RBY: Introduce yourself, who are you, what are your musical and charity connections, background and the like?
Eagle: Hi, my name is Eagle Spits. I have been a punk for 43 years. I am a punk poet and currently
Vocalist and song writer in Activistas. I have been in several bands but can't play anything.
I set up Punk 4 The Homeless (known as P4TH) 10 years ago. In non Covid times we put on at least 2 gigs a month. One being at The Sumac , an anarchist/vegan centre in Nottingham. The other being The Bay Horse in Sheffield. Although we tend to do the odd gig up and down the country as well. The proceeds we make have, until last year, gone to help Compass Children Charity for their work with street children in Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Last year we got involved with a 74 girl orphanage (HOPE Orphanage) in Sierra Leone. I have been promoting gigs for over 30 years. Alongside this we bring out compilation CD's and sell a wide range of P4TH merch.
And do a vegan meal at most of our gigs!
We also have an online radio show and have just brought out our first zine
RBY: What started P4TH off then? Did it already exist, were you part of the start up?
Eagle: The idea for P4TH came from a few different angles. Firstly I am a bit of an anomaly in the punk scene. I am a Christian Anarchist. So its part of looking after "the least” of these. though not all members of P4Th share my beliefs.
Secondly my 2nd wife’s son (I am currently married to my soul mate who shares my passion for loving the marginalised) went as a volunteer with Casa Alianza Uk (now Compass) to help street children in Guatemala. His first job was to arrange a funeral for 2 children who had been murdered. Street children are often murdered by the police. That's why P4TH logo is "Stopping Cops Killing Kids Is Punk Rock". I arranged festivals for Casa Alianza UK in 2003, 2004 called "Doing It 4 The Kids". These were a pre-runner to P4TH.
Unfortunately I was seriously ill between 2004 & 2009 so these were my fallow years. My involvement with the homeless and punk rock probably started in 92 when I put The Blaggers ITA on for Shelter at an open air swimming pool in Peterborough.
I basically set P4TH up by myself but others have joined forces over the years.
RBY: Can you tell me about he fanzine so what are the details and how do you get one?
Eagle: The zine is a joint Zine between Punk 4 The Homeless and Gadgie Zine. It basically covers the first 10 years of P4TH with interviews with bands etc who have supported us over the years.
2020 is our 10th year anniversary. Its availably by messaging either Punk 4 The Homeless or Gadgie Zine on FB. Its £3.50 inc p&p. I am hoping it is the first of others
paypal punk4thehomeless@gmail.com or paypal.me/punk4thehomeless
Street children need all the help they can get
RBY: The name - Eagle - Eagle Spits - any story behind it?
Eagle: My surname is Eagling so I've been called Eagle for years. In the early days my punk poetry was really venomous which earned me the nickname of Eagle Spits. It stuck and I adopted it. Still sums up my poetry sets at times!
RBY: Can you tell me about more about the poetry?
Eagle: I have one book out. Self released. one CD through a small DIY punk label in the States. And I set up a group of poets called "The Reprobate Poets" we have an anthology coming our real soon. I do the odd poetry gig still but the poetry has taken second seat to the band for the past couple of years
RBY: Who are the Activistas?
Eagle: Activistas just finished recording our first album before lockdown. It will be out soon. We also have tracks on a handful of comps
The last thing I would like to say is, if anyone would like to get involved then please feel free to message us. we are not a closed shop. We are 100% DIY and every penny goes where it is needed. Thank you for the interview mate.
RBY: Thank you Eagle.
Words: RBY, Images: Eagle Media
P4TH Bandcamp: https://punk4thehomeless.bandcamp.com/
P4TH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/punk4thehomeless
P4TH Web: https://www.punk4thehomeless.com/
Activistas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACTIVISTAS2018
Activistas Bandcamp: https://activistas.bandcamp.com/releases
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