Interview with U.S. of Oi Sweden (2013)

Bernando: Hi Eric. First of all thanks for taking the time to answer a couple and sending in the latest demo (which sounds great by the way in all it's DIY awesomenes). Could you please introduce the band and it's current line-up for those who are new.
Eric: The line-up for Wellington Arms is Paul Sicilian on lead guitar, Kev M on Bass, Nate Woodell on drums, and this line-up has been consistent for a little over a year now. So far I think it's the best line-up we have had because as a band we can pretty much travel anywhere in the states to do a gig over a weekend , and we sound the best considering the dual guitars, and back-up vocals, but the only problem thou is we haven't had a proper chance to record anything in an state-of-the-art studio to really demonstrate the value of our band. For instance the Stahlhelme demo is pretty good, but we only had an hour to record the frame-work starting at 9pm on a week night when we all had work the next morning, and Nate just got done working a 12 hour shift, and was way too exhausted to be there in my opinion, and he also thought the same so... We want a studio where we can jam for about 8 hours straight, and we haven't had that chance yet, but that may change come late summer, and I hope it does because we go some serious material to put out there for ya guys.
Bernando: Any chance of getting this Stahlhelme demo on vinyl in the future? Or perhaps even a full-length coming up?

Eric: I doubt it because any investment that would be made would have to be a full length LP at this point, and I think any record label would agree. A full length album is our goal right now ha. Speaking of demo's thou WAR Records contacted me, and said that they will produce the original 4-track demo Living in Amerika from 2008, and as far as I heard it may be available by August. I'll keep ya posted on that for sure. As far as the Stahlhelm demo goes maybe we can release it on vinyl at a later date, but until then the CDR's I'm producing are pretty cool looking in my opinion, and most people will dig them.

Bernando: Speaking of demo's I remember seeing a CD with WA called Demo's 2008-2011 being released by some label called Working Class Skins last year. Since I have never heard you mentioning it before and never even heard of the label i must ask, is this a bootleg or a proper release?
Eric: It's an authorized bootleg from Germany ha. I don't mind people bootlegging our demos and all that, but a full-length release would be different of course, but till then burn and record away.

Bernando: Could you please explain what the whole "Spanish Arms" thing was all about? You traveled down to Spain for some time and joined forces with the Glory Boys if i recall correctly. Why and can we see any simulair co-operations in the future? (By the way what songs where recorded down there?)
Eric: Yeah we joined forces in April of 2010 and ah man Spain was a blast, and we do have some live practice recordings of the set-list I'll put out there one day. The trax we did were: Living in America, Today Chicago tomorrow the world, Boredom's a drag, Were young, International lover, I can't take anymore, Bringing you down. Drove me insane, and Government action. There may have been a few more, but I can't remember at the moment. When I sang with the Glory boys at the end of their set we covered Friday night by Skrewdriver, and Disorderly conduct by Arresting officers, and that was killer too. I would love to play with those guys again, but the line-up I have now is pretty legit so it won't be the same if we went over there except Vega on bass of course.
Bernando: Your sound has a heavy 77-feeling to it and i know that Skrewdriver is a big influence. What other bands has had an impact on either the sound or the lyrics?
Eric: Well that's good then. Brutal Attack has always been a big influence on me too, but bands at the moment, and probably bands that influenced me also are: Hand of Doom, Black Sabbath, Pink turns blue, The Knots, Queen, Booze boys, Slaughter and the dogs, Bad Manners, Eater, George Thorogood, Iron Maiden,Crucifixion, Meat Loaf (Guess where) and early Ministry.
As far as lyrics go it all comes natural really when I hit the strings of the guitar, and sing about whats on the mind if anything. It's a Chicago blues thing ya dig?
O' Damn, and don't forget Bob Seger, and Springsteen haha
Bernando: How is the scene in Chi-town today? Any bands one should check out, stay away from etc. How is the scene in large over there as far as gigs and "unity" goes?
Eric: Ha, O' joy... I suppose its fine, and dandy if ya side with the left-wing, but for few of us rocking out for patriotism, and rebellion it's not. The scene itself is pretty good thou if not great when it comes down to gigs these days, but I much preferred it when the music scene was low-key, because the whole punk, and skin unity made more sense when we drank together in flats, and in the street rather then in venues that clearly rip us off. It was really cool to meet people, and although there was violence, it was usually a fair fight with a drink in the end compared to the "Safety in numbers" routine being practiced today by cowards. I miss the subterranean gigs, and all of that, but now it's all in the open for the left-wing to attend, and since then the criminality rate has went up ,and I couldn't even tell ya how many times these cunts have broke into cars, smashed venue windows, and have mobbed innocent people (ladies and men)  because of so-called political affiliations with wrenches, hammers, and knives, and the worst part about it it has made the scene submissive, and even counter involved to what got punkers, and skins involved in the scene in the first place because they feel they need to take a side.
There are a few bands from Chicago that rock, and although by me mentioning them to you may get them "attacked" by the left-wing it makes no sense on the lefts part so  I'll mention them anyways.
1: The Jetbirds (ex street brats)
2: Criminal Kids
3: Black Actress
4: The Capones
5: Bell-weather syndicate (dark wave)
6: Flesh Panthers
7: The non-believers
8: The infected
9: Brickwall Vultures ( I had to say it) ha ha ha
10: Is there a Ten... I dunno ha
As far as bands to stray from I don't really care what people listen or who they hang out with, but I'll be damned if I get get slagged off from the left-wings predominance because of our message of Patriotism, youth rebellion, and rock 'n' roll because it is important in what youth movements want out of it all in the first place.

