Interview: CARAVANS

June 2006

They were one of the best british Neo-Rockabilly band in the 80's, The CARAVANS is a band who has kept on playing over all these years. They're back, with no merci, with a new explosive album, out on Drunkabilly Rcds. Interview with Caravans' frontman, Marc Penington.

If you want to read more about the CARAVANS, check these pages:
www.myspace.com/thecaravans and www.purevolume.com/thecaravans

1/ Could you make a short historic of the band?

" Caravans were formed in Southsea back in 1983 and have been touring and recording for the best part of 22 / 23 years, included regularly on the bill at the famed Klubfoot in the early days, the band find themselves equally at home in front of Rockabilly / Psychobilly audiences and often general nu music listeners everywhere they go. Trying not to attract any kind of music business tag they play shows in there home town featuring bands across all genres. Abroad they are still touring Europe & recently the States have opened up new doors for them.

Their music has evolved over the years from what was once hard hitting but melodic up tempo neo Rockabilly to these days a harder and very up to date sound drawing influence from the likes of NOFX, RANCID and to a large extent the Irish r n r punk of FLOGGING MOLLY

So if you like your music a melting pot of everything thats punk and rnr these are your guys. "

[text from from Wallace Eugene Punque - www.purevolume.com/thecaravans - 2006]

2/ Do you know what the ex-members of the band became?

Rob Taylor went to teacher training colledge when he left... Brian Gillman formed The Elevators... Darren went back to work in a factory... Rich Caso his own Business selling office space... Jonny Bowler went to the States and is playing in a few bands there... Simon Grey continued his good work with The Lovelies... Gary Day went back with Morressey... Sean Goan back to his familly business

3/ What is the current line-up?

Paul Lambourne on Bass... Lee Barnett on Drums... Myself  Lead guitar and vocals...

4/ A part of the CARAVANS, you played with some different bands. Which ones?

Guana Batz, Pharoahs, Racketeers, Number Nine, Mark Lee Allens Driver Bro's

5/ Talking about "No Merci", your new CD out on Drunkabilly Rcds. It sounds much more harder than your previous releases...

I think we are moving into a different climate musically now there doesn't seem to be the segregatio there was back in the eighties...More kids are listening to all genres rather than just being into one thing. I've always been influenced by music outside our style and I think that develops.

6/ There are a lot of different influences on this album: Billy, Punk and even Metal in some rhythms. How'd you describe your sound?

Nu Rockabilly....

7/ What are your lyrics about?

Peoples attitude's... Peoples missgivings... Girls... Sex,  Drugs, wether or not you are pro or anti... It's just about them... Horror, pain...

8/ Considering you're in the circuit for a long time now, what would you say about the Psychobilly scene in 2006?

It's developing all the time and that's healthy... A lot of younger people are getting into it now. That can only be good for the scene...

9/ Why did you decide to leave the doublebass for the guitar?

Long story see myspace biog

10/ Have you got some plans to come amd play oversea (in America/Canada)?

we'd love to come over... Just need to find the right promoter....

11/ Last words...

Thanks for your interest in the band... Hope you enjoy the new album & Keep the faith.