When it comes to local ska punk bands their isn't many. This is not to say that ska punk bands aren't popular but that their doesn't seem to be many that can do it well. I am glad to say that Martin are one such outfit that does it very well indeed. I was lucky to con this mad bunch of hooligans into answering a few brief questions about just what is it that makes Martin tick. What follows is what I found out.
Q: How long has Martin been together?
A: The band started as a 3 piece in about January 1997, coincidentally the exact month Gary decided to pick up an instrument.
Martin? Still in short trousers!

Q: Where is the band based?
A: We got our mums table and draped a sheet over it, then cut a little door in the sheet with just enough room for us to fit in it. It's where we sleep you know. Or maybe we're based in Sittingbourne.
Q: Who got the band together and how?
A: One sunny day in a Sittinboune pub called the 'Golden Fleese' about January 1997, Paul and Martin asked Gary if he fancied learning the bass... 3 years on he still hasn't.
Q: What style of music does Martin fall into?
A: Folk accapello mixed with some calypso. Or maybe our own little blend of Punk, ska, Britishness and a bit of shit.

Wait a minute! I think my lips are stuck to this thing.
Q: Who is in Martin and what do they do?
A: Martin works for a magazine company, Paul is a computer Game artist, Gaz drives a white van all day, Alec is a Computer game designer, Charles counts cars for the council and Dan is still at school. Just in case I got the wrong end of the stick, Martin plays guitar and sings, Paul plays drums and does shouting, Gaz stands around with his bass and taps his foot, Alec tries to play trumpet and does a bit of backing vocals, Charles makes farty noises with his bone and shouts and Dan plays the same as Martin.
Gaz - the bass master!

Q: Who is the bands major influences?
A: Tony Blackburn, The Specials, Snuff, Father Christmas, 80's pop, 80's rock, the 80's and early ska in general.
Q: What has been the worst band moment?
A: Gary!
Q: What has been the best band moment?
A: Every week when Gary says he's leaving the band.
Q: What do you see for the future of Martin.
A: Spending every Saturday down the cafe. Maybe one day playing some proper gigs at proper venues.

After I have swallowed this mic I want some new drum sticks and a beer.

Q: What currant releases do you have out and where can you get them?
A: Broken Binding £7.00 - a 17 track album. Badgers EP £5.00 - 8 track EP Rolf EP £3.50 - 6 track EP Cabbage EP £1.50 - 3 track EP. You can get them through our website mail order stuff (no dodgy Internet middle men) and a few shops but I can't remember where.

And that is about as much as Alec and Paul from the band were able to tell me. But I think you get the idea that Martin are bloody nice people really. You can listen to one of their tracks in the music section of the site, so go have a listen. You can also visit their web site at: www.martinthepunkband.8k.com