"THIS IS OUR CULTURE"

Nice and always welcomed news hit me today when I was surfing through the web and riding again on the "THE U.S. OF Oi! OF SWEDEN" (the link will follow at the end of this 'News' post as well as links to the Facebook and MySpace sites of FIGHTING 84) wave, and there I've read that the mighty FIGHTING 84 have finished their work on an whole-american Oi! and R.A.C. compilation that carries the title or banner of "THIS IS OUR CULTURE" and it will be released pretty soon and it will officially be up to download for free at the "THE U.S. OF Oi! OF SWEDEN" blog (and there you also find currently a little 'promo video clip' of it all and so on), hm, and I think that also a CD or so as a physical copy of it will be released as well. So check the next days the mentioned blog (as you should check this great blog usually on a regular basis) if you're interested in it and I'm pretty interested in it and really curious and excited about it. That's it and it's damn good to see FIGHTING 84 that active these days. Keep the faith and all the best to Brandon and his F84 crew!!! Cheers & Oi! Oi! Oi!

(http://usofoiofsweden.blogspot.com/)

(http://www.myspace.com/fighting84)

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fighting-84/183300681728045)

FIGHTING 84 - "NEVER GIVE IN" (SoCal LA American Oi! against Communism is back on the attack in 2011, the almighty FIGHTING 84 are back!!!)

FIGHTING 84 - "NEVER GIVE IN"
("D.I.Y."; CD/-R respectively MP3-Download):

Fuck, I became a lazy bastard up here over the last past months due to several aspects of life that really are one of the two things that now follow: 1.) To me there are far more impotant things in life than doing a blog (or a zine or what-so-ever) dealing with music (even ''my'' music is still something of a giant importance for me) and stuff like this; or: 2.) They are just a ''necessary evil'' that needs to be done anyhow and that costs a lot of time; and okay, also: I really lack the motivation to sit in my free time infront of my computer (and over the summer this lack of motivation was even more bigger), sorry, any aspects of any sort of a ''computer nerd life'' are really something incredible distgusting to me and when I have the choose to- for example- go out and- maybe- do some sports or go to the theatre (yes, go to the theatre, don't care if this is now pretty promoting for any kind of street credibility or not) or what the hell else ever than I do stuff like this instead of sit here and wright some stuff down. I prefer the real life, don't care that much about the virtual life. Deal with it. But sometimes I also come to think that being a little bit more active again wouldn't be the worst thing, for example I could check out the comment section of this blog (as well as my ''main e-mail account'', and not too talk about my Facebook site and- especially- my MySpace profile, too) far more regular and far more focussed, because then I wouldn't have missed out on a comment that FIGHTING 84 (All hail mates!!! Oi! Oi! Oi!) dropped me quite a while ago about their new demo being released recently. Sorry folks, totally overlooked it so far, sorry guys!!! So, now I have their demo (as a MP3-Download) thanks to the work of Bernando of the almighty "THE U.S. OF Oi! OF SWEDEN" blog and I have not a single clou about any circumstances of the ''making of'' of this demo or something like this and I also have not a clou if there's a proper artwork of it and if there are (or were) any physical copies floating around or if it just had been released via an MP3-Download opportunity by the band itself. So, okay, that said what is there now to say about the new (or current) demo of FIGHTING 84? (A band that I liked very much right from the beginning- more or less regular readers of this very blog right from the start of it should know about it very well- and also a band that had been presented up here in the past for quite a few times already.) I can tell you, there's a lot to tell about it!!! So here we go!!! My first thought was: "Oh, wherethe hell is the pace and also the rawness/roughness gone?" And I wasn't sure what to think of and about it. I decided to give it some more tries and after just one more try I was all about: "This is GREAT!!!" (At least this!!!) And after the only minus point is that it's far too short with just containing three songs here we go through it song by song: 1.) First song 's called "NEVER GIVE IN", the titletrack, and it showcases already pretty damn good what and how much had changed or better developed in the FIGHTING 84 camp since their first ever release at the end of 2010 back then. The pace is slowed down and the beat is more "relaxed", a great Country Music like and Rock & Roll infuenced melodic lead guitar plays a consequent lead melody through out all the song, giving it a strong rockin' feelin' to it, it's pretty ''loosin' up'' compared to the grumpy harshness and brutal battle scarred stomping of their old mateial. The songwriting is pretty cool, with clever arranged verses and great sing a long styled refrain parts, and also the ''coming together'' of  the great melodic and symphonic lead guitar and the bitter and angry spitted throaty and guttural brutal vocals is a perfect match in the end. The very present and pretty tight rhythm section then is giving "NEVER GIVE IN" a massive and beefy backbone so that the level of force and power is a massive and damn high one. Lyrically it's a huge Fuck off to a lot of crap that FIGHTING 84 are damn sick of, for all what I understand and would say. Hm, somehow it breathes also a pretty nice TEMPLARS spirit. Great job done by FIGHTING 84 so far; 2.) Then follows up "THE TIDE WILL TURN", a pretty fast (yes, the pace is back), a harsh and angry, a brutal slasher dominated by fast and sharp guitar playing, gruff and grim vocals, a energetic and angry hectic pulsating bass and forceful and with a lot of pressure onward storming drumming, comparable to their early ''hack and slay'' material like (for example) "RED DAWN" and on "ON PARADE", and this track is at least exactly that great like the mentioned two ones. Lyrically it's a pissed off track against political correctness and the (really realistic or just percepted?) so called ''communist'' threat, also like their mentioned early songs; 3.) The next and (on this one) final song is called "VENGEANCE TONIGHT" and it's a very british sounding track with a huge old SKREWDRIVER influence in or to it, the catchy and melodic opening riff really sounds like some sort of a tribute to "BACK WITH A BANG" or "BOOTS & BRACES" by the old (but not that early if you know what I want to say with that) SKREWDRIVER, and also the pace and the rhythm structure really come close, as well as the tight to point played precise and pretty marking rhythm section, and if it wouldn't be for the far more brutal and guttural vocals you could think of some sort of an old and early demo song found again these days... but then comes the awesome refrain part, with a amazing guitar lead that really somehow owns a Wave vibe and it causes a hypnotic Trance like rection by the listener and it really turns a good song into a great track that knows no mercy and takes no prisoners. Good and grapping arranged verses, an almighty refrain, clever song architecture, yehp, it's all there, it's an interesting and grapping, a damn good, nah, a great song. What also sticks out pretty much is the fact that the pace is very slowed down, especially due to the drumming, and this is really a great mark of the song, also like the far more clean vocals on or of this one (even they are still, like above written, very brutal and throaty as well as guttural, and this is also a good thing, period). Lyrically it's about violence and retaliation, personal violence or gang warfare, I don't know it that precise. So, yes, here comes the complete package (as complete as a three track disc can be), three great and awesome songs. And it's phenomenal to see how far FIGHTING 84 have developed, especially the guitar work really stands out in the first row of the front, on the frontline you can say. On top of it we do also get good lyrics (no matter if you personally agree on everything said by them or not), and also a petty good production sound, even I would love to hear them being backed up by a more massive production sound and I really ask myself why the hell there's no good label around to give them a proper deal and so the more than ''just'' justified support. (I even ask myself far more when I look at all the crap and utter garbage that so many Oi! and Streetpunk and Punkrock labels used to release so far in this very year of 2011, especially over here in Europe and even more especially over here in Germany. Are they all sitting on their ears? Are they deaf? Or are they just a pack of dumb idiots? Or a mix out of all three opportunities?) Like already mentioned can I say nothing about the artwork, because I became a lazy bastard or so. I don't know if there are still physical copies floating around but you should get in contact with the band and ask for it. I'm looking forward for more to come, and yes: FIGHTING 84 rule!!! All hail!!! (10 of 10 points)
(Contact: http://www.myspace.com/fighting84)

