1. First of all can you introduce us the band?

We formed our band Combat 77 in Hanover / Hildesheim ( Germany) in early 2007. The line-up includes Kirsten (vocals), Dole (guitar), Silvio (guitar), Hannes (bass) and Björn (drums). We have all played in various bands before and are currently also playing with Riot Company (Dole, Silvio and Hannes) and Annex5 (Kirsten and Björn).

2. How did you come together and how did you come with the name Combat 77?

Years ago, Kirsten and Björn (from Hanover, North of Germany) played in a streetpunk band called “Vendetta”, and when the band split up, they still wanted to do similar music but more into the Oi! direction. So they contacted Dole (from Hildesheim, about 40 km away from Hanover), asked him, and he was interested and got the rest of the band together. With the name, we want to do a 50%/50% Skinhead/Punk thing musically, so “Combat” stands for skinhead and “77” for punk which results to 100% Oi!

3. How would you describe your music and what are your main influences?

It´s Oi! punk music with female vocals, our main influences are Cock Sparrer, Adicts, Vice Squad, Last Resort, Business, Indecent Exposure and Oxymoron.

4. You’ve released your first album. Can you tell us a few things about it?

We recorded our first 4 songs in late 2007 in a studio in Hamburg. Then we offered this demo cd to a few labels and got a record deal with Sunny Bastards (CD version) and Contra Records (LP version). The record is called “100% Oi!” and includes 14 songs, there is also one cover version by the Adicts (“Numbers”).

5. What do you sing about in your tunes?

We sing about every day life situations on the streets: Unemployment, police trouble, drunk driving, unity, right to work, crooks, prostitutes, parties etc.

6. Do you get many gigs? Any gigs outside Germany?

Yes we get quite a few. We played at the Punk and Disorderly festival in Berlin in 2008, we will play at Subculture Fest in Prague and we have two gigs in Hungary in October.

7. What do you know about the Greek Oi! punk scene?

Kirsten and Björn went on holiday to Greek islands (Rhodos, Kos, Kreta, Samos) several times in the past but unfortunately didn´t meet any punks or skinheads there. But we know the band “BootStroke” from their MySpace website.

8. What about politics? Is politics a part of your music? Do you think music and politics should be mixed?

Our songs have no direct political message, and we don´t want to preach how people should behave. It´s up to every one personally what to think or do.

9. What shall we expect from Combat 77 in the future? Any plans?

At the moment we are writing and rehearsing new songs.

10. Where can people get you album and merchandise, or get in contact with you?

You can order our album and other merchandise from our website shop on www.combat77.com. PayPal payment is also possible, so no problem to order from abroad.

11. Any last words?

Thanks for giving us space for an interview, and hello to all Greek punks and skins. We hope to play Greece some day. Yamas!