Good to speak to you again Mr Nixon, and thanks for coming back! My first question to you is: What was the best new album you heard in 2016? “Rise Up by Anti-Pasti was the best piece of rock`n` roll that I heard, possibly because I listened to it that many times in its various stages of construction that I don’t remember listening to anything else”.
Well that’s fair enough I guess! And what about old stuff – did any reissues grab your attention this year that you can remember? “Mostly reggae oldies really”.
Away from music for a second or two; What was your non-musical highlight of the last twelve months? “The birth of my second grandson, he and his elder brother are my favourite pastime”.
Congratulations! Onto matters probably less enchanting now – What have you found particularly disappointing, or distasteful, or downright upsetting, about the wider world in 2016? “The British public voting to leave the EU and the war in Syria. Trump`s assault on the Whitehouse, total bigot”.
Isn’t it a terrible indictment of the state of US politics though that the Democrats couldn’t put up more credible candidate than Clinton? It’s a sorry state of affairs to be sure… Let’s get back to more important matters… Do you think the music scene – and our sort of music in particular – is in good shape at the minute? “No I don’t think that it is in good shape; Compact Discs don’t sell very well these days and many gigs are poorly attended, probably because most of the people that are into the punk thing are not spring chickens any more. When you are closer to your bus pass than you are to your nappies your enthusiasm tends to wane”.
Never! Although the fact that many people think that mentally I am still closer to nappies than bus pass might colour my judgement on that… Did anything disappoint you musically in 2016? “Yeah, having to part company with the vocalist on the album and cancelling some high profile UK festival dates was a downer. Having said that, our original vocalist returned to play a couple of dates in Belgium and France which more than softened the blow”.
Clouds, silver linings, et cetera… Which practitioners of your own musical role impressed you most this year? “I watched Trotsky, the Subhumans drummer from the side of the stage at a gig in Finland, he made it look really easy”.
One of my favourite punk drummers ever! Who was the best live act you’ve seen this year? Apart from Anti-Pasti, of course! “Criminal Mind, a bunch of young lads coming through at the moment. UK Subs never disappoint”.
No they don’t – and Charlie Harper really is in bus pass territory! What does the next twelve months hold in prospect for you? “We need to find a new vocalist and get back on the road. We have some new numbers ready to record, we may even stop being Anti-Pasti and start again with a new line up and a new name”.
Wow – you read that here first, people! Good luck whatever path you decide to follow… Which band, if any, do you think is primed to break out into the wider consciousness in 2017? “Criminal Mind in the punk scene”.
We’ll keep an eye out for them. We’re fast approaching the festive season – best night for a party – Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? “Christmas is for the kids isn’t it? New Years Eve I`d like to be gigging – fancy bringing us over to Australia?”
As well you know, if it were in the Sentinel‘s gift you’d be hear now… We’re not going to ask for a New Year’s Resolution – but what musical feat do you hope to attain next year? “A new line up and another recording”.
And finally, is there anything else you’d like to say to the readers of Sentinel Daily? “Go out and buy our album, demand an Australasian tour!”
You heard the man! thanks for taking part!
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