PUNK ROCKER

Colleen Caffeine of Choking Susan

    

By Chris Rockson

I first met and saw these guys live at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool last year. They were a breath of fresh air.
Headed up by the brightest and most vibrant of front people there is, Colleen Caffeine, Choking Susan deliver
a unique display of energy and power. They have a sound almost like being surrounded by Panzer Division,
and an attack similar to a right hander from Tyson. Make no mistake though, these cats can play!!!
They are appearing again at Rebellion this August, and hopefully doing some more UK dates too.
You gotta get along and see for yourselves!
I caught up with Colleen for a quick chat about life, the universe and Joey Ramone....enjoy!

 

Hi Colleen, thanks for taking time out from your busy schedule to chat with us again..
It's almost upon you again, the trip to the UK to perform at the largest Punk Rock festival in the world, Rebellion.
This time last year, you must have  been pretty excited about the whole thing?

C : Thanks for asking me questions again! :)
You know, I'm even more excited this year...there's more to look forward to because I know what's going down
 and that we're a part of the biggest  punk festival in the world surrounded by the people that started punk
 and keep it alive...it's a beautiful thing


 What did it mean to you, to be playing your own brand of Punk in front of some of the bands that you grew up
 listening to, and then meeting them in the bars around the place?

 C : I'm a punk fan that plays in a band...getting complimented by the people that did it first is like winning
 the Academy Award or something...it just doesn't get any better than that...it's like finding out cake has no calories
 and can actually make you lose weight the more of it that you eat...

 


    You had a very good audience for the show at Blackpool, more than most bands did on the opening day of the three.
    Why do you think that was?

    C : I guess you didn't notice that I stapled all their feet to the ground right before
    we went on so they couldn't leave! I'm not sure...I think the Rebellion audience want to see new bands from
    other places ..it's a testament to the organizer ..they trust that he's not going to put garbage on the festival that
    they just spent their hard earned cash on a ticket for...it has a great reputation and its quite an honour to be part of it :)

    You have quite a large 'fan club' over here, some even had your bands logo tattooed on themselves.
    That must be pretty wild?

    C : Is there any greater compliment in rock than permanent ink ? people prettying themselves up with us is the
    absolute coolest...we'll always have a connection and be friends..we've made a lasting mark on them as they have on us..

   

    What was the highlight of your last trip to Europe?

    C : I think it was when the queen mooned us


    You played London, Glasgow, or 'glasscow' as you americans call it, and then Blackpool.
    What are your plans this time around?

    C : I kept typing that "glasscow" as a slam to my mispronounciation ...
    we are planning on playing Blackpool
    again of course and have some France dates and a possible Spain one too..
    theres no better way to see
    the world than thru the eyes and ears of rock n roll..

    You've just played a couple of dates on the West Coast. How did they go?

    C : I see why people want to live in California even though the looming threat
    of an earthquake severing its
    very existence off this continent is ever present...or not..:)

    Finally, when you're on stage, you have a lot of fun, which obviously has an effect
    on the audience - they can dig what you're doing.
    What's the best thing about being the front person in Choking Susan?

    C : I get to dance and sing along to my very favorite songs that my friends play..
    whats not to like ?


    Ok, many thanks Colleen for your time, I'll see you down the front at Rebellion,
    good luck with your tour and a last word for the readers?

    C : Thank you Chris for your words, and thank you for your generosity towards the lovers of punk and protectors
    of all things valuable ie,Ramones touched...
    and yes I do have a final thought in the form of a what if..

   'Boycott corporate brainwashed mind numbing media cookie cutter blandness,
    in favour of thought...'

    Choking Susan play the Rebellion Festival on August 8th, BE THERE!!!!!