Hi exploders, here's Geoff Starr. As you can see he's a real rock'n'roll volcano. Soon we can see Geoff on stage during the italian Glam Attakk Festival. Check it out!

Hi Geoff, "Don't Blame Me" shows us once again your extraordinary capacities, but I'd like to ask you the reason why the adventure with Sonic Boom Boys is over. It was such a great band…
Thank you. It ain't finished, by a long shot. It's to coin a phrase "On Ice", like my drinks.... as I have been saying to everyone who is not familiar with the situation. Let me explain, basically nearly two years ago Sonic Boom Boys had just been out on tour with The Toilet Boys from New York on a two week UK tour, we then did some one off gigs and eventually said that it would be best to take a break, after 7 years of being on the road, recording numerous releases and generally kicking ass and flying the flag for Rock N' Roll music, when pretty much no other band was doing that, to critical acclaim. Now I am not one to sit around doing nothing so I jumped at the opportunity to put my solo band together, this basically happened when I was offered a headline slot by a promoter in London at the Borderline club in Soho for a stupid amount of money! I called up some of my buddies and threw a band together - from this came the single "Don't Blame Me" recorded last year in February. We then got offered a UK tour with Robin Black and the IRS, and from there things have spiralled upwards to where I am right now. So coming back to SBB, there are new songs that I want to go and record and I am also aware there are still a lot of fans that want to come and see the band play. Until that point which maybe in a year from now, I don't know, I am playing selected SBB songs at my shows, just to keep things cooking on the proverbial Rock N' Roll fire in respect of SBB and all the fans.

If I'm not wrong, I've heard it's been hard to find the right members for the GeoffStarr Rock'n'Roll band, but now everything is ok, isn't it? Can you introduce us the members of the band?
Everything is really fucking cool now, damn right! At the beginning it was a bit tough to get the right people, cause I got high standards as far as musicianship is concerned and also very importantly you have to be able to hangout. Imagine being stuck on the road for 6 weeks or longer or whatever and hating the people you are with, that can't happen, so the guys I got now there was an instant chemistry there. We hangout together all the time, so I don't have any concerns for the up coming tours we have round Europe. I can't imagine playing with anyone else right now. The band... Ok, so to start off with we have Jas on guitar, I got to know him when he was on tour with Faster Pussycat a few years ago, and we jammed together with him about a year and a half ago, so straight after I sacked the original guitarist after the Robin Black tour I knew he was my first choice to get in and he jumped in and hasn't looked back since, the perfect connection. Jas always has time for everyone, but don't expect a quick chat, if you know what I mean, a really sweet guy. Then on bass we have Rik Blacow, probably the best bass player I have ever played with, I ain't kidding, you can check him out for yourself. A solid player and a solid guy. Totally cool, totally down to earth, adding abit of northern spice into the equation and keeps us all grounded. An indisposable individual. On drums we got Ed. A classic Rock N' Roll drummer with serious punk rock edge. A chilled guy with serious stamina. He has just started playing with us. The position is usually filled by Mr Soppa Raivio, the Finnish Rock N' Roll Freak! One of my oldest friends and the bass player for Sonic Boom Boys on the last couple of tours. As you will notice he played bass on "Don't Blame Me", and also to let you all into a little secret drums as well! A totally talented musician. He basically has commitments with his other band in Finland called "The Young Lions", and also due to various other personal circumstances he cannot tour right now. He just recorded the new EP with us though! "Parafinns and Princesses" ahhhhhhhh.... More on that later.

What your New York propose it's a kind of powerful and rough r'n'r, it reminds me of Stooges, Motorhead and Dead Boys. Which other artists did influence your sound?
Well I don't really know if Motorhead has a place in there, I know Rik is a big fan but I can't say the same for the rest of the band, as far as them influencing our music, don't get me wrong though, I think Motorhead is a pretty cool Rock N' Roll band, they've written some classic tunes, Lemmy is always cool with us, always up for a drink or two. The last time we hung out was in LA about a year ago to the day actually when I met up with Slash and his wife, at the time my manager had sent in some music when he was looking for a singer for his new project (Velvet Revolver), I honestly wasn't that interested, as those are big boots to fill and I was and am very happy with what I'm doing in my band, and I was pretty sure they would go with a named singer, and literally a month or so after that they announced that Scott (Weiland) had got the job, so there you have it... Back to the question... Dead Boys fucking awesome band, love 'em. Same for the Stooges. Other artists that influence our sound would have to include Hanoi Rocks, dear friends of mine, I spent Christmas and New Years as a guest of Andy McCoy and his wife Angela in Finland, Hanoi also played New Years Eve so, not a bad way to bring in the New Year! Other bands, Social Distortion, Rolling Stones, Warrior Soul, New York Dolls, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers, Eddie Cochran, Sex Pistols, Hollywood Brats, MC5, Ramones... You get the picture...

