Heroes 2 None are a band from Aarhus, Denmark, delivering honest and energetic Oi! punk. Their members have been part of the scene for a very long time and have witnessed several generations of punk subculture come and go. Guitarist Steen, who answered our questions, has been involved in the scene since 1977.
In this interview, we talked not only about music and the band’s history, but also about punk subculture, aging, life experience, and how the world around us has changed over the decades. We also discussed how the community we love has evolved and how it exists today in a reality that is, in many ways, completely different from the one in which the story of punk first began to unfold in the late 1970s.
Let’s go all the way back to the beginning — how did you first get involved with punk, skinhead or Oi! subculture? Was it the music, football, the people around you, or simply a feeling that you didn’t really fit anywhere else? Do you remember the moment when you realized this wouldn’t just be a short teenage phase, but something that would stay with you for life?
I spend the summer of 1977 in England. Bought some of the first punk records over there and brought them home. I was 14 years old, already heavily into music. Glam rock and early KISS, but I knew there was something exiting happening. Well it turned out to be just what I had been looking for and I was hooked. I loved the rowdy rock music, the attitude and the look.
I got involved in starting up the scene here in Denmark. You just get more and more involved in everything and loving it. Building things up, creating, meeting a shit load of fantastic people. Why should you stop?
What was growing up in your part of Denmark like? Was it easy being a young punk or skinhead in Aarhus? Did you run into misunderstanding and conflicts, or was there already a strong community that immediately pulled you in?
We took a lot of shit and a lot of beatings!! People didn’t understand and they thought that we were terrible!! The press only focused on the shock value and shitty stories. You had to watch your back and where you were going! There were no (punk or skin) community as we had to build that first.
What were your very first gigs like — either as fans or musicians? Do you have a story that perfectly captures how absurd, chaotic and beautiful underground culture can sometimes be?
My first show was the first Danish punk rock Festival (later known as The Pære Punk Festival) in 1978. On our way home from that we decided that we wanted to form a band. In 1979 my first band THE ZERO POINT debuted on the same stage. It was fucking magic and very exciting. Like electricity in the air! Something new was happening and it was awesome!!
A story. Oh yes: that first Danish punk Festival happens to be the first punk show a certain Harley Flannagan (CRO-MAGS) attended as well and his very first punk band Little Big Boss was part of the early Aarhus punk scene.
Your bio mentions members coming from bands like The Zero Point, The Guv’nors or Last Seen Laughing. What did each of those bands give you personally? Were they different stages of life, different perspectives on the scene, or simply more excuses to drag amps into smoky clubs?
There have been way more bands and sometimes I have been I several at the same time. I just love doing music and everything about it. Yes I guess that some of them were to do something a bit different in the scene. Like when we started up WAR OF DESTRUCTION witch where strictly hardcore and Zero Point was still running. Some bands folded and we started something new up. I just hate not playing.
By the way: I was never in The Guv´nors, that´s Søren, but I did get the offer.
Looking back at all the projects you’ve been involved in — what were the best and worst moments? What do years spent in vans, bars and rehearsal rooms teach you that nothing else really can?
Back in the day I have played to many shitty shows being way too intoxicated (read: drunk). When we started up again I decided that that was not going to happen again. People pay to get in…..or even if they don´t pay they decide that they want to spend their time watching you. I always want to do my best and deliver the best that I can. You depend on your band mates and they depend on you. It´s like a family!
One fucking´ great moment was playing THE ZERO POINT´s comeback show at the ANTI-FEST in the Czech Republic!!
How did Heroes 2 None actually come together? Was it a long-planned project, or more of a spontaneous “fuck it, let’s start a proper Oi! band again” kind of situation?
It was like LAST SEEN LAUGHING had folded. THE GUV´NORS wasn’t really happening and ZERO POINT hadn’t done anything for a long time. We just wanted to get a proper band up and running again. Doing what we love the most: KICK SOME ASS!!. Get on the road. Record new stuff. Hang out and create!
The name Heroes 2 None feels pretty ironic and also strangely honest at the same time. What does it mean to you? Is it a comment on the scene, society, getting older, or simply the realization that after the show most of us end up with a kebab in one hand and back pain the next morning?
Maybe inspired by the Stiff Little Fingers song `Nobody’s Hero` ? Like when were down there in the crowd we´re just like everybody else, like it should be in the scene. And then again it´s just a name and we thought I sounded cool. But we´re defiantly not going for that rock star shit!
Do you think Oi! and streetpunk still carry the same energy and importance they once had? Or has part of the scene become more of a nostalgic world for people who nowadays deal with mortgages, kids and bad knees instead of street fights?
I think it´s as important as it always has been. It´s our way of having a laugh and a say. There´s plenty of great new bands around and a lot of old ones still going steady. It´s not only a young man’s game anymore. There´s people of all ages in the scene. And that´s really nice.
It´s a bit funny: It depends of which part of Europe or the world you’re in, or even which city you´re in how broad the age differs. A lot of old timers are getting back and that´s fucking nice and yes off course I would love to see more young people.
What keeps you in the subculture today? Because after a certain age nobody is really doing this for the “cool image” anymore. Is it the community, identity, the need to create something, or simply an addiction to loud music and beer?
That´s absolutely part of my identity!! That´s who I am and that´s what I do and LOVE to do!! And part of that is being a part of the community and the freedom and opportunity to create.
And YES I am a fucking rock n Roll junkie and music nerd as well. No doubt about that!
How do you see the difference between underground culture and the commercial rock world today? Do you think the underground still holds onto some kind of authenticity, or has it also become a place where ego, merch and Instagram sometimes matter more than the music itself?
I think a lot of underground acts are still true to their roots. Success is a good thing and I really don´t mind people earning a buck on their music. But if you only do it to make money it stinks! Do what you love! And I can´t fucking take rock star attitude. The commercial music industry has always been fucked up, that´s why we created this monster called Punk and Oi!
To be quiet honest I can´t fucking take auto tune and “bands” being “bands” playing no instruments!! That way the world has gone fucking mad and our scene is more relevant than it ever was!
Denmark probably isn’t the first country people think of when they hear Oi! or streetpunk. How would you describe the Danish scene to someone who knows nothing about it? Does it have its own mentality, sound or character?
The Danish streetpunk and Oi! scene is just not happening. I think it only counts 1 or 2 bands more than us. It´s sad, but that´s the way it is.
Speaking about history — which bands, clubs or people helped shape the Danish Oi!/punk scene in your opinion? Are there names outside Denmark should know about, even though they never really became internationally famous?
Bands like SODS, BRATS, LOST KIDS, KLICHÉ and DREAM POLICE where all first movers and a big inspiration on the early scene. Short after bands like CITY-X, BOLLOCKS, NORMALS, THE FUCKIN´GHOST, RAZOR BLADES and my own band THE ZERO POINT joint their ranks. There were never a real Oi! band in the early Danish scene, but a lot of the skinheads chose to follow THE ZERO POINT. In the late 90´s THE HOOLIES and THE OUTFIT started up as proper Oi! bands. Later on THE GUV´NORS with a more rock n roll attitude and LAST SEEN LAUGHING as a proper Oi! band and from Copenhagen THE STOKES and URBAN ELITE. You´ll find most of those bands on every streamingplatform.
Do you think being geographically close to the UK — where Oi! Was born — had any influence on your scene? Did you always feel connected to British bands and culture, or did Scandinavian bands eventually develop their own identity?
The scene has always been connected to the UK scene. Especially the Oi! / Streetpunk scene.
How would you describe the current situation in Aarhus and Denmark in general? Are young people still discovering Oi! and streetpunk and starting bands, or is it mostly a world of aging veterans refusing to disappear?
In Aarhus, Denmark there is us!! No one else. No new skinheads and no new Oi! bands. However a lot of new people discovers Oi!/ Streetpunk when we do shows and actually a lot of people likes it when we do a punk, hardcore or Metal show. The biggest and most important Metal magazine in Denmark (Metalized) just rated our new album with 9 out of 10 stars. We sure rattle some cages!!
What do you think keeps the scene alive today? Concerts, DIY labels, small zines, vinyl collectors, or still mostly personal connections and friendships?
A happy mix of all that stuff. But personal connections and friendships are defiantly a major part of that. I like the personal touch and for me it’s much about meeting new people, making friends and hanging out with old ones.
How has the underground scene changed since you first got involved? Is there something important you miss from the old days? And on the other hand, is there anything about today’s scene that you actually think is better?
I started in the punk scene in ´77. Formed my first band (THE ZERO POINT) in 1979. Punk has moved from youth culture and rebellion to all ages rebellion and a way of living your whole life. It´s a worldwide thing for likeminded people and that´s great! The Internet has made a big difference I think. Back in those days you booked shows and tours by sending snail mail. Now you´re all over the place in a second. You are able to check obscure bands out from all over the globe + order their releases, that´s a huge difference!
Band wise we´re still true to the original streetpunk / Oi! sound, but the stuff sounds like it´s recorded and written in 2026.
