Interview

Anti Cimex Drummer On Legacy, Punk And Reunions

Metal as we know it owes a lot to punk and hardcore. After all, the key ingredients for thrash metal was punk, hardcore and the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Since it began in the United States, spearheaded by the likes of The Stooges, The Ramones, Death, Television and The New York Dolls, punk has gone global and it's no surprise that Sweden was able to create some superb bands such as Disfear and of course, Anti Cimex. So what was it that made the latter so respected and how did punk come about in the Scandinavian country? For answers to these questions and more, I spoke with Anti Cimex drummer "Charlie."

Diamond Oz: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. It's been twenty five years now since the release of "Scandinavian Jawbreaker". How has Anti Cimex resisted the temptation to reunite in this time, like so many of your peers have?

Charlie: Thank you for the interest in us! To reform you're supposed to be able to deliver. We couldn't do that. Lefty died and Jonsson was stuck in his addictions. And why reform something that was buggering you for some time? Nah, once dead youre supposed to stay dead. That is at least one thing we did properly! Still today we get offers to reunite, some involving quite impressive money offers, but no, we stay dead. Screw the corpse.

Oz: Most people outside of Sweden and Scandinavia have a very small knowledge about the country and its modern history. What circumstances led to you becoming a punk and to form the band?

Charlie: In 1976 we had a right wing government for the first time in 44 years. That's a perfect start for the punk movement! Add to that Thatcher, Breznev and Reagan and you have a perfect growing form for anti system, anti war and anti establishment songs. We had loads of inspiration and things to fight! Pretty much like the situation today! Expect a new wave of punk coming to a place near you in the next few years!

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