THE OPPRESSED

Interview with Roddy Moreno
from Loud Fast Rules Magazine #1, 2005
(interview by DJ)

Of all the longstanding original Oi! bands, The Oppressed have been the one band close to the hearts of North American skins and punks that we never imagined would get it together to hit North American shores. When Insurgence announced they'd be bringing the band over for a one-off show in Canada, I was one of many who pulled out all the stops to make sure I didn't miss out on the action. Unlike most bands in the various scenes today that play night after night on nation-wide tours, the trend in the skinhead scene - or at least the dominating anti-fascist section of it - seems to be one of attracting legions of fans from everywhere to one major event. This was certainly the case here. Skinheads and old school punk fans of all ages from New York, Philly, Detroit, Chicago, and as far afield as Los Angeles made the trek for a Friday night Dancehall hosted by Toronto's Soul Bhoys, and the Oppressed gig on Saturday supported by Montreal skinhead band The Prowlers, Toronto street rockers The Class Assassins and Fallout. I caught up with 48-year old Roddy Moreno, frontman for the band and brainchild behind SHARP (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) via e-mail a few days after the big event:

DJ - Last weekend The Oppressed played a one-off show in Toronto for the Insurgence Records five-year Anniversary Bash. How did the weekend go and what are your thoughts on the North American scene?

Roddy - Both the DJ night on Friday and Saturday's show were great nights. We were made to feel so welcome by our friends from Insurgence that it was like playing a home gig. So many people worked hard for the event and seeing so many Skins-n-Punks from across North America come together for a weekend of partying was great.

DJ - How is the scene in general developing worldwide?

Roddy - It seems that the scene worldwide is greater than ever. This is because people will no longer tolerate the hate mongers on the scene. I now have contact with anti-fascist crews from Indonesia, Japan, Argentina, Columbia, Russia and all of North America and Europe.

DJ - What do you make of the whole internet phenomenon and what do you view as its positive and negative impacts on the skinhead scene?

Roddy - I only discovered computers a year ago but reckon it's bringing the worldwide scene closer together, which has gotta be a good thing. On the plus side it gives people the truth on the scene and up-and-coming kids a history on the cult. On the downside it gives any wanker with a computer a voice.

DJ - What has the age range been of fans turning up at your shows?

Roddy - In Toronto we had a 12 year old with his parents and even 1 or 2 people as old as me. The scene now is more united and diverse than ever.

DJ - What gigs are lined up for you this year?

Roddy - For the rest of this year we will play Dublin, Ireland (May 7) With Runnin' Riot, the Wasted Fest at Morecambe, England (May 21), the IWCA (Independent Working Class Association) benefit in London, England (July 2) with the Angelic Upstarts, and an anti-fascist benefit in Paris, France (June 4) with Stage Bottles, Brigada Flores Magon, Brixton Cats and Inner Terrestrial. Sadly I've had to pull out of the two-week Japan tour and a few one-off dates in Montreal. After that I don't know what's going to happen.

DJ - Has there been new material written? What do the releases on Insurgence consist of and can we expect anything else in the near future?

Roddy - The new releases consist of SKINHEAD UNITY, a 12-track split CD on Bootstomp Records (Japan), featuring three new tracks each from The Oppressed, United We Stand (Japan), United Front (Scotland), and Oi! Valcans (Japan). Insurgence will be distributing this in North America soon. Next up is THE INSURGENCE EP, a 4-track 7" on Insurgence Records. The new tracks on here are 'I Don't Wanna' (English & Spanish), and Blue Army (Vocal & Instrumental). 'I Don't Wanna' is an anti-racist song and Blue Army is a tribute to Cardiff City Football Club. We have a few more new songs ready to record which we will split release with some Italian bands.

DJ - What up-and-coming bands in the scene have impressed you?

Roddy - I'll just run off a list in no particular order: The Prowlers (Canada), Runnin' Riot (Northern Ireland), United Front (Scotland), United We Stand (Japan), Klasse Kriminale (Italy), Stage Bottles (Germany), and Los Fastidios (Italy). We've either played with or recorded with these bands lately and I reckon they're all well 'ard.

DJ - Anything to add?

Roddy - Fuck fascism before it fucks you. Danger waits around the corner so always be vigilant.

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