Seems like this is- the damn great and very cool- original artwork of this demo.

News from L.A.'s finest FIGHTING 84!!!

The great FIGHTING 84 seem to be firing all engines up. (And that's damn good, if ya ask me.) I think for all what I know they are still announced to take part on a new upcoming Oi! compilation (but don't ask me anything more about it at this very moment), and also they organized themselves some help by the hands of Ryan of CRUCIAL CHANGE and the "THE SPIRIT OF YESTERDAY" blog. Sounds all damn great, if ya ask me, and I'm very excited about how it all will go on for and with them!!! Great band, I hope it will soon be coming some more stuff from them, ha, and damn it, I'm still waiting for their mysterious SKREWDRIVER cover tune, haha;-). All hail to Brandon and FIGHTING 84 (and also, of course, to Ryan, too), keep the spirit alive, the fight goes on!!! Ah, and btw, I also hope as well that CRUCIAL CHANGE will finally release their new album pretty soon (don't know how far the working process is, just that it was primarly planned to be released by the end of 2010 or so) this already still pretty young new year, and damn it, hopefully also Ryan will finally find the time again to do some work on his great blog in the near future. Cheers & Oi!

*** From the West Coast to the East Coast, it's American ROCK AGAINST COMMUNISM on the Attack!!! ***

FIGHTING 84 & COMBATE 49 - "WEST COAST TO EAST COAST ROCK AGAINST COMMUNISM" ("D.I.Y."; CD):

