As everyone probably knows already, most BOYRACER songs are pretty noisy, and in some cases, quite punky. But, shock! horror! They've had records released by a few labels which have the reputation of being cute and twee; and they're generally looked upon as sounding the same as a lot of the other bands on these labels. Of course, anyone with even the slightest amount of brain-cells would be able to tell that Boyracer aren't cute, twee or jangly, and I thought I'd ask Stewart Boyracer what he thinks about it all.

You're hardly a cutie band, so why have most of your records come out on labels with twee reputations?
I don't know. It baffles me. I guess largely due to people's laziness and stupidity and the fact we're on a label like Sarah, people will instantly pigeonhole us. Although I know, and you do, we don't sound anything like The Harvest Ministers or Brighter - I'm sure people may get a shock when they hear our forthcoming Peel Session, or at least those who had us down as jangly tweesters. What do I care anyway?

What's your attitude towards the fact that you're looked upon as being the same kind of band as most of the other bands on labels like Sarah or A Turntable Friend?
I hate it. We have more in common with Slumberland bands, and feel quite comfortable with that. We're touring in America in October with Henry's Dress and The Ropers, which will be fun. What I hate is people saying "I bought your last Sarah EP", but are unaware of the stacks of other stuff we've done, and bought it because it's on Sarah. If you are reading this and you fit this category then I want you to realise that Boyracer want no part of your pop snobbery and despise your collector type mentality.

I get the impression you're anti-indie. Why is this?
Not anti-indie at all. I consider Boyracer as one of the few genuine indie bands in this country. We carry on doing what we want to regardless of fads or fashions. We always subscribed to the true DIY approach and don't need to suck up to anyone to feel secure, and we don't have any slogans we feel we have to force on to anyone. It's like, this is it, dig it or walk. Death to pretentious pop.

Why the massive line-up change?
Basically, it was largely from a personal point of view. The previous members stole a considerable sum of money from me as well as contributing less and less to the running and material of the band. For example the last EP I recorded with them, "AUL 36X", I played virtually everything.

What does "AUL 36X" stand for?
It was a number plate. It's not important.

How long have you known Hula Hoop?
Since Summer '92. Eric is my ideal pop idol. He's getting married this week though. Pity. They have new records out soon so watch out!

Boyracer have had quite a few records out, which are as follows:
"RAILWAY"/"REVERSE" 7" on Fluff
"ONE FOR SORROW" split flexi with Hula Hoop, on Fluff
"BOYRACER GO FLEXI CRAZY" double flexi on Pure Hatred
"NAKED" 7" EP on A Turntable Friend
"B IS FOR BOYRACER" 7"/CD EP on Sarah
"LOUISVILLE, LEEDS, TKO!" split LP with Hula Hoop, on A Turntable Friend
"FROM PURITY TO PURGATORY" 7"/CD EP on Sarah
"REVERSE" (new version) flexi on Hedonist Productions
"AUL 36X" 7" EP on Slumberland
"BOYRACER" split flexi with Sabine
"MORE SONGS ABOUT FRUSTRATION AND SELF HATE" LP on A Turntable Friend, CD on Slumberland
They have also been on loads of compilation tapes, and there was a track from Boyracer with Even As We Speak on the A Turntable Friend anti-fascist compilation LP, "Calling At Duke Street". They also appeared on the Frog Records compilation CD, "Songs About Croaking" and the three single box set on French label Alienor. Stewart Boyracer and Eric Hula Hoop have had two singles out under the name of HULABOY, which were "Mermaid Sister" (on Meller Welle) and "Slip It Inside" (on Sticky).

(Note that this interview took place in 1994 and Boyracer have had many more records out since)

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