1) Presentation of the band (a little historical !)
Phil and Carl met in 1991 and started playing cover songs in Carl's parent's attic. In 1992 they started writing their own songs,added a bassist named Don, and started playing shows. I replaced Don in 1995 and we added our friend Chet on rhythm guitar in 2000. That is the present and hopefully permanent line-up.
2) Why did you choose that name? Why does the story of templars interest you so much?
Phil came up with the name because he's really into midievel history, the Crusades in particular, and wanted a name that didn't sound too cliche like "Boots Brigade" or something. The Knights Templar have a fascinting and complex history and that's why we're into it.
3) How would you define your style ? What are your influences?
"Rock-N-Oi!" We're just a garage-rock band with an Oi! atitude.Influences? Everything from ealy Who and Rolling Stones to 70's punk to 80's oi! I think
we've developed our own sound, though and am very proud of that!
4) What are your lyrics about ?
-The song ''heroin street'' is against drugs. What's your opinion about it? Do you do a distinction between hard drugs (heroine, cocaine…) and sweet drugs (cannabis, alcool…) ?
I wrote "H-Street" after a trip to Seattle and Vancouver. Seeing all the junkies on the streets of both cities both disgusted and saddened me. Also, I've had friends fall into the clutches of drug addiction and their behavior and experiences are also expressed in that song. I do make a distinction between hard drugs and soft ones. I smoke pot and drink alcohol, but do both in moderation. There's no way I'd ever try hard drugs, fuck that!
-You have songs against politicians, what do you think about present leaders of your country and their position front of the world nowadays ?
I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what our politicians are doing. I've got my life to live and have no contol over what goes on in government. I don't support our government getting involved in the affairs of other countries, we've got our own problems right here at home that need sorting out, but sometimes it's neccessary. 'To live in peace you must prepare for war' as our new t-shirts say.
-You have a song called ''Skins and Punks'' What do you think about unity punk/skin ? Do you really believe in it?
We get along fine with punks for the most part and don't believe in segregating people. A lot of punks like us and we think that's great! Anyone who wants to listen to the Templars is more than welcome, as long as they respect others and don't cause trouble at our shows. Oi! is for skins and punks and we do believe both can exist in harmony.
-Many of your lyrics are about pride, is it so important for you ? Why ?
We thinks it's good to have a healthy sense of self and be proud of who you are as long as its doesn't turn into elitism or, worse, prejudice.
5) Your first ep ''The poor knight of Acre'' released on Sonic Aggression. Why didn't you continue with them? What are the advantages of labels as Vulture Rock Records or Dim Records ?
SonicAggression wasn't a very well run label and it didn't last long anyway. The advantage of being on Dim was that it helped get us more recognition in Europe. Vulturerock owes us a lot of money, so there was no advantage there. Both BMM and TKO have been good to us, but a couple of major-independent labels have recently expressed interest in the band, so hopefully something will come of that!
6) The italian label Oi ! Strike is also interviewed in that fanzine. What do you think about that label ? Are you satisfied of the ep Templars/Devilskins?
I don't know anything about Oi-Strike Records, carl setthat up I think. I haven't even heard that EP because I don't have a turntable. If it's not on CD I can't be bothered these days.
7) You've played at Oi en France 5, what did you think about it ? About the bands that played with you that evening ? You played songs of The Clash, 4Skins, Iron Cross and Komintern Sect, what do all those bands represent for you?
That show was a lot of fun! We were all really tired from the flight over and not having had much sleep, but I think we played pretty well.Our rhythm guitarist Chet never made it (long story) so we had to drop some songs from the set and play some others that we hadn't played in years. We played all those covers because we ran out of material and the crowd still wanted more. If Chet had been with us we could have played more Templars songs, but that's life. All the songs we covered are by bands we were listening to when we were still young skinheads and not the old 30-something geezers we are now. They all mean a lot to us for that reason.
8) In this connection, how many shows have you done now ? What is your best/worst remember?
We play about 20-25 shows a year on average. Most have been great, but our shows in germany with Major Accident in 1999, HITS in New Jersey last year, and our recent shows in Los Angeles were really memorable. The worst on was probably in Italy a couple years ago, Carl lost his voice and we played horribly.
9) What are the french bands you listen to? What do you think about the european scene (and the french one)? Is it so different of the american one?
To be honest I don't have any recordings by any current French bands. I like some of the French bands from the 80's like Camera Silens, Konintern Sect, and Brutal Combat and the 90's like the Herberts & West Side Boys. We've always listened to a lot of European bands, some current favorites of mine are Evil Conduct, the Skinflicks, Stomper 98, Ultimo Asalto, and 4-Promille.
10) What are your plans ?
To keep putting out good records and playing good shows all over the world. Watch our for our new album "Outremer" out this summer!
11) If there is one question which has never been asked to you, it's the moment…
We always get people asking us to sign records or CD's but I'm waiting for a
girl to ask me to sign her tits. Then I'll know I've made it as a musician!
12) Something to end this interview...
Thanks for the interview and good luck with your zine. Thanks to everyone
who came to see us in France and all our friends in Europe.