charlie manning walker — kcpcollective

^{CHARLIE MANNING WALKER}

^{CHUBBY & THE GANG}

^{Charlie Manning Walker, of Chubby and the Gang, The Chisel and Arms Race to name a few, has an energy that feels quintessentially punk. He’s angry, he’s talking about it and he’s not about to stop.

Furious about the disparity in the world, he calls out authorities for their crimes while making music that goes off. You feel his agitation alive in his music, it’s fast, it’s hard, it’s fed up. It’s also fun, it riffs, and to put it plainly, is exceptional. The success of Chubby and The Gang means there’s definitely others who feel the same way, his energy explosive onstage and instudio, transmuting his ferocity into 2 incredible albums and a few EPs to boot, the result is a force to be reckoned with.

An avowed existentialist, Charlie doesn’t spend too much time looking for the deeper meaning in things. He’s a realist, he knows what he sees and he knows what he wants to say about it.

Existentialism; the liberating idea that we have no inherent purpose on this earth, so we may set our own purpose. A potential consequence of existentialism is that the deficit of a higher purpose can render many despondent, living empty lives with no desires. But there are also those like Charlie who meant it when they set out to find their own purpose.

Charlie's self appointed purpose is clear to anyone who knows him or his music, the tenacity in which he throws himself into the contribution towards the undoing of inequality. His restless energy constantly striking out at the injustice of the law, pointing at the metastasis of system rot and the draconian landscape that still exists, gives power to a perspective that needs all it can get.}

^{How old were you when you started going to shows, do you remember what it felt like?

So I was about 12 when I started going to gigs but when I started getting into hardcore Scene I was like 16 I remember when I really started emerging myself in punk and hardcore it really felt like this amazing culture that saved me from myself. The violence and chaos and music was so amazing.

Do you remember the first song or band that influenced your love of music?

Probably ramones. My parents were punks so it was always on in the house. Reggae and soul and a lot of that stuff too. But ramones I remember fondly. The catchy hooks mixed with the rowdy lyrics.

How would you define punk to someone who thought it was just noise?

Nothing wrong with just noise. I'd say. If you don't get it then you shouldn't force ya self too. It's a culture for lost people. And it finds them and changes them. It doesn't have to be for everyone.

Do you feel like you bring that passion in music into all things in your life?

No. Definitely not. I don't like a lot of stuff in this world. Music is one of five things I enjoy.

How do you think the UK music scene has evolved in the last 10 years?

Damn. I think people have a tendency to look back on things with rose tinted spectacles. But actually. The longer I live the more I think everything just stays the same. People embellish afterwards.

If you weren’t making punk music, what kind of music would you be making?

Glam. Probably hahaha.

Why do you think people fuck with CATG, what’s the magic?

I made the band and wrote the songs as an antidote to the self indulgent shit I see everywhere atm. I did it for myself to be honest. But it seemed to strike a cord with other people.

If the band was your classroom, what has music taught you about life or yourself?

See, I'm very not spiritual. I just believe in atoms and particles moving at random. And it's our chimp-like brains which desperately try to make sense of it all. I'm an existentialist at heart. I think any meaning I place on things are just in my head. So my motto is if nothing matters just enjoy the lack of matter.

Do you have a ritual or process when you approach writing music, or is it more primal/instinctive?

Completely primal. I'll be at work on a roof laying cable and humming to myself and all of a sudden I've written coming up tough as a vocal humming session. People get too bogged down in making sure things are perfect to perform. But nothing is perfect.

What does life feel like when you’re making music, versus when you’re working 9-5?

Exactly the same. Good and bad it's all the same.

Lastly, Can you make me something that distills your meaning in life. It can be lyrics, a drawing, a tune, anything.}

I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert

But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime