SKANEWS Webzine - HOTKNIVES Interview - 1996

THE HOTKNIVES interview
(1996)

SKANEWS : "The HOTKNIVES splitted then you're back... Can you tell us what happened ?"

MICK : "We got tired from too many gigs, and we wanted different things !"

SKANEWS : "There are only two former members now, what are the others doing ?"

MICK : GARY is managing a music shop, JIM is working as a P.A engineer, MICK MATHEWS is fixing cars and MICK MERRIT lives in New Zealand."

SKANEWS : "Can you introduce le new line-up, we've been told there's a member of MR. REVIEW ?"

MICK : "Yes, there's CLEM (drums), MARK CAREN (bass), BOSKY (keys, MICK CLARE (vocal + guitar) + ARNE VISSER (guitar)(MR.REVIEW)."

SKANEWS : "When playing in Beauvais, we noticed there were no horns. Do you intend to look for some sax or trumpet ?"

MICK : "No, because we like our new sound !"

SKANEWS : "Since you come back you have playing many time in Germany. Moreover the single and new LP are about to be promoted by a German label. Is it because Ska is so poorly represented in England ?"

MICK : "Yes, OSSIE from GROVER was the person most interested in us."

CLEM : "The money is good in Germany"

MICK : "Our brand new LP is called "HOME". There are 12 songs, all original songs. DRIVING ME MAD was released before. The others are new, it's more "Rock" than before."

SKANEWS : "Many people think you really sound like the Beatles of Ska, your style could be compared to Madness'. Have you been influenced by these two bands ?"

CLEM : "Who ?"
MICK : "Yes, i'm very influenced by these bands"
BOSKY : "I like ABBA"
MARK : "MICK is PAUL McCARTNEY"
BOSKY : "He's the same age...."

SKANEWS : "Since the HOTKNIVES have been on stage, you only played three times in France, is that so difficult to play in our country ?"

CLEM : "We played more than three, but yes it's hard for us, as there's not many agencies there. But now were back with Arnold Coulon, maybe we'll do more..."

SKANEWS : "What's your feeling concerniong the last gig in Beauvais, i think your Belgian fan club was here...?"

MICK : "They were there. We've been friends for 8 years and they follow us everywhere. great gig !"

SKANEWS : "Regarding your new LP, did you try to contact a major compagny ?"

MICK : "No. We've signed to GROVER and we'll sign to a "major" maybe next time. We're very happy with GROVER."

SKANEWS : "What are your plans for the end of 96 and the beginning of 97?

MICK : "We're playing in Germany, Switzerland and Paris in october, again Germany at christmas. In 97, we write a new LP."

J-Pierre Boutellier / Skanews.