Anthony “Rat” Martin / Varukers: My mother says I have a voice like an angel.

The cult punk locomotive Varukers has gained more steam and with

a fresh line-up, which by the way this time includes also guitarist Nick Wynch (English Dogs, Mau Maus) they have visited Bratislava again on their current European tour.

In Feburary the band played it´s first gig with the new line-up. How is it going? You also mentioned on your social media that the new music is slowly being made. Can people expect the new Varukers record this very year?

Yes, the gig in February with the new line up went well. We just did our second one yesterday, another good one under our belt. Next up is Bratislava at Randal club on Thursday 18th April, then Vienna, Budapest, then Pula. Our first time abroad with new line up is gonna be fun, and as well as getting ready to go out and do the gigs. We are also writing some new material , I am hoping there will be new Varukers record of some sort in 2026 (we have a lot of tours booked this year).

For your band it´s not the first time here in Bratislava. In the year 2000 you played an outdoor gig at a DIY place at the garages under the Harbor Bridge. I know it´s quite a while, but can you somehow remember how was the atmosphere that night and all that experience and your impression when you came to that place?

Yes, I remember it sort of very drunk on absinth , but thought it was great. In UK we only played football around garages, not live gigs. Well done for whoever organized it and thanks to all of those that came to watch, hope some turn up at latest gig.

At the time the band was founded in 1979, punk music started heading towards more aggressive sound, lyrically and musically. Was the inspiration for this transformation, at least for your band, the fact that your country started to undergo certain political changes with combination of knowing that the classical approach wasn´t reflective enough for you?

Well, obviously hearing the early 70s punk got us excited and wanted to part of that you know. Being 17 and an impressionable teenager , then started hearing Exploited, Crass (yes see could be into both bands at once ) and early Discharge. Of course the music and the atmosphere as regards the political situation not just in UK but around the world really things needed to be more aggressive in style and attitude. It just came natural to us.

Being a singer in a hardcore punk band for over four decades definitely leaves some marks on the vocal cords. How do you feel after all these years on the microphone and how do you maintain the health so you can go on with much needed intensity?

What you trying to say my mother says I have a voice like an angel (yeah, angel of death ). Well obviously as with all getting older need to look after yourself a bit more so far I have never had much of a problem doing what I do for so long , so may that continue for years and years to come.

How was it being a young punk rocker at the times this genre was thriving at the place you´re coming from? How was the approach to the movement in Leamington Spa by the local environement when you compare it to bigger cities in UK?

For a small town of Leamington Spa there was a good thriving music scene.

Earlier bands were Headmasters, The Shapes and a band called Flack Off , later on we had obviously Varukers , Depraved and a band called Bad Beach. We had

a couple of early venues that regularly put on punk bands. The pub The Stonley Arms, The Crown and we also had a community center called Bath Place (all have gone now).

When you took over on vocal duties in Discharge in the 2000s, why Cal, at that time, wasn´t willing to take part in touring again and promoting the new record?

I have no idea why Cal didn't want to tour, the band had just written and recorded the album called “Discharge”, which in case people haven't heard, it was a great album. So as the rest of the band members, Tez, Rainy and Bones had put in so much work, they wanted to go out on the road so I got put forward for the position and got it , had one practice in Stoke on Trent, all three went “yep” so that was that really. Did it for some years.

Why´d you left the band in 2014 before JJ became the singer?

I have never really had a proper answer why I was replaced (not left ) by JJ , but hey, he has been doing it a while now and seems to be doing a great job. I have more than enough to keep me busy with both Varukers and my other band I sing for The Vile (check it out ). The Vile are recording a new album called “How the Mighty Fall” in a few months so look out for a release of that, you will not be disappointed.

What´s the new music that you like these days? Can you recommend some new bands that you like?

I like to listen to a lot of the older stuff especially when I find things I missed at the time. Lets not forget there was a lot of records released around the 80s difficult to keep up with. And some new bands to check out: Face Up, Sods Law and The Hate. Go check them out. Oh and don't forget to check out The Vile.