Hard Left Interview

Hard Left Interview

We Are Hard Left

Future Perfect Records

Interview with Mike (vocals) and Tim (guitar) by hutch

Hard Left are: 
Mike: exhortations 
Donna: bass, vocals 
Tim: guitar, vocals 
Stewart: drums, vocals 

In case you are unfamiliar with the skinhead subculture, or at least the full spectrum of the scene, a common mantra is “no politics”. As skinheads represent the working class of every country throughout the globe, this minute microcosm is colored by every brush of the political palette. Often, at gigs or fests or pubs, politics are eschewed in order to avoid conflict. And, to clarify, if ‘skinhead’ triggers an old stereotype, racism is not politics. The “no politics” agreement is not to encourage non-racists to shove their head in the sand while their brethren salute the Fuhrer at whim. This understanding exists so that a skinhead from France and one from Texas can share pints and discuss important things like first pressings of Alton Ellis forty-five’s or the pros and cons of different 4-Skins’ vocalists without sliding into disagreeing on the institution of social medicine. *(this said, most are intelligent adults who can discuss politics without getting out of control.)

 Hard Left throw that cordial oath aside and wave their beyond-liberal flags on the sleeves. Tim explains how the idea materialized. “Mike and I were talking that it would be fun. I’d play guitar and he said he’ll sing, which he never had. But if we would have an Oi band, it has to be left wing. For obvious reasons.”

However, the reasons were not obvious, as I had not known these guys. “We’re both left wing.” Mike expands, “our political beliefs were not a big part in prior bands. This time we want to do more than have great songs and laughs. The message is important. We love this style of music, but the scene is stridently apolitical or right wing. We wanted to be upfront about this.” This aspect has the potential to cause trepidation in the band. “I already got trolled on facebook.”

Mike was already called ‘oppressive’ by a white power user. Hard Left simply want to seize the opportunity. “I think it’s great if apolitical people want to listen. But they will get a message.” Tim adds, “the apolitical aspect about fun and style is tired for me. We want to put on a different gloss. While not ‘skinheads’, we are steeped in the culture; the music, the fashion.” Sham 69 and Oi are the basis of the sound. “We are trying to unseat what it means to be working class. If you want fun and apolitical, you are missing content that could be there.”

Despite Mike citing that the left wing has a strong long history with British scenes, the hard kicking music should be heard, and not always eclipsed by the political stance of Hard Left. It is drenched in Mod and Pub Rock style. Mike revels in their intent. “We’re old, been in a bunch of bands. We wanted to be in a band with terrace rocking beats and ripping guitars full of feedback and anthem songs with great lyrics. This is the band we want to be in.” Tim shares the elation in the layers and tangents of their musical direction. Tim guides band decision on what he (and they) would like. “Would we want to see this? Yes. Let’s do it. Marching in with drums and flags? Check. Fred Perrys? Check. Anthems? Check.”

This attitude forms one hell of a record, which drops on May 12, 2015. Tim and Mike simplified the formula. Tim pushes, “We kept it simple. The mixing principle was to make the toms loud and add clapping. Make it anthemic.” Mike agrees, “everything is so pumping. I can’t picture these tunes sounding any better. I think it’s the best album I have ever heard.” Mike qualifies this bold statement. “I usually play guitar and I didn’t. So, I am removed and objective. Our drummer, Stewart , lives in Arizona. He recorded it. Tim and I worked with our bassist, Donna.  We sent Stewart demos with no drums. We went there and ran through each song, one to two times. He is an amazing drummer with great concepts. “Stewart is the right man for job. He’s English,” adds Tim. “He grew up with punk rock and all the terrace glam stuff, Slade. It is in his musical DNA.”

Mike lauds, “Stu makes it seem effortless.  Our sound can be said as, ‘77 punk. But people only think of the Clash. They’re great, but that’s not our sound. We come from the football terraces, the early Oi. That stomping punk sound with driving beats, shouting choruses. But, still, Oi does not tell the whole story.” The Pub Rock sound of early Who, Cock Sparrer, Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, and specifically early Cockney Rejects are on target. Punk bands beyond The Clash like 999, The Ruts, The Damned, and Slaughter & The Dogs fill in the rest.

Hard Left has record release shows soon. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland are on the list. Stewart will attend those shows as they are planned ahead. But Hard Left will be on the search for a drummer who is available to play out of town. Hard Left plan to visit the East Coast and the Northwest in the summer. They want to go to Europe feeling they “would be well-received,” declares Tim. “We have made good connects in UK and Germany. Our message and music will be taken seriously as a provocation in German highly politicized, in a good way.”

Oakland is the home of Tim and Mike. They find constant inspiration from their environment. They see it as “unbelievably diverse and integrated, more so than other cities,” Mike claims. “People tend to live in a checkerboard. Oakland is, it sounds hokey, but, ‘multi cultural’. The structural diversity is amazing.” Tim calls it “electric with flavor. The city is organically integrated, not due to social engineering. It’s real.”

When I think of Oakland, I think of bands like Dystopia and Neurosis; painting a crusty punk, anarchistic, squat, DIY musical landscape. Mike notes that the Oaktown is “gnarly and crusty with warehouse parts. Music is a logical reaction to it environment.” And that is where Mike distinguishes Hard Left’s music. “We are not reacting against it. We are feeding off the energy and diversity. Oakland is still a city, gritty.”  Tim continues this thought, “There is the Black Panther history. That flavor still exists. Hard Left doesn’t partake in the gutter punk thing, or garage-y, which is big here.” So, while the tones and tunes are executed differently, the message is on par.

“The band is ideologically eclectic.” Tim states. “We lean into anarchism. People who do work should benefit from it. Tradition and ideological history which holds a democratic practice is what we support; initiatives that push people working for their own emancipation. We value Marx, his analysis is important. But we are Anti-Bolshevic.” Mike explains, “Marx is super relevant right now. I was at a march the other day for teacher union labor dispute; my son is a Kindergarten teacher. Communist party was there and I was talking to them. They are mired in bureaucracy, We come from the bottom up movement and action is best embodied by anarchism.”

Even the foundation of Hard Left is a statement, just by the nature of the members. Tim notes quickly, “we have a woman; which differentiates us from bands in our genre. It is nice to have the songs be less cookie cutter with her shouts.” It adds a texture to their energetic songs. Donna is “not ornamental”.

Mike is uncompromising in her pedigree. “She is amazing bass player, powerful. It’s important, the idea of having a woman in the band.” Tim appends any notions, “her being in the band is not contrived. But, it’s great and goes with politics of self empowerment in the band. Women having a voice adds more diversity. If women aren’t free none of us free.” I note that I feel the skinhead scene, especially more than metal or hardcore or even pop, embrace the women significantly. Unless a girl proves herself to be a decoration or coat rack, female skins get concrete respect in the scene.