Introduce yourself…
I am Fungalpunk/OMD - peddlar of noise and the natural world. Been into both areas for 30+ years and try my best to pass on my enthusiasm and love of all things loud and lively. My misanthropic side is borne from the frustration of the human race who have an unerring knack to turn everything to shit. The punk scene is raped by fakers and takers and small time wannabe's and the natural world is treated as a convenience and there to be covered in litter or concrete.
Tell us about the web site...
The site is basically an information resource and a vehicle to push what I deem important. I try and keep it simple yet informative and of course regularly updated. Alas the site is now in the midst of the Social Networking era where people rather talk absolute wank rather then mooch around and keep their minds active from many sources. I don't mind the social sites and they do have many positive aspects but they are over-used and are a festering pool of wasted time.
What is the aim or goal of the site?
To spread the noise, to encourage a little appreciation of Mother Nature and to show that being active and doing something is the only way to operate.
How did you come up with the name?
I am Fungal, I am a Punk - come on now it ain't that hard ha, ha
Tell us about the time you were introduced to punk music...
A long time ago in the second half of the 70's I heard a racket and that racket inspired my soul and that was that. The UK Subs, The Insane, The Damned, Sex Pistols, X-Ray Spex, The Stranglers etc - the usual fare kept my appetite satiated but I am one who always needs more. The second wave provided that with Chron Gen, GBH, Vice Squad, Discharge, Blitz, etc giving me more musical nosh. I am a bugger for underdog noise and so always sought the more obscure which punk provides by the shedload. When I look back I realise the scene was full of fashion followers and I always deemed punk as something more - a veritable safety net for the misfit - Hey ho - like anything it is filled with good and bad but one thing is for sure I am still loving the music.
Who played at the first punk show you went to?
The Insane and System - a real good do it was to.
Tell about the UK punk scene...
It is thriving with quality but very divided. There is still little cross-over of sub-genres in some respect with many circles sticking together and not mixing and matching enough. Age, style and politics are always barriers but I feel you should fuck all that and just push the din. I do think though we have never had it so good but that is a problem in itself - the swines are overfed and don't know it and so get mentally fat and lazy.
How did you get involved with studsandpunks.co.uk?
They contacted me and were impressed by what I did and asked if I would contribute. To be fair I don't have the time to contribute much and so told Vinnie who runs it to just pinch the odd review and such off my site now and again. Its good that someone else has taken up the underdog theme and pushing the bands that are under the radar. It is a nifty site too and gets my vote everytime. I'll plod away this end and so we have two guns aiming for the lugs of the punk populace just increasing the chances of bands just getting heard.
You also promote punk shows, tell us about the shows and what your goals are with that...
No goals - it is just about getting bands exposed. The SAS Tour was met with a bit of resistance because it did challenge those little small minded circles I mentioned earler but that didn't stop things rolling. The SAS was also a tool to see what the scene is made up of and to be brutal I would recommend people don't scratch too deep. I do enjoy putting on shows but for the amount of effort the reward is little and too many want a free ride rather than chip in and contribute. This and many other facts have forced me to slow down and let others dip in. You would be amazed at how many slackers are out there and how many don't want to speak to you again if there is nothing in it for them. I'll do the odd one here and there but totally at my leisure. I am not a ticket to anywhere and if you want a trip for free just please fuck right off. I have dealt with many bands and not many stand up to the Fungal standard of passion. Why have low standrads just to keep others happty - fuck em' - punk should not be a game.
You also review records, describe the process...
A simple process - the band gets in contact, the CD is sent, 7 to 10 spins are had in various places and the digits tap the keys. At 530+ CD reviews in a change of style is imminent - watch the Fungal space
Is there an all time favorite?
No - there can't be - just way too much good stuff out there!
If you were Alex Delarge and strapped to a chair, is there a band you would not want them to play?
Anything from the modern pop shitheap or any kind of jazz - all totally wank with nothing to say.
Is there a worst record you have reviewed?
Not particularly - I try and maintain a positivity and even the worst has something one can pick up on and try and get the band to work with. Every turd has a small trace of nutrients.
Did you review punk zines and books?
I do the odd book and zine reviews although I read so much other stuff I can't do that many. One of the best musical books I have read is The Modfather: My Life With Paul Weller by David Lines. Just so well written, full of youthful misdirection and laden with nostalgia from a memorable era. You can pick it up cheap in HMV too - a must buy. Like I say I always have a book on the go and rotate between crime, horror, sci-fi, a classic, drama, music and something factual. Add to this the fact I am always reading Natural History books and you can imagine how little time I have for anything else.
Is there a favorite zine or book?
All zines are worth a peek - they do their bit so why not? Books - many great reads out there but lets stray away from just the music side of things. Authors that are essential to check out are HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, James Herriott, Thomas Hardy, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury and of course Charlie Dickens. Individual books - Dracula and Frankenstein for obvious reasons, Great Expectations, Diary of a Nobody and the best of all Jane Eyre. I love that story. There is so much good stuff though I am bewildered - go on get a book and get reading.
On the web site you feature a biology section, describe you fascination with wildlife...
Wildlife is what we are and what makes this world tick. Fuck concrete, fuck the urban disease - people travel the world and say 'oooh I saw this, I saw that' - fuck it all - beauty is on your doorstep - open your eyes - respect and protect. The joy I get from watching bugs, finding shrooms etc. is fantastic. This natural world goes on and gets ignored - a true crime. We need to work with our environment and be part of it - it isn't difficult but it seems we can make it that way. We live in an artificial world now where materialism and 'individual experience' is all that matters to the detriment of everything. Crazy - such a selfish human race!
If you were lost in the wilderness, sad there is not much left of it, what plants or animals would you prefer to survive off?
As long as its real, pure and part of this overall scheme and process it doesn't matter. I am going more veggie as time passes but wouldn't want to push that on anyone. We are designed to eat meat so feel free. We just have to be in unison with everything and meet the balance - simple hey?
Over time bands come and go, in the UK bands are doing a ton of reunion shows and releasing new material, is there a band alive or dead you would like to see reunite?
It really doesn't matter to me - some bands should never reform - we should always be rolling forward. The problem is there is money in nostalgia and that stinks. I don't mind nostalgia but it should be in small doses and we need to wake up to the fact many bands are losing out. Mind you - if the bands aren't working hard too then that's their own fault. Nothing should be given for free - a bit of work makes the reward so much sweeter.
Is there a favorite band you like to see perform live?
I see my share mate so no urgency to see anyone else ha, ha.
Is there a favorite place you like to see shows at?
I like to mooch here and there but I do like The Star and Garter in Manchester.
What can people do to help out the site?
Look at it, spread the word and go forth and see a butterfly, a bug or a band - and...buy a few CD's whilst you are out there.
What do you see is the future of Fungalpunk?
Just to carry on in the face of much back-biting, much theft and much indifference. To hang in is success in itself and to not be dragged down by the petty masses and the idiot ulterior motives. There isn't no great and secret plan - just to do it and hopefully get a few others doing it too - and most importantly keeping it real.
How can people contact you?
fungalpunk@hotmail.co.uk or on facebook - if you want anything reviewing or pushing or indeed identifying then just ask.
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