Chumbawamba consist of 8 individuals who live communally , sharing space, money and food in a large house in Leeds. A friendlier, more helpful bunch of people you could not wish to meet! As a band they have very high principles, living vegan pacifist lifestyles and are involved in many political actions that take place in their area - squatting, hunt saboteurs, "stop the city"protests, etc. the band hope to make their first record soon, which will be independently financed and distributed. Meanwhile, their gigs are currently among the most interesting to watch because they utilise a variety of props/costumes which amplify the important message contained in their lyrics on stage. this interview was conducted by Paul and Dig prior to the band playing in Nottingham on 14 June 1984.

Q: Why have you produced booklets attacking John Lennon and his record company EMI?

CW: EMI set John Lennon up as a kind of token peace protestor, when in fact EMI make bombs and weapons systems
CW: It's the biggest paradox. Everyone knows "Give Peace a Chance", it would be nice if people also knew that everytime they bought that record they put money into armaments manufacture.
CW: Another thing with John Lennon: His "Imagine" video, even though the lyrics are great - kind of anarchist - the film cost hundreds of pounds to make, is set in a huge mansion, with him wearing fur coats and playing a massive grand piano. It's ridiculous. "Imagine no possessions" it says in the song, but on the other hand it's good he's at least getting it over to people
CW: Same with the film "Gandhi" - made by EMI films, shown at EMI cinemas

Q: Would you ever consider perhaps selling out to the record biz for one single?

CW: No, never. That's what they all do, like the Clash did

CW: I think that people who take that attitude water whatever they're saying down and dirty their hands so much, it makes all they say nul and void
CW: At the moment I don't think Chumbawamba are prepared to do anything record or music wise because we're meant to do it as a band. Everything we do is to reach people, make them aware and to say something
CW:I'm really into records as long as they're used to reach people, to say something. What usually happens is that even the bands that want to reach people usually decide to make a record before they've consciously decided what they're gonna say

Q: What's happening with the record you are planning?

CW: Hopefully, we're trying to get up the backs of Thorn-EMI, expose the hypocrisy of everything they get up to and do it to such an extent that they actually notice it. They're so big and involved in so many things that people don't know - one of their subsidiaries is the HMV records shops - lots of people go to them and buy independent records without thinking

Q:So you're trying to make people more aware of the consequences of their actions?

CW: Yeah, even simply buying a record
CW: And it's not just EMI We use them because they're an obvious example but it applies to all big record companies. EMI have companies in the US too, Capitol, I think and others

Q: How can people get information like this, to find out for themselves what companies are involved in?

CW: One way is to write to the companies - pretend you are a student doing a project - write asking for information about weapons developments or their involvement in the Falklands War. They think it's great, they'll send you lots of glossy brochures and everything
CW: Dunst once wrote to EMI and they wrote back offering him a job!!
CW: Yeah, I think they guessed I was just after information. I'd wrote a joke name or something. They wrote back saying "We've accepted your application for a job, please arrive a suchansuch time and place..."
CW: They were probably going to blow you up!