Young Poor & Angry Press

The Business has been around thirty years making them one of the longest active Oi! bands in existence today. The band has toured nearly every country in the world and spread the positive message of skinhead culture which is booze, football (I refuse to call it soccer), brawling and being with your friends. As anyone whose worked with him knows, Micky Fitz (vocals) is a hard man to get a hold of, especially now with a full tour supporting their new release on Thorp Records (Doing The Business.) After some struggle with finally pinned him down in front of a computer to answer some questions.

Let’s get down to business (no pun intended)..what are England’s chances this year in South Africa?

Aha, a good one to start with. If we manage to avoid the bloody Germans, we have the ability to go on and win it ! what’s the odds on us totally avoiding Germany ? NIL !

What’s it like to be one of the oldest oi bands in existence?

Great, it’s true what they say “The older you are, the wiser you are” ha ha.

How are today’s skinheads different from the 70s and 80s skinheads?

I’m pleased to say that in my experience they’re far more like the original wave of Skins, purely fashion & music. Politics is where it should be, at home.

You’re on Thorp Records, what’s the big difference between this label and the past ones like Taang?

Despite the normal band/label conflicts, i’m still good mates with Curtis at Taang, as i’m sure i will be with Duane & Andy at Thorp/Sailors Grave in years to come.

What do you see as the biggest difference in American vs UK oi?

Very very little, except ours are more football orientated.

Explain the situation with Secret Records and the first dismembered of the band.

I wasn’t aware of any removal of private parts by Secret Records. But now you come to mention it……

What caused you guys to reform only a few years after the split?

We never actually split, it was more of a state of being in limbo.

The Business breeds controversy in the States and across the pond. How has that changed your perspective of the journalism profession?

It’s now a pleasure to interact with people like yourself. Today’s writers don’t and indeed won’t twist everything I’ve said just to suit their own devices.

Set the record straight. Which football clubs do which members support? (Editor’s Note: I was sadden to see this being a Gooner myself…but oh well we beat em on the pitch anyhow!)

Me    (Vox)    West Ham United.

Trots (Bass)   Millwall.

Tosh  (Guitar) Port Vale.

Bundie(Drums)  Manchester United.

It’s been about 7 years since the last album. What has kept you guys touring this long?

Let me assure everyone out there, it’s not for the money.

What do you see as the best skinhead movie of all time?

Gotta be ‘The King & I’ [laughs]

Recently I passed by an American Apparel and saw the manakin dressed in boots, braces, a plaid tennis shirt and a pair of sta-press. How ironic is it to see kids wearing those clothes 3 decades later?

Great, I just wish i could find a pair of Sta-Press like I had years ago or a pair of Solatio loafers.

Who are some of your favorite bands?

I wouldn’t know where to start on this one. I totally believe that today’s talent is as good as it’s ever been.

Favorite country to tour in?

For a way of life that is so different to that of the UK and the USA, I’d have to say Japan.

What do you do on your down time?

Up until 5 years ago it was just getting pissed. But since rehab I’m heavily into a bit of technology, ie: home cinema, computers, cameras etc. Anything along these lines to keep the unpickled part of my brain active.

How much has the current political situation contributed to this new record?

None whatsoever, it was just long overdue.

Why wouldn’t they allow skinheads at The Marquee?

There was a time when Skins and Punks were most definitely not on the same side of the fence.

The new album has a few brand new tracks and some live ones. What was it like hearing that gig from 1982 more than 20 yrs later?

For me, terrible! I had to tell everyone i knew with kids not to play the first Marquee track as i use the ‘C’ word. [laughs]

YPA: Tell me Jake what’s it been like to be in Strung Out for the past eighteen years?

Jake: I’m really stoked to be honest. I can’t believe we’ve still got this much support after eighteen years. I love playing music, I need to be doing this. It’s like therapy you know? It’s never been about money or anything like that, we just love playing show after show for people who get stoked on us.

When I first showed up to interview you guys Angel told me you guys went to Alligator Land. How was that?

