Doolittle... Pixies. 3. It's alive... Ramones.
4. Damned damned damned 5. Killing Joke ..
Killing Joke
Concerts..
Pixies Preston 1990 Ramones London 1994... Sex
pistols London 1996... Stiff little fingers
Manchester 1980... will have to say Pixies again
london 2004 on their reunion tour. First uk gig
after 13 years. Unbelievable atmosphere.
1. Sanity 2.
Avoid panic attacks 3. Be honest as possible
4.enjoy what you do and make the most of it.
Time flies too fast. 5. Look after friends and
family, as well as strangers in need.
First, last and
most expensive record ever bought?
-First record bought was Skids... charade. Last
record bought was Grandaddy.. TheLast Resort.
Most expensive? I don't know.
Is it boring
with interviews? Is it much interviews?
-We rarely get interviewed. Your interest level
in Litterbug is intriguing though. I've probably
done about 4-5 interviews in 12 years!
.If you could
choose five bands from the past and the history
and nowadays and both dead and living bands to
have a concert together with your band. Which
five have you been chosen?
-Without doubt I'd like to have played with
Ramones, Pistols, Pixies, Buzzcocks and the
Damned. A bit obvious I guess.
Is music a good
way to get out frustration and become a nicer
person outside the music?
-Music is a fantastic way to release any form of
energy, including frustration, anger,
bitterness, happiness, euphoria and humour. I
always try for the latter if possible. No matter
the subject.
Which is the
oddest question you ever have got in an
interview?
-Never really had a weird question, but I guess
I like films and also abstract lyrics where you
make your own mind up. I'd like to go in depth
or linear in discussing the Pistols who changed
our society beyond anything I've known or the
Pixies for the meaning of their songs.
Futureplans for
the band?
-My plans for the band is to play decent gigs in
any country. Try and make it viable and
hopefully sell our records and CDs. I don't know
if that's the other
For yourself?
-For me personally, I'm still trying to work out
why I'm here and why self-preservation appears
to be halting me from experiences. Somehow with
music I break free. Members
plans though, ha ha.
Wisdomword?
-Wisdom wise, I'd quote the Dalai Llama.. he who
plays the fool acts only to protect his own
wisdom. Also, quite a few lines from our songs,
in particular our album title Your Perception is
Not My Reality. How many times a day does that
happen??
Something to
add?
-Final thought is that your own ego and lack of
humility will destroy friendships. You are just
a small part of the system. So stop hating stop
begrudging others stop being vindictive through
your own bitterness whilst judging people by
your own standards...and help people around you.
They will appreciate it. Too much of our cynical
society has been dehumanized by selfish acts.