the Allied

Interview conducted with Bud Burcar, drummer for the Allied and Youth Patrol, in April of 2003. Interview is copyright 2003 Obik / Dementlieu Punk Archive. Reproduction is allowed as long as this copyright notice is left intact.

When and how did you get into punk?

1978. I was already skateboarding and heard about Devo from an older brother. From that point on I was hooked.

What was the beginning of your involvement with the Detroit area scene?

Chris Moore (formerly of Negative Approach) and I used to hang out and write stupid songs and listen to music, so we kind of started our musical careers in 1980. We started a band and played backyard parties and basically we were hated and had to change our band name all the time. The first real bands we were in were Youth Patrol and Negative Approach.

Was the Detroit scene healthy? I've heard some conflicting reports--either the scene was hoppin' with hundreds of kids and dozens of bands, or it was a small, almost insular community with only a handful of really active participants at any one time. Which was the case, or was there some middle ground?

The scene in Detroit was pretty underground. You have to remember at that time if it wasn't Boston it wasn't cool. We had a pretty healthy club scene, The Freezer Theater, Bookies and another club (forgot name) were the hangouts. The Detroit scene wasn't as big as the D.C. scene or L.A. scene, but, it really had an influence on local music for years after.

Were you in Youth Patrol? I seem to recall reading about a Bud who was in YP at one point.

Yes I was. Originally my buddy Spike and Chris were in the band. I played drums (sort of).

How did you first get involved with the Allied?

Through guys I knew from skating and the music scene. I wasn't in a band and guys I knew wanted to start one so I said what the hell. The bassist/singer for the Allied, Doug, was a school/skating buddy of mine. The original line-up was a hodge-podge of local dudes.

What was the response to the band? From the reviews I've read, everyone seems to have made a big deal about you're slower style. Was that the case throughout the band's career, or did people get used to it?

The response wasn't that great. Alot of that had to do with the fact that yes we were a slower more political band than what was hot at the time. We had our fans, I think we were just a bit over shadowed by the Necros and Negative Approach.

Do you have an particularly good stories about the band--great shows, awful shows, van breakdowns, etc, that you'd like to share?

Hmm, good stories, it has been awhile, but, i will tell you this, the fact that we were considered a "skin head" band didn't help things out as far as staying out of trouble. I do remember a show in a basement club if Ann Arbor, MI where the boys got a little out of control and the gig was stopped by local authorities. Another story I remember was Mick, our last bassist, shit his pants and it was coming out of ripped pants. We made him wash off in cold Lake Michigan.

When you were in the Allied, you made it to Chicago and Washington, DC. What were your impressions of the scene on a national level compared to locally?

Hard to say about Chicago. The Effigies were really the only thing I knew about (other than Big Black?) Chicago. We played there once, that's all I remember. Now D.C. on the other hand was happening. We played the 9:30 club and hung out with the Minor Threat guys. Imagine two van loads of smelly punks from Detroit invading our nation's capitol! We had these two huge guys that used to protect us, the Sleazestacks with us for this trip.

When you were in Chicago, you recorded tracks for an EP on Ruthless Records--how did John Kezdy first hear about you, and what was it like working with him?

Again, it was awhile ago, I believe John heard us from a gig. Our styles of music were pretty close. The recordings were a blur and I don't believe I have ever heard them.

I know you only released two demo tapes, but were there any tracks on cassette compilations?

No, not that I know of. If there is I sure would like to know about it.

What's you're take on the band split, is Pete's account accurate from your point of view?

Pete's account is probably the most accurate. To tell you the truth, I believe I was also in another band towards the end called Minus and i'm sure that didn't go over real well with the lads.

Do you have any idea what happened to the other two members? I'm particularly interested in tracking down Rob.

Well there are three other guys, Rob - who I believe is a lawyer or something. John - who played bass. I have no idea where he is, and Mick - same thing, no clue. We used to practice at his house out by Metro Airport. It was an hour drive every time to practice and back.

You mentioned a band called Crossed Wire that you and Chris (from NA) were in from 84 til 92 or so. What style of music did you play--were you continuing in the vein of the Allied and Negative Approach, or was a change of pace in order?

Chris and Rob (also from Neg. App.) started the band in the fall of 1984. We at that time still had roots in hardcore stuff but we were also being influenced by R.E.M. and U2. Our music was definitely more melodic than our previous bands. It was a great change of pace at the time.

Were there any Crossed Wire releases? I'm definitely curious to hear the band.

Yes, we released several EP's, compilations, cassettes and two CD's. I'm sure all of them are out of print and impossible to find. Caught in the current was released in '91 or '92 and it did pretty good college wise. Our last release was Arrival time, released in '95. We did tons of showcases in NYC and almost inked a deal with A & M. We also had some songs in a move starring Meg Tilly and Eric Stoltz.

Are you currently involved in any musical projects, or considering any?

No, haven't done anything musically for over a year. I am considering learning to play another instrument and learn how to sing.

And lastly, what records are on your playlist now? Anything you'd recommend picking up?

Right now, Coldplay and Elvis Costello. Also I relax to Sarah Brightman I would recommend anything from The Waterboys, Jeff Buckley, The Clash, Elvis Costello and the Attractions and The Beatles.