Tom K. – Vietcong Pornsurfers – Uber Rock Interview Exclusive
Written by Ross Welford
Sunday, 19 May 2013 03:30
Uber Rock’s Ross Welford got infected by ‘We Spread Diseases’, the new album from Swedish glunk rockers Vietcong Pornsurfers, at the tail end of last week, and rightly so – the record is the kind of trashy genius that we love here at URHQ. Released tomorrow, here’s one final fingerbang before the album fucks you up royally as Ross talks to the band’s frontman Tom K. in yet another must-read Uber Rock interview exclusive…..
Tell us how the band were formed and how did you get that great name?
Me and Affe [bass] spent a summer vacation writing music and getting drunk. Then we realized that we had to have a drummer and since Rackarn was the only drummer that we did not despise he had to join the group. Some years later we saw Teddy play with a band some night. And since it was a crappy band and he was the guitar guru of our dreams we told him to join us instead. The name Vietcong Pornsurfers came after a couple of beers. We wanted to have a rebellious name and Vietcong Pornsurfers was the name our parents disliked most.
How happy are you with the new album, ‘We Spread Diseases’?
Very happy. Very satisfied. And I think the rockers of the world will be pleased to hear a real rock album for once.
I’ve read that you recorded the album live with no overdubs or backing tracks as such: was this an important statement for the band?
Drums, bass and guitars are recorded live. The vocals are added afterwards. Yes, we think that rock is best live: when you listen to a record you want the live feeling, so we did the damn thing live. Since we are talking about this I just want to brag a bit more, we recorded the album in five days. That’s a bit faster than Axl Rose’s ‘Chinese Democracy’.
I Hate Your Band is an Uber Rock slogan and I couldn’t help but notice your first single is of the same name: did you take inspiration from our excellent merchandise or was it written about a band in particular?
Haha, I’m very sorry but I’ll have to disappoint you, the song has nothing to do with your merchandise. We dedicate it to all the bands who think they can tag along on our journey to fame. And all the old, half dead reunion bands which should not be on a stage at all.
We all love vinyl here at Uber Rock so bonus marks for releasing the single on 7″ too: will the album be available on vinyl?
No, the album will not be released on vinyl. We almost don’t have any money at all so we took the cheapest way to release it. But when the record is discovered buy some fat rich guy than we’ll make him release it on vinyl.
Your first album, ‘Restless, Young, Hungry And Free’, was only released on cassette: are you determined to make it hard work for yourselves or was it a genius marketing ploy to get you noticed?
We did not think about marketing when we released it on cassette. It was the cheapest way to release a album and, as I said, we don’t have any money. Rock will not get you rich anymore. But I will not deny that we got a lot of attention by releasing it that way.
Would you consider this album a natural follow up and progression for the band?
Yes, this is the best thing we have done yet. And we are only getting better.
You’ve been on tour throughout Europe before this release: how was it and will there be some UK dates at some point?
We were out on tour throughout April, and it was very good. Vietcong Pornsurfers fans are truly the best fans in the world. If other bands say that their fans are the best, they lie.We would love to play in UK but nothing is booked.
Anything you’d like to add to all our readers in Uber Rock world?
Buy our CD the 20th of May and check our über cool music videos on Youtube!
Thanks to Tom and Vietcong Pornsurfers!
[Photos by Jonas Nordin]
To visit the Vietcong Pornsurfers store on Amazon – CLICK HERE
