SCUM
from One Solution #4, 1985. Interview with Georges Pearson, guitarist for Montreal band SCUM
OS: How long has SCUM been alive?
GP: Alive? I don't know, but SCUM was "born" in 1980 (the present line up since March 1983).
OS: Is it true that the majority of your songs deal with the police? GP: No, even though the anti-police feeling in the band is pretty strong (as felt in the choosing of our band's name). We feel there are a lot of things that need covering.
OS: Don't you think that after a while, too many anti-cop songs get a bit dull?
GP: Yes, if the songs haven't got some sort of root. What I mean is when I hear a song that goes "I hate cops, they're assholes, fuck them," frankly I don't care for someone's egotistical hate (but my own) against cops. But if a song analyses that hate with a degree of facts and psychology, and in turn mixes with my own ideas of why I hate cops and makes me go "Yeah, that's why I hate cops," then the feeling is mutual and I think it's a good song. I think you've got to know why you hate cops. Hating cops is not "cool" ... it's like taking a crap; it's essential for survival. Our "cop song" title "So Much Hate" is a gut song that analyses cops as (dare I say it) human beings (ooch). It pretty much says how cops are unwittingly the puppets of the government who can exploit their values (usually violent, prejudiced and authoritarian) to do their dirty work for them. The song doesn't say this in as many words but that's what I was feeling when I wrote it. We mention the police in "Exit Death" but from the point of view of law. These two examples are (I think) the only times the "men in blue" are mentioned. Sheesh! Talk about getting carried away.
OS: What's the Montreal like?
GP: Unexciting for a couple of months. No great gigs (I missed the DK's, I'm a snob). Local bands (all) went into the joyous realm of "limbo," most have returned (SCUM was among them. But aha! A compilation of MTL bands is out, and should prove interesting (our tape arrived too late... so no SCUM is on it). Personally, I think it will pick up in the winter (there's nothing like thrashing to keep the old body warm, besides, ain't much skate-boarding gonna be done).
OS: What stuff do you have recorded?
GP: A simple 3 song demo which includes: the all time favourite--No Hope Religion, the heart warming--So Much Hate, and who can forget Exit Death.
OS: When's a record coming out?
GP: When the bank account says so, and so far it says sometime this winter. Hope it's not lying.
OS: Do any of the members of SCUM fish?
GP: Yes, after the green rolls in when our record hits the stands, we're all going to the Caribbean on Anthony's 30 footer and catch a couple of those big babies and dye my running shoes red in the process. No! No! But if the question was eat fish? Yes, 'cept Anthony. Sorry Charlie!
OS: Any closing comments?
GP: Do you fish? No! No! I had a lot of fun doing this interview. Good luck with your zine.
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