If you’ve had any passing interest in the filthier side of punk coming out of the U.K. for the last, I dunno, 30 or so years, chances are you’re familiar with a gentleman named Michael “Scoot” Gladok. He’s been a part of some of the most influential and important punk bands and records ever released, including Doom and Extinction of Mankind as well as a slew of others, most recently Retsu.
Late in 2022 Scoot teased a new project through his social media pages, something that would be familiar yet different from anything in his lengthy resume. Then, in the last moments of winter this year a demo, Never Trust a Tory, began streaming from Retsu’s Bandcamp. It held a lot of promise, equal parts speed and murk, a taste of what would come. A few months later that promise would be realized through Retsu’s self-titled debut LP. Nine tracks of crushing crusty hardcore with more than a few subtle nods to the gloomy stomp of Killing Joke.
The record is a fucking ripper from start to finish but if you’ll allow me some self-indulgence here, Side B of the vinyl is where it truly shines. The closest comparison that makes sense (to me, anyway) would be that Side B is crust’s answer to the second side of Black Flag’s My War. Just nonstop intensity that will stick with you for quite some time after the record is over, the sign of a proper earworm.
Scoot’s two most well-known endeavors, Doom and Extinction of Mankind, rank among two of my favorite bands ever, so it wasn’t a big leap of faith to expect Retsu would follow suit as an exceptional listen. I reached out to Scoot to see if he would humor me with an interview and this is what ensued.
Decibel: Why start another project?
Scoot: Why not? The truth is I miss touring, and I want to do a few more things before I get too old. I joined a lot of my fave bands in the ’90s; Doom, Hellkrusher, Extinction of Mankind. I did Alehammer in the 2000s but I just wanted to do something where I can play more.
Listening to the album you can instantly tell who’s on guitar, yet it doesn’t mirror any of your other projects-what (musically) influenced this one?
Thank you for that, that sincerely means a lot to me. I wasn’t aiming for crust or D-beat. I just wanted a hardcore punk band where all my influences since I was a kid came out. See which way it all went. Obviously with the others in the band that added a whole new shift and dynamic to it. When recording I purposely tried for a different sound rather than my “usual chug” I play in EOM. It’s everything that influenced me from Crass, Killing Joke, Broken Bones/Discharge, Motörhead, the Accüsed, etc. I didn’t want a gruff, death metal vocalist but someone with a good ol’ punk vibe.
Shed some light on the concepts of the band if you would, please. Is Beatrice the sole lyricist?
I made some bad choices, did some dumb stuff in life, hurt people who didn’t deserve it, and I drank it all out of sight until I was left with a whole heap of a dumb mess to sort out so Retsu became my catharsis and healing, putting things right the best I could—“Lessons in Self-Destruction.” I’ll be honest, I miss touring and EOM never toured enough for my liking and I respected that, but I am getting older and more frustrated. Since COVID, Doom ground to a halt for a multitude of reasons and I couldn’t see how I could get going again
What was my motivation? I went to see Yob when they toured, and Mike Scheidt really encouraged me to get something going again. I don’t know if he knew how much that pushed me into doing something positive with my life (but) Mike, if you are reading this, thank you brother with all my heart. I met Alex the drummer on the train after a gig he was with a mutual friend, and he was funny and cocky. Something adhered him to me and I said, “OK, come and jam ‘cause I wanna travel and so we met up occasionally.” Originally, I wanted various people I knew to help. I thought about Denis Doom singing but he was in Sweden and after 30 years I wanted to jam with local people again. Alex suggested local kids Bea and Sam—diehard 20-year-old old punk kids fighting for the cause, and they have enthusiasm (not old and jaded like me, ha-ha). I was the main writer then Alex wrote a couple of the songs and then Bea wrote a couple, too.
Why did the band choose to self-release the vinyl?
‘Cause I’m a bloody idiot who likes to be in debt! I just felt it was the right thing to do and was curious as to how far we can push this ourselves. In truth, my heart has always been with the DIY scene. I’m not against labels and if anyone came to me with a good offer, I would certainly consider it. We are getting a U.S. pressing through Blackwater Records in Portland by the way with a different layout. That’s hot off the press, an exclusive for you, ha-ha! The CD and tape was released by 783 Punx label.
If you had to describe Retsu in one word to someone completely unfamiliar, what would it be?
Ooooof, good question, mate… one word? Diverse.
Forgive me if I’m behind on current events, are you still involved in Doom? What’s going on with that band? Been ages since any recordings.
Truthfully, we just had enough of each other to some extent. I think the word they used was indefinite hold. Denis, who I still keep in touch with regularly lives in Sweden. Bri moved to Bristol. I don’t see or speak to Stick. My drinking became a part of the problem looking back if I am honest and add that to others sometimes being moody it doesn’t fair well eventually. I am always open to playing with Doom. I have been sober for quite a few months now and my focus and priorities are very different these days.
Moving on to Extinction of Mankind, seems there’s some movement there after a few quiet years?
Ste is a brother simple as that-the biggest nightmare and yet the biggest, kindest heart. After 32 years as a band and 26 years for me later this year life just gets in the way. Jim left when his job went to hell, he lives hundreds of miles away as did our drummer so we couldn’t jam. Now we have Jamie on bass and Goldy drumming who both live nearer so now we are more productive. I really felt Storm of Resentment would be the final LP but we have the motivation to do something more. As it happens Jamie can’t play a weekend; we’ve been offered in Greece in September so Jim is coming back to step in for that. Like Ste, Jim is family so the door is always open to him always.
Why so many projects over the years?
It doesn’t feel like it to me. It’s just what makes me happiest. Making a racket whilst the world falls apart.
Do you feel that punk (and underground music in general) is still as vital as it was 10, 20 years ago?
I’m trying to remember that far back, ha-ha. Underground music is and always will be vital as long as it is sincere and genuine. The scene has changed of course but the fundamentals are still pretty much the same. A community where you can be accepted no matter how weird you may seem. Where you want to escape the abuse from people who shun you for being different. It’s certainly vital to the younger generation here and now. It’s good to maybe try to pass the torch on as my peers did to me.
Retsu notwithstanding, what’s the one record you’ve been involved with that you would want played for someone as a representation of your life in music?
Whoosh, another hammer of a question—I can’t answer that! Alehammer “Mine’s a Pint of Crust” 10-inch. No, wait, Hellkrusher “Victims of Hate” 7-inch. No, wait! Doom Corrupt Fucking System. No, wait! Extinction of Mankind Storm of Resentment. Seriously, how do I choose? I owe something to all these bands.
What’s next?
Bath and bed, I’m knackered.
As Scoot said, the Retsu vinyl is available through the band directly and will see a U.S. pressing via Blackwater Records sometime later in the year. CD and cassette are available through 783 Punx. It’s one of the best punk records from across the pond in the last five years.
Contact Retsu here. And follow them on Bandcamp and Facebook.