For nearly three decades, La Gachette have been one of the defining names of the French-speaking Oi! and streetpunk scene. Our questions were answered by frontman Erik, who reflects on the band’s early days, the Montreal scene, and how punk culture has evolved over the years. We also talked about the DIY ethic, politics, social media, streaming services, and the current state of the punk and Oi! scene. Erik discusses the making of the band’s latest album, their collaboration with Randale Records, and how personal experiences continue to shape his songwriting. He also shares his thoughts on what it means to be a punk and a skinhead today, why staying true to yourself still matters, and what keeps him motivated after almost thirty years. If you’re interested in an honest conversation about the past, present, and future of the underground scene, this interview is one you won’t want to miss.
La Gachette have been around since 1998. How did you first get into punk, Oi!, and the skinhead subculture back then? As young kids, what attracted you the most — the music, the style, the sense of belonging, or simply the rebellion? And do you remember the exact moment when you thought: “This is exactly where I belong”?
Back then we were two young punks with a beatbox. We were listening to a lot of old French punk and oi bands. We came from a small town called Granby, it’s one hour away from Montreal. There was not a lot of kids who was listening to the same kind of music than us, most of our friends were more into skatepunk and grindcore shit. But it was definitely not our thing. That’s one of the reasons why we didn’t have a drummer until 2001.
We started to hang out with some skinheads after we did our first show in Montreal. It was on January 30th in 1999. Then we played a show with The Prowlers in our hometown but it didn’t go well on that time. People were beating each other in the crowd.
I play in the Prowlers since 2016 and we always have a good laugh when we talk about that night. I’ve always loved those nights with action that you don’t know how it will end, when the shit is started. Like many of us, I was that kind of teenager who was attracted by danger because I didn’t care about the consequences.
What was the punk and Oi! scene in Montreal like in the late ’90s? Was it welcoming to newcomers, or did you have to fight hard to earn your place?
I started to hang out in that scene in 1995 and we had to fight to earn our place.
I had my first punk band when I was 15 years old, and when we played our first show in Montreal at the Café Chaos, the punks were bullying us and they tried to intimidate us. We were very young at that time, and even if we were scared like chicken shit, we told them to fuck off!
And we played our set really loud because this is where we belonged.
Your first releases were a demo tape followed by the album En Route Vers Demain, both self-released. How do you remember those very early days? Was it mostly pure punk enthusiasm without much experience, or did you already have a clear vision of what kind of band you wanted to be?
It was a pure punk enthusiasm without much experience. I wasn’t expecting of doing a serious band.
We were too young for thinking about a future. We were pretty unconscious back in our early days.
How much were you influenced by French bands like Bérurier Noir, Komintern Sect, or Les Sheriff? What exactly attracted you to the French scene — the music itself, the political and social themes, or maybe the mentality of those bands?
Punk and Oi! bands from France are very popular here, because we live in the french Canadian part of the country.
When we started this project, we were very influenced by Bérurier Noir. They were well known in our province, they played many times here in the 90’s. And Bérurier Noir is all right when you’re a kid, but later, we discovered all the bands of “Chaos en France”, like obviously Komintern Sect. Soon as we discovered those bands , we found it way better and more provocative.
When you compare your very first recordings with the new album, what has stayed the same and what has changed the most? Is today’s La Gachette still the same band it was back in 1998?
Everything has changed. I never looked back since 1998, I look ahead every time we are doing a new album.
Your music has always balanced somewhere between streetpunk, Oi!, punk rock, and occasionally something more epic or melancholic. Was it important for you not to stay trapped inside one style? And were you ever worried that part of the audience might reject those changes?
Each album represents the evolution of our lives. I never worried about people would be disappointed about it.
During the pandemic, I decided to make big changes in the band, and this gave birth to the album Dans les tranchées, which is a 100% skinhead album.
Before this era, the band was more into punk rock, because the ex-drummer and the exbass player (who was the original member for 22 years), were not skinheads at all. When these 2 guys left the band, it has definitely changed our sound.
Your lyrics often deal with themes like identity, pride, history, relationships, or social tension. Where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from? Personal experiences, books, history, everyday life, or something completely different?
You’ve already mentioned it in the question. Most of my lyrics are about personal experiences of life. It’s a cocktail of where I was before and where I am now. I love writing songs about history as well.
A lot of bands eventually fall into the trap of repeating the same lyrics and themes over and over again. How do you avoid becoming repetitive? And do you think there’s still room for original themes in punk today?
Of course, there’s still room for original themes in punk today, but I don’t think it’s what I do. I just want to make good enraged music for skins and punks with my friends.
Your new album feels darker and more mature than some of your older material. Was that intentional? Does it reflect the current times, your personal lives, or simply the natural evolution of the band?
