Street Voice UK

I was introduced to Diablo Furs by Rich of Ignite / Speedowax records based in Birmingham. After hearing the debut album ‘Neon Satellites’ by the Diablo Furs I had to run an interview with this very cool Rock n Roll band. So I sent some questions off to them which were answered by Rich Furs.

Street Voice UK: First off who’s in the current line-up of Diablos Furs?

DF: OK so the Furs are Me, Suze, Danii, Kay and Becks. That’s the only Line up, the one that makes Sense, the one that if any one left would end us! It’s biologically a Five Brained Space Creature from some Far Off Galaxy!

Street Voice UK: First off who’s in the current line-up of Diablos Furs?

DF: We don’t Ask. We usually get offers. Its been good. We usually average around two a month, sometimes more but its getting more difficult with venues closing and folk not coming out & supporting unsigned acts unless its a 3 Day festival kind of thing! Its difficult to stay afloat as a band! Soooo easy to just go under it feels like a Fight – constantly a fight against all the bland crap and run of the mill bands. All the usual stuff people think is Punk or Rock or Students with black shirts & beards or the Latest acoustic heart felt emotional singer/songwriter or fat blokes with beards etc. Or Sunday Brunch Bands – nicely Safe and Regular. They wont piss on your Corn flakes! They like it stamped and labelled so they dont have to think too hard!

Street Voice UK: How has the punk scene taken to some of the members being trans / gender non conforming?

DF: Its been Fine with no trouble! Its a great community and a really good circuit to be on. Very genuine people who do it for a love of music. We’ve had no problems with peoples attitudes towards us.

Street Voice UK: Now I’ve listened to your debut album around a 100 times now I think it’s both brilliant and refreshing. How do you feel about the finished product?

DF: We’re very happy with it. There’s a few bits I’d change, nothing huge! I guess like most bands debut albums its the songs we’ve been playing for the last couple of years except for the title track which was written about a week before we recorded it. And mr Hedburg which was written last May. We did actually scrap a few songs that never came up to scratch -Loads Actually! We’re very strict with the writing. It has to be a Furs Song! It has to feel Right which can be frustrating at times. Most of the 20 plus other songs are on a bootleg CD “Flashes from the Neon Lighthouse”.

Street Voice UK: How did you and Rich from Speedowax come across each other?

DF: We were with Punk Fox for the first 3 Singles. Chris(Punk Fox Head Honcho) and Rich knew each other. Chris would mention going down to Speedowax to give Rich whatever Single he had on PF that Month so we knew he liked us. Me and Suze went to Brum for a day out and wondered in to the Oasis market, we saw rich’s shop and got talking to him and that’s when he offered us a single deal.

Street Voice UK: Where do you get the inspiration for your songs from?

DF: Usually from a title or hearing someone say something I think could be a song hook. I’ve always written lyrics and made up songs since i was 14 when i wanted to be in the Eagles, then the Ramones, then the Clash and then The Velvet Underground.

Street Voice UK: At this point what other releases have you available that our readers can check out?

DF: Most singles are on Discogs or 45 Cat or even E bay! We have none left! Our single sales paid for the album to be recorded which was cool.

Street Voice UK: I must say I’m rather love struck with your bassist so any chance of borrowing her from the Diablo Furs to strut them bass moves in my front room?

DF: I know she will perform at any time usually for A couple of drinks and some dirty meat! I guess you need to contact her and sort it!

Street Voice UK: Talking of your band name Diablo Furshow did you come up with the name?

DF: The name was me and Suze spending hours putting words together doing the Bowie Burroughs cut up method.’Diablo Scars & Diamonds’ was a song i had, Suze liked the Diablo bit and the “Furs” just came from The psychedelic Furs and the Velvet Underground’s “Venus In Furs”.

Street Voice UK: Aside from the debut album being released what other plans have you for 2020?

DF: I hope a 12″ EP in a few months with 4 new songs. We are writing them at this very moment at the Furs HQ. Then in rehearsal we spend a few hours jamming out riffs and ideas and mentally torturing each other until we have a tune!! Other than that just gig, write, live, drink and laugh. Try to Be Happy. Try to understand the wild fucked up times we exist in!

Street Voice UK: Anything you’d like to add?

DF: Cheers!

Thanks to Rich for answering the questions. To check out the ‘Neon Satellites’ album review please go HERE. To visit the band page please go HERE. Good luck with the album release and hope it all goes well for you all in 2020. Much love to you all x