Tusken Coalition

Ready for the Brit-Core Revolution? Then check out Tusken Coalition!

Hi, welcome to Voltcase - how are things?!

Leth: Extremely busy just in the process of releasing our new Double A sided 12” Amphetamine Romance Feat Princess Nomi B/W Demon Womb feat 8CH of Phantom Limb which is out on Basilica Music, so we have been gigging a lot and promoting etc...

So, how would you describe your sound to a stranger in three words?

The Brit-Core Revolution!

What could you say to convince the lazy general public that they should check you out, turn up at your gigs and buy your music?

Leth: If they’re that lazy then we don’t want them at our gigs!! If you don’t support real music then it will disappear and all that will be left is what the corporate media sideshow wants you to listen to. As a group we put our heart and soul into making good honest music and our live shows are an extension of that, if you want to come and see four vocalists and a dj rip the roof of a venue then come see us, if not stay at home and fucking rot its your choice.

GZ: I would say to them “look switch off your video games because you can’t win! Get down to a show, buy some tunes and realise we aren’t fucking about! Its funny cuz a dude at a show came up to us and said that our live performance was better than De La Soul! When someone says that kind of shit it makes you stop and think, “Ok, not quite! but fuck yeah!”

What do you guys think of the Internet as a way of promoting yourselves – is it an essential marketing tool, or just another way for people to steal your music without you knowing about it?

Leth: People keep telling me that print media is dead and the internet is the way forward, so ok myspace is an invaluable tool which every band should use however, it also spawns complete shite by the bucket loads, anyone can do an internet site these days just as long as they have a bit of computer savvy, which means there does need to be some quality control. I see the internet as heroin!! that you have to embrace, on hand it can do you so much good and boost your profile but on the other its just like injecting raw shit into your brain...

GZ: Before the Internet you had to physically hand your demo tapes to promoters it was harder but more rewarding. The mystery of a band is gone now and record stores are closing down and jobs are going, the only winners now are the download companies. We are under know illusion about keeping up with the times to get the music heard.

We try and promote as many local scenes as we can here at Voltcase, what can you tell us about your home town/s and the music scene there? Any bands that we might not have heard of that you think we should check out?

GZ The music scene is really good and quite diverse in Notts. There is no real predominant scene and there are loads of mixed bills, which is really cool. You should check out label mates Papa La Bas who are blowing things up Triponica style!! In the hardcore scene check out Geriatric Unit who boast members of legendary UKHC bands like Heresy/Hard to swallow and Iron Monkey.

Leth: Just backing up what Gz has said really, there is a good scene up here, a few bands & Djs to check for would be Non-Thespian their live show is off the chain, Ikons Of The Ukon, Dj Loop Skywalker, Dj Johnny Crump, Mr Jones who is on that spoken word vibe also check for The Smears, Dead Souls & The Wireless Stores but to be honest the list goes on and on…

And, for anyone out there just starting out in a band, is there one piece of invaluable advice that you could give them to help them on their way?

GZ I would tell them to really experiment with music and push some barriers down because so much has been done and music really needs fresh appeal. I would also tell them to don’t expect the world to come to your feet if you do a couple of good shows, it takes a bit of good old fashioned graft and luck to get noticed. There are also some real dicks behind the scenes in music and you really have to learn to keep it cool i.e.: don’t pick fights with cameramen or promoters! On the whole though mosh n skank hard to the sound of the distant drums.

Leth: Like GZ has mentioned don’t expect a quick fix and don’t think that you’re gonna blow up like the world trade centre cuz it aint gonna happen. Most of the artists that you hear are not making a large amount of cash as far as (mainstream) Hip hop is concerned you’ll find that the cars are rented and so is the house, make sure you stay true to your self and your music your not gonna make a shed load of money but as long as you can break even and still make your music then you have achieved a lot. Rule 1: Don’t be taken in by the falseness whether it be Underground or Overground!!!

So, what's the most extreme rock-star type story that's happened to you while on tour or at a gig?

GZ Well I was a bit of a bad lad in my old band, which was not intentional and was not always my fault. So I guess after seeing Tusken (before I was in them), getting fucked and then going down to a straight edge all dayer to try and take them on was maybe a bit rock! plus really stupid! I’m a bit more chilled these days and I haven’t yet managed to pick a fight with a cameraman but there is plenty of time for that.

Leth: Johnny Morrow (Iron Monkey) ploughing some guys face in with a monitor when they played Brighton. We all got ushered off to the kitchen and got tooled up with kitchen knives as the guy who run the pub said that they were waiting outside to do the band in. Never forget that especially as I was not even in the band I was just down for the ride. Still though it was the starting block from where Johnny and me originally formed Tusken

If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask yourself? And what would the answer be?

GZ QU: When are you going to give this shit up and forget the past. Answer: Not today.

Leth: QU: Why!!! Answer: Cuz I have too!!

So, what have you got planned for the rest of the year?

GZ: Gigs with some cool bands, doing more artwork for Tusken. Writing next LP plus some cool surprises coming your way. We are pretty tight live so expect Tusken to keep pushing the boundaries.

And finally, the question that we ask everyone that appears in Voltcase - what does the word 'Voltcase' mean?

GZ: Voltcase is a small case of electricity which GammaRay and ScubaDive use to black mail other planetary (so-called) gangsters to never fuck with them and they say “Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.”

Leth: I’m Thinking a small box of death!!!