How long has Step-1 been running, how did it all begin and is it just you or do you have a trusty sidekick?

I started Step-1 in 1989 with the end of Link Records. I was given the idea/chance by Mark and lol (owners of link) there of starting my own label just with the idea of re-releasing some of the classic Oi! albums on the new CD format. This proved to be very successful and it encouraged me to start looking for the newer punk and Oi! bands of the time for new releases.

How do you decide what you will release? Do you go on what is popular at the time or does it come down to more what you like?

Well these days I will only license stuff I think if popular for release on my vinyl picture disc series, just because it is so expensive to do. But I still release new stuff on my CD label that I really like. I have some new bands coming soon, like Middle Finger Salute (UK) and The Pillage (USA) Both I think new and very exciting bands for the future of the Oi! scene.

Whats been the best selling of your releases to date?

Mainly all the old favourites like 4-Skins, Sparrer, Oi! Polloi, Adicts etc, but I am glad to say that the last year of so there has been a lot more interest in the newer bands like On-File, Argy Bargy, Bakers Dozen and Emergency which is good news as far as the modern scene goes.

A helluva lot of hard work, time and money goes into running a label. No doubt there would be times where it was really tough going - what inspires you to keep at it?

Yeah it is bloody tough though, but whenever it gets like that I just think back when I was working 8-5.30 in a shitty little shop job, for a wanker of a boss... You know the rest, it's been told so many times... and suddenly I am inspired again. I also like most of the music I have released over the years, so there's always summit worth listening to.

What do you feel the secret of Step-1's success has been?

Success??? I still work part time in a mates gun shop (fishing and hunting stuff) So I still got the day job!

You are starting a new psychobilly label later this year. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Yeah the first three releases are in October and November...King Kurt "Big Cock" Demented Are Go "In Sickness and In Health" and "kicked Out Of Hell".

All 12" vinyl picture discs which makes them highly collectable. I will also be starting a cd side to this new label for new Psycho bands.

What got you interested in punk and Oi! music in the first place?

Whan i was at school i was into Hawkwind and Sabbath, then one night at 6pm on tv came the Pistols which i saw and thought it was very funny, but just thought they were a bunch of arty students trying to be clever, then the next day i heard Anarchy In The UK on some radio show and that was it, punk had found another convert.....Although i still listen to my old Hawkwind stuff a lot!

Then in the early 80`s it was bands like Infa Riot/Last Resort/Combat 84/ Condemned 84 and the 4-Skins that got me into Oi! and i even ran a band called Five-O for a couple of years helping them get gigs etc.

What are your thoughts on the current punk / Oi! scene. Do you think it is growing, shrinking, or changing for good or bad?

the current scene is just as cool as its always been i rekon, with great bands about on the scene like Argy Bargy/Bakers Dozen/On-File/Discipline/Crashed Out/Copyright Chaos etc i think Punk and Oi! has still got a big future in front of it, you only have to listen to Radio 1 in the UK or any of the commercial stations and hear the shit they pump out to know the future for the scene is solid.

I am just recording a new album with a new streetpunk band called Middle Finger Salute and these geezers are like 17/18 year olds, Hopefuly the debut cd will be out before the end of the year...prob November.....go to www.myspace.com/middlefingersaluteband
and check out the future!!!

Pretty much everyone these days is online. Its undoubtedly had a good impact for label's, what other negative or positive impacts do you see the net has had on the 'scene'

Yeah, i think it has helped the scene grow for sure, but personally i hate using the computer and don`t go on-line unless i really have to. And if it wasn`t for my kid wanting to get in touch with me at odd times, i wouldn`t have a mobile either!!!