on the record with...
Dominic & Phil
East End Badoes
By Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz Wash DC/Richmond)
SugarBuzz Magazine
EastEnd Badoes – DOMINIC & PHIL’S RESPONSES
1. Obviously over the years there have been lineup changes, who is in the band now?
DOM: The current band started in 2005, with myself on bass (Dom), Terry vocals , Chris on guitar & Joe on drums (moved back to Texas). Since then we’ve had two other drummers move on (Dave & Tarik), leaving us with Cherry & the other member is Dave who joined us as a second guitarist. Andy on bass & Phil on guitar filled in for myself & Chris at the ECOF.
PHIL: yep, I was one of the 'borrowed' guitarits from Concrete Gods. My silky skills on the fretboard were too much for Terry to refuse!
2. Something I read gave me the impression that EEB’s had disbanded in the past? (Forgive me, I could be wrong). If so, when did the band get back together and why?
DOM: Terry was in the original version of the band back in the early eighties, although this was disbanded (for a full history, check www.eastendbadoes.co.uk)
3. What keeps you guys touring and is this your first performance in the United States? What is your reaction? [afterwards]
DOM: We keep playing because we largely enjoy it & people seem to like our songs. Myself, Terry & Dave played a show with Matt Kelly on drums, in Boston last year. This was the aftershow for the Dropkick Murphys St Paddy’s bash & went under the name of the Beantown Bad’oes. Matt came straight off stage with the Murphy’s to fill the drum stall for us, although I think he managed to cool down okay as there was 8 inches of snow outside. Again, due to not making the ECOF I can’t comment on the aftershow reaction, but gather from Terry & Co that the band made a positive impact.
4. Your last CD, “Let’s ‘Have it Sessions,” was released in 2006. Is there new music on the horizon? I understand that EEB’s are also on the new CD, “Kings of Street Punk?” please explain. {I also thought Indecent Exposure and The 4 Skins are on there,} Can I purchase a copy in the USA?
DOM: The idea behind the Kings of Street Punk was to gather together some of the original Oi bands + others that are more recent & re-record one old song, with one new song. Our old song was ‘The Way it’s Gotta Be’, originally recorded with the original line-up back in the early 80’s for the Back on the Streets e.p. Our other song is 1-2-3, was previously recorded by The Avengers/Professionals. The 4Skins are also on the album with a cracking new version of ‘Chaos’, along with a new song, ‘Glory Days’. Index don’t feature however.
We recorded our tracks up near Newcastle, in a studio run by Fred Purser who used to play in Penetration. The project was led by Micky Geggus from The Rejects, who is a really talented guy. A number of others were also up the same weekend, including Garry Bushell, Pete Way (UFO) and dear old Tony Van Frater (the chief mong himself). Copies of the LP should be available from Amazon.
Since the ‘Let’s ‘ave it Sessions’, we’ve come up with a few new numbers & are about to start work on some others, with the ultimate aim of eventually recording an LP. To be clear on this, the ‘Let’s ‘ave it Sessions’ were recorded as a demo, to ensure we had something to build on for a full release.
5. What has inspired to keep the band going? Hell, we are not spring chickens, so obviously there are still songs to be sung. With that, do you guys all have regular jobs or is performing it?
DOM: I’ll have you know that when we started the band we had an average age of 30!...but that’s only because Chris & Joe are babies compared to myself & Tel. We’re under no illusions, as the band would never be in a position to make enough money to live on. There are very few people on the UK scene that actually make a living out of the music, as the only bands that are popular across the age spectrum & shift large volumes of CDs etc, are the US bands (e.g. Rancid). It’s a shame that the kids who listen to these guys don’t pick up on their influences and appreciate the rich heritage we have in the UK.
PHIL: I have a regular job - I.T. company.
6. What bands influence you today? I read you favor Slade and Sweet.
DOM: The influences of the band depend on each individual. Myself & Terry are more old school punk, favoring the likes of The Ramones & numerous 77 bands, although Tel can answer for himself.
