1. ROTPM - where did it all begin, why and what are the bands main influences?
It all began around two and a half years ago. We wanted to start a band that just played good, honest and lightning fast punk and play as many gigs as we possibly could and have a lot of fun in the process.
You would get a different list of influences off each member of the band, but for me I love really fast stuff. I reckon Kid Dynamite and the Lawrence Arms in particular are big influences but you can probably hear more punk n’ roll influences and a bit of skate punk in the songs I’ve written for the band too.
2. The punk scene at the moment is hit or miss with attendances. What are your experiences of this and in your home town how is the current scene fairing?
We’ve had quite a bit of experience of good and bad attendances, both in our home town and further a field.
When we’ve been on tour we’ve found thriving scenes in the most unlikely of places. A lot of small towns where there isn’t so much going on are a lot more appreciative of travelling bands and their own local talent and (unsigned) gigs seem to be a lot better attended. However, in bigger places (like Manchester where we are based) I suppose audiences are spoilt for choice with so many gigs and club nights available so the crowds are not always too great. Bigger Academy type gigs always have good crowds so there is clearly an audience around here, but it’s the smaller gigs that obviously need the support. What I have found is that you can have a poorly attended gig with a great line up in the bigger places, whereas you may sometimes get a weaker (or mixed genre) line up but a much better crowd in smaller towns.
We also put on our own That’s Not Skanking band night in Manchester (shameless plug) and attendances do vary. Recently however, we’ve had some really good crowds, which is promising.
I also think the crowd will vary depending on the attitude of the bands involved. I always feel that you should make a night of a gig so if we play (unless it’s impossible for us) we will always watch the rest of the bands and support the night as a whole and encourage our mates to do the same.
All too often you will get bands who will play their set and then they and their friends will either leave or at our night go and sit in the bar up stairs. Obviously that’s their choice but I personally think there is a much better atmosphere at gigs when bands are all in it together and don’t have ideas above their station. It also surprises me when people would rather sit in a bar than hear a new band. OK they may ultimately not like them, but listening to a song or two aint going to hurt and it must get boring just watching friends bands over and over again, just in different locations. It’s a shame more people aren’t open to new music.
On the whole however, despite my ranting, I do think the local punk scene is very healthy and it’s good to see so many bands, promoters and music fans trying to get good things happening in the area and to be fair there are also lots of people who do go out of their way to hear/see new bands.
3. Labial dust used to be a major problem for female library workers but top inventor Professor Von Purple has come up with a vaginal vacuum cleaner that really polishes the pussy to perfection. Unfortunately the batteries supplied are shaped like diseased onions therefore replacements are hard to come by. Would you buy the lady of your life one for Christmas even though they have this drawback.
The way I see it all this new technology will never clean up quite as well as a good old lemon scented wipe!
4. Whats your fave band track and why should people come and see the band?
My favourite track on the album is probably Alcohol is Not a Drug (which you can see a music video of at: www.revengeofthepsychotronicman.com. The music video is genuinely produced by the makers of the film ‘The Psychotronic Man’ from which we take our name).
We have a new song called Awful, Awful Business which I’m loving at the minute as it’s in your face and lightning fast, which is just how I like my music. I like all our new songs though, I’m looking forward to getting them recorded.
People should come and see us because we jump around like idiots (or a fat version of Busted) so even if you don’t like our music you can laugh at our stage moves!
5. What’s the best gig you've played to date and why plus what are your future plans?
That’s a tough one to call as I’ve loved lots of gigs for various reasons and as daft as it sounds we hit the 100 gig mark in a couple of gigs so it’s hard to pick them out.
There was one great night at Retro bar with the Dangerous Aces and GFA which was a brilliant laugh and a great atmosphere. Birmingham on our first tour was ace but that whole tour was quality just because it was so exciting actually being on tour. Ipswich on our last tour was also great.
We have loads of gigs booked for next year and are touring again in late March/early April and are obviously heavily involved with the SAS tour.
We are playing our first ‘proper’ Manchester gig for four months on 21st Jan at Joshua Brookes so I can’t wait for that.
We are also recording in February.
6. Describe your fellow band members in 3 words each!
Dave: Bald sex machine, Liam: one hour showers, Big Hands: Big handed tosser (he knows I love him really!)
7. Despite using vast amounts of therapy Norman Cardboard still has desires to open an ant farm for homosexuals. This could be a disaster for Mr Cardboard but the ant population may well prosper. Is it a viable idea and would you wear underpants made from dead mens buttock skin?
Is the ant farm for homosexual people or homosexual ants as my answer may differ depending? I certainly have nothing against gay ants as long as they rubber up.
In regards to the buttock skin I would have to say… in a word, probably no.
8. Tell us about the ideal gig you would wish to put on - where, why and any fancy catch phrase you would use to push it?
Well it would have to be The Lawrence Arms headlining with Kid Dynamite re-forming to play main support and then lots of cool local bands playing too as part of an all dayer. It would be at the Castle Hotel in Manchester.
I probably wouldn’t be able to have a fancy catch phrase as I think the capacity of the Castle may be massively breached if more than 100 people attended. I don’t think I’ve thought this one through quite as much as I might have…
9. The SAS Tour is approaching - sorry to put you on the spot but as a major player what are your thoughts on this punk challenge?
We’re really happy to be involved with the Spit and Sawdust tour. It’s such a rarity for someone to be genuinely supporting punk at a grass routes level, through a genuine passion for music and without any thought for financial gain.
So many promoters have rules such as bands can only play if they can sell a certain amount of tickets, etc, which makes it so difficult for bands to play in new places so for us it’s a great opportunity to play some new towns.
It’s also a top line up. It’s always nice to play gigs with our mates such as the Kirkz and the Fractions are always ace too. I’m looking forward to seeing the Straitjackets and Harijan again as well. There are loads more bands I really rate on the tour so it should be a lot of fun for all involved.
10. The Little baby on the front of Fairy Liquid bottles seems to be running away from a deviant crime. I have my own perverse views on this - what are yours?
Well, I can’t help but be suspicious about someone who has been a baby for that long and I have heard that he’s been considering some offers to front some other leading cleaning brands. The stardom certainly seems to have gotten to the little bastard so I’d believe anything of him.
11. Tell us your personal influences in life and punk?
My main influence in life is Alan Partridge. In fact, pretty much everything I say is influenced by him. Yes, I’m convinced he is my best friend. Peter Spelson who wrote and played the Psychotronic Man also deserves a mention!
Punk wise there are too many to mention, but there are loads of people/bands doing really good things around the country, which I suppose influences me to do my bit. For example D’ Corner Bois and Becca Puke who run band nights and release fanzines, etc are doing great things in Birmingham. I guess I’m just influenced/inspired by anyone who is pro-active, rather than sitting on their arse whinging about stuff.
12. Lastly - bless us all with one piece of propaganda from all at Revenge of the Psychotronic Man?
Davey Psychotronic is actually 43 and he and Big Hands are a couple, Liam used to be a human cannon ball and I can lick my own back (not to be sniffed at!)
Only one of the above is actually true…
