While many Oi!
bands were happy to welcome the Far Right into the scene and
remain on the fence some bands weren´t. One of those bands
happened to be The Oppressed and from day one they´ve always
spoken out against the Far Right and quite rightfully so.
While some bands have put politics first and as a consequence
their music suffered this did not
happen with The Oppressed. Over the years they wrote some classic
songs such as ´Magistrate´, ´Work Together´, ´Government Out´ and
´Fuck Fascism´ and then went into retirement. For a full biography
on The Oppressed please visit
www.theoppressed.co.uk
2004 saw The Oppressed re-surface and ready to take their Music
and Anti Fascist message back on the road again. Here´s what the
main man Roddy Moreno has to say.
Punk Globe: Ok you´ve reformed The Oppressed and the reaction to
it has been pretty good but how did your wife and son take it.
Were they thinking ´Oh No Here we go again´ or are they pleased
for you?
Roddy
Moreno: They´re over the moon for us, the boy finds it a bit
embarrassing but I know he’s really chuffed. He’s especially happy
when he gets new football boots from the Berlin weigh in.
Punk Globe: You’ve got some cracking gigs lined up over the next
few months both in the UK and overseas but which one are you
looking forward to the most?
Roddy Moresno: Most are just one off’s and I’m well up for
them but the 2 nights in Canada will be a blast coz I’m DJ’ing the
old Skinhead Reggae stuff one night and playing the next. Then
there’s a big tour of Japan in August, hard to believe we’re off
to other side of the world.
Punk Globe: I know you’ve got an EP out with some Japanese bands
but when can we expect a full player from The Oppressed?
Roddy Moreno: If I can find time to write enough new stuff but
we keep recording new stuff and going out on split CDs and EPs.
Maybe down the line I’ll compile all the new stuff onto one CD.
I’m so busy though it’s finding time to write new songs.
Punk
Globe: You’ve been around what seems like years now so you must
have some special moments and funny stories you’d like to share?
Roddy Moreno: I suppose the most special moment was Berlin.
We’d never played outside the UK before and all of a sudden we’re
headlining the Punk & Disorderly fest´. 2,000+ skins´n´punks all
going crazy, no trouble, just a fuckin´ big party. I’m still
buzzing 2 weeks later. There’s a load of stories but I’ll save
them for my memoirs when I get too old to sing.
Punk Globe
: We all know fascism sucks but why do you think it seems to
have such a hold in the Oi! scene whereas most scenes would
brush it aside without a second thought?
Roddy Moreno: I reckon it’s coz the Oi! scene is made up of ya
typical working class hooligan and when kids are young and
impressionable they look for reasons to fight, football is the
same, so the scum target Oi! for kids to do their dirty work. I
find most grow up and regret it later, when they’re older and
wiser.
Punk Globe : You’ve also set up Oi! Records again so any new of
any pending releases?
Roddy Moreno: I’m still trying to sort out proper distro´
but when it’s sorted I got loads of bands waiting in the wings.
Hopefully the first release will be Glasgow skinheads UNITED
FRONT.
Punk Globe : Roddy You’ve had much stick over the years for
speaking out against the fascists and still continue to get it
over the internet but am I right in saying those cowardly
wankers have never put their threats in to action?
Roddy Moreno: Never once in over 20 yrs have I been
confronted face to face. 1 threatening letter and 1
phone call, both anonymous, and bollox on the net. That’s it.
Punk Globe: Can we ever see a reformation of the ´Rude Boys´
since Ska is your fave music?
Roddy Moreno: I’d love to get the Rude Boys back in action
but it’s finding a brass section, It´s fuckin´ impossible. A few
times over the years I’ve tried but it always comes to nothing.
Punk Globe : When you play London do you think you and Mensi
should get disguises just in case Geezer and his Ma show up and
if you do get a disguise what do you think you’ll come dressed
up as?
Roddy Moreno: Well we played Stigs memorial last week and
I’m sure I spotted a zoom lens in the back of the Forum so I
think a disguise will be the order of the day for the gig with
the Upstarts. If I tell you what my disguise will be Geezer and
his Ma will know who to look out for so schtoom. Maybe if we all
go in the same disguise we’ll outfox the snap happy wanker.
Punk Globe : Anything you’d like to add?
Roddy Moreno: Cheers mate. Fuck Fascism.
Thanks to Roddy for taking time to do the interview and this
ones for everyone who stands up to the Far Right. Check the guys
out at
www.theoppressed.co.uk
