Martin e Jagger direttamente dalla spiaggia di Ventura in California ci raccontano dei Toledo Panic e della scena nell'area della città degli Angeli.. Let's go!
RTC) How and when was the band born and the members, tell us the hystory of band
Martin: about a year and a half ago I met Jagger at a local punk show and recognized him from seeing his old band from Oakland many years ago. As there were no skinhead musicians in our small town, it was obvious we had to start a band! Our drummer Jesse and Cezanne played in my other band “The Indignants”. Sean was recommended from a friend.
Jagger: Yes! Another Skinhead in Ventura! We need to start a band!!!
RTC) How can we call your style of playing? which are your musical influences?
Martin: that’s a hard one, as I think some songs pull from different genres, but still a mix of early English punk, early American punk, Oi, and streetpunk. Jagger probably pulls from his last band Nuts and Bolts, and I pull a little bit from Doug and the Slugz, who I played with before Doug passed.
Jagger: I don't think I sound like any of these guys, but Vocally I have always liked Bonecrusher, The Wretched Ones, Patriot, Blitz, and Filth. I would say my biggest influence and reason I wanted to play in a band came from seeing Orlando from (Special Forces, United Blood, and Intrepid A.A.F.) He's someone I always looked up to when on Stage.
RTC) What are your lyrics about? what do you stand for?
Jagger: As Martin said, our songs pull from a lot of different genres. So in turn the lyrics end up all over the place. From a song about a victimized serial killer to more typical songs about drinking and working, and one about begging the powers that be to just push that button and end it all. I guess it just depends on how I'm feeling that day or what emotion the music the guys write pulls out of me.
I've always made an effort to make it clear that we stand for the working class, we stand against Racism and sexism, but we want to have a good laugh and not get too serious. I think it's important for us to look out for each other in and out of the scene. If we don't who will?
RTC) What's your favourite beer or alcoholic drink?
Martin: Pale Ales probably my favorite, I do enjoy wine and margaritas when I am feeling festive!
Jagger: Tuborg Classic or Carlsberg when in Denmark, Pliney the Elder from Northern California for a really good and expensive I.P.A.
If I'm drinking hard liquor I'd have to go with Hendrick's Gin with soda water, lime, cucumber, and a trick I learned in Canada fresh cracked pepper! Skol!
RTC) Speak about the Oi! and Punk scene in your Area and Country
Martin: Not much going on in our beach town of Ventura, but definitely a re-birth in nearby Los Angeles, with lots of great new bands coming out.
Jagger: Definitely no Oi! in our direct area, but a ton of good shit coming out of L.A. and the Bay Area. Shows are starting to become more frequent and better attended. I came up in the mid to late 90's era. When there was a huge resurgence in older bands reforming and a bunch of great new bands coming out. I feel as though the Us Oi scene and in the world is boiling to the top again!
RTC) Can you mention the most important gigs you did?
Martin: So far our trip to San Francisco to support The Beltones was my favorite, however we got some good shows coming up!
Jagger: It's still pretty early for us, but yes playing back up in the Bay Area again after about 15 years was pretty important for me. It felt great to see so many old friends and share the stage with them too. I can't wait to play up there again. I also enjoyed playing with The Press from New York down in L.A. as they were one of the first Oi bands I had ever listened to.
RTC) Do you suggest us other bands in your country ?
Martin: I really like Lawmaker. I just saw Bullshit Detector, Intimidation, and Klaxon and they were great live!
Jagger: There's so many!!!For newer bands :New York Hounds, Ultra Sect, Castillo, Claymore, No Time, Fuerza Bruta. I could go on forever and still leave some out.
RTC) How much works (CD,LP Etc.) have you released ?
Martin: As of now we only have a 4 song EP on Spotify/iTunes, but we are hoping to record a full length LP in the next couple months
RTC) Do you go to Stadium ? is yes, which team you support ?
Martin: I am a huge fan for World Cup, but between that not so much
Jagger: I support the Miami Dolphins in American Football, but that is nowhere near the same as supporting a real football team. We don't really have that same culture here in America. If you say a bad word at a football game in America you may get kicked out of the stadium because a poor innocent child may hear you, haha.
RTC) Would you like to play in Italy ? Do you know some Italian Bands ?
Martin: Yes, getting out to Italy to play would be amazing. I really like Giuda and have seen them a few times. I am not really up to speed on the newer bands from Italy.
Jagger: I would love to get to Europe including Italy some day. Not touring Europe was the greatest regret I had with my old band Nuts and Bolts. I hope to fulfill that dream someday.
Don't really know of too many modern day Italian Oi bands. I'm planning on going to see Nabat in New York this May with The Oppressed though.
RTC) So, the interview is Over, say something to ?
Martin: thanks for the interview, check out our music, follow us on Instagram, and keep an eye out for our upcoming LP!
Jagger: Thank you, hope to see you soon!
Ringraziamo i ragazzi di Ventura Beach, e come sempre vi lasciamo un loro pezzo tratto dal loro canale rosso, al quale vi consigliamo di iscrivervi come del resto a tutti i loro social. Alla prossima.
Cheers & Beers
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