Yes, would you describe "Don't Blame Me" track by track? Besides, can you explain us why did you choose to do the cover of "King of Fools" of Social Distortion?
Don't Blame Me: It's pretty straight forward really. It's about people pointing their fingers at me, at you, whoever and being misinformed for one reason or another. I'm just being me take it or leave it, but leave me the fuck alone, butt out of my fucking life, and "Don't Blame Me" for your own fuck-ups.
Kickin' In The Dirt: This was written about 12 years ago and I demoed the song in one of my previous bands (Rainbow Lizard) around that time, a very rare demo, if you own a copy... Nice one! It's about a guy that passed away before his time, remembering the good times and what could have been, if he hadn't had that car wreck. Its punk rock with big hooks!
King Of Fools: It's a song that I really love, it was written by W.E. Bruce in the 1950's then re-recorded by Social Distortion, so they didn't do it originally, always read the small print! I think the lyrics are just brilliant, they really sum up a lot of my life, and I'm sure that everybody can relate to the whole sentiment behind them to some degree at least.

How do you usually write your songs?
It's one of those things really that is difficult to nail down, there is no set formula. I always try to have a pen and paper handy even at 3 in the morning and an idea will come into my head, and bang! You have a song, or an idea that gradually evolves into one. Then it is a matter of trying to relate the idea you have to the other guys in the band. It seems to work. Another way that we have been working is the other guys in the band come up with ideas for songs and we mold them and then I write the lyrics to them. On the new EP I mentioned earlier, I wrote a song, Jas wrote 2 musically and Rik another. The result... You are gonna hear pretty damn soon, I am very fucking excited, it just has to be mixed and off we go! Lets Rock! Big time! Full on high energy Rock N' Roll!!!

To say the truth I don't know the record label Sew Knee Records that is publishing "Don't Blame Me", can you tell us something about the label?
It's always good to tell the truth!!!! Honesty is always the best policy! Totally! OK, Sew Knee Records is so new that I doubt anyone has heard of it. I have a hand in it and got involved with a group of people that wanted to start a label that has a very positive work ethos, working for bands in the best way possible, which I wanted to support, to allow bands to release their material and give them the best possible direction when they are first starting out. The label specialises only in Trashy, Sleazy, Punk Rock N' Roll, and will give any band in that genre all the help they can. This cannot be said for any other label that covers this genre, which a lot of labels do, they "cover" it, they do not specialize in it, it is generally the fact that other labels are really up their own asses. As I said Sew Knee Records is there for the bands to use, not to be "used" by the label, do you know what I'm saying??? We are open to all bands in the genre to bring them together. That's why I support Sew Knee. They have my total respect, and wish them all the best. I can trust them that's why I decided to release my first single through them, and at the same time I can maintain total control over it. I know that the label is looking for new and established bands to work with and develop. You can contact them through the site at www.sewkneerecords.com.

When will we able to find the first full-length album of Geoff Starr Rock'n'Roll band? Have you got already new songs? Any anticipation?
We have shit loads of new songs, it's a matter of making choices about which ones to choose to develop further, and which ones will make the album. We expect realistically to be in the studio sometime in September to record it. At the moment we are working flat out promoting "Don't Blame Me" and gearing up for the release of "Parafinns and Princesses", which will be out sometime in the next month. On top of this we are spending the best part of the Summer on the road constantly. Next week we go to Holland to start the tour, then down to Italy to play Glam Attack, then back to Holland and Germany. After that we then spend about 4 weeks playing a UK tour with two hot new UK bands in support. The rest of the Summer we will be playing one off shows here and there and everywhere!!! Festivals etc.

You supported Robin Black and The Intergalactic Rockstars around the UK. Can you tell us something about this experience? What's your opinion about Robin Black both as an artist and as a man?
It was cool. Robin is just building things up for himself in the UK so the shows were pretty small compared to what I am used to. It worked out well, cause it gave people a taste of what I am doing and as a package it went down very well with the fans. He got to play to a lot of my audience and like wise. Robin is a sweet guy, I think his live show is amusing to watch. I would do it all again if that's what your driving at! Without hesitation, its always a pleasure to tour with a band that you can hang out with as well, we had fun together, without saying too much! A lot of American bands have a reputation for being a nightmare to work with. The only shitty thing on the tour was the musicians I had to rely on, but hey, all's good that ends well...