Yeahr, here it is, a record that I've been waiting for, and that also for quite a while already now. I'm so fucking happy that FIGHTING 84 finally put out their debut release, 'Hell Yeahr!', and it's more than just cool that I got it, and for that a huge 'THANX A LOT!' is going out to BRANDON of FIGHTING 84 for sending me this CD, just great, I really appreciate it, so yeahr, 'THANX!' and 'ALL HAIL!' across the borders and the ocean to you my mate!!! 'Keep up the good fight!!! Oi! Oi! Oi!' So, like you all should know by reading this very blog here I'm a huge fan of FIGHTING 84 from the very beginning on when I first listened to them on respectively via MySpace and do yourself a huge favor and read the two interviews that I've already done with them here for this blog, and now we will go straight ahead to this record respectively the review of this record. It reached me this past saturday and damn it, but I was fucking curious about it and simply couldn't wait to listen to it... and I can't really tell ya how many times this CD ran up and down and was turned round and round in my CD player, no matter if it's my stereo at home or the one in my car, and on my MP3 player it's also and giving me the right music to go and pump iron in the gym, fucking awesome. So, the to me totally new and before this CD damn unknown COMBATE 49 are kicking this CD off. A spanish singing R.A.C. band from N.Y.C., if I'm now not throwing something totally across right now. Giving us two songs, "SOMOS PATRIOTAS" and "ENEMIGOS", and the first one they give us also in a live recorded version. It's a nice start for me with this band. Some angry and hard hitting Skinhead Rock'n'Oi! sound with patriotic and anti-communist lyrics (yeahr, you read it right, the four years of spanish as a subject in school hadn't been a complete farce, haha;-)...), and all very strong dominated by the angular and grumpy guitar playing and the very pissed off and pretty aggressive lead vocals. Also, and that's always cool, the bass playing is very well present, and it's a pretty heavy and well jaw chopping affair, and that's pretty cool and damn nice. Also the massive stunning drum work is really very well stuff. Sounds pretty good, but there's a annoying cosmetic defect to it, and that's the fact that it all could have be done really much, much more tighter and also much more certain when it comes to the timing, especially when it comes to the guitar playing that sometimes really getting out of the rhythm and pace of the songs. But okay, it's all not that annoying at all, because on the one hand it's all not that erratic like it now may sound (trust me!!!), and on the other hand this is just the first recording for them and they showcase us already some very strong potential, also because they already know pretty good what they have to do when it comes to writing songs, which means that their songwriting is already pretty good stuff that will catch your attention pretty fast. With "SOMOS PATRIOTAS" they give us a heavy and brutal mid paced Bootboy stomper, and with "ENEMIGOS" we do get a very evil, aggressive and damn pissed off fast hammered hatefilled bullet straight in our ears. Hm, one thing that I always recognize when it comes to spanish singing bands is that the lyrics more or less always seem to be too long for the songs, haha, just listen to "ENEMIGOS" and you will know what I mean: While the singer is still singing the strophes the music seem to have already reached the next part of the song and is just waiting for the vocals. Don't know what I want to say with that here and now, hm, but it's just something that I somehow usually recognize when I'm listening to 'spanish music' no matter of which genre, and I think that's all what I wanted to say to you with that, haha;-). All in all COMBATE 49 do get 7 out of 10 points, and that's already a good start if ya ask me, a really good start that not that many bands know to succeed with this days. Good, solid job by them, point and fact!!! So, after COMBATE 49 then are coming FIGHTING 84 from L. fuckin' A. city, and I was really excited about how they will sound here on their first recording. And now I'm even more excited about how damn good they sound, about the fact that they already sound that damn good, strong and also already really pretty tight and that there's no flurry hecticness to be recognized, and guys, for that my honest respect to ya!!! They give us three songs and are starting with their brandnew track "RED DAWN", and damn it, that's some pure hate track, a battle anthem that's filled with so much mercyless aggression and brutality that it makes you want to go out and kick in someone's head. Damn fast paced, full throttle and the engine is constantly running on full power in the red zone of the engine performance. Evil grinding and very sharp played guitars, a brutal hammering bass and fast and hard played drums are the ingredients of this song, and the brutal and very forceful vocals are really the golden crown on the head of this song. A very militant and gladiatorial song, filled with shiploads of energy and pure fury, great!!! Also nice quick break in the song to fasten up the pace even more. Nice shot!!! It's also all really pretty tight done, so thumbs up!!! Can't wait for more new songs of this quality, so hurry up guys!!! Then comes there 'old song' named "ON PARADE", and that's really an impressive statement. Compare this recorded version respectively this recording of the song with their first versions on MySpace and you will get aware of how much they have already developed. I like this song and its message, and also the raw and rough attitude of this angry and pretty fast staccato rhythm song, and I can really imagine how the crowd will go nuts when this song is played live. Also nice sound gadget in the middle of the track, and again it's a very fast track that will smash some P.C. faggots heads in. Then comes my peronal favorite of them, no matter if it's about the lyrics or the music, and that's the great "CLASS RAGE", the slowest song of them on this record here, but still pretty fast, coming with some nice and pretty 'unamerican' guitar work, some great 'Chiswick guitar riffing' in the tradition of the old SKREWDRIVER, great, and also some fuckin' present bass playing and very tight drum work, fuck it, that's what I'm talking about!!! Political lyrics that are also strongly critical on society and damn patriotic, anti-communist and gladiatorial and unbroken, great!!! They also know how to write grapping songs, and they demonstrate us how much potential they do call their own, even this is already a damn strong work of and by them. FIGHTING 84 do get 9 out of 10 points, and I hope that they will find some good label very soon that will back them up with some more bucks that they can spend on the production, because the production sound (especially when it comes to the guitars) is the only annoying thing here. But damn it, no criticism at all, 'cause it all costs a lot of money, and that's why I hope for a good label that will give them the more than only justified support. And don't get anything wrong, this here is R.A.C. the way it should have always been meant, just right wing, patriotic and conservative and anti-communist music, no White Power music faggot crap and no stupid NS Rock, that's how it should be always done. Ah, and this counts for both bands. And yes, you can also call it just fucking good Oi! music, nothing else, if ya have the guts to do it!!! So, the production sound, when it comes to both bands, could be far better, but it's a demo recording, so no real criticism at all, and also you get used to it very quick. The artwork looks really pretty cool (it really makes me want to know about the possible message behind it), and the CD comes as a CD-R in a Slim Case, just that you know it. And if ya now ask yourself what to do, ha, damn it stupid, nothing else then getting into contact with at least one of the bands and get this fucking little gem!!! Damn, I' fuckig happy and proud that I call it my own. Great stuff!!! All in all it gets... (8 of 10 points)

(http://www.myspace.com/fighting84)

(http://www.myspace.com/combate49)

