1) When and how did you guys get together?
We got together in early 97'. Hasnol and Congo had planned on forming a band but they still needed a vocalist and drummer. That's when Bum and I stepped in. We joined as sessionists as we had our own bands at the time. But our bands split up so we gave our all to "The Official".

2) Was it difficult when you guys first started out?
Not really. Hasnol already had written a couple of songs and all they needed were the lyrics.

3) What motivated you guys to get this far?
We wanted our messages to reach the kids. And we wanted to contribute to the scene to keep it going.

4) What keeps you guys going?
I suppose the followers. You know, the kids. And I suppose as long as there is a scene that accepts our music.

5) Do you guys ever get shit from society?
Yes. Society dislikes our lifestyle. They don't understand us an I don't think they ever will. They hate our existance. But I suppose it's the same thing for any other Skinhead anywhere else.

6) Did you ever face problems with the media or fellow Skinheads from other states?
Yeah, in the early days when we just recorded our EP. There's a newspaper here that wrote an article once saying that our lyrics are nothing but fantasies. And we also had our fair share of problems with other Skinheads. Some said that we were Nazis. Some that we were nationalists and some even said that we were in it just for the glamour.

7) You had great succes with your EP there, here in Singapore and even outside asia. What was it like to be known and appreciated?
We didn't really like to known as a band. We prefer to be known as individuals. So that people don't judge us all at one time.

8) There was a lot of criticism saying that your last labum was very patriotic. How did you end up producing such an album and what do you guys have to say?
It's really up to the people to what they want to think or say. We can't stop criticism anyway. And the truth is, we are patriots! We are all very proud of our country, Malaysia!

9) You have received recognition from zines Germany, England and many other countries all giving you good reviews. What do you think?
We are very grateful that people appreciate our music. Not many people would give Asian Oi! a chance. We are very proud that our EP and album has made it outside Asia.

10) You are about to record your Live n' Loud album. Tell me about the three new songs that you will include as bonus tracks.
The 1st one is "We're Still Here". We wrote it because rumours say that we have left the scene for the mainstream. But that is definitely not true. The 2nd one is "Guilty Of Being Skins". It is dedicated to our mates that have been convicted and are doing time. It especially refers to the night of the gig "Working Class Entertainment" on the 16th May'99. Those who were there will know exactly what happened. And especially to my girl!

11) Is it always easy for you guys to get a slot at a gig?
It's not really easy. Organizers don't really like Oi! bands. We all know why. Most of the gigs that we play at are usually organized by fellow mates or our record label.

12) Which gig was your most memorable gig?
There are three. One of them is the 1st time that we got to play in our hometown Johore Bahru. The second one is the gig in Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur. It was the 1st time I played at a gig with my girl by my side. The last one is the gig at Area 22 on the 16th May'99 because of what happened after the gig.

13) What are your plans for the future?
We want to put out the Live n' Loud album. Then maybe we would like to produce some singles. Something that we would really like to do is have a gig of our own. Where only our band is playing.

14) Do you think that the scene has changed between 95' and now?
It definitely has. The scene has grown a whole lot bigger. There are a lot of bands now. We feel that the scene is a whole lot better now.

15) You were among the first few Oi1 bands in Malaysia. Do you consider yourselves as pioneers?
No. We're still new. There were quite a few bands that were around before us. Like A.C.A.B., Suspect, Boot Off!, The Opponent and etc.

16) What do you think of Skinheads in Asia? I mean, do you think that our culture is as good and strong as anywhere else?
Of course. We have our own bands and labels. We have our own movement. We are slowly being accepted. But we are still fresh in comparison to the culture in England, Germany and elsewhere.

17) What do you think of other Skinheads that have the talent to be in a band but don't have the courage to start out? Do you have anything to say to them?
Since they really have good talent, they shouldn't let it go to waste. They should try to achieve their goal. They should never give up. Don't let anyone or anything put you down.

18) Do you have a message to your fellow mates there, here and all over the world?
Thanks a bunch for the support all this while. Keep the spirit burning. And for those of you who have done nothing else but to criticise us, carry on your stupid criticism!
 
 

  thax 2 sarah coz give us some this cool interview.. wanna more? wait and see...