This is another interview which is for me reason of great proud and which makes me stronger to keep on with this work for rock music, but for the real rock and the rock with attitude, and not for the fake and manufactured rock, made only to sell and to answer some small people's greed.

Besides being a great fan of this British band, I have always wanted to know more about some special aspects of their history. With this interview I tried to discover some of these things, which might be of interest to many of their Brazilian fans as well.

I really do not care when people write to me and say things like: "hey Marcio, I never heard of this band", "why dont you interview Evanescence?" our even "we want interviews with Kings of Leon or White Stripes". I could easily do it and much more if I wanted to do it. But definitively I dont wanna do it and I am not doing it now. I prefer stick with this rejected London's "East End Kids". And I prefer to be always running against the mainstream and trying to bring some relevant and real information about the rock scene of today and past.

This interview was done with original guitar player Micky Geggus, who is still playing in the band today, together with also original member Jeff Turner (lead singer), plus Tony Van Frater (bass) and Les Cobb (drums).


Micky Geggus - early days!!!


Here is the exclusive interview:

Portal: I guess this is your first interview for Brazil. Isn't it? So, when I say Brazil, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Micky: Yes, it is our first Brazilian interview. The things that spring to mind when Brazil is mentioned, are: Pelé, City of God (great movie); Beaches; Carnivals; Poverty; Spirit and Hot!!!

Portal: You have lots of fans down here. Last year we did a special page with the history of the band at our website and it was very well visited and a great success. Have you ever thought in playing in Brazil?
Micky: That's great news and very humbling. I would love to see that page. This band would love to play in Brazil. If any promoters out there are interested, get in touch!

		Portal: Do you know anything about Brazilian punk rock or even rock and roll scene? Any bands you might know or whatever? Micky: I'm ashamed to say that I don't. I don't follow the music scene in any country nowadays. The last record or CD I bought must have been ten years ago. I don't know why, but I kind of just stopped. I don't hear much on the radio either that inspires or interest me.

Portal:Talking a little bit about the band's history. The name "Cockney Rejects" really sounds like a clear protest to the rejection people and bands from East End London faced when punk rock exploded in the late 70`s. It seems you guys from East End were like put aside of the "punk moviment" at that time. Am I right? Why was it like this? Micky: Well, must of the bands at the time came from middle class art school backgrounds. Because we were from the wrong side of the tracks. They turned their noses up at us, because we know that they were phoney? and their "street" attitude was bullshit. We couldn't care less about them. Portal: How old were you guys when you started the band? Micky: Jeff was 14, I was 18, and Vince 21.

		Portal:Some people still says the Sex Pistols was the most relevant punk band from UK of all times and The Clash turned punk rock into something digestible by pop music fans. What would say about bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash? Micky:I think those bands were great. No Clash/Pistols . . . No rejects, as simple as that.

Portal: Your early songs were all almost about life on the streets, fights, soccer games and so on. Do you think it was a kind of a way you guys found to release the day-by-day stress? What is the real music of the streets for you? Micky: Yeah, it was a kind of release, but as time went on we wanted to explore our instruments and our musical influences more, so hence the change. No band can keep rehearsing the same things album after album, that's conning the public.

Portal: What is the main difference between the Cockney Rejects from 1979 and of 2004? Micky: Haha! About 48 pounds in weight each! No, really, these days we try to have more fun than the old days, and take things a little bit lighter. We also take more care with the stage show and put more effort and professionalism into it. And we laugh more!!! Portal: What are your favorite beers and dishes? Micky: My favorite beers are Belgian Trappist Beers, they're brilliant but a bit hard to come by in England. My favorite food is Chinese - Crispy Chilli Beef, Cantonese Chicken and Special Fried Rice . . . great.

Portal: - Despite the fact Mr. Garry Bushell claims to be the inventor of the Oi! music, you guys are always referred as being one of the main and most influent Oi! bands of all times. What is Oi! music for you and what the real Oi! stands for?
Micky: The term "Oi!" was coined because Jeff used it to communicate with the audience between songs. It is a Cockney expression used to get someone's attention, and Bushel just jumped on it. I don't think that we were ever, a part of any movement. We were always just us. The Cockney Rejects. Take us or leave us.

Portal: Are you happy with the Oi! music of today? What should change?
Micky: I don't begrudge any band playing this type of music, good luck to them. But I must be honest, it is not the type of stuff I put on my CD Player after a days work. I've always been a rocker at heart! But as for the bands that play "Oi" music, more power to them. Better than Poxy, Dance or Rap anytime!!!

Portal: I will say names of some bands and some people and I would like you to give some adjectives or a very short phrase describing those bands or names, ok?
Sham 69: OK!
Ramones: Great!
Toy Dolls: OK!
The Adicts: Good!
4 Skins: OK!
Cock Sparrer: Good!
Rancid: Good!
Iron Maiden: OK!
Led Zepellin: The Masters!
Oasis: Crap!
Rolling Stones: Great!
The Beatles: OK!
Cold Play: Boring!
Tony Blair: Wanker!
Osama Bin Laden: Wanker!
George W. Bush: Wanker!
Che Guevara: Dead!
Adolf Hitler: Wanker/Dead!
Mc Donalds: Once a month!
Coca-Cola: Beats hangovers!
Cerveja Guiness: Too thick!



Portal: - I would like to thank you very much for the interview and if you wish to say something for your Brazilian fans, please feel free!
Micky: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to appear in your site. For all our Brazilian fans, thanks for sticking with us over the years, and please god we will get to play for you in Brazil sometime soon. Take care and thanks. Micky Geggus.

Marcio Faveri