I wrote the songs of the new album in a dark time of my life. I took care of my mother who was sick for almost one year, and when she passed away, I was exhausted. I was on a burn out and I stopped working for almost one year. I had to take care of myself so I concentrated my energy on writing songs instead of making stupid things.
In several songs, you explore historical and war-related themes. What fascinates you about history? And do you think punk music can sometimes make people more interested in these subjects than school ever could?
As a teenager, I wasn’t very good at school and I didn’t give a fuck about history back then. When I became adult, I started to be more interested about wars who changed history, and I think now that it is important to feel concerned about this.
As human beings we did good things and bad things, and we have to learn from our mistakes. We will never erase the past, and it’s important to never forget it. And of course, music can make people more interested about different subjects of society.
French is clearly an essential part of La Gachette’s identity. Did you ever think about singing in English to make the band more “accessible” internationally? Or would that simply no longer feel like the real La Gachette?
In 28 years, we wrote 2 songs in English but La Gachette will always be in French. French is a wonderful language and I think it sounds great for Oi! and punk music.
How do you see the difference between the francophone scene in Quebec and the English-speaking punk scene in Canada? Are there cultural differences even within the subculture itself?
Many years ago, there was frictions between French and English punk communities because of the last referendum in 1995. And English Canadians didn’t pay attention to bands who were singing in French.
But things have changed now and it’s better like that. We went few times in the English part of Canada and it was great.
Canada is a huge country, but when people talk about Canadian punk, most think about hardcore or crust. Did you ever feel like streetpunk and Oi! were standing a bit outside the spotlight there?
It depends where you come from, but I believe there has always been great Oi! bands in Canada: Gassenhauer, Street Troopers, Discords, Subway Thugs, Emergency, Vacant lot, Bitter Grin, Impact and many many more.
How much did the environment of Quebec itself shape you? Do you think La Gachette would sound different if you had grown up in Toronto or somewhere in Europe instead?
I can’t say, I never grown up in Toronto or somewhere in Europe. I’m a Super French Canadian of Quebec…!!
You’ve toured both Europe and Mexico. What did traveling bring you? Did it change you as people or as a band? And is there a particular show or situation you’ll never forget?
I will never forget the first time we toured in Mexico. The crowd was singing our songs in French, that was really touching and it made us very proud.
How do you see the European Oi! and punk scene today? Do you notice major differences between countries? And where did you feel most at home?
We love the European scene, every time we go back there, it feels like home. And especially in Geneva, Switzerland. This city has always been very special for us.
When you started, the scene functioned completely differently than it does today. What do you miss about the old days? And on the other hand, what works better nowadays?
When we started, I think that the scene was more DIY, we were sending tapes to labels and promoters with a handwritten letter. I remember our first album got bootlegged in Mexico, that’s how the band got there.
Now, everything happens behind a computer, of course it’s faster but it’s way different than it was. I remember we were booking shows on the phone and it doesn’t really happen anymore today.
Social media and streaming opened the whole world to bands, but they also changed the way people listen to music. Do you think modern technology helped the scene more than it hurt it, or did it take away something important?
I think it helped in some way but we are losing the real contact with other human beings.
Do you feel that younger generations today experience punk and subculture with the same intensity as before? Or is everything now more “online” and less real?
It’s different than it was, for sure. But people from the scene of the 80’s could say the same thing about us.
What do you see as the biggest problem within today’s punk and Oi! scene? Ego? Division between people? Internet wars? Lack of new ideas? Or something completely different?
Internet war is dividing the scene of today, and it’s not going to get better with time. I think that people should fix their problems face to face, instead of trying to crucify someone on the net.
On the other hand, what still excites you about today’s scene and gives you hope that it won’t disappear in the future? Are there things that actually work better today than they did twenty years ago?
It’s easier to book tours and we have a solid line up today, so I think there’s still good years ahead for us.
La Gachette never seemed like a band blindly following trends. Was it always important for you to maintain your own identity? And did you ever clash with audience expectations or scene politics because of that?
Few years ago, for personal reasons, I decided to put politics aside in my lyrics and it has clashed with some of followers. It’s life. I don’t make music for licking people’s ass.
How does your songwriting process work? Does someone bring a basic riff and the rest comes together in the rehearsal room, or do you work in detail on arrangements from the very beginning?
Most of the time, I bring a riff with a melody and we are working on it at the rehearsal room then I finish the lyrics at home.
Your new album feels very tight and atmospheric. How did the writing and recording process unfold? Was anything different this time compared to previous albums?
We could compare it to Dans les tranchées. Except that we recorded in a studio instead of our rehearsal room. Mix and mastering was done in Calgary by Mr Graham Riddle , same guy who did the last album of The Prowlers. He worked with many bands of the scene too.
How was your experience working with Randale Records, and what’s your overall feeling about the collaboration? Is it an advantage for you that it’s a European label?
