Foreign Legion ***New Interview***

Invading from Wales. Foreign Legion is Wale's oldest punk band. The band is known for playing lots of shows and getting the crowd involved in every aspect of the show. The band original split after the release of the first album in 1991, but returned in 2000. After band reformed they put out a great split with Major Accident. This is a band that has a great recording and live presence, not to be missed. I got Marcus to tell thier story...

Introduce Yourself...

Marcus from South Wales UK oldest punk band.

How was the band started?

We formed the band because we loved the sounds of the Clash, Ramones, Damned, Sex Pistols out of work boredom ...

How did you come up with the name?

We formed the band dead on arrival '79, but changed the name to Foreign Legion. We heard about the Canadian band DOA. Our town is the last stop on the train line, foreign to the rest of the UK just headed legion to it.

What was the welsh punk scene like back then?

We had Partisans, Oppressed, No choice, Classified, Protest, Impact, Cowboy Killers

How do you feel it has changed?

Not so many punk bands left. Lots of trash metal bands have been formed when you speak to young bands they say they have never heard of Discharge, GBH...

Who are your influences?

Clash, Ramones, UK Subs, Damned...

You guys first released the 'Trenchline' EP, tell us about the EP...

Put the ep out 85 went all over the world. I would say we done to many shows not enough recording EPs, LPs, etc. You live and learn.

Your first album was 'Welcome to Fort Zinderneuf', tell us about the Album...

Very proud of our first LP it was released through Captain Oi/Venture Records... Done really well lots of worldwide reviews radio play...

The band then split in 1991, what caused the split?

Different ideas. Didn't have the time for the band any more work, family, etc ...

What made you decide to reform the band in 2000?

We had a batch of songs thought give it a go... What the hell... Glad we did ...

In 2000, you released the 'Cry of the Legion' split with Major Accident, tell us about the split...

We have been freinds with major accident since the 80s
met at the Wasted Festival. Met Mike DSS Rrecords made a deal with him for split with them.

You Guys then released 'What Goes Around, Comes Around', tell us about the album...

Mike DSS Records rushed the release for us to have vinyl,  CD copys for the East Coast USA tour.

The Album was Produced by Mick Jones, what was it like working with him?

We had a great time with Mick, he made a promo video for us before he worked on album tracks. We had a great time in the studio with him in London. Told us lots of old storys. Check carbon silicone down in the bunker
our poster on studio wall. He sawed us all the old fanzines, stage clothes, etc. Like a small museum in his studio.

You guys are also the only Welsh band to play NYC's famous CBGB, is there a story behind that?

We're so proud to have played CBGBs. Wwent out live on the net. We had a great time in New York City, the big apple. The venue was packed...

Your most current album is 'Death Valley', tell us about the album...

We had a great time recording death valley cd. Very happy to have worked with Dirty Mick Records, Torrance, CA,  label done a cracking job. Just released split cd with Seattle boys Sledgeback. It's doing the runs very well,
also just released old demos live tracks from UK, USA with DC boys Suspects DC.

Tell us about the current lineup...

Marcus vocals
Six guitar
Dog bass
Sid drums
Foreign Legion 2011 Wales UK...

Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?

Misfits, Joe Strummer, Adicts, Dropkick Murphys, UK Subs, Buzzcocks, SLF, Major Accident, Agnostic Front, Beerzone, Anti-nowhere League...

Is there a favorite?

Loved all our shows, one big party ...

Where have you toured?

Played 15 different countries...

What is the Future of Foreign Legion...

New EP out soon split with our friends Riot Company, KB Records Germany. Working on new split lp/cd with French  boys Paris Violence on Contra Records. Lots of gigs. Hope to be in the USA 2012. Gigs in France, Romania, Germany  end of 2011.

Foreign Leigon has a Facebook and Myspace...