One of the best British hardcore/crossover bands of all times is back with a new album after 6 years – and according to its founder, legendary guitarist Bones, Trader in Death (’87) finally found its successor. Fuck You And All You Stand For is not due to hit the stores in the UK until 7th June (and 13th July in North America), so we caught up with bassist Paul Hoddy to know more about the release as well as the band’s situation nowadays.

Fuck You And All You Stand For is the first album in 6 years. Why did it take so long?
I don't really know why it took so long, never even realised it was 6 years. This one took some time because we wanted to make this the best album we've ever done & I think that we did it!

Did you like the final results? How many days did it take to record and mix and master?
We are absolutely over the moon with the final results, I've not stopped playing the album. We did it in three sections over a 6 or 7 month period. Starting of with 4 songs, going into the studio & record them, then the next 4 & finallly the rest of them. In total it was about 6 or 7 days to record, mix & master.

Have you been playing new songs at gigs? How’s been the response?
We've only played ‘Enemy Within’ live I think up to now. Hopefully we will put a couple of the new ones in at Rebellion. The response is great!

How does the song writing process work nowadays? How long does it take to get one new song to be ready from scratch?
It varies from song to song, really. Sometimes we can have a song in as little as 3 hours. The main riff comes first then we work on a break & chorus. It's usually a case of all of us throwing ideas around & coming up with something that sounds great & everyone likes. Each band will tell you a different way, this is just the way Broken Bones have done it for a while now.

What have you been listening to lately?
I have recently been to the studio with Dogsflesh from Teeside, just as an observer & it sounds great, very UK82 style but with 21st Century digital recording. All the band listen to hardcore but it varies from day to day. I'm listening to the Big Lebowski soundtrack as I do this interview (laughs)!

Do you keep in touch with other bands that openly refer to Broken Bones as one of their influences, such as Slayer and Defiance, for example?
We have never really been in touch with any of those bands. We met James Hetfield once years ago and gave Slayer the Seeing Thru My Eyes singles at the Marquee when it was released. There is a band called Benediction who covered the above song on their latest album & I got to know the Bass player, Frank, in Birmingham. Nice guy and good band.

I saw on Waddy’s poster of the 6th November gig in Birmingham (with the UK Subs) that that’s gonna be Broken Bone’s last gig?! Explain.
Well, the thing is that it’s getting increasingly difficult to get Bones to do gigs as he has 2 young kids now & all his wife’s holidays get swallowed up with Discharge gigs so it doesn't leave many for Broken Bones. I don't think (hope) it's the last one. I will certainly try to still get gigs for the band.

You already mentioned the rebellion Festival. How important you think this festival is?
Yes, we are playing Rebellion this year and it’s a good festival because you can see so many bands over a weekend. It does have its downside though, when old bands reform just to get a big pay day that Rebellion can offer. They don't do because they feel they have a relevance any more, it's just pure and simple... money!

The lyrics of ‘Brainwashed’, from the new album, talk about how crazy and lawless Britain is to your eyes nowadays. One verse even says “anarchy’s at hand”. Are all (or any) members in the band (still) anarchists?
I still like to think my ideals are that of Anarchism but deep down I don't think it can work in this day and age. There is a quote from Errico Malatesta, the Italian anarchist: "And if today we fall without compromising, we can be sure of victory tomorrow".

We now have Cameron as the Prime Minister. Probably you agree that “it’s time for change”, but are you happy to see the Conservatives back to power? Who you think would be the best option for the UK right now and what issues would need to be taken as priority?
It is time for change but what are the other options? What is that saying? "Whoever you vote for, we are ungovernable". It's a difficult thing as I don't like any of the parties, really, but we have to have someone "running" the country – it doesn't mean I have to agree with any of them, though. The debt needs sorting without a doubt and I just hope that the Tories don't bring back foxhunting, which I can see them trying to do.

What do you make of the punk scene today?
It's still pretty healthy really with young bands coming through like Outlaw, old bands still going which Rebellion can be thanked for.

Do you think video games have as bad influence on people as the TV news? How bad is the UK mainstream media today as opposed to 20 years ago?
I suppose video games do have a bad influence on people, but I think if someone wants to go on a killing spree they would do it anyway, with or without the likes of Call Of Duty. It can be a form of escapism as long as you realise that it’s only a game. The media has changed a hell of a lot over the last 20 years. The internet has changed everything; you can get the news the second it's happening.

What are your plans for 2010?
World Domination! Well at least to get the new album heard by as many people as possible. We have distribution in the UK and Europe and also USA with MVD. Would love to do loads of gigs but with the situation that we're in that's difficult. This album is the best Broken Bones release by far and I would just like to see it do really well.

Denis Augusto