Most people have heard of the Cowboy Killers, the following interview I conducted via post with Beddis their vocalist. Questions by Rick Happy.

The Cowboy Killers have been together for quite some time please give us a quick history of the band ?

Fuck, it's 9 years this month - I just had to swear! You can bleep it out. Yeah, we're old and very sad but really don't give a shit, we enjoy what we do. There's been lots of line up changes but people change and so do situations. We've got 3 original members, Brewer left for a year and is back, he found there's more to life than driving a lorry! Which he still does but finds the time to Punk 'n' Roll, man. We've done three LPs, three 7"ers plus split 7" and 12" and shit loads of compilations. How much longer will we hassle you ?! Who Knows ?!

You have released several records, what has happened since your 3rd album Dai Laughing on Vinyl Japan ?

That LP was a waste of time, shit recording, playing badly and shit distro. But hey, I'm not bitter ho, ho, ho! We've released a 5 track EP in America on Ransome Note Records and done a few comps. We're going to the USA to tour soon because of the EP. Another 7"EP will be recorded for them then and they're both coming out on a CD with more tracks.

You're quiet famous for your wild stage antics, do you think it's important for a band to put on a bit of a show ?

I hate bands who just stand there and don't get into it. Unless they're so good they can do that. I couldn't just be leaning on a mic stand because I really enjoy the energy of what we do. I go to see bands and if it gets me that way I'll dance. If things get a bit mad now and again it just happens, see how it goes - nothing's put on, there's no dance steps from me. Ha, I couldn't if I wanted to. Energy is a big part of being in a band for me and I hate stages - they're a barrier.

The Cowboy Killers are often compared to the likes of the Dead Kennedys and F.O.D, what do you feel about these comparisons and does it annoy you when people pigeon-hole bands in general ?

I don't really give a fuck, I like both bands. If it were two bands I hated I wouldn't be so happy, but it's more of a compliment to us and an insult to them. You've gotta compare bands if you're trying to explain a bands in a letter or in a circumstance where you can't hear them. Unless you are very clever which I'm not. Bands like the Big Boys are out there on their own, they sound like no-one else and visa versa.

There always seems to be a lot going on within the Welsh scene, loads of bands, labels etc. A lot of people who I've met always say how they enjoy playing in Wales and the most encouraging letters we get come from kids in Wales. So is it in the air or is it just a misconception of mine ?

I think people down here are generally very into music whether it's punk or dance. Maybe it's hardship, unemployment - I don't know. There are so many bands here and so much enthusiasm. All Welsh are friendly and loving, not living in the valleys and towns away from big shops, etc… it's hard to hear music. When I lived up there we had to travel and get most info and music via zines and distros. So it made you appreciate it more. If you live in London, you see all the bands and its all on a plate, you don't have to try so hard.

What was the last record you bought, the last book you read and the last film you went to see at the cinema, an were they any good ?

Lunachicks - Jerk of All Trades LP, I love it - it's hard, heavy, fast and excellent voice. Their best one so far, make L7 sound like that. I don't read books really or comics never have. Last thing I read was Fortean Times paperback - Strange Deaths, just newspaper clips - loved it as well. I've been to the pictures a lot lately, Waterworld was Thursday's viewing which was pretty good but Kev Costner is not Mad Max which the film was, but on water. But Die Hard 3 was better, next on my list is Casper. Next CD to buy is No Use For A Name's new one, it's excellent.

A lot of underground bands are now signing to major labels both here and abroad, what are your thought on this ?

As long as you're in control of ya music, lyrics, artwork and how it's represented it's ok by me. But I'd want full control and be able to have choices. But we won't get an offer so I don't think about it. Sad to see bands reform just to try and jump on this new interest in punk. But I'd rather be on an indie label, more honest.

Do you think there are other lifeforms in the universe. If so would you personally like to meet them despite not knowing whether they would be peaceful or not ?

Yep, I do believe and always have, I'd like them to come and visit and sort this shit out. It would be great to meet them, we're the ones to be afraid of, we're not civilised and never will be. The governments would just try to exploit them and see who can do it first. If I was them I'd keep away!

If you could do one miracle what would it be ?

Why is it always one miracle and wish - not fair! Cure cancer, it's a bad way to die and so many different ways. I watched my mum die of it.

What motto or proverb do you think best sums up the way you live your life ?

Do it yourself because no one else will do it for you and do it now!

What question do you think I should have asked you that I didn't, and how would you have answered it ?

You could have asked about what I thought about tattoos and body piercings and do I have 'em. And I'd say, because I'm a poser extravert and always have been since I was a kid (Have you got a Prince Albert then ? - Ed).

The "anything else to add" and plug bit at the end ?

Yeah, roll up a CD of out first two LPS and demo are available for £8 postpaid from me. Our US EP is $5.50 post paid from Ransome Note Records, PO Box 40164, Bellevue, WA 98015, USA. Any other zines or promoters please get in tough. Thanks. Write to: Beddis, 80 Brynglas Drive, Newport, Gwent, NP9 5QS, S Wales.