Do you think the internet helped the scene or partially killed it? On one hand we have instant access to bands from all over the world, but on the other hand maybe we lost the magic of searching for records, tape trading and waiting months for the next zine to arrive.
Yes I guess you can put it that way, but in my opinion it´s a good thing. It makes everything easier and speeds up the communication a ton!! But I think we still search for records at record stores when we get to them and still buy printed fanzines.
Since we’re talking about technology — what’s your relationship with streaming platforms? Did streaming make music more democratic and accessible, or did it turn music into fast-consumed content people scroll through like social media videos?
It took us a long time to realize that it´s like sex. It has come to stay, so deal with it!
Basically I think it´s a mix of all. For a lot of people it´s fast consumed content and it have sort of lost the concept of a full album and that stinks!
How I use streaming is that I´m checking out new bands and new releases. If I like what I hear, I buy a copy.
And what about vinyl? Does it still hold a special meaning for you? Is it nostalgia, collector obsession, or still the best way to truly experience music?
I do collect both vinyl and CD´s. I actually think that the sound is a bit better on a well mastered CD or at least as good as the vinyl and the benefit with a CD is that it always sounds brand new. No scratches! But then again I love the whole concept of a vinyl album. Much more space for art, photos and so on. I love coloured vinyl as well. But I guess you have to be a bit of a collector then.
Your new album A Waste Of Time And Money has a brilliant title – almost like the perfect summary of life in an underground band. How did the album come together, and what kind of mindset were you in while writing it? Is it a more aggressive record than your previous material, or more like older bastards making peace with the world around them?
Thanks glad you like it. We´re NOT on a peace mission!! It actually took us some years to get the songs together and a couple of line-up changes. It was a case of when we thought that we got 12 songs good enough to record we did it. I guess some of the songs are a bit more aggressive. Then again we tried to do something a bit different: “Going Home” is a bit slower and has a darker feeling and “Lessons To Be Learned” are more of a pub rock stomper.
What can listeners expect from the new album musically and lyrically? Did you consciously try something different this time, or did you simply focus on writing strong, straightforward streetpunk songs the way you always wanted them to sound?
We always try to stay true to the streetpunk / oi! roots. But as mentioned before we tried to do a couple of songs a bit different on this album. But mainly it all sticks to the concept of pure in your face streetpunk! We always liked a joke and don’t take ourselves too seriously. I guess it shows in the lyrics as well as the camaraderie and unity in the sceen, beers, good times and personal troubles in life.
How does songwriting work in Heroes 2 None? Is there one main driving force bringing in the skeleton of a song, or is it more collective chaos where someone brings a riff, someone a chorus, and someone mainly shows up for the beer?
Mostly someone brings some riffs. We kick ´em around in rehearsals until we got something everybody is happy with. Nowadays it´s Mathias (Bass) and I who brings the riffs. Some times we write it on the spot, together. Everyone have their say and when we´re happy Søren (Vocal) writes the lyrics.
Who is the biggest perfectionist in the band, and who’s the kind of guy who says “fuck it, sounds good enough” after the second beer?
I guess we all want to write great songs. Or at least as great as we´re able to. Personally I must admit that I got a lot of “is this riff good enough?”, “dos it sound great?” and “is this song really a song you want to stand by?” stuff going on. Mathias is the one who knows his music theory
Your music feels very direct and authentic. Is it important for you to stay rooted in the classic Oi! sound, or do you think bands naturally need to absorb other influences to avoid becoming copies of themselves?
I would find it very disappointing if AC/DC made an album that didn’t sound like AC/DC or Cock Sparrer didn’t sound like Cock Sparrer. But I guess it´s quiet normal to pick up inspiration and bits and pieces along the way as you go. The sound quality is getting better and in the end you get a bit better handling your instruments but basically we try to keep it true to classic streetpunk / Oi! That´s what we love!!
Which bands were truly essential on your journey? And we don’t only mean the obvious names like Cock Sparrer or Blitz — we’re especially interested in lesser-known bands that may have influenced you even more deeply.
We´re old farts so basically our main inspiration comes from all the classic punk and Oi! bands. You know who they are. Søren and I like a lot of old glam bands: Slade, Sweet, Suzi Quatro and Walkers (DK band). I love early Kiss, MC5 and Iggy. Stuff that rocks your socks off!!
What are you personally listening to these days? Do you mostly stay within Oi! and streetpunk, or do completely different records also end up on your turntable? Give us some recommendations people should check out.
