Give us a brief History of the Band!

Slow Faction is me, John Youens, guitar vocals, Umbi Lizska, bass & b/vox, Lee Peterson, rhythm guitar & b/vox and Zenon Borcz, drums. Umbi and I had played in a previous incarnation of Slow Faction in the 90's but we spent more time with band infighting than doing anything creative. Umbi and I met up again in 2012. I had some songs and he wasn't in a band at the time so we decided to put something together again. We recruited Lee and Zen at the end of 2012 and have been gigging solidly since February 2013.

How is it being a UK Band?

Well, I can't speak for the rest of the UK, but it's good fun being based in London where there is a healthy-enough DIY punk scene. Although there are the usual venue closures, we can always seem to find somewhere to play and there is a good network of bands that we're in touch with.

Tell us a favorite Band memory.

It's a recent one - I was at the centre of forming what was to become the South London Punk Collective at the end of last year. As one of our signature events, I and other key members of the SLPC organizedan all-day HIV/Aids charity fundraiser. The day itself was a huge success, we doubled our target and raised £2000 for Aids charities, even the early bands played to a good, supportive crowd and Chelsea played a storming headline set. As soon as it was over, people were asking when's the next one - so it's going to become an annual event.

What are the best and worst things about playing bars/pubs?

The best is definitely just plugging in and playing eye-to-eye with your audience - there is an intimacy to playing a small venue which just can't be beaten. There aren't too many downsides to this sort of gig, except perhaps the smoking ban which leaves a lot of people socializing outside over a cigarette while the bands are playing...


Would you prefer to play a bar/pub or a festival?

You can't beat the whole sweaty experience of playing a small venue - that for me is what live music is all about. My favorite punk experiences growing up were all about small(ish) venues where you could see the band right up close.

What Festivals have you played?

We've only played a few small local ones, nothing major like Rebellion. When we first started up I did the usual thing of applying for festival slots but since starting with the South London Punk Collective I've changed my focus. The trouble with festivals, it seems to me, is that there is no sticking factor. You put your energy into getting the slot in the first place, play a great set to a great crowd, then next week you're back at the Dog & Duck playing to an empty room... I'd rather put my energy into trying to build something local which has the potential to grow and become sustainable.

Do you think Bands/fans can do anything to improve the music scene?

In terms of bands, get out there, network, socialize and support other bands, listen to their music and support their gigs. When you're on the bill, get there early and leave late - make sure you catch the other bands' sets and encourage your fans to do the same. When I put on gigs, the bands that just turn up for their set and leave straight afterwards don't get invited back. In terms of fans, OK, you might be going to see your favorite band but check out the others on the bill, open your minds and your ears - you never know you might be pleasantly surprised! In the last two and a half years of gigging I have been amazed at the quality of musicianship, song-writing and performance of all the DIY bands we've played with. As a musician I'm open to hearing/seeing something new and learning from it, in fact all the music I listen to nowadays tends to be fellow SLPC bands whose music I've downloaded - there's some brilliant music out there if you can be bothered to look.


Where are some your favorite local venues?

Favorites in terms of how we seem to play as a band would be the New Cross Inn, The Unicorn in Camden and The Fighting Cocks in Kingston

Where have you toured to? Any upcoming tours?

No, unfortunately, being a more mature band with work/family commitments we have to concentrate on playing around London and the South East.

How do you think the music industry has changed in the last few years?

The new reality is that everyone expects music to be free. In the old days (i.e. my youth) bands made money on music sales and used live music as a loss-making marketing activity. Now, there's no money in recorded music (unless you're a one in a million) and the industry concentrates on those artists who can sell out arena tours - that's where the money now lies. Unfortunately the downside is that people seem prepared to pay hundreds of pounds to see a speck on a stage miles away, but won't walk to the end of the road to see a live band in a small venue for a fiver. Dare I say it, it also seems to be the same at punk festivals - what used to be very much second & third division bands are now venerated for their longevity and fill up the headline slots. People will pay out hundreds of pounds to attend the festival but for a sizable number of them - don't shoot me, NOT ALL OF THEM - this will be the one thing they do every year but they don't support local punk shows the rest of the year.

What changes do you hope to see in the music industry?

The UK has a very good musical heritage - it has always been one of our major exports to the world - but venues are closing and people have a thousand and one demands on their time and money. When you only have 3 channels of black & white television, then going out to experience a live show would be considered a desirable thing to do. Now we have hundreds of channels of nothingness (thank you, Rupert Murdoch) and Xboxes and Ipads, people don't need to go out for their entertainment. Live music will gradually start to die out if not properly supported...so the long answer to a short question would be I'd like to see the music industry stop concentrating solely on talent show winners and aged arena rockers and re-connecting with grass roots live music - that's how every musician I love cut their teeth and developed their talent...


Give us a description of your show musically and visually.

Musically, we put a great deal of energy into our shows and we always get great feedback afterwards. Someone once described our live sound as a cross between The Clash and The Buzzcocks and I'm happy with that. We've also been compared a few times to an early Stiff Little Fingers, who, around the time of Inflammable Material, were a big influence on me and were the first major punk band I saw live in 1979 at Malvern Winter Gardens. Visually, it's a tall, lanky git, sweating profusely surrounded by cooler, better-looking band-mates...

If you guys could play any place in the world where would it be?

Germany, where local venues are subsidized, always sounds like a great place to tour and would love the romance of doing some shows in the US...

What advice would you give a new band starting out?

It's not 1977 anymore, so be the best you can be on your chosen instrument. Remember, music is always about the song, first and last - so listen to as much music you can and learn how to construct a good song. Network with the local scene as much as you can and support local shows, even though you're not on the bill. Be a good punk citizen and support all the bands on the bill when you are playing. And whatever level of success you achieve or aspire to, remember these wise words - no one loves an arrogant, egocentric arsehole! Modesty and humility haven't been the most laudable Taoist virtues for five thousand years without good reason!

Any upcoming shows or festivals?

By the time this comes out, our next show will be October 3rd at the Veg Bar in Brixton. That weekend there will be 100's of shows all over Britain under the We Shall Overcome banner - protesting against the governmental austerity cuts which affect the poorest and most vulnerable in society who are being hit hardest by our government. I am organizing the South London Punk Collective's contribution and donations will be requested for local food banks.


Would you like to thank anyone?

Literally everyone we've come across and met in the last few years. There are some wonderful people out there supporting and making punk music, including my fellow musicians in the SLPC. I'd also like to thank you and your colleagues at Whatever68 Radio for being early supporters of our music and all the other internet radio stations who are helping to keep DIY and grass roots punk music alive.

Where can readers find your band info?

You can follow us at https://www.facebook.com/slow.faction
You can download our album at https://slowfaction.bandcamp.com/album/the-brixton-tapes You can follow the events, news and bands of the SLPC at https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-London-Punk-Collective/1025760157457658 Please also watch out for a vinyl EP release 'Little England' on Longshot Music which is due at the end of October.

Thanks Slow Faction for the interview and your continued support with me and Whatever68 Radio!

Likewise - thank you so much for your support!