We went about fifteen years ago, so we figured we’d go back and check it out again. Still really awesome [laughs]

What’s the big difference between playing big shows at the House of Blues and smaller ones at the venues I’ve seen you guys?

The shows at smaller venues like the Social are a lot more fun for me. It’s always a packed crowd and most of the kids know our songs. When we come out with a band as big as Dropkick Murphys obviously the kids are going to come out more to see them. We’re like the Walmart act of this tour. [laughs]

What do you see as the key to perfect happiness?

Doing what you enjoy man. As long as you’re doing what you love to do you’re going to be happy. Spending time with good people and not being a slave to a job and material things. I think having control of your life makes it your own. That’s something that’s always been really important to me personally.

You guys JUST finished your set at the time we’re doing this interview. Always curious what your state of mind is after a show like this (Editors Note: sold out show three days after tickets went on sale the promoter tells me.)

Truth be told I’m fucking stoked to be on the road again. Not really much more debt to it than that, just happy to be playing shows like this and doing what I love.

What trait do you hate in yourself?

I can be really lazy sometimes. I try to practice more than I do, because there is always room for improvement. But when you’re on the road and in and out of tour buses and stuff, it’s easy to be lazy.

What do you considered the most over-rated virtue?

I think materialism is over-rated. I mean I love being able to buy things I want, but it doesn’t define who I am personally. It’s not nearly as important as what you do to get the money you’re spending. If you’re doing what you love, than the things you own have more meaning. If you’re just a wage slave than you’re working your whole life just to buy crap. That’s not a way to live.

If you were to come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

That’s easy! I’d come back as a guitar!

[Laughs] Really? What kind?

Damn now you’ve got me! Probably a classic Fender!

Who do you look up to?

Guys like Randy Rhodes and Chris from Propaghandi. Those guys make me wanna play music. I can learn something every time I watch them.

On what occasion do you lie?

I really try not to lie. In the past it made things a lot harder on me. Basically now I find it easier just to be honest because honestly that just makes things easier in general for everyone.

You play guitar already but what talent would you like to possesses that you don’t have now?

I would really like to be able to skateboard. I’ve never been able to.

Me too man, me too. That being said, what do you see as your greatest achievement?

I think it’s probably not being a junkie. I think it’s so easy to fall into that pattern. I mean I smoke weed, but I’m not even remotely a junkie.

What do you think has kept you from that?

Basically watching people fall victim to it keeps me on the right path. I know it’s not something for me and it would ruin my life. Nothing is worth giving up what I’ve got now.

How does it feel to be considered “old school?”

It’s really funny to see it like that. I’m pleased people still have interest in us after all these years. Feels good to have all these years under our belts and that we’ve kept doing it our way this whole time. I think as long as you’re happy and still interested than things will go smoothly. Funny though because I still see us as “new school” [laughs].

What word do you over use?

Shit!

Wu-Tang Clan or Biggie?

[Shouts] WU!

Beach or mountains?

Beach always gotta be by the sand.

Democrat or Republican?

Democrat of course!

Bad Religion or NoFx?

Bad Religion because without Bad Religion there would be no NoFx.

When did you start Immunity Clothing?
Immunity Clothing has been an idea / been in effect since early 2006. However, I wasn’t in a position to get serious with it until LATE 2008.

How did you get Immunity Clothing started?

My best friend in the entire world, Tim Brown, was moving away to college so he and I decided to start a clothing company where we would learn the entire screen printing process from the ground up. I quit my job at the time and we drove up to Oregon. We taught ourselves how to burn an image to a screen, how to apply the ink to the shirts (without a press, this was all done by eyeballing the screen on the shirt.. made for some interesting prints,) how to cure the ink, and how to do it all in 10 days. On the 9th day we ended up staying up for 26 hours, printing 100 shirts, and doing a photoshoot. It was a wild time.

After the Oregon trip I would print shirts from my spare bedroom in Las Vegas for events and friends bands. I ended up printing up 3-4 more designs that way, then ended up moving to New Jersey on a whim after losing my job in late 2008.