Speaking about life "on the road", which are your favourite and which are the most negative aspects of it all? Which are the funniest and weirdest situation you experienced on tour?
My favourite would have to be for me and I'm sure for the majority of artists showtime! The half hour or hour or whatever you get in the 24hours of each day to go out and do your thing. That's what you are there for after all. Some bands think it is about other things and come that time they are too fucked up or can't handle that life, it takes a certain type of person. Believe me. I have been in the situation of taking people on the road and after 4 weeks they have just turned round and said "I can't deal with this, I can't handle life on the road, I'm not Rock N' Roll", it really does have to be in your blood. You think you can handle it and you are totally hyped for it but then hey, when it come to the crunch, when your van is breaking down all the time, you have no where to sleep, no money and the booze has run out, that's what shows if you have intestinal fortitude or not. Negatively speaking it would have to be dealing with asshole local promoters who don't know how to take care of bands. They don't realise that you just drove 10 hours to the show, you are knackered, they haven't provided any food, have not advertised your show and no drinks. That's just great isn't it. So I have to say its the little things that make a big difference. The UK venues in my experience are the worst. I don't give a shit if 2 people turn up to see the show so long as the promoter has done his job. Experiences... Fuck that's a whole other interview man!

Is there one of your concerts you're most likely to remember? If it's so, why?
There are really so many shows that stand out of the hundreds that I have done. I would say playing a sold out Garage in London with The Toilet Boys was great. It was about half full when the opening band went on, I though it was gonna be a shit night. Then I was getting ready backstage and came on the stage, the place was fucking packed man! Really heaving! It was amazing to see from the stage. We had played a sold out Garage before with Sigue Sigue Sputnik about a year before, but for some reason that night was really special. We also did a serious kick ass show!!! The Toilet Boys were watching from the side of the stage and they we freaking out when we came off, cause they knew we had just blown them away!

Usually when I ask this question, I'm used to be insulted (laughs). As I noticed from your pics, you really care about your look! Do you think the image is an important element for the success of an artist? And what do you think about Justin Hawkins style?
Thank you. Why do people insult you? I don't get that? I can only speak for myself. I like to take care of myself, I think that's important. People naturally are very visual, and can immediately make some sort of assessment about you as an individual and the type of music you play. As far as I am concerned people do get that totally wrong. Like so many bands did by following Hanoi with the way they dress but playing shit music like Poison, Warrant etc all that LA shit. My image comes naturally it's who I am, and I think that's the same for everybody, unless they are being fake. As far as Justin goes, fantastic, each to their own and that is exactly what he is doing. We came out of the same London scene and know each other. I met up with him a few months ago, the boys' done well!

Which is your opinion about the current international rock'n'roll scene? Is there a particular band you like to listen to?
I think its getting there. Am sure to some extent The Darkness are helping. No. I listen to reggae.

What do you think about internet, webzines, download of mp3 files and all the other aspects related to the net?
I don't know that much about it. I think it's great to be able to share stuff. I can send an e mail but that's about as far as me and computers go...

Your fav drink and top 5 album of ever!
Jack N' Coke. In no order: All Hanoi Albums, Social Distortion "Somewhere between Heaven and Hell" & "White Light", Warrior Soul "Space Age Playboys"!

Which is the craziest thing you did in all your life?
I woke up one morning in Gothenburg, Sweden!

Once I read an interview about Kory Clarke when he was involved in Space Age Playboys and the booklet of his album contained lots of pics of pills. He was asked to express his opinion about the use of drugs and he answered something like: "guys don't hurt yourselves, leave those things to us rock stars!". Which is your opinion instead?
No Comment. I could be here all day...

Well…One of my collaborator is here near me and she would like to know which is your idea of the perfect girl…Can you describe her?
One word: Personality.

Ok Geoff the interview is finished, thanks for your replies! I know you will be touring around Europe between April and May, and you will be on the stage of Glam Attack in Turin. What should your Italian fans expect from your band? Shout at your kids and grasp their attention! And to Italian girls as well, do you want to tell them something?
I want to say to the Italian fans that I love and respect you, and I will love and respect you even more if you can help me sing out my songs when I play Turin. Beg, Borrow, Steal a copy of my releases and screammm "Don't Blame Me"!!! Get a copy of it now at www.geoffstarr.com. Just rock like Mother Fuckers!!! We are so totally hyped for Italy. From me and the rest of the band, God Bless You and See You Down The Front!!

Intervista realizzata da Bruno Rossi
Traduzioni di Laura Delnevo e Margherita Realmonte