It’s our second release with Randale Records, and it helped us to open new doors in Germany; new faces and more skinheads in our shows when we play in Europe. We are grateful about it and we are looking forward to come back soon as we can !!
After all these years, do you still have the same hunger for playing shows and touring? What keeps you moving forward after nearly thirty years?
I love playing shows and I would love to play more often with the band. Be on stage makes me forget the stress of everyday life, that’s why I keep playing.
Looking back, was there a period in the band’s history that felt the most difficult? Did you ever reach a point where you seriously thought about ending the band?
I’ve thought about stopping the band several times in recent years due to the numerous changes in the line-up. We definitely need to stay stable for the next few years. I am extremely fed up of starting over and over again.
Your lyrics often feel more personal and mature than typical streetpunk. Is it important for you that your music reflects real life and genuine experiences rather than just slogans?
It’s always been important for me to write songs about personal experiences and I like to make some research works before writing as well. Slogans in songs are cool, they make the crowd to sing along but I think it is important to write songs with substance too.
What’s your relationship with politics in punk? Do you think punk should automatically be political, or is authenticity and personal expression more important?
I’m done with politics in punk since 2006, but this is me. I used to write songs about my political views when I was younger, but now my approach of writing is very different than what it was. And I don’t try to convince people that my way of thinking is the best.
What does skinhead and punk identity personally mean to you today? Has your perspective changed with age, or are some values still exactly the same as when you were twenty
My perspective has changed with the years for sure . I am older and wiser than before . But I’m still a rebel and I refuse to give up. My punk side is still there in my heart because I don’t give a fuck about other people’s opinion and I still don’t fit in society mold but every day
I wake up at 5 am to get on the job for breaking my back and I’m still get fucked up at the bar with my friends at the end of the week cause I’m still a skinhead and I’m proud of what I am.
Your sound relies heavily on strong choruses and dual guitars. Were there any bands that changed the way you think about songwriting or arranging music in that regard?
I used to listen to a lot of rock n’ roll bands like Rose Tattoo, Slade or old AC/DC stuff. Maybe it has something to do with our dual guitars. These kinds of bands were big part of my influences for my guitar playing for a long time . In a certain way it has stayed I think.
In one interview, you mentioned the strong Montreal scene and bands like The Prowlers, Ultra Razzia, or Béton Armé. How important is it to have a strong local scene around you? And do bands still support each other the same way they used to?
I think it’s more about a question of friendship between some bands of the scene. Many musicians play in several bands at the same time, so it’s an evidence that they will help each other.
You’ve been around for nearly three decades. What has music taught you about people and life? And overall, did punk change you more for the better, or did it sometimes take something away from you too?
Punk and Oi! music shaped my character and the man I am today. Back then, I was an outcast kid but when music entered my life, everything started to make sense.
When you discover a new band today, what does it need to have in order to truly impress you? Rawness? Honesty? Energy? Or something else entirely?
I would say it needs a catchy melody with great chorus, and guitars need to be dirty and raw.
What advice would you give to young bands starting out in streetpunk or Oi! today? Does it still make sense to build a band slowly and long-term in a world where everything feels instant and disposable?
I would say to those bands : just do what you want and don’t try to be something you’re not. Take the time to build something strong and tight, and when you’re ready, go kick some ass!!
What bands are you currently listening to and would recommend to readers? Has there been anything in recent years that completely blew your mind and made you think: “Wow, this is genius”?
Battle Ruins. First time I heard them, it blew me away. Perfect mix between Oi! and Power Metal. I love it!
We’ll leave the final question completely up to you — is there something 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?
I think we are good. I’m an old school guy and I’m pretty slow behind the keyboard computer. I even asked to my girlfriend to give me help for this one!!! But thank you so much for this opportunity !! Long life to Tightenup Zine.
DISCOGRAPHY:
Demo Inédit MC (DIY, 1998)
Ubat De Flic MC (DIY, 1998)
En Route Vers Demian CD (DIY, 2002)
Ne Renoncera Pas CD (Burnout Productions, 2005)
Split: Charge 69 / La Gachette CD (Trigger Records, 2007)
Quoi Qu II Advienne CD (Trigger Records, 2008)
A Travers Le Temps CD (Trigger Records, 2012)
Split: Moonstomp / La Gachette CD (La Show Box, 2014)
Dans Ta Face LP (La Show Box, 2015)
Split: Hors Controle / 22 Longs Riffs / The Prowlers / La Gachette LP (Maloka, Mass Production, General Strike, Dure Realité, 2016)
20 Ans D’insoumission LP (Ronce Records, Tapage Rock, 2018)
Dans Les Tranchées LP (Randale Records, 2022)
Une Vie à Défendre LP (Randale Records, 2026)
