Paul Carter Interview

Have you ever played in any bands before, what made you go solo?

I've played in quite a few bands since the late 70s,early 80s,the most succesful being a band called 'Avoid',which I sang for from 1983 to 1992.We released a couple of demo tapes,supported English Dogs on their invasion of the porky men tour and suppoorted other such bands as U.K.Subs,Conflict,Mau Maus,Chelsea etc.Unfortunately we were a bunch of right lazy bastards and it amazed me how we kept going for as many years that we did.

I decided to start playing solo after my mates talked me into playing Derby punx picnic '98.Somehow that went well and I decided to carry on.

what are your influences?

Before punk was around I used to listen to my mums records of stuff like the Beatles and the Who and it was that kind of music that got me into wanting to be in a band,and when punk came along that influenced me more and made me feel I could do it more.The bands of this era that I really liked were the 'Adverts','Damned'(still the best punk band ever)and a bit later the 'Anti Nowhere League.

Whats your favourite song to play?

My favourite song to play live is 'I Hate Work',because people like to sing along to it whether they've got a job or not,I've got one and I fuckin' hate it.

How do you write your lyrics and what are the best lyrics you've ever heard in a song?

I usually get some idea in my head,mostly of something that has amused me or made me angry and when I've got to much in my head to remember,I write it down and try and make some sort of sense of it.

The best lyrics I've ever heard is probobally something by the Anti Nowhere league.

In your opinion how do you think the punk scene has changed over the years? And has it changed for the better or worse?

Theres obviously a lot less people around these days,to when punk first started,but that doesn't make it any worse,in fact in some ways it makes it better.Most people I talk to at gigs see it as a way of life and not just as some fad/craze as it was when it first started.

where, in your opinion has the best punk/oi scene?

Seeing I'm from Derby,I think the best punk/oi scene is there.Although when there are gigs on in Derby I'd say that a lot of people there are from out of town.Other places that seem to have agood scene are Birmingham and Manchester.

how would you personally describe your music?

I would descibe my music as 'Paul Carter' music,although everyone else describes it as acoustic punk.As long as people listen to it,I don't care.

plans for 2005?

I'm hopefully going to record a full length album pretty soon and then do loads of gigs to promote it.I should also be getting my website up and running when Henry(my lad)gets his finger out.

do you prefer to play gigs or go to gigs and whats the best gig you've ever played/been to?

I like playing and going to gigs and have enjoyed playing most of them apart from the odd disasterous one.The best gig I have ever been to was the 'Damned' at the 'Ajanta',Derby on 'The Black Album'tour 1980,they were fuckin amazing.

any extra comments?

Thanx to Lazza for all the gigs he's got me,and thanx to anyone who's bought my 'I Hate Work'cd or 'Punk Shit Vol 2'(punk shit records).And thanx for the interview and showing an interest.

For gigs or info email acousticcarter@hotmail.com

cheers,hope to see you at some of my gigs, Paul