Whats your name? Where are you guys from? How long have you been around?

Hi, my name is Björn, I´m the drummer of Combat 77. Moreover, there´s our singer Kirsten, originally from Canada, Dole and Noppi on guitars and Hannes on bass. Three of us live in Hanover, the other two in a town called Hildesheim, near Hanover. We started the band at the beginning of 2007; later that year we recorded our first 4 song demo. In 2008 our 14 song album “100% Oi!” was released as CD on Sunny Bastards and as LP on Contra Records. Members of Combat 77 played or are still playing in bands like Riot Company, Annex5, Vendetta and No Time Left.

For those who haven't heard you yet what might you sound like?

We play “old-school” Oi! streetpunk in the veins of Cock Sparrer, Cockney Rejects, Vice Squad, Last Resort, Adicts … - you name it!

I know you toured Japan a while back do you have any plans to tour out of the country again?

We toured China in 2009; it was a great experience for us and we hope to return there some time in the future. I toured Japan in the 1990s when I was playing in a band called Recharge.

What made you want to start playing music in the first place?

The fun and ambition to play an instrument, to create own songs and last but not least to play with other bands and have a good evening at a gig place.

What are some of your biggest influences musically?

Definitely the early 1980s Oi! bands from the UK, like Business, 4 Skins etc.

What are some bands we may have not heard of that we should check out?

Check out some more Oi! bands from the Hanover area like “Lion Shield” and “Guts´n´Glory”. They also released albums on the Sunny Bastards label.

What have you seen change since you first got into this and do you think anything needs to change back?

If you mean the whole scene: I started with punk rock and Oi! in the early 1980s; at that time, we had a great punk and skinhead scene in our hometown. The mid 80s brought a lot of unpleasant changes, driving many people in extreme stupid political directions. For Oi! punk, the whole 90s was a lot of crap, because more and more bands changed their musical style completely or just vanished. Nowadays, there is a good Oi! scene in our hometown again and both people and bands seem to try carrying on the good old spirit. Nothing needs to be changed back, because we all should try to live for the very moment.

What advice do you have for any younger guys out there that might want to start a band? Do you have any advice for them?

Try to find a band name that is instantly recognizable. Start rehearsing a lot before you do your first gig or record your first demo. Try to play your instuments properly because the slogan “It´s just punk rock” doesn´t count: Punk Rock can and should be played properly, no matter how simple the riffs are. When recording your first demo, try to get the best possible recording, even if it costs you a bit more, because everyone will judge you by this production. Try to let your demo get heard by a lot of zines and labels, but don´t get on their nerves when they don´t give you an answer straight away. Don´t overestimate your possible success, try to stay on the ground. And don´t get too drunk on stage!

There is always shit i forget to ask. If there's anything you want to say go for it.

Thanks for the interview. Check out our websites www.combat.com and www.myspace.com/combat77oi. Hope to see you at one of our gigs.