Interview with
The Vigilantes
by
Ginger Coyote
Punk
Globe had a chance to speak with Jones Rosenberg about his band The
Vigilantes.. If you have not heard them yet check them out. They RAWK!
Punk Globe: What part
of Sweden are the Vigilantes from?
Jones:
We come from an island called Hammaro, It is our own little private
Jamaica. I don't know if you will be able to find it on any World
maps. It is between Oslo,Gothenburg
and Stockholm. It is famous because we have our own Elvis wannabe
Christer Sjogren lives here.
Punk Globe: In what
year did you form The Vigilantes?
Jones: We formed the group
back in 1999, but it was all party back then. We just borrowed
equipment and played for fun in a friend's garage. It is still like
that; the only difference is we have this company sending us
free guitars. Then I left for Germany and we did some changes in the
line-up. We recorded our first demo in 2001, I guess that's the
starting point for the band.
Punk Globe: Tell us who
else is in the band.
Jones: We have: Edock-
who plays Drums and Backing Vocals, Jones- Bass, Backing Vocals,
Gus-Guitar and Lead Vocals, Ekis- Guitar,Lead Vocals. When we
record we all play pianos,organs and additional percussion etc.
Punk Globe: I know you
have toured Europe. Tell us about which countries you have played?
Jones: We have played in
countries like Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Germany of
course. There aren't a Tankestelle along the Autobahn we haven't
visited I guess. We are also heading to Poland and Eastern Europe in
the near future and we are really looking forward to that. I really
wanna tour Japan. That would be so cool.
Punk Globe: Japan is
really cool. You would love it there. I know that once when WTD played
with Turbo Negro they told me that Norway funded them to tour. Is
Sweden that supportive?
Jones: I wouldn't say
Sweden is supportive when it comes to Punk Rock. it is still hard for
many bands to get gigs and get radio airplay and stuff like that. It
is NOT top of the pops over here;even though we have some bands that
have made it, for example Millencolin and The Hives. But one thing
that is cool with Sweden is
that
they let you try all these instruments in School. Anyone can actually
borrow stuff to start his or her band. I guess this is kind of unique.
Punk Globe: That is way
cool Jones. Tell me who are your influences?
Jones: We all have our
personal influences, but we have some in common, like Stiff Little
Fingers, Rancid, The Clash and Neil Young. We try to look beyond is
popular today: there are far too many copies out there and not enough
originals. I hope we are influenced by timeless legends like Elvis,
Chuck Berry and The Beatles tan say The Strokes or Green Day. We want
to take rock n roll back to the roots full circle.
Punk Globe: That sounds
like some advice that famed Talent Agent, Lois Dolan, would give. Are
there any particular favorite shows you have played?
Jones: On the first tour
we did we played this alp village in Austria called Eisenerz the venue
was a squat house in the outskirts of the village, we had some serious
trouble getting there, and we totally had no idea of what the night
had in store for us. Before we went on stage the place was just packed
with people of all ages and subcultures: Punks, Skins, Goths, Emo Kids
etc. We had people dancing both on and off the stage: it was like 300
singers and only three microphones. in the anarchy on the stage we
still managed to keep it tight and after the gig we couldn't
even make it backstage. I never felt more like a Beatle.
Punk Globe: You Rawked
Jones! I am proud of you! Do you have any favorite bands that you
like to play or tour with?
Jones: On our last tour we
played with Block Bastards from Sweden. We had the best times together
on the road with them guys and I hope we can do more tours in the
future. We are still best of friends...
Punk Globe: You read it
here folks keep an eye out for Block Bastards. . Tell us about
Vigilantes Recordings we can get.
Jones: The "Empty Bottles
& Broken Hearts" CD is still available. We recorded this release for
Bandworm Records in 2003. Overseas the best way to get it today is
through Street Anthem or something like that, or drop me a line
through our homepage.
We have also done some
compilations lately like "Punk Rock Repo" and "Worldwide Streetpunk."
We also have a song for the Ramones tribute "Todos Somas Ramones" of
course. We have a 7-inch release planned for the future.
Punk Globe: I really
enjoyed your recording of "Somebody Like Me" on "Todos Somas Ramones."
Jones: Thanx! We had a
great time recording it and yeah we are all happy to be officially
accepted in the Ramones family. It is an honor to be on the same
compilation as all these legends. After all, the members in The
Vigilantes are as old as many of these bands and artists careers are.
Punk Globe: My band was
also very honored to be included on this highly acclaimed CD. Do The
Vigilantes have any plans to come to America?
Jones: We were actually
all set for a tour of the US this summer but some things came up and
we weren't able to go. We were booked for 18 gigs all over the states.
Now, I am stuck here in Sweden for the summer doing 9 to 5. We still
have plans for a tour in the United States and I hope we can come over
in the near future..
Punk Globe: Jones, Thank
you for a great interview. It was a pleasure to get to interview you.
Any last comments for the
readers?
Jones: GINGER COYOTE FOR
PRESIDENT!!
Punk Globe would like to
thank Jones Rosenberg for a fun exciting interview. I suggest checking
out the Vigilantes if they are playing anywhere near you, order their
CD and check out their website
@http://www.vigilantes.se/