Mostly Punk, Oi! and hardcore + a bit of metal & Ska. My “secret” or guilty pleasure is that I´m a big Elvis Presley fan, and have been it since I saw his “Aloha From Hawaii” show directly back in the day.
The new album by EARN YOUR SCARS (DK HC) is great. The Nimbwits is a great band to check out. The new album by Biohazard get some spins. We are listening to a lot of INTERRUPTERS. Most of the stuff I have bought lately is old stuff like some UK Subs records I missed in my collection and some new releases of old recordings by The Heartbreakers and live recordings by the Sex Pistols.
Oi! has always been associated with working-class culture. Do you think that’s still the core of the genre? Or can Oi! today simply be about attitude, honesty and energy regardless of whether someone works construction or sits behind a laptop in an office?
I think it works for laptop people as well. At least I know a couple of people who works behind a computer all day and feels connected to the Oi! scene. Guess they are working class as well. If it talks to you it talks to you!
By the way: I´m not working construction.
Do you think the meaning of “working class” in Europe has changed? Back in the day everything felt connected to factories, docks and pubs — now we live in a digital world full of gentrification and remote jobs. Can authentic streetpunk still exist in that reality?
Wow!! What a question!! I guess it depends on your definition of authentic streetpunk? Everything runs through a development. So do our scene and our culture. Nothing stays the same but you can stay true to the roots and still move forward.
What kind of gigs do you personally prefer? Small sweaty clubs where the band stands half a meter away from the crowd, or bigger festivals with better sound and bigger audiences but less intense atmosphere?
I´m in for both. I love to play big stages where you can move around and I really like playing small clubs with the audience right in your face and you can feel the energy from the crowd instant. We always deliver. Doesn’t matter how big the venue is or how many shows up. If you choose to use your time and money on us, you deserve the best that we are able to deliver.
Does an underground band in Denmark have any chance of breaking outside strictly subcultural events? Is there any crossover with the wider alternative music scene, or does Oi! still mostly exist as its own closed world for insiders?
We´re invited to do hardcore and Metal shows as well, but besides that nothing. Punk was never big in Denmark. No one ever got a hit here or anything.
What were some of your strangest or most absurd live experiences? We’re interested in everything — terrible promoters, gigs for five people, weird backstage situations, or moments where you thought: “This is too ridiculous even for punk.”
Once we had a support band that choose to play for 2,5 hours. And the organisers didn’t even ask them to stop!!
If one of our readers visited Denmark looking for music and subculture — what places should they absolutely not miss? Which clubs, pubs, record shops or locationns are important to your tribe?
To be honest there´s not much to look for here in Denmark.
1000 Fryd in Aalborg is a nice alternative venue and Von Hatten in Randers. Here in Aarhus there is Sidesporet for real underground punk and I guess Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen. There are a few really cool record shops in Copenhagen Ooh Aah Records is one of them. But not much is going on, sad to say so.
How do you deal with getting older within the scene? Punk and Oi! were always tied to youth, energy and a certain amount of chaos — but suddenly people are dealing with jobs, families, bad backs and the fact that recovering after a gig takes three days instead of three hours.
Punk & Oi! have changed from straight youth culture to all age culture. It´s a way of life and that includes getting older. And that´s actually great! It´s not just a phase in your life…… It´s your whole life!!
Do you think younger generations experience subculture differently from your generation? Are young punks today more open-minded and free, or do they sometimes lack the hunger and obsession your generation had in the early days?
Well when I started up nothing was defined; we had to take part in defining this punk thing ourselves. It was a big creative playground!! You might say that something is given now. I´m not sure that the new generations feel the same buzz that we did. You have to ask them. But one thing is sure: you don´t create the same amount of chaos these days if you wear a zipp jacket, a studded belt, a pair of DM´s and pink hair as you did back then.
Last question is completely yours — is there anything we didn’t ask that should be said? Any opinion, story, frustration, recommendation or final wisdom for people who still believe in loud music, cheap beer and dirty clubs?
Big thanks for doing this interview and supporting HEROES 2 NONE. Much appreciated! We really hope to be able to play the Czech Republic soon!! Get those bookings in please!!
Stay Punk! Stay Skin! Support the scene, keep it alive!
DISCOGRAPHY:
Villains 2 All 10″ (Oi! The Nische Records, 20218)
50 Fat & Out (The Next Chapter After 40, Fat & Finished) EP (Shout Proud Records, 2020)
More Fat Villans 2 You All CD (Smith & Miller Records, 2020)
A Waste Of Time And Money LP (Smith & Miller Records, 2026)