*** TAKING BACK THE SOUTHLANDS FROM THE COMMUNISTS ***

Dear readers (am I not friendly;-)...),

I hope you're doing well!!!???!!! The last days had been pretty good when it comes to this blog here, first the interview with CRUCIAL CHANGE had been posted, then yesterday the SORE LOSERS interview followed, damn it, and believe your eyes, now is coming the next interview for ya. It's with a band that should be good known to ya if ya follow this blog already a little bit longer and also more or less regulary. This interview that now comes for ya is with the damn great FIGHTING 84 that had already being featured with an interview on this very blog here. Hm, I think something like three months ago or so I've done with Brandon (All Hail mate!!!) the mentioned first interview, but that shouldn't stop me from wanting to do another and newer interview with them as soon as I heard that they are releasing their first record, a split CD, and that's just great!!! Can't wait to listen to it!!! I wanted to give them as much support as I can possibly give them with running a blog like this one here, and so this interview is more or less all about their brandnew split CD, or at least more or less all about, haha;-). I don't need to tell ya again why this band really means so much to me and why I think that they are already a damn strong American R.A.C.'n'Oi! band that you really need to know, and you know what, I believe that they will grow even more and getting even more stronger and better, and it will be very exciting to going on following their development. Oh, but I'm writing too much already, now just read the interview and enjoy it!!! THANX A LOT to Brandon for doing the interview and all the best greetings also to the rest in FIGHTING 84!!! Cheers & Oi!

*** TAKING BACK THE MUSIC FROM ALL THE P.C. JACKASSES - PATRIOTIC, ANTI-COMMUNIST & PROUD ***

FIGHTING 84

*** AMERICAN R.A.C. - THE WEST COAST STYLE ***



FIGHTING 84 & COMBATE 49 - Coverartwork Split CD



01.) Hey Brandon, how are things currently going with FIGHTING 84?!? It’s not that long ago since we’ve done the last interview, but the last few weeks and months had been pretty busy and productive for FIGHTING 84, so yeahr, please tell us some short news, give us a quick fresh up about the current stand of play!!!

Well FIGHTING 84 has been going strong, since our drummer came back holiday.   Been passing out the split to all the Skins and Punks around our town, some have actually given back because of rumors that we're Nazis, even though we sure as hell don't look like an Aryan, hahahah, fuck them though.

02.) You’re releasing your first release this time, and I’m pretty excited about it, I can tell ya!!! It’s for what I know a split release, but I think you can tell us all the story much better than I just could possibly get it done. Yes, so tell us something about your debut release, and with something I mean all that we have to know about it, about you as well as your split partners, haha;-)!!!

Well the split is with COMBATE 49, a spanish speaking R.A.C. band from New York.  Figured we release something with these Skins because they're also a pretty young band, and they know where we're coming from (with the whole PC crap).  Plus it's good to show that the USA still has some Skins willing to sing some good old R.A.C., instead of all these fucking Punks shouting Oi! Oi! Oi! in every fucking song!!!
03.) From the West Coast to the East Coast, that’s the motto of your split release I think. Hm, reminds me a little bit of AGNOSTIC FRONT, haha, but I hope we will get no Hardcore record with it at all, haha;-)!?! How’s the situation, I mean, is it just the motto chosen for this release or does it somehow really makes sense to speak currently of a coast to coast unity in the states when it comes to Oi! and R.A.C. music?!? Ha, and what do you think, which coast do have all in all the better bands or scene and the stronger impact on American Skinhead Rock to offer?!?

Hahahahha there is no Unity with Skinheads from the West Coast and East Coast, its pretty much, if we do meet each other, we either like or dislike each other. The title of the split West Coast to East Coast Rock Against Communism is more or a less a thing we mutually agreed on, because we are young bands from different sides of the country, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE A POINT, THAT WE (THE TWO BANDS) ARE HERE TO STAY, TO MAKE MUSIC, TO PISS PEOPLE OFF, AND FOR US (FIGHTING 84) TO TAKE BACK OUR SCENE AND OUR CULTURE FROM ALL THESE PC BASTARDS AND S.H.A.R.P. SKINS WHO WANT IT AS THERE OWN.

Well the East Coast and West Coast have both had there fair share of fucking great bands, but then again when it comes to which side has had better bands, or more bands, its a questions of style because the East Coast has a totally different sound than us West Coast Oi/R.A.C bands. So I guess its just a matter of opinion and your taste of Oi!, I personally think the WEST COAST is coming back (hopefully with our help, as well as the other handful of other bands).

04.) I could imagine that you’re also pretty much on the same page like CRUCIAL CHANGE, TOTAL ANNIHILATION, OFFENSIVE WEAPON, and BRASSIC. Okay, you all are playing different musical versions of Skinhead Rock & Roll, no doubt about it, but I mean from the perspective of the attitude and the message, so are there more splits already planned?!? And what’s your opinion about the mentioned bands?!?

 

Yeah, for the most part the common message (I would presume) would be the no hold bares attack on PC fagots and the the fact that we want to be politically incorrect.  There aren't any splits coming up anytime soon, but if any band that are reading this and are interested in making a Split CD, message us through our page (myspace.com/fighting84). "STOMP THE CRUST" is actually my favorite song by TOTAL ANNIHILATION, CRUCIAL CHANGE is a band myself and FIGHTING 84's drummer have gotten really into, BRASSIC on the other hand sucks, nah they're fucking awesome. OFFENSIVE WEAPON, we haven't actually listened to.



FIGHTING 84 & COMBATE 49 - Backcover Split CD



05.) So, now back to your current release, ‘cause that’s what this short interview shall be all about. Will there be any complete new songs on it, or do you hold them back for some later releases?!? Ah, and wasn’t not also a SKREWDRIVER cover of you announced?!? Will it be finally on the split?!?

