Please give a brief history of the band, including current line up.
Varukers started in 1979, Rat being the founder member.
After a year-long hiatus, they returned in 1991, and have has variuos line-ups,
Biff(guitar) has been in the band 18years,Rat (vocals0 from the begining,
Marvin (bass) since 1997, Sean (guitar) since 2001 and we have a new drummer
Ricardo.
Discography.
What is the highlight and what is the lowest point in the
bands history?
Being in a band has many highs and lows, but we still
soldier on, because,and the end of it all, it's a very privledged position
to be in. All the hard work, over all pays off.
What is your favourite place to play? When you tour abroad,
what is the reaction like and how does the audience differ to UK audiences?
Frankly, I enjoy playing anywhere, although Japan and
Brazil are good fun. Having said that,we played the Indian Queen, Boston,
Lincs a few weeks ago and the crowd went ballistic...thanx to Luke and Marv
Gadgie!! If everyones drunk, and throwing themselves around, it's all a giggle,
wherever.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you whilst
touring?
There reyeally far too many ludicrous tales to convey,
maybe one day I'll pen them, but one that does spring to mind was accidentley
snorting a line of salt, after a trick involving cocaine badly backfired
on myself and our roadie in Rio De Janeiro...hmmmml
What is the favourite song (and what band is it by) of each member of the band?
I know Biff likes Endless Destruction Line, Rat loathes
Soldier Boy and I love All Systems Fail...again, years of repetition can
sometimes dampen enthusiasm for certain ditties. However,we all really enjoy
banging out the oldies live (oldies meaning songs, not Rat).
Do you still go and see other punk/oi bands when they play
in your area? If so, what was the last band you saw and were they any good?
I must, on average go to see 3-4 gigs a week, but not
just punk. I like a lot of sludge/hardcore bands as well..i.e 30 Seconds
Untill Armageddon, Send More Paramedics, Black Eye Riot. Best punk bands
in the UK at the mo' have to be GBH, Sick On The Bus, Poundaflesh, BombBlastMen,
and I really like The Nags from Liecester (get them a gig!!!).
Describe punk at the beginning of the 21st century.
I think punk today hasn't changed a deal, because there
is still a great spirit of independance and anti-authoritarianism. This last
few years especially, attendance and enthusiasm has picked up a great deal,
there seems to be a great deal of younger punks getting their shit together.
All very healthy to say the least.
Plans, gigs and releases planned for 2002/2003.
We have one gig left this year, Sun 22nd Dec at The Old
Angel,Nottingham, and early 2003 sees us concentrate on getting our set together
with our new drummer. We have some gigs in Holland, with Dukes Of Nothing,
and some in Portugal. We will then concentrate on recording a new album,
hopefully still in the vien of How Do You Sleep, sort of mid-eighties hardcore
punk style.
Any final comments?
Many thanks Rebecca, it's good to see individuals as yourself
putting out REAL alternative to the shit media. It keeps punk rock very special
and independant, when bands, zines and venues have their own support systems...thank
you again...
cheers
Marvin
VARUKERS 2002
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