Komintern Sect are at it again! After vocalist Carl's guest appearance on Lion's Law track "1789" on 2013's "A Day Will Come" these French Oi! legends got back together again in 2014, nearly 26(!) years after their initial break-up! Currently the band is performing live again, but there are also plans to record brand new material, the perfect time to have a little chat with frontman Carl! Hope you enjoy reading this extensive interview!
Hi Carl, first of all thanks a lot for doing this interview, it’s an honor! How are you doing?
I'm great! In fact, since April 2014 date we have reformed after 26 years of absence, everything happens for the best. Concerts, fun and a lot of new and old friends to find our way.
Komintern Sect started out in 1980, were you guys already active, or gained experience, in other notable bands prior to forming Komintern Sect?
Before Komintern Sect, nothing. We were kids from 16 to 18 years. We did not know to play at all and we were listening to punk and Oi first when bands were beginning to form around...
What inspired you to start this band? Who would you say were the band’s biggest influences when you got together in the practice space for the first time?
We all listened to punk. All groups of the first wave punk. The Ramones, Buzzcocks, UK Subs. A few years before I listened Pistols way into my room by jumping on my bed!
I think we listened to everything that we could find. I remember I bought during a school trip to London, the first Dickies. It was the Audio tape era. Once a friend was a new record, we were recording. I ride for years with the Ramones live that I took in all the parties where we were guests or not. It happened, it was turning the disc was playing, we put Sheena is a punk rocker, a little one did not care mess while eating the cakes prepared by the parents of the guys partying and is roped off. We really listened to everything that could find. The Dead Kennedys, The Jam…
In Orleans, there was the Reich Orgasm who started to play. It was a bit our big brothers. We meet again at the bar. They helped us by lending us amps or guitars and the Reich bassist, Mazout, even play a little with us at first. They accorded us our guitars because we did not know to do it!
In the band’s first life from 1980 until 1986 you guys released three albums and contributed to legendary compilations like Apocalypse Chaos, Chaos En France and Chaos In Europe. How do you look back at those albums +- 30 years later?
These are only good memories. To tell you the truth, I am very surprised that these albums are still known. I am also surprised that many people around the world know Komintern Sect. When I listen to these discs, I'm pretty proud of what we did when we were young. In terms of Chaos Productions, must know and substance of our province (Orleans is a small town 100 kilometers south of Paris), we created the first independent label in France. At that time, only the major record labels were record and it was very complicated for punk bands and Oi! to get out of their garage and make a record. Albums are certainly full of mistakes but when I replay them I think they sound good and they were spontaneous. They are the perfect reflection of who we were at that time.
Do you realize how classic, essential and influential these albums, by both the band and the Chaos Productions compilations, have been, not just for French Oi! and punk, but worldwide as well? Did you ever expect this?
Of course not! I had absolutely no idea at the time. But one thing is certain is that it's nice. It's also proves that when you are honest and spontaneous, people feel it. We did not expect anything of it, and to tell you the truth, we did not think about it all.
What does this do to you as a person and what does this do you as a fan of the music?
Even when I put it all on hold for a few years (work, children, marriage, divorce), I do not think much changed my views on many things. I'm still pretty angry when I see that nothing has changed and the problems of 30 years ago are still relevant. I know why I was punk and skin and I know why we continue to play. I always listen to lots of music. Also many older bands as new bands. Currently there are some very good bands out there.
To all good things come an end and for Komintern Sect this was in 1986, what was the reason you guys split up at the time?
Just because we were tired of playing together and we were impulsive youth. It should also tell you that the Oi scene! the time was much less quiet and there were a lot of fights at our gigs. Politics was also a problem at that time. This is the time when, in the image of what was happening in England, many skinheads were charmed by the extreme right in France. It was and still is not our ideas and we do not want our concerts become a political forum for ideas that we absolutely not share. The spirit of 69 was a bit lost at this time.
As far as I know you weren’t active as a vocalist anymore in any band, were you still working with music in any way or was it a time you were done with being in a band?
I continued to sing and play in other groups. I played in garage band. And after a few years when work, family and children took over I walked away from music. I had another life, but always with an eye on what was happening on the music-side and my friends.
Until two years ago when you suddenly appeared on Lion’s Law’s album “A Day Will Come” on the fantastic song “1789”, about 27 years later after Komintern Sect’s last recordings! Were you surprised you got asked to do guest vocals? Was this something you had to think about?
No, it was a total accident. As I've told you before, I never thought that people still knew Komintern Sect.
