Interview with The Duel
http://www.myspace.com/theduel
Nattsol: Hi! For a start, introduce yourselves, please.
Andy: Hi, Andy Thierum
TarA: Tara Rez – singer in «The Duel»,
Andy: I play bass in «The Duel» and write songs with Tara.
TarA: We’re the main songwriters for the band. We are songwriting partners – writing together for nearly 10 years now!!
Nattsol: Wow…. And how have you started?
Andy: We met through an add in a magazine and have been working together ever since.
TarA: Yeah, Andy was looking for a singer for his band he had then, and I applied and I won, haha. When we first met – we wrote a brilliant song in half an hour, so we knew we had found the right person to work with, I had been looking for the right person for a while and when I met Andy, we clicked musically – and so it started from there.
Andy: Seemed like fate, haha.
TarA: It did seem like fate. Since then we started «The Duel» back in 2001? Andy please correct – my memory is bad.
Andy: Yeah I think it was 2001. Haha seems like longer sometimes.
TarA: I think it 1998 we met.
Andy: Yeah it was, we worked on some other projects first before the duel.
Nattsol: Well, could you say more about these projects before the duel?
TarA: I don’t know if we want to – do we, Andy?
Andy: Not really, it was a long time ago it’s been «The Duel» since.
TarA: Yeah… One day we will talk about other stuff – but not yet – it s «The Duel» that keeps our fire burning.
Nattsol: Ok, do any other musicians since those projects play with you now?
Andy: Yeah «The Duel» is a different line up now.
TarA: They all are friends – they cannot all gig as much as we do – so often they cannot do the shows – but they all still come over and record with us.
Andy: At the moment its myself, Tara, Dave Renegade on guitars and Pumpy on drums.
TarA: They don’t make life easy for DIY bands, often tours are very very low budget so we don’t have much money – but we do what we can.
Andy: But we still do collaborations and Paul Laventhol formally of the band king kurt who was a early member of «The Duel» still plays with us on recordings sometimes.
Nattsol: So «The Duel» is you both? Can it be said so?
TarA: The band say they are «Dueling with The Duel», haha, yes. You could say the name of the band – describes our relationship – haha.
Nattsol: Is that the reason of the band’s name? Or it turned so later?
TarA: It’s definitely the reason for the bands name…
Andy: Haha no, it probably came from our fiery musician relationship, plus it kinda describes the punk efficks we share as in us against them ,governments etc.
TarA: Nicely put.
Nattsol: Fine… well, let’s move forward. So the band was formed in 2001… what was its initial idea and first steps?
Andy: Well, just our love of seventies punk rock and the freedom in songwriting that existed in that time ,and to kinda imagine writing in that way but in todays age.
TarA: We had no definitive game plan – the only thing we wanted to do was to keep writing songs – and we did this as much as we could – we also used to have a club night in Brighton where we were based and we used to encourage the musics we loved there and play there too. We just wanted to live our music – we didn’t try to get record deal or anything – we were just doing what we had to do. We knew we were too this or too that for the music industry – we wanted to write songs that we felt must be heard – not songs some dick wants to make hits and lots of money from – cos of greed – we want to mature as artists – u know really develop – not get turned into a corporate slag.
Nattsol: Ok, well. Tara, if I remember well, you called «The Duel» a new wave band, not a punk one….
TarA: Yes, punk rock new wave.
Nattsol: What’s the difference for you?
Andy: New wave to us is a way of keeping the original freedom and punk scene alive as apposed to becoming a generic punk band that seemed to take shape in the early 80s. Not with all bands but a lot of them, not necessary following the formular that seemed to become the norm.
TarA: I am not really interested in the boxes that we put ourselves in, call it what you like – sorry!! Haha. Next question!!
Nattsol: I see. And what’s your opinion about the contemporary punk/new wave scene? Are there some things you like and some you look down at?
TarA: I don’t look down on anyone. Don’t see the point of being narrow-minded. I love the punk scene for what it stands for – freedom of expression. Anyone can get up and play – and I love the party spirit, haha. And to unite the scene is the best thing we can do.
Andy: Like the pistols didn’t sound like «The Damned», «X-ray Spex» didn’t sound like «The Clash», «Ramones» didn’t sound like the «Stranglers».
TarA: That’s right – even when you think of someone’s voice – every ones voice is different – unique – it’s important to be yourself, I think.
Andy: So I’m not sure why a lot of bands are happy to do the same thing over and over the same as there favorite bands.
Nattsol: Yeah, now many bands sound like others because they do want to sound so….
TarA: With the power of the internet we can hear the many voices around the world – yes maybe they are all singing the same song – maybe this is for a reason.
Andy: Yeah but it’s still nice to hear something different unfortunately it feels like most things have already been done.