 

Well Andy now that you mention it, we actually redid "ON PARADE" and "CLASS RAGE", as well as a new song (first attempt) called "RED DAW" for the release, but as for new material, we are going to hold those jewels back till we release a full length album (OR A SPLIT CD WITH ANY OTHER Oi!, R.A.C., EVEN PUNK BAND!!!! MESSAGE US!).  The SKREWDRIVER tune isn't on the split, sorry Andy, but we haven't gotten it down, and we wanted to do the song justice, but it is in the works!!!!!!

 

06.) How long was the split all in all in the making, from the very first idea to the final product, and will there be any label behind it or how do you handle the release and distribution?!? And from where we can get it?!? I think it’s a pity that a label like “AMERICAN DEFENSE RECORDS” is curently not working anymore…

 

Well the split has been in the making for about two month (well we contacted COMBATE 49 a little before that, but we both didn't really start till about two months ago).  You know we actually DON'T HAVE A LABEL AT THE MOMENT TO DISTRIBUTE THE SPLIT CD, SO ITS JUST A SPLIT THAT WE ARE SENDING OUT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS IT.  So if anyone wants it, just message us!!!!!  And yeah, it is a pity "AMERICAN DEFENSE RECORDS" isn't around anymore, we would have loved to be a part of that label.

 

07.) Ah, to the question after a label: What is this “NATIVE AMERICAN FRONT” label that you name on your MySpace site all about?!?

 

Hahahahahah that's actually a little joke between the band and our friend Joseph (who records our music, plays bass for us in the new recording, and sings backing vocals) who is part Native American. We are actually going to take it off, NEVER KNOW IF A Oi! LABEL'S GOING TO SAY: "Oh, never mind they belong to that label!"

08.) How’s the current situation for you when it comes to playing live gigs, anything changed so that the stupid hustle stopped and did you already played your first gigs these days?!? Tell us about it!!!

 

Sadly, we haven't played live, but we are practicing for live shows now. We've decided as a band, that we aren't just going to focus on recording, that we do need to grow as a band and play live. Future plans? Well we just want to put out some more splits, converting crust faggots into some Oi! loving Skins and REAL Punks.

 

09.) Final question: Your thoughts on the so called “TEA PARTY” movement that’s currently seeming to cause turbulences in the established political system of the U.S.A.?!? Ah, and what I can’t believe is that it really needs to be discussed if a Mosque should be build at Ground Zero or not. I mean, is that discussion necessary? The answer is simple, it’s NO!!! If you ask me!!! What’s your standpoint to it?!?

 

The mosque is a fucking horrible idea!  They should already know that Americans would be  strongly against it, after what happened in 2001, you'd think that they would use common sense and know that they weren't welcomed to build anything related to the religion that caused those extremists to kill innocent people on Sept. 11,  AND THERE'S ANOTHER MOSQUE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM WHERE THE NEW ONE WOULD BE, SO ITS A BIT FISHY WHY WOULD THEY WANT A NEW ONE WHEN THERE'S ONE DOWN THE ROAD.  FIGHTING 84 and myself do agree that this situation would bring up more bad than good, and the fact that the Muslims  don't care, just makes us even angrier, but than again who are we to say they can't, it is in the Constitution that these people have the freedom of religion and the right, but it is a sticky situation, but fuck those Muslims anyway.  WE DON'T WANT TO BRING THERE HOLY WAR to our homes, but it seems like it is.   As a band we haven't discussed the Tea Party Movement, so by saying that, I wouldn't want to put up my political view if, say, our bassist or drummer didn't.

 

10.) Okay, Brandon, once again THANX A LOT for doing this short interview, and I really need to listen to your record, haha;-)!!! Damn it!!! So all the best for you and the band, and keep in touch!!! Cheers & Oi!, Andy!!!

 

No THANK YOU AGAIN ANDY!!!!! YOUR CD IS ON ITS WAY!!!!!! And we hope it gets to you soon and in good condition! Take care my friend, and thanks again.

(And if any bands want to put out a split with us, we would be more than glad to be apart of it!!!)

Yeahr folks, that's the new interview with Brandon and FIGHTING 84, and now I won't say anymore but: Get in contact with them no matter from where you are and then order their CD and give them the support and the respect they need and that they even more deserve. Point and fact!!! Ah, and to all the bands out there, damn, if you feel it all should fit together then get in contact with them and do a split release, if you have the guts to do it!!! Oi!

(http://www.myspace.com/fighting84)

And if it all is working now out like it should then you now get a little video clip (okay, okay, I've done it by myself but don't ya expect too many moved pictues, it's basically just the band logo shown while the song's playing, but hey, so you can concentrate more on the song and the message) of FIGHTING 84 to their song "FUCK THE REDS" (in a pretty old version), so just enjoy it!!!

