Your website says " Buzzcocks were the original pop punkers, they are still the best" what's your thoughts on this statement ?

I didn't write it, it's just hype.

Which album are you most proud of and why?

All of them really were lucky that we never had to force anything out, so I'm proud of all our achievements - I think all of the releases have their own hidden depth. Were often perceived as a singles band so I suppose people relate more to our singles than the albums.

Which current bands rock your world at the moment ?

British Sea Power, The Rakes who toured with us last year, Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads.

Your next album is to be released later this year, with the working title Flat Pack Philosophy, why this name and how is coming along?

About 18 months ago me and the bass player were in Newcastle and he made a comment about how everything looked the same like it came out of Ikea, I was thinking about how you use bits of philosophy and how you could you an instruction book to put it all together. So that's how we came up with title. The album is finished and due for release in September so we'll be back on the road. See some familiar faces and some new faces.

What kind of relationship did you have with the old punk bands ?

I think people thought of us as their provincial cousins, we used get invites to go play with them all the time, we all got on really well,

Quite a few bands have made cover versions of your songs - The Offspring/Autonomy, Ash/Everybody's Happy Nowadays to name a few. What do you think of these?

I think they sound too much like the originals just like a copy really. I guess it's good for them to play a proper song.

Who are your Heroes?

David Bowie although I've never met him, I went to see Michael Rother last month ( half of the German band Neu) and I made my way backstage to say Hi.

Your 30th anniversary is coming up any plans to celebrate?

We are toying with idea of having some kind of gathering possibly hiring the Albert Hall or something it would be good to get together with former band members and put some kind of show on. If any of our fans want to put forward their ideas post them on the message board at www.secretpublic.com

Do you have a message for the world?

No not really.

Still fighting the punk rock war, GOLDBLADE were formed in 1996 by ex-Membranes frontman John Robb. Maintaining the swagger and sharp edge, The BLADE have toured incessantly worldwide on the back of their last album, 'Rebel Songs'; their best selling album yet.
Packed full of anthems and released on Captain Oi! records, 'Rebel Songs' has been a big album on the punk scene right across the world. In the last 12 months Gold Blade have been tearing it up at huge festivals across the planet and on big punk tours. Their sweatshod adrenalised live show has built them a powerhouse reputation on the international punk rock circuit. In a blur of sharp threads, fierce quiffs and phat shoes, GOLDBLADE have taken the maxim that rock 'n' roll is a physical thing to its Olympian limits. This is truly a revolution of everyday life! Punk rockers in the dancehall! 'Rebel Songs' was inspired by the ugly politic of our times. Songs were written on anti-Iraq war demos, missives from the frontline of mediaeval Britain; it's a re-affirmation of punk rock's political roots, a loud shout back at the vile corporate world, a celebration of the rebel song and a set of stirring rabble rousing anthems to dance and sing along to. Every song is an anthem. Proof that punk rock still has meaning in 2006. Lyrically it's a brilliant skewiff vison of the world, Captain Beefheart twisted surrealism mixes easily with northern humour and punk rock anger.
GOLDBLADE have written a populist album that will sit in alongside both Green Day and Rancid, they have shared the stage with Buzzcocks and The Offspring amongst many others, they have been compared to The Clash and give a nod to Crass - it's got one brothel creeper firmly placed in the wild polemic of late seventies punk rock and the other in the punk rock of 2006. GOLDBLADE are equally at home playing in the stadiums of Russia, huge festivals in Europe and any venue in the world. "This is the people's music," they explain mysteriously. Their audience ranges from pre-teens to gnarled punk rock veterans, GOLDBLADE's insane energy and punk rock celebration welcomes everyone. There are no boundaries.
This autumn sees the release of 'Strictly Hardcore' on Captain Oi!, a compilation of the best bits from our four albums. This follows frontman John Robb's best selling book 'Punk Rock- An Oral History' the critically acclaimed account of the punk rock explosion.
There is a new album due next year.

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