TarA: It doesn’t matter – as long as people enjoy what they do, then there no harm. There’s only so many chords at the end of the day – not everyone is going to be Beethoven, and we take comfort from bands we like, songs we listen to, that’s what got us / or me into music in the first place.
Andy: There are still some great songwriters out there so there’s more to come, I’m sure.
Nattsol: Whom could you call, for example? Of past and present.
TarA: «Dead Boys», «Ramones». for me John Lydon in «PIL» & «Sex Pistols»… depends on my mood – .. Sunday I was listening to «The Cure» – ..at that moment its what I needed to hear.
Andy: I think the briefs have wrote some good songs more recently.
TarA: Yeah, we liked «The Briefs», & «The Lurkers» – present, «UK Subs» – Charlie Harper, Knox from «Vibrators»…
Andy: «The Lurkers» latest album was brilliant I think.
TarA: «The Dickies» were exciting to watch .. he was a good friend of Joey Ramone – so that was great to see – wish i had spent some time with Joey & Dee DEE, but we fortunate the ones we have met. «TV Smith’s» song are still very very good. Also, – Texas Terri I like to watch – she is my queen of Rock n Roll, and we have done gigs with bands whose music is brilliant – and obviously some that is not so good – haha. «Prairie Dugs» from Scotland have a great punk/rock n roll sound.
Andy: We also enjoyed doing some collaborations with Knox «Vibrators», «The Tights» and «The Skunks».
Nattsol: Yeah, you shared the stage with many legendary bands you mark in your influences. How was that to feel?
TarA: It’s an amazing feeling when you do what you love and what you love comes to you .We are all complicated people doing something great.
Nattsol: Ok, especially I’d love to hear your impressions about your recent Rebellion show.
TarA: It was amazing – first of all it was in pure daylight. At our gig and you could see everyone’s faces – not like when you are in a dark smokey club, haha. Think we did a great set and lots of people really said great things – so hopefully it was a good one, for me it was kool to sing ‘Side by Side’ and consciously make sure I look at everyone’s face when singing chorus – it was soo kool!!
Andy: I think they had a amazing line up this year.
Nattsol: Well, let’s turn to the band’s studio works then. Could you call them for a start?
Andy: We do most of the recording at home. The first album we went into Pat Colliers studio but with technology becoming better and cheaper we found it just made sense to start recording at home and not be paying by the hour. So, the first album was a 15 track album called lets finish what we started. Think it was 2006, the latest album is a double cd with the second album containing some strange acoustic tracks and some weird mixes and demos.
TarA: We did others before these dates, 3 in total – but all are sold out and officially not available anymore.
Nattsol: Do you have a fav of them? And what’s the difference of these works?
Andy: The first album would be the track entitled «The Duel» with a duet with Knox and Tara for me.
TarA: Yep, we love this one – I also like ‘afraid’ – I like them all!
Andy: And the album for me would be the one entitled «Only rebels know how» I also like «jJump» on the new album.
TarA: Sorry, I can’t say which I like the best – I like them all that’s why they are on album – it be daft to be songs on there if we didn’t like them. They all have different meanings, and hopefully people will like the ones they need to hear the most.
Nattsol: What is the lyrical importance for your music? Who’s the textwriter? What’re your songs about?
Andy: That would be Tara. She’s the woman of words
TarA: Haha… just not very good at talking about myself.. I just write what I feel, I get words a tune in my head and I go with it. I write all the time anyway, it’s my main release. I find it hard to open up to people so from the age of 8 or 9 I have been writing.
Andy: I think Tara always writes about what affects her and things that are on her mind.
TarA: Words are my friend and comfort. Not sure what else to say about that.
Nattsol: Are the texts based on some experience you have in everyday life? Or may be some more poetic influences which come from imagination….
TarA: It’s a mixture of both life experience and imagination. For example, – solitary life was about an ancient person/alien in mars – sitting there underground alone waiting for earth to find him, then he would be free to go. And as the people get closer to finding him, he worries if they will receive him well – will they like him? I just imagined this one day and somehow felt his loneliness, haha – am not crazy I hope!
But also solitary life has been described as a song that helps people here too – so from imagination comes life experience.
Nattsol: Ok. Guys, what was the maddest experience you had with The Duel?
TarA: Hahahahahah! Madness follows us….
Andy: There’s way to many to think? Guitarist throwing him self of a moving tour bus to get away from his girlfriend?
TarA: Another guitarist locking out two band members in Finland so they will freeze to death, lol. Drummer fell down a hole – down his knee in – one minute he was there the next he was gone… lol.
Nattsol: And how they escaped?
TarA: lol I don’t know Andy how did you escape.
Andy: We found rescue with an architect working late who was a huge Hanoi Rocks fan who made us tea and played us all his records.