In New Jersey I decided to get back on with Immunity and take it seriously. I came up with a business plan so that I could print a shirt a month. I ended up doing over 13 designs from Dec. 2008 and Dec. 2009. I self funded 2 days of Warped Tour where I met a few artists who I would end up sponsoring (P.O.S. and Shad K) as well as selling over 100 shirts.

What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome while establishing Immunity Clothing?

This is a tough question because there is the cliché answer of me saying ‘money.’ But it’s part of the territory. I like having to work to get my shirts pressed and I enjoy the satisfaction of self funding a clothing line. I don’t know if Immunity Clothing would hold the same merit if my parents funded it, or if I was able to take out massive loans for funding.

Is Immunity Clothing completely DIY?

It depends on your definition of DIY. I would like to say yes. I used to print all of my shirts by hand, then I had to move and didn’t have the space. So I taught a good friend of mine, who was also the drummer of my band at the time, how to do the process. We spent a lot of time in his garage learning the proper way to print, learning how to use a printing press, learning the process to use multiple colors. It was rough, but now he is my go to guy for printing. He prints everything for me and is always learning something new. He takes his time and does everything by hand. That sounds about as DIY as it can get if you ask me.

As far as designs go, I like to try to do a majority of them myself. If I find the designs getting stale or boring, or even if I just want to change things up, I am lucky enough to have some awesome friends who are great at design who are willing to help me out.

The barter system is very much alive in the Immunity Clothing camp. We trade things that we are good at, to get things that we are not good at doing. I feel that everyone who is involved, was involved, or will be involved with Immunity Clothing in the future is all on the same wave length as far as what DIY means to them.

Is the DIY style something that is important in creating your designs? If so, what about it makes it so important?

I think I covered that in the last question, but to reiterate. Yes, very much so. If I didn’t believe in doing things DIY then I feel I would be no different than any other clothing company.

What are the aspects of a “positive lifestyle” that you hope to convey to those who wear or see your clothing?

Things get bad, all the time. I mean, sometimes I feel like if I didn’t have bad luck I would have no luck at all. But when it all comes down to it things ALWAYS get better. There is no point in stewing in all over the negative stuff that has happened to you because it won’t do any good for anyone.

My designs aren’t always the most complex and may not be trend setting, but they are ALWAYS honest. I mean, sure I’m going to have a few joke shirts here and there, because no body should take themselves too seriously, but I always mean what I say especially in my shirts.

Does the hardcore community play an important part in your role as a designer, or even as someone living a positive lifestyle?

Oh, of course it does. I’ve involved in my respective hardcore scenes since I was as young as 12. I used to take the bus to shows 3-4 times a week while in middle school. I’ve always had a really supportive mother who would let me do things like that.
I’ve learned so much from hardcore that it would be impossible for me to not include the things that I believe in so much.

Do you think that “staying posi” is something that needs to take a greater hold in the hardcore community?

YES YES YES. I really do. So many bands strive on negativity and the scene today seems like it is so much different from when I was growing up in it. I hate to sound like a jaded scenester here, but it’s true. Crews today are so different and stand for different things than crews used to. The fights, the drama, all of that is something that should just be ignored. More people should focus on the camaraderie and good spirits of hardcore. But maybe that’s just me.

What are some of your new favorite bands/albums?

There are so many bands that I’m amped on right now, but I will try to keep this list as short as possible.

No, Really, I Call Fives, Latin For Truth, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard, XBishopX, Balance And Composure, Fireworks, Last Lights, POS, Drake (Don’t judge me,) The Dangerous Summer, the new Undertow album is awesome,  The Swellers, Stick To Your Guns, The Ghost Inside,  At Half Mast, the new Another Breath album is already one of my favorites of the year, I’m really excited for the Set It Straight reunion I really want to get to California for that show.

So many more bands, but I’m going to stop now.

What are your hopes/what’s next for Immunity Clothing in 2010?

