More Punk Than You Zine:Hey guys, and Happy New Year!What's up?

Britt: All the best to you aswell ; just getting back into the odd rehearsal here and there and carrying on with some studio work.

You've recently released your 5th LP: "Bulletin". Could you tel me a little about it?

It captured the last 2-3 years for us and the departure of our old guitarist 'sic boy' sean who had been with us for 6 years. It is a political album as much it covers subjects such as ; suicide bombers; 'Honour' killings ;the lack of real left leadership in the U.K. ;potential nuclear catastrophe; African genocide and so on. We recorded the album in our own studio built up over the years .

You've been playing for almost 13 years. What do you think about the new bands?

Most new bands seem more interested in using punk as some sort of career move !! or a way of giving them some 'street credibility' . I've noticed a hell of a lot more middle class kids getting involved trying to create the iillusion that they come from the ghetto or something!!
On the flip side , other new bands want to be the new straight edge heroes , the clean cut 'positive' band . I dont really care , i just want bands with a real danger to them who could not give a fuck what anyone thinks.

 Birtt live at the Garage(London)
How is it staying DIY on this scene?(more and more labels and bands make this scene a joke)

We have no problem staying D.I.Y. , we like to make our own decisions and get sick of people telling us what to do and how to behave . Assert have our own label and our own studio and tend to book shows through small promotors ; we have had agents but they dont see us as the next new trend so have no real interest in pushing us onto tours We seriously have never sucked up to anyone and are well known to be stubborn and to make our own rules ; we dont follow the rules of the mainstream and we certainly dont follow the rules of 'the scene'.

Could you tell me what bands do you consider an influence in the band's sound and ethic?

A lot of the old anarcho bands had an influence in the political sense and bands that keep on going through the thick and thin are an influence . I dont really want to name names , you can probably work out all the bands we like .Problem is most of the bands dont really believe in what they sing about they are only in it for the money ! . The smaller bands who are still going after many years are more of an influence because they dont get paid hugh sums of money to play.

Compaired to most countries, the UK has a large punk scene. Can you tell me about the UK bands you've played with? Which did you enjoy most?
We have played with almost everyone but i suppose our favourites in the U.K. would be ; Swellbellys ; The Mingers ; Belligerent Decleration; Keyside Strike ,of the smaller bands . As for the bigger name bands we have played with probably all of those but they dont need to be named .

At one time, you stated "We are hardcore in the punk way, not in the metal way." What does hardcore punk mean to you?

In the very basic sense it means a faster more aggressive version of punk ; in the political sense ( for me) it means an anti - authoritarian approach , making your own rules but showing respect. It should be anti-corporate; counter- cultural; subversive and agitational and NOT some fashion parade. Above all it should be intelligent. Chugga chugga metal i find boring and pretty alien.

Anything about your plans for the future? A tour or an album?

Hopefully we will get around mainland Europe in August and the U.S. next year . We are currently finishing off our sixth studio album 'The unpalatable truth' and playing one or two ( at most) dates around the U.K.

Have you heard anything about the eastern Europe scene? Have you ever played there? How is the public compairing to the UK?

I know of scenes in Hungary ; Bulgaria; Serbia and so on . Assert played in Slovenia back in 1999' ;when i had a short spell singing for One Way System we played in Belgrade which i thought was a great place. The public were brilliant and the gigs were superb.

Thanks a lot for your time. Anything to add?

Assert are no bullshitters and we have had to work hard to survive overcoming many problems along the way including the death of drummer Chris Burleigh and bass player Johnny Sinister . We have no fear about standing up for what we believe in ; we will continue to do what WE want do do with a sound ethical and moral base. Thanks for the interview Mircea.

web: www.assertkickass.co.uk

thanks:Birtt(Assert) and Alex

Interview by:Mircea