Sophie Sparham catches up with Kevin Nixon, drummer with Derbyshire punk band Anti-Pasti.
IN 1981, Anti-Pasti shocked the world with their aggressive and provocative debut album The Last Call.
Now, after a few small reunions, Anti-Pasti are back with a new line-up and a new album but are staying true to their original politics.
The last time Pasti reformed was in 1995 for just nine months, so what made them want to get back together now? Well, believe it or not, a house-warming party.
"We had often had quite lucrative offers to get things back together but none of us either had the time or the inclination," says Kevin.
"It was only when Martin Roper and I got talking about it over a few drinks at my house-warming that things started to develop. I even called him back the next day to check if he was joking.
"Not all of the original successful line-up were in a position to be involved and Ben Hanson was suggested to play bass guitar.
"We already knew him and he's brought his own distinct style and songwriting skills to the band.
"However, despite the exciting reunion, Martin was unable to continue with the band and Gez Addictive joined as the new lead singer, fitting into the band perfectly.
" No auditions or anything conceited like that ... we heard his voice and attitude and we were convinced that we could work together.
"Gez is a very musical person who brings his own brand of creativity to the band. His anger and approach are vital to the band moving on."
This year, the band have already embarked on an impressive amount of festivals, including Wicker Man in Scotland and Pod Parou, a punk festival in the Czech Republic.
It seems that getting to Pod Parou, was pretty treacherous, though.
Kevin says: "After a flight delay of almost three hours, we travelled via mini-bus to the festival, arrived in a monsoon and then decanted into a couple of 4x4 vehicles which promptly sped half a mile down a hill sideways at 50km an hour to the stage. Now that's how to arrive!
"We took the stage at 1am and, in the morning, our hotel was like punk rock central.
"The Buzzcocks and many other bands from all over world were all shacked up together."
Despite their new line-up, the band's politics haven't changed. Their new album touches on injustice, politicians, mental health and war imagery.
Kevin says: "Every song we have ever written is a protest song or at least a set of words which highlight something that concerns us and nothing's changed. Some of our old lyrics are still pertinent today."
However, the actual musical talent of the band has developed.
"Nowadays, we all understand music and how it is created a lot better," says Kevin.
"It's a great privilege to write new music with Ben's brilliant songwriting skills and Ollie's rock and roll guitar.
"Gez's input is the icing on the cake. Four creative people, one band. It's great to have an input from all quarters."
With the new album aiming to be completed by the end of the year and many more gigs lined up, including a date in Milan and Berlin on New Year's Eve, it's fair to say that Anti-Pasti are back and back in style.
