Potential Victims are one of those bands that were quite prolifically gigging before this pandemic hit us. A very good live act, full of energy, tight as a badgers butt hole and producing some really catchy, sing-along tracks. Via the means of messenger and good old letter-writing, we have a catch up with them and delve deeper into their engine room and enter the world of Potential Victims...... Those present include-
LAST STOP: DLW. POT VICS: Dave Spibey - Vox/Guitar, Tony Whelan - Bass/Vox, Simon Millin - Drums/Vox, Martin Camilleri - Guitar/Vox
DLW: Firstly thanks guys for taking the time out to speak to us and it's so nice to receive a hand-written letter! So first question is when was the band formed and who started it?
POT VICS: The band was originally formed by Toz and Jak. Jak was the original frontman circa 81/82. There were several line up changes until late 1982 when Spibey, Lammy and Phil joined, that was when we got the heavier, much tighter sound, similar to what we have today. The band split (1984) then reformed in 2009 with the current line up and after half a dozen practices, we then hit the road and started gigging.
DLW: Okay, I assume all of you have played in bands before, if so... which bands?
POT VICS: After the 1984 split, Jak and Martin formed "Iron Fist", Toz stopped altogether. I (Dave Spibey) formed a Rock 'n' Roll outfit called "The Giro Brothers" with Lammy and Phil, we gigged for a few years but that soon fizzled out. I then went on to do covers in a cabaret covers band through the rest of the 80's and 90's. We hit the social club scene and playing support slots to the Bingo! I got bored with that and reformed Pot Vics in 2009, originally for a laugh and maybe the odd gig here and there. Now here we are, 11 years later!!
DLW: Where did the name come from?
POT VICS: I think it was a drunken conversation in the pub!
DLW: That's normally a good source for making up band names….
POT VICS: Yeah, I remember Maggie (Thatcher) and Reagan were at it, threat of nuclear war and all that. Made us potential victims, something like that haha!
DLW: For me, Potential Victims sound like a cross-over between Motorhead and Discharge. What other musical influences do you have and how would you describe your sound?
POT VICS: We get the Motorhead comparison all the time. They are a big influence. We always go for the two-guitar sound though. Makes a huge difference in power when playing live.
DLW: In the current scene, which bands are you listening to and do you draw inspiration from them?
POT VICS: Lots!! BillyClub, Unholy Alliance, Dischord, Awkwards, CSOD, Dead Objectives, Kingcrows, Vomit, Kickback Generation to name a few. There are so many great bands on the scene at the moment and most have become like family the last 10 years due to sharing stages with them.
DLW: How would you rate the current punk scene? Healthy or not?
POT VICS: It's very healthy. So many bands, good to still have some great promoters out there keeping it alive. It's gonna be hard now though with Covid-19. We've lost a few good venues sadly.
DLW: Who is the main song-writer or does everybody chip in?
POT VICS: I (Dave) usually come up with a riff and if everyone likes it, we then all chip in with ideas. Deffo a team effort.
DLW: Before the pandemic hit us, you guys were quite busy, what has been your worst and best gigs so far?
POT VICS: We've been very lucky really so far. we've had a few badly attended shows, not many though. Nice and Sleazy a few years back, we played the indoor stage at 1:30 in the afternoon and it was rammed, even though the sun was shining outside. Played Rebellion from 2010 to 2015, they were ace. I would have to say that Punktoberfest in Dundee has to be our favourite yearly outing, played there for the last 7 years in a row, it's brilliant.
DLW: Have you ever ventured abroad and played Europe?
POT VICS: Unfortunately no, not yet anyway but we are looking into doing it. Maybe a joint tour with another band.
DLW: Bit of a joke question, if you were all wrestlers, what would be known as?
POT VICS: Toz would be The Silent Assassin, not sure about the rest of us.
DLW: What would you say is your favourite Pot Vic tracks?
POT VIC: Simon's would have to be 'Screen Burn' because it's fast, the rest of us all like 'Chewing Gum For The Brain'. Some of the new stuff is pretty good, one in particular called 'Bored With The Classics' might ruffle a few feathers but who cares, it's punk innit?
DLW: Do you guys prefer studio work or gigging?
POT VICS: Dave and Martin prefer gigging. The first day or two in studio is fine but the waiting around gets a bit boring when you can't wait to hear the end results! So playing live is the winner!!
DLW: Apart from your self-titled album, do you have any other recorded material and do you have plans to get back in the studio?
POT VICS: Yeah we recorded two albums before the self-titled one. The first one was recorded live in a rehearsal room, it was mostly old songs from the 80's and a couple of newer ones, the album was called 'Let The Eat Soap', a not to lying politicians. Then we recorded 'Chewing Gum For The Brain', a 6 track EP. It was badly mixed and we lost the USB Drive so we stopped selling it. Potential Victims appeared on one of the Bullshit Detector albums, a very early line-up, long before this line-up.
D
LW: I never knew you were on Bullshit Detector! I'll have to check that out!
POT VICS: Yeah, currently we're just polishing off some new stuff for a brand new 6 track EP and hopefully we'll be back in the studio very soon.
DLW: Once this pandemic fucks off, what's in the pipeline for Potential Victims?
POT VICS: Hopefully get back to gigging regular again. Most of this years gigs have been re-scheduled for 2021. In the meantime we have been jamming new stuff and working on ideas. The band has definitely evolved these last 10 years. It keeps it all fresh, it's great fun.
DLW: Who is the biggest pain in the arse or do you all get along swimmingly?
POT VICS: Simon's the biggest pain in the arse, much as we love him, usually after plying a gig, he used to get really shit-faced and it was fucking hard work. Him and Martin are like an old married couple, the banter and pranks between them are hilarious. Generally we are a tight team and one big happy family.
DLW: If you were interviewing Potential Victims, what question would you ask them?
POT VICS: Aren't you a bit long in the tooth and what keeps you going?
DLW: Finally, anything you would like to add?
POT VICS: Just a massive thank you to all our punk rock family for all your ongoing support, we love you you, you lovely lot! Also cheers to Last Stop Sounds for the interview and forthcoming CD review.
DLW: You're welcome and yes, the CD will be reviewed soon and thanks for the patch! Take care guys and best of luck. Stay safe.
Words: DLW, Photos: RBY, Potential Victims.
Bandcamp (Pumpkin Records): https://pumpkinrecords.bandcamp.com/track/even-the-score