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Conflict were the first Anarchist Punk band that actually inspired me from that scene. To this day they still inspire me simply because they have no boundaries and that's what Punk Rock should be about. Forget the safety net - Keep On challenging the wrongs in this world. That's what I love about Conflict and they keep on challenging and always willing to move forward instead of staying stagnent. I caught up with vocalist 'Colin Jerwood' for an interview and this is what he had to say for himself.
Street Voice: First off who's in the current line up of Conflict?
CJ: The line up is myself, Paul Hoddy, Marshall Penn, Ferenc Collins and Spike T Smith. We are adding new members this year also.
Street Voice: You've had numerous amounts of line up changes so is this new one your best one yet?
CJ: I believe so, by far.
Street Voice: Conflict were about when Anarcho Punk first kicked off so how did you see the scene back then to the point you got disillusioned with it later on?
CJ: To me early on was exciting, a kind of learning process, everything was so new, fresh ideas, new approach etc. Conflict accidentally got far too big far too quickly and the fun stopped and it seemed like everyone was taking more notice of what I may or may not do rather than getting on with their own projects as before. Of course its a serious business but there was simply no time for anything else, the little time I had I spent justifying myself. Fucking stupid. I had to fuck off.
Street Voice: When the rumours started about Conflict/Mortarhate ripping people off and then evolved into what became this huge vendetta against you didn't it make you feel like just jacking it all in?
CJ: No quite the opposite, we were aware that people were planting certain stuff and making the slightest issue into a world of betrayal. Of course I have made hundreds of mistakes, but that's the purity of it, it never has been a professionally run business.
Street Voice: It's fair to say that Oi Polloi were one of the main instigators to all the rumours but what were the real reasons behind your fall out with them?
CJ: I can only think that it was the time when we had no money left to pay them there requested expenses at a Woolwich Poly gig I organized. Apparently they did not like the way I conducted myself at gigs in Edinburgh, but they never told me that. There's probably loads more I've forgot. The thing that used to get me, well still does is that within this scene people think they have the right to call you everything from a2z to lie about you, even try and incriminate you. (Work that one out for anarchists) Then they are so surprised when I come out fighting.
Street Voice: Looking back on the mid 80's - early 90's are there any things that you wish you'd handled better?
CJ: Oh fuck yeah, mainly due to people I may have upset along the way. But as I say if it was all running neatly perhaps we would just be another group by now, or another Fat Wreck records.
Street Voice: A lot of people look up to the likes of Conflict for the answers but how come so many have got it wrong when you couldn't have said it any clearer?
CJ: I think people will always take on only what they feel safe with, and therefore adapt words/actions to suit. The way I see it is I was some grubby little punk kid with far too much to say for himself, but people actually agreed with some things I said.
Street Voice: Would it be fair to say that many people still have the likes of Conflict and Crass on a pedestal going by some of the posts made on your own site?
CJ: Yes, but you know what Steve this time around I don't give a fuck about it, I let it ride over my head and get on with the job in hand.
Street Voice: Coming back to the present day you have an album in the pipeline. When can we expect to see 'Tilt' released?
CJ: Well due to the line up falling apart and me having to rebuild it all again it's gone back a bit. But I'm optimistic for the end of this year.
Street Voice: What kind of topics are going to be raised on Tilt?
CJ: Tilt is mainly about the destruction of the planet, the start of the fight back to save it, and a view of the ways those in power have everything in place to continue fucking us rotten for the rest of our lives. It will probably be the umpteenth album full of same old songs though.
Street Voice: You're playing a lot bigger gigs these days so do you think that it's a positive move with reaching a new audience?
CJ: Yes I know so, of course only I see the letters, emails etc etc but yes we are at least attracting a lot more people. Even if at first it's just for the music only. The other good thing is we seem to upset the apple cart at all these events, even some of the big groups are very uncomfortable with conflict present. Was never meant to be comfortable, was it?
Street Voice: Do the police still harass you like they used to in the 80's?
CJ: No, but her majesty's other lapdogs the Inland Revenue are trying every trick in the book.
Street Voice: Conflict have many gigs planned for all over the world so any favourite places you like to play?