I’m working on a compilation right now that is going to be coming out with the new line that I hope to have printed / ready by the end of February. After that I will be doing a few random shirts here and there until I gear up for Sound and Fury tour which I will be on this summer. Prior to that I’ll be tour managing I Call Fives this summer as well and selling Immunity stuff.  I will be doing some work with my friends in Hoods Up Crew and will hopefully be touring with some of the bands I sponsor or bands that I am friends with. I really just want to get out on the road as much as possible and talk to as many people that will listen to me!

I would also like to give some shout outs here if at all possible.

The following people have greatly impacted my life and have made Immunity Clothing what it is today. These people help me constantly and I feel I am blessed to have such a great circle of friends and family. (in no particular order) My mother, Natasha Crabtree, Tim Brown, Wes Edge [HUC], Shane Snodgrass, Alexander Diner, Robert Weber, No, Really!, Drew Conte and I Call Fives, Chris Hansen, Justin Newman [HUC], Hoods Up Crew, Title Fight, HalfHearted Hero, Latin For Truth, POS, Shad K, and I’m sure I left a bunch of people out, but it wasn’t on purpose I promise.

Keep an eye out for the new shirts! The compilation will be sent out with every order and I have some left over shirts for sale now on my website. You can follow / stalk me on the following websites.

Shop Immunity
Myspace

Twitter

Stay Positive !

(Editors Note: I’d like to give it up to Stoney for getting this interview for us finally. It took about a month to finally get Andres to sit still long enough to knock it out. Hard working guy that he is, Andres never has a moment. As an editor I can relate.)

Young Poor And Angry: For all the people who don’t know, explain how Donnybrook got it’s name and how you got to the current line up.

Andres Stewart: The word Donnybrook! comes from a town in Ireland where they have a festival which became known for it’s huge street brawls. The term was then adapted to describe a bench clearing fight in sports like hockey or baseball.

We’ve never had the same touring lineup since our first tour in ‘04. Our new lineup is just another group of friends that like playing music together and living in a van around the country. It consists of Mike “The Mexican” Mark “The Prisoner” and Alex “The Weirdo” and me Dre. Me and my brother Martin are always the core of the band and we write everything so the music and lyrics will always come from the same source.

YPA: Alot of people within the scene put Donnybrook right up there among the ranks of Madball and Death Threat, how does it feel to be among the ranks of bands of that caliber?

Andres Stewart: Well that’s cool. Those are two of my favorite hardcore bands and really good friends of mine. Got a ‘lotta love and respect for them.

What can we expect from Donnybrook in 2010?

In 2010 Donnybrook! will be putting out a new record in the summer called “The Beast Inside” and we’ll be touring as much as physically possible. Anywhere and everywhere.

How does the writing process within Donnybrook usually go? What’s the order it gets done, if any.

My brother writes everything for the most part. I dunno, I think he just writes songs and records ‘em on his computer and writes lyrics to match the flow of the song.

Overall how is “The Beast Inside” different from Donnybrook’s previous releases.

“The Beast Inside” is a little slower I think. Kinda more groovy. My voice is a little different. We have some different guest vocals and my brother sings a little bit more. Other than that, it’s just good hardcore music that we dump our heart and soul into just like every other Donnybrook! song ever written.

What brought you to the hardcore scene?
Good friends, good music, and good times brought me into this scene, and that’s why I stay.

Best show you’ve ever attended? and best place to play?
One of the best shows I ever saw was Warzone years ago at the Showcase Theatre in Corona, California and that,by far, was my fav place to play. RIP

Best album (hardcore or not) in 2009?
One of my favorite records last year was Cannibal Corpse’s “Evisceration Plague”

Word Association time. first word that comes to mind.

Pizza: Good!

Texas: BIG!

Obama: Fuck Yeah!

Lady Gaga: Ewww!

Bush: Shave it!

Alright, got anything you’d like the world to know?

We’re here! We’re queer! And we play hardcore music so come to a Donnybrook! show and have gay sex with us! Find us on Myspace and Twitter and Facebook. We got tons of nudes for ya. Enjoy!