Iain - vocals, Wattie and Kandi - guitars, Klaus - Bass, Baz - Drums. We used to play for Beerzone, the real Intensive Care and All Out among other bands. I decided after ten years that Beerzone had run it's course. It was time for a new challenge as I wanted to write songs about things going on every day in our lives and with Beerzone it was difficult to make this change properly, so against many peoples judgement I decided it was time for a new band and it is the best thing I have ever done.
2. How came the idea to start a band and why name Control?
To get our points of view across and we named it Control because it is very difficult to find a name that has not already been used and it is a strong sounding name which suits the style of music well.
3. Did some of you play in different band beside Control?
Only Beerzone, Intensive Care and All Out in the USA.
4. Your music is hard and aggressive, what are your musical inspirations?
Anything which comes from the heart from early punk and oi to Johnny Cash.
5. What about the lyrics and music who is responsible for them?
I write the lyrics and come up with the music and then we put them together and make any alterations we need to make them work if needed.
6. I find your lyrics very critical against system, state, taxes and very serious, can you tell us something more about them?
If the UK was better run, the songs would not be so critical. Basically the people currently in power, but hopefully for not too much longer have broken every promise they made when they asked the people to vote them in. We have been sold down the river and they are an absolute disgrace who should be banished from the shores of the UK forever.
7. You have out one regular album on Step 1, then mini CD and also split with Marching Orders...how was the cooperation with the label and how did you find Marching Orders as a split band?
Step 1 have been great with us. They put out the cd version of Hooligan Rock'n'Roll and it has been doing really well, in fact it had to be repressed again recently. Contra Records in Germany and Longshot Records in the USA put out the vinyl version of the album in November and they have both said it will have to be repressed soon too. They have been great to work with. The mini CD was only a sample which came out before the album. We have the split with Marching Orders because we were both on the movie soundtrack for Green Street Hooligans. They are good friends of ours and played with us when we were in Australia. We also have a split 7" picture disc with the Business on People Like You Records and the Business track is a cover of the Beerzone anthem, 'Don't Give a Fuck'.
We have a new 7" coming out on Step 1 in June with 3 new songs called 'Trouble on the Streets'.
We record a 2nd album for release at the end of the year on Step1/Contra and Longshot and we are on the 30 years of Oi! compilation which comes out soon too.
8.How is the present scene in Great Britain? Can you recommend us some new bands?
The scene is pretty good at the moment, the best it has been in years, new bands to look out for are Skingraft, Citizen Keyne and young herberts Skinfull as well as those Welsh grandfathers of punk rock, Foreign Legion.
9. What about playing live, do you like gigs? Is there any difference between gigs in UK and in Europe and gigs now and in the past time?
We love playing gigs, it is the only reason we have a band. Gigs are different everywhere. In the UK they are good, in Europe more boisterous and in the USA they are great as we recently toured there with the Business. Today perhaps less violent than in the past, which is a good thing as we should stick together.
10. Your CD has name Hooligan Rock´n´Roll...are you supporting some football team?
We love scottish football,like the Czech leagues, it is real football. We don't like the pansies who earn £100,000 a week, who look like girls with their haircuts and roll around like fairies if they get tackled.
11. What should we do if we want to organise your gig, what are your requirements?
Flights, somewhere to stay, food and drink and perhaps something like 100 euros for each guy as we are all self employed with families and homes to pay for but it is not essential but none of us has any money as we spend so much time in the band.
12. Do you know anything about Czech republic and Czech scene?
Beerzone played Antifest and also in Sector 13 I think it was called and we had a great time on both occasions.I love the Czech Republic, great people, pretty girls, great beer and just all round a very cool place.
13. Plans for the future?
New album, tours of the USA, Australia and hopefully Europe. Rebellion again this year and just to keep on playing everywhere people want us.
14. Words on the end...
Thanks for your interest and spread the word of Control in Czech Republic, we would love to play there again and if anyone wants any merchandise, check out http://www.mainstagemerch.com/
Many thanks
Iain