Snide Remarks is a band which was formed 1981 the first time. I really love this band and I was having Barny on the line for this interview which was done in june 2015.
Please tell me a little bit history of the group?
-The band was formed in 1981 after the breakup of Teesside Punk band Forward Childhood and gigged locally and had a demo played on Radio Tees shortly after this the band split and emerged back on the scene in the early nineties and played locally with the likes of The Toy Dolls ,Anti Pasti and various local bands this continued to the mid-nineties and the band spilt in 2007 the band came back with a new line up and have recorded two albums and several demos and played approximately 150 gigs around the Uk including many support slots with the likes of 999,The Lurkers, Vice SQUAD ,GBH, XSLF etc
Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone? Earlier bands?
-Barny- is the lead guitarist who is the only original member of the band he is aged 51 previous bands include Forward Childhood he works in a deadbeat job in a bakery and drinks like a fish
Baz – is vocalist previous bands include electro band Modern Vogue he is 52 single and available and likes to show off on stage and seek the appraisal of the female fans – The Cunt
Spider – is our drummer steady as a rock 54 divorced being in many bands throughout the years including The Lice and Amazing Space Frogs and likes a nice flask of hot coffee beside the stage
Nigel- is the bass player 48 engaged previous band was Afraid to Sleep he is the band joker and he joined fat club to loose weight we still waiting to see the difference
George – youngest member of the band age 21 single rhythm guitarist previous bands include cover bands Huntsville and The Wot he looks like Dave Grohl gone wrong and gets attention from the middle aged Metal Cougars in the audience
I can hear both 77 punk and some some newer stuff in your music? Am I right? Favorites from the past?
-Heavily influenced by 1977 punk and new wave and 70s music in general we look up to bands like The Sex Pistols ,999,The Damned ,Ramones ,Buzzcocks etc more recently Green Day Blink 182,Rancid,
Snide Remarks are you satisfied with the name? How did it came up?? Which is the best band name you know?
-We original came up with a name of Insufficient Evidence over a few beers but no one could spell it so Second choice was Snide Remarks and it stuck and has become quiet appropriate over the years
What´s the best thing with playing live?
-Audience participation/reaction
And where is best to play? And the worst place?
-The best place we have played is Whitby Goth Festival ,The Arena Middlesbrough,Shildon Civic Hall,Durham Live Lounge and the worst was The Salford and Bedlington
How is to play this sort of music in England right now? The difference from when you started to play and now?
-In the eighties 77 punk was dying out and now its making a revival and we seem to be appreciated more with our style of music now
How would you describe your music in three words?
-In Yer Face
What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?
-Punk to us should be raw music, Risky , full of energy and certainly no effects pedals
How do you see on downloading, mp3 and that stuff?
-We much prefer vinyl it’s something you cherished ,cds is a poor substitute but is far better than a downloads where bands are being ripped off with grabbers and royalties at least pirate cds are poor quality
How is it to live in England now? Politically?
-Doesn’t make any difference to us we are not a political band we have no message the country is as bad whoever is elected
Is there any good bands from England now? Is the punkscene big? How is it in your hometown?
-There is plenty of good punk bands in England. The Punk scene could be bigger, its seems more of an underground scene. We find local promoters at home don’t appreciate our style and the scene is dominated by Indie and Power Punk young bands and cover bands
What do you know about Sweden?
-Abba, Saab and Porn Movies
Have you heard any good bands from Sweden?
-Couldn’t really say from the little bit of what we have heard it seems rather heavy
Your lyrics, who does them and what influences you?
-Barny and Baz warped life experiences
Is there any subject that you never will write anything about?
-Romance and other peoples disabilities
Politic and music, does it goes hand in hand?
-No do what you wanna do
Best political band/artist?
-Dogsflesh only cos there mates
Do you think that music(lyrics and so on) can change anyones life, I mean people who listens to music?
-Not really as people interpret music and lyrics differently which could be nothing to do with the true meaning of the song
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?…
-We believe a cover should be there to attract attention to the album and if it’s a stereotype its boring , Dave Hudspeth is our photographer and Paul Ford designed the album – We believe one of the best album covers was Never Mind the Bollocks it stand out and simple
Is it important to get out physical records of your stuff? Why or why not?
-Yes it is important so fans have something to remember you by and listen too
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during your career and under some gig?
-BAZ – Smashed his teeth out
Spider- Throw up half way thru a set
Baz – knocked a womens wig off
We sold a T shirt to a downs syndrome guy who insisted he wanted a I’m fucking Ugly one – so we obliged
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?
-We have a mixed audience in general from all trends with a hard core punk centre , the biggest bands we played to date are 999,GBH.XSLF,VICE SQUAD,SKELETAL FAMILY
Please rank your five favoriterecords, five favoriteconcerts and five most important things in life?
-1 Never Mind The Bollocks- Sex Pistols
2 Out come the Wolves – Rancid
3 Can’t stand the Rezillos- The Rezillos
4 Seperates- 999
5 Woofer in Tweeters clothing – Sparks
Filth and the fury- Finsbury Park London
The Arena – Middlesbrough – Adam and the Ants
The Arena – Middlesbrough- Toyah
Newcastle University – North East calling- Newcastle – The Damned
O2 Academy –Newcastle - Rancid
Sex
Rock en Roll
Booze
Food
Fast Cars
Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews??
-What a silly Question at number 25 been here hours filling these questions in Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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 chosed?
-Sex Pistols
The Damned
Adam and the Ants
Sweet
Green Day
Is music a good way to get out frustration and become a nice person outside the music??
-Yes its better than punching walls
Which is the most odd question you ever have got in an interview?
-What sexual transmitted diseases have you had
Which is the question you want to have but you never get. Please ask it and answer it?
-Can you do a gig in Europe all expenses paid? – Answer Yes
Futureplans for the band?
-To Release a follow up Album to Reserekted hopefully 2015/2016
To continue gigging around Uk and possibly some gigs in Europe 2016
For yourself?
-As for us to stay alive long enough to complete the plans
Wisdomword?
-Never Give Up
Something to add?
CheckUs Out www.snideremarks.co.uk