*** CLASS RAGE & PATRIOTISM = REVOLUTION ***

Yeahr guys, now here it comes, the announced interview with the young American Oi!'n'R.A.C. band FIGHTING 84 from Southern California!!! I follow their development since some time now and I'm really enjoying it to see and hear them grow much stronger and stronger with every new recorded couple of tracks that they load up. So it was truly a pleasure and a honor for me to get the chance to do an interview with them, yeahr, and you know what, I'm fuckin' proud that they were enthusiastic about it and that I can present this interview here now to you. Damn, I wanted to start to put it up already on this past friday but didn't find the time to get it done, and yesterday I was just too busy with being what you might call 'on the road', so okay, how-ever after ll, 'cause currently and right now the work starts!!! I've done the interview with Brandon of FIGHTING 84, and he's done a fuckin' great job, I mean, the interview is truly a 'must-read', if you know what I mean, and no, I'm not just saying/writing and thinking that because it's a interview that I've done, it's really an outspoken statement of one of a kind!!! So Brandon, THANX A LOT MATE for the great work!!! Keep in touch!!! And to you, the readers, enjoy it and be prepared for some no non-sense talking, here's the real deal!!! Here's what it's all about, REAL LIFE, no cheap talk, no self-proclaimed leftist PC crap, no WP/NS faggot garbage, but just hard work, passion, and giving a fuck about what you might think!!! So go and get it!!! Real Oi!, nothing less but even a lot more!!! CLASS RAGE and PATRIOTISM is REVOLUTION!!! Taking shit from no one!!!

*** 'They fly the trojan banner! Might as well be the sickle & hammer!' ***

*** FIGHTING 84 ***

*** American Oi!'n'R.A.C. from the city of L.A. in Southern California ***

01.) Hey guys, first of all let me thank you for doing this interview, and yes, I'm a 'little bit' proud of it, not at least because I haven't found any interviews with you so this might be a little bit of something like a premier;-). So tell us something how things are looking these days in the FIGHTING 84 camp, everything's fine?!?

No thank you Andy for wanting to do this interview with us, it's very much appreciated. First off, yeah, it's pretty much a premier of our band, hich we're glad some people (like you) actually like *laughs*. FIGHTING 84 is doing well, just practicing and fixing up our songs. We're hoping to do a split with some bands in the coming months, so look out for that!

02.) I just know about your MySpace profile and that's not giving us so many informations about you as a band and you guys in the band. Maybe we start with the introduction of you, tell us some 'classified informations' about you guys in the band (age, hobbys, work/jobs, family, band experiences before starting FIGHTING 84, who's playing which instrument, etc.) and from where do you all know each other.

Well I'm Brandon (20) the guitarist, our drummer's Jeff (20) and our bassist is Bridget (21). Myself and our drummer have actually known each other for a long time, and we both met our bassist in school (in between ditching and running amok in our part of shitty Los Angeles county). Well our past band experiences are pretty much non existent, we are pretty young and determinded to get our music to like minded people who enjoy to listening to raw music, without the PC labels and bullshit 'Let's Get Along!' crap songs you hear now a days.

03.) You're a pretty new or young band, so I won't spare you the official interview standard question about the history of you as a band. So, please tell us your bandhistory right from the start on to the present day. Ah, and what had been the reasons for you to start the band? The word's up to you right now;-)!!!

FIGHTING 84 began towards the end of last year 2009, just because we were tired of all the crap music, and lack of anti-commie music coming out of L.A. The music scene all together in Los Angeles is crap, there's only the left wing here, we'll be glad to take up a spot in the small RIGHT wing section for L.A. bands.

04.) What I'm asking myself right from first looking at your MySpace profile: What's the meaning of or behind your bandname?!? Who or what is or was the FIGHTING 84, what's the (maybe historical?) meaning behind it (if there is at least any meaning behind it)?

We've actually been asked that before, and it's actually a simple answer: We got it off a patch I (Brandon) found in a military store when I went in to buy a new bomber. (Told you it was short, *laughs*.)

05.) You're coming from Southern California, but from where directly? What is there to tell about the scene of Oi!, Streetpunk, Punkrock, and Hardcore musick in your hometown area? I think that there had always been some great American Oi! bands coming from California in the past, just to name only the great HEADSTRONG, BOOT PARTY, SOLDIER 76, or PATTON'S LEGION, LONESOLDIER, and the legendary BOVVER WONDERLAND. But I think the mentioned bands are more or less all defunct these days, and beside you there are not that many currently active bands coming to my mind, just maybe BRASSIC. So tell us a little bit about your local or regional scene in these days. Are there any bands, fanzines, distros, labels, etc. that are keeping the spirit alive? Ah, and with all the above mentioned bands, what's your opinion of 'your' California when it comes to American Oi! Oi! music?!?

As I mentioned before the scene in Los Angeles is full of left wing people wearing CRASS shirts and spewing Anarchist bullshit. If you walk down the street with a certain T-Shirt on you could probably catch shit from Punks who think they know everything about a culture they don't even belong to. When it comes to California in Oi! music, obviously we had our fair share of great fucking bands, but till now only a handful are left. We're hoping (over time) to bring Oi! back to L.A. , real Oi!, none of that crap playing around town.

06.) Now let us come to your music: You are playing a very raw and dirty, well paced, old school type of Oi! Oi! Bootboy music sound. If you ask me your influences are coming more from Europe and England , than from the States. Old english Streetpunk and early Oi! and also some early british R.A.C. stuff, and I just have to name the early SKREWDRIVER, especially when it comes to your guitar playing. Am I wrong? What would you say are your main influences and from where do you get your inspirations when you're writing songs?!?

Fucking right on the nose Andy! In writing songs, SKREWDRIVER is actually a big influence. Ian wrote songs for the british people, and never held back, which is exactly what we want to do; music for Americans by Americans. Rock against Communism is just a genre of music that we really grew to like, it's raw and never pulls punshes. Some of the newer Oi! bands would rather cover Reggae songs and sing about fucking dancing all night long, we sing about how this great country is going down the drain to communist bastards disguised as politicians.

