Skinflint Music

test

Estimated Release End Of June 2013

      Hi, below is an interview we did with a french paper magazine about Skinflint Music -

Hi Here are my answers, will send you the t-shirt tomorrow

-Can you please tell us a little bit about SKINFLINT MUSIC, a brief history of your label?

Skinflint Music was started because my friend Sab Grey, the singer of iron cross was looking for a label to put out his new 7″ and I was running a booking and promoting company at the time. After talking to Sab, I decided to go this route and start up a record label. and in 2009, we started it up. That is how the new iron cross 7″ came to be. from there i just ran with it. We have 11 releases right now and our catalog keeps growing. and our distro portion of skinflint music has many OI and Punk releases

-Why did you choose to promote the skinhead and punk scenes?

hahaha, good question, Ive been living this since 1981. its just a way of life to me.

-What is it about these subcultures that you find so inspiring?

Fun, Beer, Friends, Good times and not so good times.

-How would you explain these subcultures are still alive, healthy in 2013, many decades after their birth?

It truly isnt surprising to me, ive seen throughout my years, the scene fade, then have a rebirth, fade and then have another rebirth. WE ARE HERE TO STAY!

-How would you define the ethos of SKINFLINT MUSIC? I know that you don’t like politics. Are the political parties and the ideologies a waste of time for you? How do you think politics changed the oi scene? Then what’s the definition of being a skinhead for you and how do you decide to sign or to work with a band?

I will not work with extreme left or extreme right wing bands.. keep the politics out of OI! To be honest, both sides are crazed and it has devestated the OI scene, you have groups now, such as antifa who go on witchhunts looking for nazis, getting shows shutdown cause a “skinhead” band might play, even if the band dont even sing politics. It is soo crazy right now.

-The unity of the skinheads and the punks it’s a reality for you not an utopia?

Its more of a utopia.. there used to be alot of unity within skins and punks. but it seems to have faded because of the above statement between antifa seeing invisible nazis and because of cliques in the scene..

-What makes vynil so special for your label and more generally for all the skinheads and the oi fans? What is so special for you with this format?

Its the only way to listen to OI! and punk music! OI! and Punk was made for vinyl. Vinyl is making a big comeback. if you dont own a record player. BUY ONE NOW.. and buy some music from us, hahahahhah

-For you how important is the nostalgia on your culture and your way of life?

Its very important, I really dont know any other way to live.

-You recently promoted the new release of ORGULLO SUR called “a tribute to british oi!”, what are the five cds or vynils you would choose to promote this scene, this style?

1. TMF – Its a Thugs Life

2. Skinfull – drinking class heroes

3. East End Badoes – Hard Hits for Herberts (our release)

4. Stormwatch – a 21 year hangover

5. Looking For Trouble Vol 2 (w/bakers dozen and skinfull, another skinflint music release which was co-released with MFS)

-What are your favorite aspects of your activity? And worst?

My favorite aspect is getting to hear new bands, signing bands, supporting the scene, the worst part is going to the post office to mail stuff.. lol

-What drive you to keep doing it?

It makes me feel like I am supporting the scene huge.. I am married with 2 kids. family man. i dont go to shows as much as i would like to cause of my busy life, but doing this, i still feel heavily involved.

-What represents SKINFLINT MUSIC on your life? It’s more than a label for you?

Skinflint Music represent to me – Skinheads around the world united, maybe it is a utopia now, but its what i would love to see.

-Any words for those brave souls interested in running their own label?

get a full time job! lol, and dont get down if you are not selling stuff quickly. it takes time for the word to get out.

-The american oi scene seems to be very active, the new generation of U.S oi is really very interesting with a lot of good band( Harrington Saints, Noi!se,Broadsiders,Sydney Ducks, 45 Adapters, The Old Firm Casuals…), how do you explain this incredible health? What is the specificity of this scene for you?

I think alot of it had to do with the OI fest that happens over here called 2000 tons of TNT. It is run by brass city boss sounds. I think that helped kickstart the OI revival.

-More generally what is your outlook on the current worldwide oi movement?

I think it is getting huge again, in each country bands are popping up all around the world. I am very impressed with australian oi!, they have some incredible bands..

-Broken Heroes signed on your label is an oi band of the 90′s, what the main differences for you between this generation and the “new wave of the american oi”?

Broken heroes are a very straight in your face type of OI, alot of the other oi bands are melodic and take the term streetpunk.

-You collaborate with all the major oi labels (Contra, Pirate Press, Randale, Longshot…), how important is that labels work together to release things collectively? Is this mutuel aide necessary for you?

Very Necessary. we are one scene after all. without other labels help, it would be very hard to distribute music internationally

-Do you know and appreciate any french activists (labels, distros, bands, fanzines..)

I am not very familiar with the french scene, sorry, I need bands to sing in english, Its the only langage i speak, and i want to understand what the band is about..

-Do you have any goals that you would like to achieve with SKINFLINT MUSIC?

World Domination!! hahahhah, just a scene that is united with people supporting each other and what not.

-What do you see as the future of records labels?

I think there is a future for record labels now that vinyl is making a comeback, cause people would rather hold something then spend money on just mp3s.. I try to include digital download cards on all releases so people can also get the mp3 version for their ipad or iphone

-What do you have planned for 2013?

Alot! lol, releasing a TMF/offensive weapon split, broken heroes/guvnors split, a full length lp by white flag down, and a full length lp by 99 bottles..

-Any closing comments?

Ya, go to our shop at http://shop.skinflintmusic.com and browse around and buy some incredible stuff, also sign up for our newsletter at http://www.skinflintmusic.com

the site is a work in progress.

-Any words for the readers and the french activists?

Keep The Faith, Never Give Up and Never Give IN! OI!!