Total Confussion are a great band from the UK. They are another great band that played a lot of shows in the '80s. Recenty the band started doing again and released an EP. Rumor is that there is a 7" out there from the '80s, if you find it please contact the band, same with any live or demo recordings. I got the band to tell their story...
Introduce yourself…
Suty - Singer of Total Confusion
Casper - Lead Guitarist
How did the band start?
(Suty) The band started in 1981, I was in a band called The Suffocaters but the members left so I needed to start again. I got Eric my brother interested and he finally joined, also my brother-in- law Mick was learning bass and joined. Then it was time to find a drummer, I found Woody and then later decided we needed another guitarist, Woody had a friend and in came Casper.
How did you come up with the name?
I had the name TOTAL CONFUSION in my mind for months, just a coincidence really, I kept writing it down, it looked and sounded good - so I stuck with it.
Who would you say are your influences?
(Suty) Anti Pasti, UK Subs, Anti Nowhere League, GBH, plus many, many more.
(Casper) THERE IS MUCH INFLUENCE AND MISH MASH OF OTHER PUNK BANDS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE BUT INDIVIDUALLY WE ALL SHARE AND HAVE OUR OWN FAVOURITES JUST LIKE MOST,HOWEVER WE DON'T TRY TO MIMIC ANYTHING ELSE. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE OF JUST PLUG IN AND LET RIP!! OUR DRIVE, AIMS AND BELIEF TAKE US THERE. RESPECTIVELY OVER TIME DEVELOPED A CHARACTERISTIC SOUND OF OUR OWN. PUT IT THIS WAY, IN ALL MY TIME WITH THE BAND MY EARS HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYONE SAY WE SOUND LIKE ANYONE ELSE!
What was the punk scene like in 1979?
(Casper) PUNK SCENE AT THE BACK END OF THE 70's WAS VIOLENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. BUT YET THE FREEDOM AND SENSE OF SOMETHING NEW CONCOCTED A REBELLIOUS BREED WITHIN SOCIETY ITSELF,WITHIN THE SLAVERY AND BOREDOM OF EVERYDAY LIFE. TRENDY MUSIC AND UNPALATABLE FASHION. PUNK BROUGHT PEOPLE HOPE AND DIRECTION. ENERGY AND COLOUR. BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS AND CREATING NEW BOUNDARIES. A REAL BIG FUCK OFF TO OUR DISMAL DAILY SYSTAMATIC ROUTINES.
How do you feel it has changed?
(Suty) The music and clothing have never really changed but some of the sounds have with digital technology. The internet has made things easier for getting our music heard across the world.
(Casper) SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, THE PUNK SCENE HAS TURNED EVERY CORNER AND BEEN DOWN EVERY STREET AND BACK AGAIN AND WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE DOING SO. AS A MOVEMENT OR STATE OF MIND, IT HAS NEVER CHANGED, FOR IT IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN A PART OF ME.AS FOR MUSIC SIDE OF THINGS IT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN. IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES PUNK MUSIC SPARKED AN EVOLUTION INTO PATHING THE WAY TO MANY A DIFFERENT FORMAT, STYLES AND SOUNDS. AN EXPLOSION OF ALTERNATIVE,'NEW WAVE',TECHNO, NEW ROMANTIC,GOTHIC,HIP HOP AND RAP AND COLLIDING WITH OTHER STYLES SUCH AS METAL TO CREATE THRASH OR GRUNGE. THIS IS JUST LITTLE EXAMPLE. AS A WHOLE PUNK IS EVERYWHERE AND IN EVERYTHING IF YOU LOOK AND LISTEN REAL CLOSE.
Describe the song writing process…
(Casper) MUSICALLY THE MAJORITY OF SONGS ARE OR HAVE BEEN BASED AROUND A CATCHY OR ADVERSE GUITAR RIFF.
(Suty) We have written about the Government (For What?), the mess we are all in (Chaos 2000ad), Religion (Blinded) and about everyday things (Just Another Tuesday). Then there’s the favourite “death” (Suicide, Death To All, Predator, Out For Blood). We all write so new stuff is coming in all the time, plus Eric is still sending brilliant lyrics even though he is no longer in the band.
Why do you feel the band broke up in 1984?
(Casper) MANY A REASON I WOULD SAY, BUT FOR SOME BAND MEMBERS HAD KIDS AND FAMILY AFFAIRS TO RECKON WITH.
Why did you guys start doing shows in 2009?
(Casper) MID LIFE CRISIS? FEELINGS OF REPAIR? SATURN RULED VENUS? IT JUST HAPPENED AND IM THRILLED IT DID!
You guys recently released, the ‘Chaos 2000’ EP, tell us about the EP…
(Suty) It’s a great piece of work with some new songs on it and revamped older songs, it’s got an awesome sound and we’re very proud of it.(Casper) ITS FUCKING BRILLIANT!!
On your website it talks about other releases, what else have you released?Casper) DOES IT??
(Suty) the old recordings are a bit like Fight Club, the first rule about the old recordings is, you do not talk about the old recordings, the second rule about the old recordings is, you do not talk about the old recordings.
Tell us about the current lineup…
(Suty) All Barnsley born and bred, all have been in well respected Barnsley bands at one time or another, and we all like a laugh and a drink. Suty -Vocals, Paddy - Bass, Blower - Drums, Casper - Lead Guitar and Pat -Rhythm Guitar.
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
(Suty) The UK Subs, Splodgenessabounds, Anti Nowhere League, Sex Pistols Experience (tribute band), The X-Rippers, etc
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
(Casper) EITHER !
Where have you toured?
(Suty) UK only but we have a German gig offered and the dates to sort out - looking like September at the minute.
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
(Suty) The UK Subs are a brilliant band. Charlie Harper is a top man.(Casper) UK SUBS ARE THE TOPS!!
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
(Casper) THOSE WITH A BAR!!
What do you see is the future of Total Confusion?
(Suty) We just want to keep going as long as we can. We’re not getting any younger and as long as people keep supporting us, we will keep playing!!! We are currently recording 'the' album - going to be around 12 tracks - the drum parts are recorded, we are just slowly adding the flesh and blood to the songs. We've got some decent punk-all-day gigs booked in plus the Morecambe Nice 'N Sleazy Festival and the Germany thing, so we couldn't be happier with how things are going.
(Casper) YOU JUST NEVER CAN TELL, BUT FEEL THE BOLLOX WHILE IT'S HERE!!
How can people contact the band?(Casper) BUS RIDE, HOMING PIGEON, TELETHAPY OR THROUGH ALBERT AT NO.56(Suty) contact us through - www.totalconfusion.co.uk or email - six67promo@hotmail.com
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