I’m a big fan of Vulture Rock Records releases and I noticed I wasn’t the only one in this community. 1 + 1 = 2 and it didn’t took me long to figure out it might be cool to send John Vulture Rock a couple of questions about his recordlabel. He responded positive to my request and the final result is for you to read below! Enjoy!
Okay, first of all thanks a lot for taking the time to do this interview! Everything all right?
Well I woke up this morning.
I believe the name Vulture Rock Records started out in ’94. Before Vulture Rock there was the Steve Priest Fan Club, how did you ever come up with that name and why the switch of names?
I used to be a really heavy Sweet Fan . I figured I'd better stop using the guy's name . I'd actually talked with Steve . He is in La Canada California.
How were you involved in the scene prior to the Steve Priest Fan Club?
I was in Seattle . There was no scene , No Oi! bands what so ever. The local record store got the first Bruisers EP. And they thought it was racist. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1987 . My health was really bad, but I made to shows . I'd take my Walkman and listen to the Arresting Officers or the Evil Skins. Instead of the live band. The Seattle grunge guys were not really musicians. I called it Table Saw music.
The first record that got released through Vulture Rock was the ‘Anthem’ EP by Sledge Hammer. In a time with hardly any internet how did you got in touch with this Japanese band? You received their demo? Did you visit Japan?
That was a funny coincidence . I was selling the original Evil Skins 7" in MRR . Masami was the manager/leader of the Tokyo guys. I think Masami turned me on to Sledgehammer and Eastern Youth.
No, with my illness I don't even like driving to Walmart . I could never travel . My health is way too unpredictable. I only told close friends about my conditions . Most people think you are nuts.
Other Japanese releases in the mid 90’s included Cannons, Bad Vultures and the fantastic ‘Werewolfen’ compilation. What attracted you the most about Japanese bands those days?
Most of the really good ones were like 1990-1994 . It truly was a phenomena ... "Happening" . I couldn't believe it when I first got the Bull the Buffalos Dat tape.
I'd been into music already a long time . I knew the Japanese bands would make history . Just listen to the music and look at the covers . Do you think you will ever come across anything that insane again ? I think it was a small landmark in music history.
Do you think that ‘typical’ Japanese Oi! sound you released through the years has changed the last 20 years?
There's different sounds . Considering Geography and Political ideologies.
First the Tokyo bands and then the Osaka bands . Those two groups had their own distinct styles . And the Bad Vultures & Bull the Dougs (JM Movement).
And then there was Cobra who were very polished Pop Oi!, the Osaka bands were generally not political . Except for Gruesome and The Hawks . It can get confusing trying to logically sort all these bands out . But yeah , it's like anything else . Each new generation becomes more generic.
Also a lot of great European bands saw a release through you. Work from West Side Boys, Snix, Ultima Thule, Klasse Kriminale… just to name a few. What was your favorite non-American / non-Japanese release and why?
That's a very hard decision . I would have to say Ultima Thule . That's the Ultima Thule with Bruno Hansen . Bruno Hansen is not your typical guitarist , vocals and song writer . A very talented guy.
Okay, let’s talk about the good old US of A and it’s bands. The first American release was the ‘Powerfist’ EP between The Templars and Oxblood. Even after all those years this EP is a real powerhouse! Did you ever expect so many of your releases could have stand the hands of time and can be considered ‘classics’ in the Oi! / punk scene nowadays?
A lot I don't think are classic . I'd say 90's stuff was pretty generic . Stars and Stripes and YDL, they were at a different level than the others.
Nowadays almost every release gets released on vinyl and has some crazy color, it’s fun but not so special anymore. Unlike the Vulture Rock days, you have pressed a lot of different colors of vinyl and variations right from the start. What was your idea behind this?
Probably just being a record collector at the time. It was cool to make something a little unique.
Also the almost ‘uniform’ look of the releases. The lay-out was in some way always the same. Was this on purpose or did it just happen?
A Lot of those I copied 70's Rock Picture sleeves. I copied graphic ideas from other labels. I was always into advertising/commercial art.
Till this day you’re releasing vinyl under the Vulture Rock banner. Are things different nowadays? You don’t have a mail-order anymore, you just sell your records yourself? How do you do it?
I just trade records . It's true underground . The YDL "Voice of Brooklyn" Lp came out after the internet demise. I've moved almost 1300. But now it's banned in Germany.
I sold not one copy to any store or distributor . Yeah Vulture Rock is still in business. I do sell retail only on various sites. Pretty cool, Vinyl lives! I like a lot of different music.
I would really like to put out Nabat and The Uprise on Lp. When downloading started I had to put my old skills to work - Machine Shop , Mechanics , Electronics. And had to teach myself Veneer .
My Dad had a prototype shop and I learned certain skills as early as like 8 years old. Come home from school and fire up the table saw. I worked with quite a few Chemicals and Paints.
I think that's what fucked up my health. I'm basically doing the same thing now ,as I did as a young child.
With all the releases under your belt and your current work of restoring turntables your vinyl collection must be insane. When did you start collecting? And what are your absolute favorite albums of all-time?
Yes , I sold it for a lot of money . It was out of control. Favorite albums : Little Bob Story "Come See Me" , Empire "Expensive Sound" Generation X "Valley of the Dolls", Richard Hell and the Voidoids "Blank Generation" Idle Race "The Birthday Party" Hollies "Confessions of a Mind" . The Move "Shazam" Thin Lizzy "Black Rose"...
There's so many more , I can go forever.
Alright, we’re almost there… I’m going to name some bands you have released in the past and you mention the first thing that comes to mind.
The Templars - GMM
Sledge Hammer - MERRY JINGLE
Klasse Kriminale - MARCO AND ANTONELLA
YDL - ENGLISH NICK
Stars & Stripes - Enola Gay (Not the song , the Aircraft.)
Okay, the last questions, I have to ask… what was the favorite record you have released and why?
Wow that's so tough . I'm gonna have to go with the "Werwolf". It had Bull the Buffalos , Sledgemammer . Best of the best and cool sleeve.
