Post by Lucky on Jun 6, 2007 23:00:44 GMT 1
Most of you will have noticed a new name on the Punk and Oi! front….G and R London. www.gandrlondon.com/
So many have asked me who they are and what they are about so hopefully the following interview will answer all your questions.
I spoke to Mick Geggus and Andy Russell and this is what they had to say.
Q. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourselves and G and R and am I right in thinking that the G stands for Geggus and the R stands for Russell?
A. Yes, G & R stands for Geggus and Russell. We are friends from way back and having a chat after a Rejects gig in Glasgow we came up with the resurrection thing. That has evolved into a label and promotions company. Our first promotion was Stratford, the next is the Mean Fiddler and we are currently working on something which is even bigger for early next year. We released Fists of Fury and Bubbles as a digital single and video. The videos have been available on www.wippit.com but should also be available on i-tunes and on your phones from roundabout 8/6/07. We say roundabout because we tell you what i-tunes tell us and then they change the date and we’re left with egg on our faces! The album Unforgiven is also out in the shops and also in digital form. Our next releases will be a digital EP by The Usual Suspects and the compilation that you have all been waiting for, The Kings of Street Punk. They will be in July.
Q. What do you think of the rise in Punk and Oi over the last few years and can it get bigger and better?
A. Yes, it can get bigger and better but needs younger bands with fresh energy and ideas to keep it vibrant.
Q. So many older faces are popping up at gigs. How does this make you feel knowing that the Rejects have played such a huge part in?
A Makes us feel real proud to have started this genre and it’s great to see all the old faces plus all the youngsters there checking it out for the first time.
Q. After having a look at your website I see that you have the East End Badoes on there. Andy, would you have considered playing for them as you were an original member and how does it make you feel seeing them doing so well with Tel Hayes well in control?
A. I don’t live in England all the time and Terry couldn’t get hold of me when he started putting the band back together but the answer would have been no anyway as I just haven’t got the time. Terry has asked a couple of times for me to get up with them for The Way It’s Got To Be but I’ve gracefully declined. They don’t need me up there, they are doing well on their own and good luck to them besides I was never that good a bassist anyway!
Q. You’ve also got the 4 Skins on the roster. What is the line up of the 4 Skins and is Gary leading the way on the mic if yes then do they have any new material and where can we get it from?
A. Hodges covers all this in his interview with Garry Bushell on the Total Rock podcast, www.totalrock.com/podcast/GarryBushell-05.mp3 , the line up is Hodges, H, me and Mick. There will be no live gigs it’s staying in the studio. On the Kings of Street Punk you have Chaos 2007, Glory Days and there is also a track by the Cockney All Stars called Oi Oi Oi which features the Rejects, 4-Skins and Badoes. I think you are all familiar with the song! If the reception to this album goes well then there will be a 4-Skins album recorded later in the year.
Q. I also see you’ve got The Gonads on your roster. What is it like to work with such a high profile fella like Gary Bushel and what plans do G and R have with the Gonads?
A. We’ve known Gal such a long time we don’t think of him as a high profile figure we just think of him as our mate. As for his plans for the Gonads, I think he’s after world domination for starters and G & R will put it out on DVD! We along with Jeff are working with Gal on the Rejects film and it looks promising.
Q. Will we ever see the Cockney Rejects. The East End Badoes and the 4 Skins on the same stage together?
A. Rejects and Badoes with the Secret Members at the Mean Fiddler on June 30th but no 4-Skins.
Q. Andy. Will we ever see you in a band again and do you ever miss getting up there on stage and playing to a packed crowd?
A. The only way you’ll see me in a band again is in the Rejects if there is ever a battle of the bands between The Rejects and the Showers of London, we’ve already told Tony he’ll be sitting that one out.
Q. Mick how does today’s crowds compare to the older lot from years ago?
A. There is no aggro now – we wouldn’t be doing it still if there was. Everyone has grown up – it’s time to share the buzz now and enjoy the show for what it is…Entertainment! And that goes for everybody! That takes us into the next question which is answered simply, fantastic to see all the old faces together and just like the old days in the Bridge it was a trouble free night!
Q. There are so many good bands out there at the minute Like Retaliator, Section 5(If they reform).Would you have them on gigs that you might put on?
A. At the moment we are only putting bands on our shows who are signed to G & R, this may not always be the case but it is our strategy at the moment while we get the label and our bands established.
Q. Everyone thought that The Rejects would play at The Boylyn ground and it looked like it was going to be on the cards but it seems that at the last minute it went up the swanny and in the end they Played at Stratford. Was there a reason for West Ham changing their minds as that would have been the icing on the cake?
A. There was never a problem with West Ham. The sound people told us the location for the gig was okay, once it was organised the sound people said it couldn’t go ahead there because of the acoustics so there you go the cancellation was purely for technical reasons. We may be recording a Rejects Unplugged session in front of 50-75 invited friends later in the year at West Ham. We are currently seeing if that can be done, at the moment it looks promising
Q. Talking about West Ham and sorry but being a life long Hammer ive got to ask this .How do you feel about the club and its fortunes at the minute…are our fortunes still hiding or, are we on the up?
A. We’re on the up! Come on you Irons!