TarA: I got a drink thrown in my face on stage, haha, then guitarist started playing Johhny Thunders over a song – we all had a fight as soon as the gig ended lol. Funny now – erm.. oh yeah in USA we got held up in riots.
Andy: Our driver who hadn’t drank in years hit the bottle driving us and ended up braking both his arms.
TarA: Went to Hollywood in a removals van with $10 to our name. Hahahaha – oh yeah – Dave loves the dueling stories. Anyway – in Hollywood we found refuge from a pornstar & a white witch – who both gave us somewhere to stay and helped us get our shit together. There’s loads more – .. I just cant think right now.
Andy: Yeah there the ones we can talk about haha.
TarA: True…. We need Dave for the funny stories about us – he is our guitarist but unfortunately he is not hear.
Nattsol: Ok, and any things with the band you regret?
TarA: Hmm, good question. I think sometimes we regret the day we met each other hahaha. But no – no regrets.
Andy: Life’s not about regrets
Nattsol: I see. Well, how the musician life reflects on your «ordinary» life? And the contrary….
Andy: I think it is our daily life really its what we think about and love doing the most
TarA: I think if you are a musician/songwriter – you have to live this life and no other – I used to say sometimes that it was my passion and my disease – it’s not an easy road – but its one that means you get to do what you believe is right for you.
Andy: I can’t imagine leading a different life.
TarA: We work – but we work around our music – I think I work too much – but I have no choice. I alsodo jobs as a self employed person, so that I am not tied to anything that needs me all the days .. this way I can be free to be myself. I’ve been self employed since I was 19 .. didn’t agree with the corporate system and didn’t want to be in it. For most people – whatever you do for money – this is not who you are – unless you are lucky and make good money from your music. We choose to live our dreams, may mean we are living poorer because of it – but we just feel we have to do it anyhow. What’s the point of living if you do not do what you believe you have to do -.. in the UK we are blessed that we have certain freedoms of expression .. we need to spur on , almost hopefully so it will encourage or give hope to people who don’t have the same freedoms as we do.
Nattsol: Ok. And how do you see your future? You 20 years later, for example?
TarA: Haha.
Andy: Hopefully still remembered and still doing what we love I hope.
TarA: Hopefully still alive and healthy – can’t imagine it lol.
Andy: And hopefully living in better fairer more interesting world.
TarA: Hopefully like Charlie Harper from the uk subs – still doing what we do best.
Nattsol: Rock till death?
TarA: We gonna play till we drop down dead haha, yes!!
Andy: I hope so. And hopefully living in a world with no pop idol.
TarA: Haha yeah fuck off Simon Cowell. These people kill ART – they must be removed lol.
Andy: And if the aliens come hopefully in world with out «Earths Got Talent» and such awful reality TV shows.
TarA: lets see what happens in 2012…
Nattsol: Hahah, too many ends of the worlds for our lives. Don’t you think so?
TarA: Yeah – ur very right – … too many facts … it certainly is an epic time to be alive out of all the time in history.
Andy: Well if the end of the world is coming it will be nice to have a front row seat instead of being stuck behind a desk worrying about your taxes.
TarA: Awe .. man – yeah right – am not looking forward to it – but lest hope its all not facts and pure Hollywood melodrama. Just means we have to see each day we have now as special and important – less time doing menial things and doing what matters to you.
Andy: Yeah, let’s hope the ancient Mayans didn’t know what they were talking about.
TarA: Haha yeah lest hope they got their dates wrong by say a few thousand years…ah bollox – what will be will be. We’re here – and fuck it all!!
Nattsol: Exactly. And until the world drops, do you think it needs a cure?
TarA: Yep – we need to unite more than ever… else, too much troubles..
Andy: And remember how to think for ourselves and make our own choices again instead of being told how to think.
TarA: When fear kicks in can cause nightmare realities – we have to be strong and continue what the punk movement started back in 70′s .. I am sure we needed this music for the time we may face in the future .. I cant explain very well… u know what they say – its not over till the fat lady sings lol.
Nattsol: And what does «The Duel» plan for the future? Any exact plans?
TarA: Try and play to as many people as we can reach.
Andy: To travel and find friends and alies and enjoy being alive.
TarA: Yes, make the most of what we have not moan about what we haven’t got – fuck all that self pity shit. Hopefully we are in Germany in November, Netherlands in January, and there is talk of a Eastern European Tour – but at the mo, we are still just in talks. And we’re working on album No 3.
Nattsol: Cool… well, and the final words are yours.
TarA: Its been a different type of interview, but have enjoyed it – hope your readers will like it -.. & cheers 4 ur time. Andy?
Andy: And thanks hope to see you soon, mines a beer and Tara drinks vodka.
TarA: Lol. Yep I am a vodka gal.
Questions:
Pall ‘Nattsol’ Zarutskiy
‘Grave Jibes Fanzine’