CJ: To me there's no place like home/here, but I find the USA challenge great.
Street Voice: How do your overseas fans compare to the British fans? Are there many similarities in their attitudes towards Animal Rights etc?
CJ: Yes it's a fair percentage everywhere now really, in the USA many have set up organizations, animal rescue places, venues on the strength of listening to conflict. That's very satisfying.
Street Voice: Talking of overseas how are your American shows doing?
CJ: They were so full on it was unreal, we did it right this time, refused the agents did it all ourselves and still packed out major west coast venues. The USA people really showed their support sometimes although it's too overpowering. Saying that the level of support we have had at our recent gigs here as been amazing.
Street Voice: Are people a little paranoid over there with that senseless killing in Virginia?
CJ: No they did not seem to be, most of the older people were simply saying that schools teachers should have guns and not to ban the sale of the things.
Street Voice: Some of your shows in America got tear gassed and stopped by the old bill so what happened? Was it the usual OTT tactics adopted by the Police?
CJ: The Vegas gig was very oversold and was in an unlicensed place. People could not get in so it got a bit restless, a cop car came and arrested people, people objected and back up came in force. They cancelled the gig but in the end decided to let it go ahead as things were going to get out of their control. The bad bit is by then there was already 2 grand's worth of damage done to the venue.
Street Voice: You're obviously big supporters of the ALF and would I be right in saying you support every action they take against the animal exploiting bastards?
CJ: I can't think of anything that has been done to date that I find offensive.
Street Voice: Vivisectionists seem to bemoan their sorry lot about how they're targeted by Animal Rights protesters so do you think they are justified in what they are saying or do you think they deserve everything they get?
CJ: Everything they get and everything they have coming.
Ed: I totally agree with you. Vivisectors deserve everything they get.
Street Voice: How come the lyrics to 'This Is The ALF' are banned from being published?
CJ: I was pulled in over the song, we got representation which we don't usually do who told us it was incitement and I would be charged if I did not withdraw it. They would have pushed for a big sentence so with the view that the lyrics are available everywhere anyway we withdrew them.
Street Voice: You've done so much with Conflict so what next? Any thoughts to what you'll be doing over the next couple of years?
CJ: Now I'm finally getting the live set to the level it should have been years ago then it will be time to add stuff. The video screens, I want the live set to really hit home. Recording wise in truth I aint started yet, I got so pissed off with waiting about for the others to write music that I choose to do it myself, and have done since the 'Foot E.P.' I'm loving it so there's plenty more of the recordings. I want to do this mainstream video, but only on my full terms. I want to take part in stuff where we should not be seen, big festivals, events. Whatever there's so much fucking shit out there its insulting. But I want to do loads more live; I love that even though it scares me silly. I want to see how far I can take it before I burn myself out.
Street Voice: Have you been criticised for having scantily dressed models appearing on your My Space page?
CJ: Yes I have had stick for this, most I ignore as I see my space as simply a fun way of contacting people. But I did take notice from the clit fest people who I understand fully and are supporting them at present. Of course I understand the issues and I try to balance it out give the entire picture, not hide some of it neatly away. The girls that are in the top section, I know, they ARE my friends, that's what My Space is about, aint it?
Street Voice: Many British Punks/Alternative people seem to have a problem with models but surely many of them are no more exploited than the average working person?
CJ: I believe it is up to the person involved if she/he wants to use their body to promote themselves in someway. I don't add on people who just wanna sell sex but again that's up to them, at the end of the day aint most people prostitutes in the workhouse anyway.
Street Voice: Anything you'd like to add?
CJ: Yes I'd like to thank you for this mate, we have our differences and that's refreshing. You seem to get a lot of stick like me. I think you're doing a great job and admire the way you tell those who insult you where to get off. I'd like to end by saying that it don't matter who likes Conflict and who don't and for what reason, it's irrelevant, just do things the way you see right. That's it.
Thank's to Colin for doing the interview and making it a good one at that. Yep I agree we may disagree on certain issues but at least we can discuss and learn from one another. Keep up the good work and hopefully see you hit a venue in Kent sometime in 2007.
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