07.) What I think is very exciting is that if you're following the moves of your band through your MySpace profile and the posted songs of you, you can really hear and listen to how you're getting better and better from the first recordings of your old songs to your newest song "CLASS RAGE". To have the opportunity to be part of this development is really exciting and a very good thing. Maybe you can tell us something about the process of songwriting, how you are writing your songs, and is there anything special to tell us about your rehearsal sessions, strictly focussed work or alcohol fueled mayhem?

Thanks a lot Andy, yeah I suppose we are *laughs*. Well our first recording was with our first singer and was pretty much a glue and paste job with the song writing and music, that songs are still up on MySpace somewhere, fucking horrible version though (just wasn't afit with our old singer). The writing process really consist of myself just seeing shit day to day, from the fucking yuppies in downtown, to the way our streets are being fucking overrun by illegal immigrants. There is a legal way to come to this country for fuck's sake! Rehearsal's pretty much boring brother, nothing but three people just trying to get the songs (and new ones!!!) a lot tighter.

08.) Now let us come to your (to me well known) songs you've posted on your MySpace profile. Let us start with "FUCK THE REDS". The message is easy to get by the title, or at least I think so, haha;-). But that's just the first impression, 'cause I think it's more 'Fuck off!' song to this whole 'Spirit of 1969' so called traditional Skinhead crap, turning the whole S.H.A.R.P. thing into a radical left wing happening with this whole misunderstood 'tolerance thig' when it comes to doing drugs and other bullshit like that, than a simple 'Commie Bashing' song. Good song with good lyrics, if you ask me. Did I understood it somehow right, haha;-)?!? Are the lyrics influenced by the political divided situation of your local or regional scene?!?

Yeah, the song ("FUCK THE REDS") is more or less a song about the dividing line between the right and the left, there's a part in the song that goes "THEY FLY THE TROJAN BANNER! MIGHT AS WELL BE THE SICKLE AND HAMMER!" which pretty much sums it up. Fuck the spirit of '69, fuch 'TRADITION!', this isn't 1969, and this sure isn't England (not to say we have anything wrong to say about the Brits, but every country has their own way of making this culture there own, and why make it into a rip off version of 40 years ago, when you can make it all your own). The scene in our part of SoCal is pretty much like I had wrote, very PC. If you're hispanic and listen to SKREWDRIVER you'll get your ass kicked, if you're white then you're labeled White Power, if you're black they'd probuably call you a moron. But to us, it doesn't matter, listen to what you like, fuck it if it's SKREWDRIVER, music's music, and tell anyone who fucks with you to go listen to some REDSKINS and fuck off.

09.) Next song would be the angry smasher "ON PARADE". A song about patriotism, troop support and traitors and appeaser-cowards? How is the situation these days in the States? Your president just called the former 'chief-general' of the troops in Assghanistan back home after he had criticised the policy when it comes to the 'War against Terror' and send some new folk at the position that's more well-suiting the concepts of the 'Commander in Chief'. So how is the situation rght now for example when it comes to supporting the troops out there in the fields, and is the ruling policy heavily questioned in the american society? Maybe you can give us an 'inside view' for what you know and based on your opinions?

Well "ON PARADE" is a song about seeing your enemies (you could be used in anyway) marching down your countries street, seeing how they're bringing down your country for the idea of the 'Common Good', it's a song that every American can understand, an enemy who has the masses in it's palms, and the idea that you're the only one that actually see's the truth. In my part of town most people are supportive of the troops, but there's always that strung out Hippie wanna be talking about peace and all that bullshit. As for Obama having a hissy fit, haha, no comment.

10.) My total favorite is your still newest song "CLASS RAGE", no matter if you take the music or the lyrics. I think it's a great combination of very early SKREWDRIVER and some good old American Oi! the californian way of sound (BOOT PARTY, SOLDIER 76, PATTON'S LEGION), just great!!! And the lyrics are also just a great done job!!! You are drawing a very dark picture of the situation of the american society (and especially the hard working middle class) today, being messed around by the ruling policy (that's always nothingmore and nothingelse than the policy of the ruling class, so fuck it up anyway!!!) and being forced to climb down the 'social ladder' again. Even if I think it's basically the same thing in nearly every (western) country and with nearly every (western) society (sadly and fucked up enough), I think it's a very interesting fact because the so called 'Change!' that your president Obama announced to bring to the politics and society of the States seems just to be nothing more than a farce. How is the situation for the middle class in the USA today, tell us about it, and what's your opinion about your current president, his policy and the promises he once gave you?!? Is the "CLASS RAGE" justified and about time?!?

Obama, like every other politician before him, have lied in some ways. Thanks for actually listening to the lyrics, yeah, I was trying to pretty much say that no matter how hard a man or woman works for a better life, they'll never obtain it in the long run, because of the huge gap between the middle and the upper. I think the 'rage' the middle class feels toward the government is genuine in different ways (some shout it out loud, others rather do it in subtle ways). No matter what, if the right wing is in power, the left has something bad to say, and vice versa. You can never win, the middle class will never have that power, because there will never be the one government official who is like us, even after they gain power, everyone has their price, and because of that, we will never win.

11.) Your last song (up and online) is the sick track "LOVE HANDLES", ah, and maybe just you tell us what 'love handles', haha;-)?

Hahahahahahah, well "LOVE HANDLES" was written in about twenty minutes by myself and a friend of the band (Joseph) because we hadn't gotten "CLASS RAGE" down, and just wanted to record. It's actually about our friend Rizzo, and how he's constantly after fa.... woman of a certain size. It's just poking fun at his infatuation with the opposite sex (and the other end of the weight spectrum).

