UNION BLOOD are a brand new Oi! / streetpunk band out of A Coruña, Spain, who are about to release their debut EP through CROM Records, Spirit Of The Streets and Crowd Control Media. Frontman David already played for over ten years with Celtic Punk outfit Bastards On Parade but decided it was time for a change! Time for a small interview I'd say!
Hi David, thanks for taking the time do this interview! Could you please introduce yourself and the rest of UNION BLOOD to our readers?
Hi! Thanx you for your time. I'm David, singer of a new streetpunk / Oi! band called UNION BLOOD. It's a pleasure to be with you today.
Besides me, it's Ruper, my long time partner in crime. We've spent the last 10 years playing music together and touring with Bastards on Parade (celtic punk oi!). He plays guitar and for this project we called a couple friends. Dopi, a beast on drums and Pablo on bass. Just friends doing the music we grew up to.
What made you decide to start UNION BLOOD besides Bastards On Parade? Did you want to go back to the basics of Oi! and punk without the Celtic influences, or was it something else?
Yeah definately. We've been the last couple years chewing the idea. Actually, the first releases from Bastards On Parade was pretty much Oi! and punk rock. Then we added bagpipes and so, but the roots were there. This spring we finally decided to go back there, have fun and write the way we really want.
Through the years Bastards On Parade gathered a nice following of fans, how do they respond to the sound of UNION BLOOD?
Really good. To be honest a good part of our audience are skinheads and Oi! lovers, so I think they will like it. Even websites dedicated to folk punk exclusively reacted very well. We really tried to do this honestly and with passion, and I think thats appreciated.
Honesty and passion should always be appreciated in my book! It's obvious what band influenced Bastards On Parade, but what do you consider UNION BLOOD's musical influences?
The idea for this band was the entire "Here We Stand" album by Cock Sparrer. That album is just perfect. Then also Evil Conduct, some sugar Oi! of course, and the boldness of Business... Dont know if we got even closer, but we are happy with the result.
We're going to find out soon, because the release of your debut EP is just around the corner! Are you excited for this release to drop?
Couldn't be more excited! Also the support from big labels like Spirit Of The Streets from Germany, CROM Records who are long time friends from the Madrid scene and of course that it will be released in the US through Crowd Control Media! First time we release something there. We are so grateful.
Yeah, it sounds crazy! Especially if you consider the fact that the first two Bastards On Parade albums were self-released. Where do you think this change is coming from?
Some part of the job was almost done. We toured a lot and made lot of friends, that helped. But in terms of music I feel we are a lot more confident about what we do, we have so much fun writing and we can just break our skull and play what is in there. Dont get me wrong, those years with Bastards On Parade were crazy fun and we drank half of Europe haha, but this is more who we are.
Sounds good! When is the EP coming out and what are your plans in order of promoting it? You're going to drink half of Europe empty again by doing live shows?
Looks like its gonna be out early next year and I can't wait to be on the road with it. It's the best way to promote it, meet great people and have fun. That's what it's all about.
Excellent! After several CD's (with Bastards On Parade), it's also your first ever release on vinyl I believe. Do you reckon format matters? Are you a vinyl collector yourself?
With Bastards On Parade we released 4 completely DIY EP's and two full-lenghts. Only the last one was released on vinyl and could not feel better to finally have something that way. I collect as much as I can and the whole process is beautiful. Go the shop, get home, have a beer and play it. The artwork looks great too!
Ah sorry, you're right! I only received the CD version of Wolverine Records, my bad. Are there a lot of shops you can go to and how is the Spanish scene in general? As an outsider it seems as if there are a lot of GREAT bands out there!
Yeah the Spanish scene is doing great nowadays. Great bands that have been there a long time, mixed with a lot of great new bands. Rude Pride are doing really good. Playing everywhere and awesome songs and it looks like La Inquisición from Barcelona are gonna release a very nice EP soon. Also there's a good crowds at gigs. Could not ask for more!
Alright David, that's it! Thanks again for your time doing this interview! If there's anything you'd like to add, feel free to do so!
Thank you so much American Oi! for your time and hope you all enjoy our work! Cheers!
