Die Streetpunkband Albert Fish kommt aus Lissabon und existiert seit 1995. Ihr neuestes Werk nennt sich „City Rats“ und erschien in Deutschland bei Bandworm Records. Das Pressure Magazine traf den Bassisten der Band und hat ihm einige Fragen gestellt.
Hey Rattus, Albert Fish exists since 1995. What has changed in 17 years band history?
Rattus: Well, since 1995 our main changes were in line-up changes, especially with guitar players. We saw a lot of changes, not only in the band, but also in our scene. Many people coming and going and well, we still here! When we start basically there was no Punk Rock scene in Portugal. Our scene was dominated by Hardcore bands and Crust bands, so we had to build our own Punk Rock scene with our friends. It was difficult but we built a story that we´re proud of it.
You´ve releases with „Strongly Recommended“ and „News From The Front“ two albums in 17 years. How has your sound developed or changed?
Rattus: Beside the two albuns we also have two split cds, several 7″s and a lot of participations in compilations. Obviously our sound developed in 17 years, being more mature and complex. I think the biggest diference is in the guitar work, maybe „News From The Front“ is a little more Hardcore, but we´re now back to our Streetpunk and Punk-Rock roots.
You are from Lissabon, how is the streetpunk/punkrock scene there?
Rattus: The Streetpunk/Punk Rock scene is very small, not only in Lisbon, but in all country. Also nowadays is more divided that some years ago. But we have some good bands anyway like Decreto 77, Facção Opposta, Vira Lata, Asfixia, Acromaníacos and many more.
In the band history you were on tour in Spain, Netherlands, Hungary, Italia or Germany. To which concert you remember best?
Rattus: In all that countrys we had good concerts, nice memories and made good friends. In Hungary we had some of our best gigs, but our best tour was definetly in Brasil with Garotos Podres (with we also did a split CD). Garotos Podres are a legend in Brasil and all South America, so it was a really big and organized tour with fantastic and sold out concerts. Also our tour with Varukers was very cool. In Germany we had a funny story in Berlin, where we had a fight with some junkies in our concert. After that we stayed with some friends from The Shocks. Also a good time in Köln and Schweinfurt.
In 2011 you have recorded a split-CD with „Blind Alley Dogs“. How did the collaboration? You know her for some time?
Rattus: Me and Nuno from Blind Alley Dogs were friends for some time and we were organizing a Albert Fish/Blind Alley Dogs tour by Portugal. With the tour comes the idea of the split. Blind Alley Dogs had a unreleased demo and Albert Fish a lot of songs from sold out 7″s and some unreleased songs (so it was like a compilation of rarities for us). It was a pleasure to release that split because i really love Blind Alley Dogs, they are a great band and great friends; the portuguese Cockney Rejects!
In Germany you´ve released the 7″ EP „City rats“. Tell us something about it.
Rattus: „City Rats“ is our more recent work with 4 new songs.
The song „City Rats“ is about how we are like rats that survive to sick society and politics.
„Stand By You“ is about friendship and unity.
„Rotten Love“ (with Suspiria Franklyn from Les Baton Rouge as special guest on vocals) is about domestic violence.
„Do It All Again“ (with a video coming soon) is about growing and learning with our own mistakes.
The cover art is from Nuno Saraiva (well known and top portuguese artist) and artwork from our friend Filipe (Artattack Design). Was released in Germany by Bandworm Records and Oi! Shop, and Portugal by Zerowork Records.
CD-Review jetzt lesen: Albert Fish – City Rats
Now, in 2012, your new split with Klasse Kriminale will be released, also on Bandworm Records. How did the collaboration with the italian punkrock-band Klasse Kriminale?
Rattus: Some years ago we played together in Portugal and we stayed in tune. At the time we talked about doing a split 7″ but we lost contact for some time and both bands were occupied with releases and tours. Last year i contacted again Marco and finally we decided to do the split 7″. It´s a honour for us since Klasse Kriminale is a real legend in the Italian and worldwide Streetpunk scene.
What can we expect on the split-ep?
Rattus: Albert Fish will have a unreleased song and another one from „News From The Front“ album for the first time in vinyl. Klasse Kriminale take two songs from the hard to find „Strenght and Unity“ album (only released in Italy) also for the first time in vinyl. The artwork is really killer with some surprises. Will be limitated and hand numbered to 250 copies in colored vinyl. It will be a collectable item!
What are your plans to the future?
Rattus: We´re preparing a split 7″ with Post Mortem from Galicia and a new Albert Fish 7″ EP. After that we´re going to release a CD compilating the last 7″s. We also have some invitations to tour Brasil again and Europe, but is getting more dificult to sincronize all the members hollidays and personal lifes. Let´s see what we can do.
Thank you very much, the last word belongs to you!
Rattus: Thank you very much for this interview, all the best to Pressure Magazine. Best regards to all our friends in Germany in special to Mark from Bandworm Records!
Interview von Florian Puschke im März 2012