For me, it’s a case of different bands & different songs having an appeal rather than a specific genre. Chances are if you asked me the same questions next week, my response would again change. In addition to the Ramones, I could cite the Pistols, Clash, Damned, Drones, Slaughter (77), Heartbreakers, Dickies, Avengers, Weirdos, Dead Boys (early US), UK Subs, Upstarts, Professionals, Skids (late 70’s), AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Motorhead (metal), Instant Agony, Discharge, Conflict, Cult Maniax (80’s punk), Business, CockSparrer, Rejects, 4Skins (Oi), Stooges, MC5, New York Dolls (pre-punk).
As a band we’ve not set out to sound like anyone, just create our own sound. With the songs, I’ve very much tried to make each one sound different, but there is a tendency to stick to a similar formula, although that’s largely because it works. For me there are newer bands that have their own sound, whilst sticking to the basics, such as Argy Bargy & our good friends from Belfast, Runnin’ Riot.
PHIL: Personal opinion - not crazy about the "thrash a load of noise" sort of punk rock that so many bands try to get away with nowadays. A bit of a melody and some meaningful lyrics goes a long way.
7. What is your most memorable gig to date? And what is your take on the oi scene today? [ or punk scene in general]
DOM: We don’t tend to play as many gigs as other bands, although there have been several that were memorable – for me they were our 2nd show, when we supported the Dropkick Murphys in Nottingham, the first time we played Rebellion/Wasted (we borrowed Matt Kelly for that gig) & when we supported the Rejects at the Mean Fiddler with 1000+ punters in the venue (this was also our debut as a 5-piece).
The punk/oi scene today is probably healthier than it’s been for a long time, bar the self-opinionated idiots that feel the need to bring politics into the equation. We’ve had various accusations over the last year or so, none based on fact. We don’t follow any party line or support any extremism (left or right), although people are constantly trying to drag or push you one way or the other. The point is this has a tendency to follow the scene around and to be frank gets rather tedious. Yes, some of our songs have messages, but the bottom line is about coming to a gig, having a drink & enjoying yourself.
In terms of the bands, there are an awful lot of new bands springing up and I admire anyone that’s got the balls to get up on stage & do it. For me though, too many bands lack originality and try too hard to copy their peers. My current favourites, if you’re talking new(er) breed, are Argy Bargy – the production on their new album is simply awesome. There are some interesting bands coming through, such as Geoffrey Oicott, who sing songs about cricket, which is rather unique.
8. Out of curiosity, were you at that gig in Southall? Curious. What is your take on it, if any? [see Gary Hodges interview].
DOM: I wasn’t at Southall, so can’t really tell you how it was, although do remember the news reports in the press & on TV. What you have to understand was that the UK at this time was a tinderbox and various tensions were running high. With Southall, I guess it was a case of wrong place, wrong time and predictably the press came out against the scene. It’s the same with England fans abroad when it kicks off, rather than providing an un-biased view, the press will err on the side of those assumed to be in the wrong.
9. What lies in the future for EEB’s? I understand you are playing Rebellion Fest in Blackpool UK in August and Speed Freak’s Ball?
DOM: Well, gig-wise it’s as you’ve mentioned, plus we’re supporting our good friends the Dropkick Murphys at the end of August, for their Reading/Leeds festival warm-up show in Coventry. Beyond that, there’s the possibility of a show with Menace & then who knows? One thing’s for sure though, we need to get off our backsides & record the album we’ve been threatening for the last 2 years.
PHIL: Yep, and also supporting Dropkick Murphys in a few weeks time. Few things in the pipeline.
10. Is there any time in your life (lives) that you can remember as a turning point that made you realize that punk is not a phase, but a lifestyle?
DOM: I think the whole thing about punk is that it cannot be described in a few words. It is something that means different things to different people and for that reason holds such a wide appeal across a variety of musical, fashion & life styles. For me it was primarily about the music, but also about thinking for yourself, questioning what I didn’t agree with.
11. Further closing comments?
DOM: Blessed are the cheesemakers, for they shall inherit the earth