Charly from 8°6 Crew
Back in 2006 I was still in high school and was already into reggae, when a friend (HALLOOOO MITKO!) introduced me to 8°6 Crew. I think this was the gateway band for me, especially with their Bad Bad Reggae album. I started my real ska journey with these guys and it’s been great to be able to talk to their singer - Charly, about some of the random things that go through my head! Enjoy! :)
LC: When did you fall in love with reggae/ska?
Charly: I’ve always listened to reggae with my older sister: Bob Marley, The Gladiators, Alpha Blondy, etc… France has always been a country that loves reggae. Then, as a teenager, I discovered punk and ska: The Specials, The Selecter. After punk I became a skinhead, and then I discovered Jamaican ska, rock steady and especially skinhead reggae, and then rub a dub, dancehall…
LC: What were the biggest challenges of your early years? Are they still valid?
Charly: I think it was to find a stable horn section. In terms of rhythm - we did not have a great musical level but we had the alchemy that does the trick. For the brass section we had to find people who are good musicians and at the same time want to be part of a nearly beginner level band; we weren’t interested in mercenaries. Now we face other problems. Availability mainly. After 20 years, there are children, work…
LC: What do you do outside the band?
Charly: We work: there is a teacher, an unemployed person, an engineer, others who work at shows and gigs. We go to concerts, parties, demonstrations and football matches or just at home, playing the guitar.
LC: Do you think that bands from a specific genre should only play with similar groups?
Charly: No, of course not, especially since we cannot afford it. At the end of the 90’s there were dozens of ska bands, concerts and festivals, but the fashion changed and they disappeared as quickly as they appeared. At the beginning of 8 ° 6 we also played punk, then we focused only on ska/reggae, but we have always kept this reputation of being working class, anti-racist skinheads, with all that comes with it. Hot concerts, sometimes a bit violent, far from the festvials with many groups. It is also the authenticity that made the success of the group. Currently we play mainly at punk/oi! gigs, except in Germany where there still is a big ska festival.
LC: What are your expectations for the group’s future?
Charly: Not much more than now: manage to keep an audience that does not get tired, make beautiful concerts. Continue to have fun playing together.
LC: How does 8°6 Crew stay true to its sound after doing this for so many years?
Charly: I think it’s because we play a lot of diferent styles. Since the first album the formula has been refined but has not changed. Two tone ska, more rock, reggae roots, rock steady melancholic, rub a dub with some dub parts. The lyrics evolve with the new things that happen in our lives of course but the bottom remains the same.
LC: What are the best and the worst things about ska?
Charly: It is the energy communicative enough, that it can make people with different tastes dance. It can also become a “white rasta” carnival though. It sometimes becomes a true parody (ok, it was mainly in the 90’s). This is music for rough boys, not hippies, but I respect everyone, do not take that wrong.
LC: If tomorrow was the last day of 8°6 Crew, would you be happy with what you’ve accomplished? Any regrets?
Charly: Yes, absolutely. I am very proud of what we have made, of the people I have met, of all the people who love us and whom we love in return, as you see there is a lot of love. Of course, there are regrets and things that should have been done differently but that’s life.
LC: What are your 3 favorite bands?
Charly: Personally: Yellowman, Cock Sparrer and Camera Silens, but there are many more …