COMBAT 84

GP:   For the benefit of those who may not know your "story", could you tell us how long the band was together before splitting up in 1983, and briefly, why you guys ended up calling it quits?

JIM:  It stopped being a laugh anymore, we had a lot of trouble at our gigs and after we did our documentary for the BBC a few people took offense to some of the things said in it. Instead of having fun at the gigs some of the band were under constant threat from these people, me and John decided to split the band, we were all still mates within the band but we had just had enough of the bollocks surrounding it all.

GP:  Who's in the current line up?

JIM:  Deptford John on Vocals, Jim on Guitar, CJ on Drums and soon to have a new
Bassist.

GP:  After your break up, I know you went on to play for the UKSubs, right? Did anyone else wind up playing for other bands?

JOHN:  Yes me and Jim both played in the UK Subs, I was in them for about a year and then I joined the Exploited for a while, Jim stayed in the Subs for just over 2 years.

JIM:  I played in a few other bands as well, I had my own band for about 18 months we got a record deal but our manager fucked it up, we did record a single and stuff but it was never released. I also did a few other things for other bands, I played some guitar on the Bollock Brothers Never Mind the Bollocks thing they did, I just had to do my Steve Jones impression, and believe it or not I did a lot of rhythm Guitar on some Metal bands stuff because I could do that fast chopping they like and their guitarist couldn't do it in time in the studio, but I am not telling you who it was, but I have done loads of stuff over the years.

GP:  What made you all decide to reform the group now?

JIM:   Well, there was no one real reason, we just started jamming the old songs, we hadn't played together for a few years, maybe since the UK Subs days, we have been mates for the whole time since Combat split, it started out as a laugh, and now it has developed into this, a bit like the first time around.

JOHN:   Yeah, we came up with some new songs and decided to record them, we didn't have any idea that anyone still knew who we were.

GP:  Combat 84 was, at one time, banned from playing in England... why was that?

JIM:  Well we had such a bad name that venues were scared to put us on, so we went under the name 7th Cavalry, but most Skin bands had trouble in those days, but we also had the press against us, I mean the Rejects used to get just as much trouble as we did but Sounds had them in there every week, but we were banned for being trouble but their problems were glamorised, so we had to do small secret gigs.

JOHN:   Yeah, we did small out of town gigs for a while, but towards the end we started getting popular and the 100 club started putting on other bands like us so we played there, and I seem to remember we pulled some decent crowds, but it all finished before we really got as big as we should have been, or rather had the potential to be.

GP:  Has the band's sound/style changed at all over the years, and if so, in what ways?

JOHN:  It has changed a bit, we are still very much the same in the way we approach things, simple tough street music, but I think we have added a bit from what we have picked up along the way, but I think the band are actually a lot harder sounding than they used to be.

JIM:  Obviously if you do something for years you do get better at it, but it is still just very simple stuff 4 chords, nothing flash, we are not mega musos or anything, we are still just punk musicians.

GP:  Would you tell us a bit about your recently released EP, 'Tooled Up'?

JIM:  It's a 5 track CD, I think it will be a limited edition release, once we have enough money to do the album we will probably stop pressing it, it is very loud and nasty really, just like us, ha, ha.

JOHN:  I think Oi! fans will like it, but like before we tried to lead if you like, instead of follow all the rest of the bands, so it is not Oi! by numbers, it is the next stage, but unlike most bands we have got more raw and hard instead of turning metal or wimpy.

JIM:  We have just finished a video for one of the songs, it was a great laugh, we will probably put it on the album, it is very Oi! except for all the naked birds we had on it.

GP:  Are there, or will there be, plans to tour the USA any time soon?

JIM:  We want to, but there really isn't any promoters who want to do it and can also provide us with the proper visas to work there legally, I know bands like the Business do it without work permits but we can't afford to get deported as we all spend time over there, so if someone contacts us who can do it right and knows the score with this type of band, then yes, but we will not do it "Mickey Mouse style" just to make dough.

GP:  I know alot of skin bands used to get a lot of negative publicity... are you worried about that at all?

JOHN:   We can't get any more negative publicity than we used to, so far we have just had masses of positive publicity, which was a big surprise to us.

JIM:   We don't really care, we are doing this for a laugh, just like the first time around, when people slag us off we read these things and laugh about it, the best one I have heard is some bird said Combat 84 are great if you like your Oi! fat and old, fucking great, and so true, ha, ha.

GP:  What do you think of all the feedback regarding your return? Has it all been positive, or has anyone actually bitched about it?

JIM:  Mainly positive, I have seen a couple of things on the net, but when we first started everyone slagged us off, so this time it's great. I can't believe how positive it has been, but we say if anyone doesn't like it then don't come to the gigs or buy the records, then there is no problem, they can't accuse us of ripping them off, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, but don't bother telling us because we don't care.

GP:  And lastly, do you have anything to say... final comments... whatever??

JOHN:  Well I think what I would like is maybe an update on this interview in the future, maybe people can read it and send some questions to you about what we've said, and we can answer them in the future, because usually we don't get too much feedback, and I am sure the fans could come up with some great questions?

JIM:   Not a bad idea, I hope people like the shit we do, if they don't we will call it a day and do something else, just like before, thanks for the interview.

Thanx Again to the both Jim and John for their time!!!  I think the idea of a "follow-up" interview is a great idea, too, and I'd be happy to do another one!!  So, you heard 'em, people... If any of you have any questions for COMBAT 84, start sending them in!!!!!