Thomas, Komintern Sect's drummer was playing with Lion's Law and they came record demos in the studio of the other band of Thomas, Burning Heads. They invited me to go see them. We immediately hit it off, they offered to do the choirs in their songs and asked me if I agreed to sing their song 1789. I was very flattered by the request and I believe that they were as happy. And here, it's really thanks to them that it all started!
Reactions were positive to your guest appearance! Was this one of the reasons to reform Komintern Sect or were there other reasons as well? When did it start to itch to sing again?
As I say, it's really thanks to Lions Law. After singing the song 1789, they invited me to come and sing on stage with them with this song. And I realized that I still loved it and the public people seemed to be happy. Then there was another gig in Paris with Lion's Law, Stigma, Stomper 98 and Old Firm Casuals. And there, I still sang 1789 and Les Années d'acier with Stomper that make a cover of our song. And it was just too nice to rediscover the pleasure of being on stage! Everyone told me that my voice had not changed. And then, people remembered Komintern Sect. I still do not believe it. Sebi was wearing a Komintern's shirt and Lars told me he was very happy to see me on stage again, he thought it would never happen. I was so proud and happy!
Meanwhile, I lost my job and suddenly I had free time. Our original bassist died a year before that. Again thanks to Lion's Law and Louis, their (our) guitarist, we had a dream proposal to go play to Stockholm, at PSK Festival.
The group is reformed around Tomas, Vovot and me. Our other original guitarist did not want to take the adventure with us. Louis agreed to play with us and we asked Mama, 8.6 Crew bass player to join us.
The concert in Stockholm was beyond our expectations at all levels. The organizers were fantastic, the audience was great (young and old) and we have not been bad or ridiculous as I feared. And the rest is history.
Are you comfortable with only play live shows and perform the golden oldies or are you planning on recording new material as well?
It is to play on stage, which is really good. And damn it's good to have 20 years old again! The public wants to hear our old songs and sing them with us. It is always a pleasure to see old friends and meet lots of new. We start to compose new songs and we hope to release something this year. We are always like kids! We are always nervous before going on stage, and we hope that our new songs will please the people!... And Oi! Music is that's what I like.
If you look back to the original starting line-up from 1980 to today’s line-up you and Thomas are the only original members left. How does this affect the sound of the classic tracks and how does this influence possible new songs?
No, there was also Vovot who joined us before the second album!
And we're a real band today. Louis and Mama are not "musicians of fortune." They are part of the band as the three of us. Everyone has something to say! That's why it works, I think. It is because in the minds of everyone, we are all members of Komintern Sect without any difference.
It is the same for the new songs. Each brings his stone to the building! For now, I write the lyrics, but I have no priority over and everyone is free to say he likes or does not like!
A lot of the current French Oi! and punk bands sing in English these days and do a very good job at it! What are your thoughts on this, because it’s something you hardly heard back in the early days of Komintern Sect? Is this something you would consider yourself as well?
Of course all these bands are doing a very good job. But I think Komintern Sect sings and must continue to sing in French. For now, the question does not arise. I think people do not understand that our new songs are not in French. To tell you, we did not even think of. This is done naturally. Maybe will we one or two titles in English. Who knows?
Are there any other differences between French Oi! and punk when you compare the now to the back then? Have things only gotten better over the years? What do you think? What are your favorite bands of now and then?
Of course there are differences. Times have changed. There are many more people now. The old are still there and the other generations that have followed too. Bands now really playing well and a lot of guys of my age are still playing.
Can not tell you all the bands I like and I liked. Of course, I will quote you The Business, The Last Resort, Lion's Law, Noi!se, Discharger, Hardskin, DDC, 4 Skins, Angelic Upstarts, Old Firm Casuals, Infa Riot, The Templars, Cock Sparrer, Evil Conduct, Booze & Glory, Lazy Class, Victory, Bishop Green, Prowlers, Agent Bulldog, Street Dogs ... oh shit I'm going to forget ... ACAB, Filaments, Legion 76, 8.6 Crew, Stage Bottles, Razorblades, Perkele, Hawkin Thugs, Blitz, The Blood, Oxley's Midnight Runners. .. oh, I should not have a say. I'm sure when I'll send you my answers I'll tell me I'm stupid to have forgotten this or that band ...
And what about the future of your own band, where do you see Komintern Sect going in let’s say the upcoming five years? What are your plans?
No plan! it's always been like that. As long as we have fun and we are pleased to people who come to us ... Many concert projects, make new songs, play and meet friends (old and new). Keep the urge! That's the most important!
Okay, that’s it! Thanks again for taking the time to answer these questions! If you have anything to add to this interview, feel free to do so!
Not much to add! thank you for your questions! We still have a lot of good times to go and a lot of people to meet worldwide. Oi in your heart! Thanks a lot...
