NWOBHM Band Feature & Interview:

With just one 7" Single and one compilation appearance, Soldier may not had an huge output back in the days of the NWOBHM even they had a fanclub called "Soldier Stormtroopers" in the Netherlands. And it is strange that the three songs on those vinyls didn´t help to make this band more popular as songs were strong and highly recommended by NWOBHM-fans today. Their style was mid-tempo hardrock/metal with rough vocals, the way NWOBHM-fans like it. A full record called "Infantrycide" was planned but it didn´t see the light of the day back then. Meanwhile most of the material was recorded as the band did an reunion. We talked to Garry Philips about the NWOBHM and his band SOLDIER:

 
 

 

When did you realize that there was a movement called NWOBHM going on in Great Britain?

 We had read a lot about NWOBHM in magazines like Sounds and Kerrang but it seemed to be a name given to the more major bands like Maiden and Priest I don�t think we ever thought of ourselves being part of it until later when journalists and those �in the know� started to refer to us and the NWOBHM movement.

Do you think that all the self-produced vinyls and all the independent companies like Neat, Guardian, HM Records or Ebony were a result of the punk scene?

Most definatley! Part of the punk thing was to reject all the big money men and bring music back to the street, big record companies just wanted to make money and were not bothered about the material as such, so the indie label was born. This got the music to the people who wanted it and usually at the right price.

What was the NWOBHM for you when you look back: A movement, a scene or a style?

NWOBHM was a movement as in the progression of rock music but I suppose it was a bit of all three, there was defiantly a scene and style associated with it like all the spandex, tight trousers and denim and leather. There were lots of rock clubs opening up all over Britain and most pubs had a "Rock Night" usually Mondays traditionally a "Quiet Night".

What was the reason for you to start a band?

Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll! Not in any particular order. LOL!

Which was the most important medium during the NWOBHM: The press, radio (BBC) or word-of-mouth?

I think the press were most important mags like Kerrang took it up with enthusiasm, journalists like Geoff Barton, Malcome Dome seemed to make it their business to get as many bands as possible in to the press but they would rarely travel away from London so to get heard you had to play in the Capital. It still seems to be like that now.

Why do you think did the NWOBHM die in the mid-eighties?

Like I mentioned earlier its all to do with progression, Rock Music is Rock Music whatever label you put on it, Its the labels that start the fashion but take away the label and I think you will find the music is basically the same there are some technological differences but its really just the same

 Why is there such a big collectors scene in 2003 and why is there still such a big interest in the old days?

Rock music is part of a lot of Lifestyles, Bikers, Hippie, Goths, whatever and people that live these lifestyles like to keep in touch with thier particular period of involvement, I have lots of early 70s stuff because that is when I first became a biker and got into rock music in a big way, my wife has lots of 80s punk and Goth stuff but we still buy new material and enjoy listening to the bands my kids are into. It gets loud in my house quite often!!!

Are you still active and if not what do the members of your band do now?

Yes Soldier have recently got back together although none of us do it as a full time job, we all have �Proper jobs� lol  we are doing it for the fun and enjoyment it brings to us and the fans of NWOBHM!!!

 KEEP THE FAITH!

GAZ-P

 

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