Interview with Ball Breakers Media (England) 2011

BBM: Who are Wellington Arms? How did you form?
Eric Wellington: I’ve done a few interviews on how the original line-up started so I'd like to get into detail about how the newer line-up formed because these band mates will have more of an impact then the originals. The current line-up is Nate Woodell on Drums, Paul S on Lead guitar, and Kev M on Bass. Me and Nate have been friends for a decade or so and Paul and Kev go far back as well so it works out great with chemistry as a band because after I teach Paul how to play a song properly he’ll teach Kev the song then me and Nate will work on the drums parts. All three band members showed interest in playing as the Arms because of the energy and lack of it in their previous bands- and I think they worked out perfect because they really want to make a difference. The line-up before that that was featured on the "Valencia" demo was Eric Marie on Drum,s and Blake Wilson on Bass guitar. They are both good friends of mine and musicians, but they both live in separate cities for schooling so they are just stand- ins at the moment.
BBM: What’s behind the name Wellington Arms?
EW: The original bassist Rick Ivan came up with the name, but at the time I really didn't care for it because it sounded too British! The more I thought about it the more it made sense to me because everybody that I knew that was part of "street culture" lived off Wellington Avenue which was weird because it isn't a main street here in Chicago. So I figured since we were all in "arms- reach" of each-other it made sense- especially in case some violence went down because we would be close enough to get the word out and get something done.
BBM: Who is your favourite vocalist of all time?
EW: I have a few to be honest. Paul Di’Anno, Ken McLellan, Wayne Barrett, Ian Stuart, Suggs, Buster Blood Vessel, Gene October, Judge Dread, and Todd Hembroke.

Interview with Lone rider fanzine (Czech Republic) 2010

 What are your lyrics about?
Ha, well the most recent song that I wrote is about one of my good friend that will go unnamed. It's called international lover because this guy has like five girl-friends from all around the world. The first verse goes like this: "He's got his baby from Sweden, she's down for the meeting, downtown in London town, he's the kind of man that loves messing around - cause he's the international lover". The second verse goes: "He's got his baby from Finland, she just loves the filling, got a baby in Germany, Aussie, France and Italy cause he's the International lover. I tend to humm my lyrics to get the flow of things. Most of my songs are about girls I'd say. Ha, wellington Arms is a rock band after all. I can't wait to record cause I'm sure alot of people would love my material as my lyrics deal with what most of us are thinking. Hell, I'm sure there will be some people that will think I'm nutz with the sort of songs I write. It's all up tempo as I hate slow drawn out songs. Songs that are slow are good, but If there's no live energy behind it then I won't bother going any further writing them when they come around. I'm writing this song called 'Valencia" right now, the chorus goes like this: "Oh Oh Valencia! Oh oh Valencia! Oh Valencia! Come and have a drink and lets rock 'n' roll yeah! FIRST VERSE: So many beautiful babes, brown eyes and amazing legs, great smile and lovely kisses, O my fucking god man it all fucking fits yeah"!!! Ha, that's all I have for now. Like I said hopefully we record as soon as possible. Maybe this weekend.
 How many concerts and with which bands did you play?
 I've played like 5 gigs so far, Valencia, Spain, being the most recent one where about 200 proper skinheads showed up and rocked it out. It was an amazing time. I played punk stock back in 09' which was cool but I had a miserable time as it was outdoors. The bugs were fucking biting like crazy. That was also the day that i found out that Boddingtons was only 4.5. percent by volume so I don't know why the Macc Lads were fucking fat chicks. No excuse guys haha. I've played with Vanguard also. We really don't have a track record but when we play it's good.
 What was your best and worst gig? How was your first concert?
 The first concert W.A. played was on Oct 9th with Glory boys back in 08'. Ha it was a great night. Me and Vega saw somebody fall down the stairs or something. It was a blast but it's hard to remember too much cause we were drinking some heavy Polish lager. Let me see - I remember loading up the equipment and heading to the gig with my band mates Rick and Kev. I met up with all the girls outside the venue to get them as they were under age. Hey, I'm not playing a gig unless there's girls in the audience haha. I met the glory boys soon after that. Fucking great bunch of guys. They make up their coolness for what they don't have in size. haha, naw were all about 5 foot 7 inches so who I'm I to talk haha.
I know, that you make zine Brew & Honour, can you say something about it?
 Yeah, I have a online site up and running right now at Brewandhonour.webs.com (not up at the moment) It's fucking cool looking but it's not dedicated at 100 percent like the paper fanzine was. My best interviews are my most recent ones as I learned how to interview. I just did an interview with Dave Mcgannon from London and it's amazing. I'm just waiting on the edits before I put it up. The zine started up in 2008 with Mel and I at the helm. Great fucking times but it all came to a halt in March of 09'. Lost my job and had no more funds to support it. Ha, the money that I did get i just put into the bars and liquor stores. I got fed up with life and just lived it up for two years unemployed. I got into over a 150 fights I'd say during that period. Almost lost my front teeth because of this Puerto rican fuck. I got him first but I didn't notice him come back and I got sucked punched in the middle of a crowd outside a bar. Haha it was funny. One of them almost fell out but I pushed it back into the gum as hard as I could and went to sleep a few hours after that. Hey it healed. One of my FB friends called my smile, the mouth of Sauron referring to lord of the rings. I finally got my life back into order but not really. Summers coming up and once again I'm unemployed. This summer is going to be good but also filled with blood I'm sure because violence has been striking from all sides this spring, and its just creeping closer and closer my way. We all hitting up the beach tomorrow so lets see what happens.