12.) I don't know if you feel comfortable with it, but I really think that you are not only an outspoken but also an political band, simply because the songs I know of you are all dealing with political issues (okay, maybe beside "LOVE HANDLES"). You are also using the R.A.C. genre to describe yourself and also the "Punk's not red!" logo. I could imagine that a lot of people do have some serious problems with that, right?!? Of course, I also had for a long time my serious problems with R.A.C. music. Not because of the anti-communistic stance (that's often more an anti-soviet stance, and that's all fine with me, 'cause I could never understand how one could propagate that the Soviet Union was a good role model for societies to be, even and especially not if you call yourself a communist in any way, because the Soviet Union was nothing but a repressive and dictatorial farce of a state), but because of the strong anti-Semitic and racist stance a lot of these bands are propagating with and through their music. But after some years I started to discover that not all so called R.A.C. bands are White Power faggots and/or NS jackasses. For example the YOUTH DEFENSE LEAGUE once also used the R.A.C. genre for a time to decribe themselves, but always have had a strong democratic stance (defending democracy against the soviet threat, etc.), that was and is light years away from the White Power/NS crap of the later SKREWDRIVER, NO REMORSE, later ARRESTING OFFICERS, and also maybe NEW GLORY, and so on. So what are your experiences with using the R.A.C. genre to describe your music? Do you have had a lot of problems with it (for example when it comes to getting gigs to play), hostilities coming from the one direction and 'making friends' on the other wrong side of the tracks? And what's your opinion to R.A.C. and this whole racist stuff in general?!?

EX-FUCKING-ACTLY!!! Not all R.A.C. bands are NS or White Power. Our drummer isn't white and our bassist and myself aren't full white. Gig wise, we actually haven't played yet, but have already gotten the usual 'warnings' not to play in certain parts, even certain states. The people that have told us not to play, or that we aren't welcome in some parts of town or the U.S. are usually Trads, Commie Punks, SHARPS, even some normal people! As for the reason we chose the R.A.C. label to label us, is just because of the rawness and hatred (not racial hatred, but more class hatred) that some Oi! is missing now a days, especially in L.A.!

13.) A lot of guys do also think that Oi! and R.A.C. should not be mixed together (and of course Ian Stuart Donaldson thought so, haha), what would you tell these guys (after you're using the R.A.C. as well as the Oi! genre to describe yourself)? And what would you tell a stupid jackass that wants to defame you as bunch of fencewalkers?

Fuck everyone! Call us what-ever you want, SHARP's don't like us because we aren't full of anti-racist songs and THE OPPRESSED covers (which we like, well, EARLY OPPRESSED). Punks have said stuff about us, even posting up some shit about 'FUCK R.A.C., LISTEN TO R.A.R.' ('Rock Against Racism'). We listen and play what we want, we'll play a SKREWDRIVER cover and then a fucking TRASHMEN cover.

14.) After these serious political stuff ;-) we will be closer coming to the end of this interview, but there are still one or two questions left on my writing pad. After I already asked you about your local and regional scene I also wanted to ask you what's your opinion about the current American Oi! scene, a positive or a negaive one, and what are bands we should have to know?

Well in parts of the country there's some really good fucking bands, Northern Cali, New York, etc. The Oi! scene has always been divided, from the left and right, from real Oi! to Punk bands who think they are. But speaking to other bands across the country (even down south in Mexico, Brazil and also Europe) are blurring the PC line of what's okay to listen to and what's not, R.A.C. (patriotic music, nationalistic music, NOT NS or White Power) is on the rise, Bootboys in different parts of the world, who fight and live for their country and real football.

15.) So now to the final question, coming to you and your future. What will be next of FIGHTING 84? Some new recordings and maybe a physical release one (hopeully very soon coming) day? Tell us a little bit about your future plans!

Well we are hoping to release two splits with a band over in New York, and another way down south past our borders in the coming months, a full on demo of ours won't be coming out anytime soon though, a year or so till we start focussing on that.

16.) So that's all for the moment from me now. It was a pleasure and a honor for me to do this interview with you and I hope it will bring you at least a little bit more support, 'cause I really think that you're damn deserving it!!! So THANX for doing this interview!!! Also there are still some questions left on my writing pad, but when there are coming some more news from you I will request a next one, be sure, haha:-)!!! So for now the last words remain to you and just keep on the good and passionate work and the spirit alive!!! Keep in touch!!! Best Greetings from Germany!!! Cheers & Oi!, Andy!!!

No thank you Andy!!! We'd love to do a follow up!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO LIKES OUR MUSIC; WE ARE GETTING TIGHTER AND BETTER!!! HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU AROUND TOWN SPORTING OUR SHIRTS *LAUGHS*!!! THANKS AGAIN; AND FUCK PC; PLAY R.A.C.!!! YOUR BUDDIES, FIGHTING 84!!!

Folks, that's it for the moment of this strong and proud going young up and coming American Oi!'n'R.A.C. band FIGHTING 84, taking shit from no one and speaking out their mind without any PC garbage or what ever some self-proclaimed bullshit authority wants them to think and say!!! A great and very sympathic and authentic band, full of young and rebellious, militant spirit, yeahr, that' exactly what I was searching for, and that's exactly what I found with and in FIGHTING 84!!! Check the band out, follow their development and be prepared for more to come about and with them in the future here on this blog!!! And, again, thanks a lot Brandon, and keep in touch!!! Oi!

(http://www.myspace.com/fighting84)