Ladies And Gentleman The Princess Of Punk Rock ……The Magnificent Tara Rez
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
I have known Tara Rez for years and am so lucky to have been able to interview her over the years. I am so delighted by this particular interview. She really is the Crown Princess Of Punk Rock. Her photos are simply intoxicating. Please read and learn all you can with this interview. Love you so much Tara
Punk Globe: It is always a delight to ask my ‘Sister From A Different Mister’ some questions. You played and were on panels at Rebellion this year. Did you get to see many of the other bands performing? If so, who were your favorites?
Tara: I got caught up watching bands that were playing at the Opera House before and after Ruts Dc, as was helping them mostly as they played two shows, Saturday and Sunday. Great laughs in and out of each other’s dressing rooms also always inspiring seeing what others are up to, there are some great quality bands! Saw Zounds, Bar Stool Preacher, Wasted Youth, Rezillos, Lost Cherrees, the Nightingales, The Wasps, Brix Smith (really great to catch her) , Die Toten Hosen was epic, TV Smith playing The Adverts. I wish I saw more of the Introducing Stage, but need the festival to be longer so i can get around to it all :))
Punk Globe: I asked my dear friend Dave Dictor from MDC to send you my love. I hope he did
Tara: Gutted I missed their show in London and Rebellion, I caught them the year before though, and loved their energy! Had great chats with their guitarist.
Punk Globe: Tell us what have been some special highlights from the event for yourself Tara?
Tara: The Literary Stage, – I took part in the Women in Media debate, which was fun, and did not know what to expect. My mind was going everywhere before the event as I reflected on this topic and my experiences – all thought-provoking stuff that made me think I really must get on with writing that book! So, pretty major, but when I got home, I did just that. I started writing and I have already got a few chapters done, til the pneumonia attack!! I just remember Jennie Russell Smith, co-founder of Rebellion Festivals, saying backstage, after the debate, how important it was for women to get their stories out, interested me how strongly she felt about it. Made me realize how important my story was, and how I really ought to write it down, you never know who it may benefit and what positives it may inspire.
Punk Globe: Tell us about the Victorious Festival.
Tara:The festival is going from strength to strength and has really grown so much.. So many new people in the scene and many ages across the board. I think this year for me, it was about trying to see as many friends as possible in between works.. Friends that I love and appreciate, who live all over the world and around the UK, so special to reunite, hug, laugh, and hang out with, that was the greatest fix I needed this year.
Punk: How are Mr. Segs and the fabulous Colin Stewart doing?
Tara: Mr. Segs and Colin are fabulous as always. My best friends and my rocks in this world
Punk Globe: Tell us about ” Let’s Finish What We Started”?
Tara: This was our first official album that we recorded, way back in 2006, still sounding as fresh and relevant today. i enjoy making little reels for them now :)) I am also enjoying doing shows with Paul Laventhol, founder of King Kurt, as a duelling two-piece, he did all the guitars on that album and the noize we are making on stage is seriously rocking,
Punk Globe: Tell us about your horrible bout with pneumonia. Did you think you may have Covid?
Tara: Yeah it was a surprise to get it, I didn’t have flu or cough or anything like that, just lost my appetite and stopped eating, without realizing it. The next thing I knew I was in major agony in my abdomen, we thought it was just trapped wind! By day 3 I just wasn’t getting any better and couldn’t breathe, lie down, walk, .. it was nuts .. I took a covid test but it came back negative. Went to the Hospital in the end, and they were a Godsend! thank goodness for our NHS, I have to go back in a few weeks to make sure it has all gone,
Punk Globe: The Duel has a new release. It is an EP called ‘Rule The World’. Tell us when and where.
Tara: This is really exciting as it literally just got confirmed that Rule The World will be released on Friday 3 November, streamed worldwide and available on limited edition 7″ White Label (copy for Ginger reserved 😉 )
Punk Globe: Is it being released through a Label
Tara: DIY self-releasing, and available directly from The Duel website. written and produced by Tara Rez & Segs Jennings (Ruts)
PunkGlobe: Is it a live recording or a studio mix?
Tara: It’s a studio mix, half written in our home studio and the rest in a bigger one in Brixton
Punk Globe: The old stand by describe yourself in 3 words.
Tara: Passionate, Upbeat & Fruity
Punk Globe: Any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers
Tara: Thank you, yes please, please go to theduel.co.uk, am constantly finding tunes we have written over the years and making available to all our subscribers as free downloads, so please do join our mailing list, you won’t be disappointed :))
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers on our 46th year in existence?
Tara: Don’t stop believing, don’t stop being the change and keep reading and supporting PunkGlobe and the legendary Ginger Coyote – the heartbeat of our punk universe!