30 Years…for any band to run for that amount of time is an accomplishment in itself and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating this year with London’s very own Knuckledust. Knuckledust are not only a staple in the London scene but for UKHC as a whole and they paved the way for many bands including their own other projects such as Bun Dem Out, Lowlife, Ironed Out, basically just look at the Rucktion catalogue.

I recently spoke to vocalist Pierre and one comment he made was that they don’t count the years but they get told which is mad crazy.

We spoke about the early days of Knuckledust and the London scene, Rucktion Records and it’s origin and of coursewhat we can expect from the guys in the near future.

With their 30th anniversary show imminently on the horizon taking place at The Underworld, Camden (with a stacked line up may I add) and heading over to Portugal & Eindhoven later this year we’re in for one hell of a celebration.

FIRST OF ALL WHERE ARE YOU GUYS BASED & HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?

Ray, Nic and Wema grew up and lived in East London, in the Beckton and East Ham area. I was born in Holloway but moved to Neasden when I was 8 so grew up in North West London. 

We connected in early 1996 after the guys saw an ad I pinned to a board in Selector Disc in Soho which used to be a good spot to find the odd hardcore cd from time to time.  I had been trying to start a band and they needed a singer so they invited me to try out and things just clicked.

WHAT WAS THE SCENE LIKE WHERE YOU WERE GROWING UP & HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN IT?

At the time there were a handful of NYHC bands that would start to tour and make it to the UK and the home grown scene was defiantly present but few and far between compared to today.

However, there was a strong community trading tapes and releasing zines.

In my local area there wasn’t much hardcore going on, but there was heavy bands still.  East London always had punk and oi bands though.

I guess at the time seeing and hearing bands from NY with Latino musicians drew me in as well as the lyrical content that was more realistic rather than dungeons and dragons so I found I related more with the NYHC bands I was stumbling across.

CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT ABOUT THE EARLY DAYS AND HOW RUCKTION FORMED?

The Rucktion moto is “helping bands to help themselves” & “making bands, not taking bands”

Trends never mattered to us, corporate music industry never mattered to us.

Being liked never mattered to us.

Back at the start there really wasn’t much in our area going on, so we made what we wanted to see/hear simple as that. It was never a thing to please anyone but ourselves, DIY was the tool we learned to utilise which seems to have been forgotten to some extent in this modern era of HXC. 

I guess in an era of regional sounds and style we created and represented our own, the mix of cultures and styles in London definitely helped carve our own with a genuine attitude.

As kids we had no choice, where as today there’s lots of shortcuts or people will to fill roles for bands if the money is right.

If we unintentionally inspired other outcasts to do the same (yes we’re even outcasts in the “hardcore scene” of the time) or even just to do something then I agree that Rucktion was, is and always will be an important entity in London HXC.

We do this because it’s who we are, we give back to it because it gave us so much.

THIS MIGHT SOUND LIKE A DUMBASS QUESTION BUT HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME KNUCKLEDUST?

I used to say that when I found and became active in UKHC it gave me a way to put my energy into something positive rather than negative.

So I saw it as dust settling on my knuckles cos I wouldn’t be getting into stupid fights and troubles.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEBODY WHO HASN’T HEARD YOU BEFORE?

London Hardcore through and through!

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

Personally for me

Raybeez and Warzone, Rodney Price aka Bounty Killer, Nueva Sociedad de Huancayo, Ninebar, 2Pac, Fania Allstars, Krutch, K Koke and more recently men like Nation Boss and Chronic Law

THIS MAY BE A WIDE OPEN QUESTION BUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SHOWS YOU’VE REALLY ENJOYED BEING A PART OF & DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE VENUE?

Damage Control Fests we used to put on were all memorable as well as the coach trip we used to organise to play Belgium with all the bands in our fam.

12Bar will always be my favourite venue.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM TOUR TO GET KNUCKLEDUST ON TODAY? 

Probably a Rucktion tour package with some of our brother bands.

WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE CRAZIEST EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD TOGETHER?

There’s been a few near death experiences that are obviously force you to appreciate life and living this hardcore lifestyle.

HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE HARDCORE SCENE IN LONDON CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS AND HOW HAS THE LBU ADAPTED AND GROWN WITH IT?

There’s actually scenes everywhere these days which is amazing to see.

LBU just keeps doing what it always did and that just enjoy and give thanks for every experience music has given us.

Of course we’ve made mistakes, had ups and downs but all of it has taught us skill and fine tuned other skills which we’re happy to share for the good of the scene.

HOW IMPORTANT IS REPRESENTATION IN THE HARDCORE COMMUNITY?

London Hardcore taught us that this is for everyone, any colour any creed any sexuality and any belief. 

WHO HAS BEEN SOME OF THE LARGEST INFLUENCES IN YOUR SOUND?

Musically I guess NYHC bands as well as British Oi & Punk inspired us the most to carve our own sound

WE CAN’T ALL BE MUSICIANS 24/7 SO WHAT JOBS/CAREERS DO YOU GUYS HAVE?

Electricians, paramedics, retail worker, sales men, scaffolding, delivery drivers, mate we’ve done it all because we never paid attention to shit a school lol!

HAVE YOU GOT ANY HOBBIES/INTERESTS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE?

Rucktion records being back in 2026 with a fresh team and same old attitude.

I’m enjoying learning the craft of tattooing of late.

Still being asked to record vocals for other bands from all over the world to which is very humbling and a good way for me to try stuff out vocally. 

YOU’RE CELEBRATING YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH AND TO TOP IT OFF AT THE UNDERWORLD! WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM THE SHOW?

Expect good vybz, good live bands of different styles and the making of good memories!

WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU GUYS FOR THE REST OF 2026?

We have a few shows booked to celebrate this 30th year of us four making noise. We have some new music that we’re working on to.

I look forward to every show we book as I feel very blessed that at the ripe old age of 50 I can still do this and express myself in my own way.

FINALLY, HAVE YOU GOT ANY OTHER ARTISTS/FRIENDS YOU THINK THE PEOPLE SHOULD CHECK OUT?

Check out Agency, Regress, King Street, Divide, Lowlife, Bun Dem Out LBU, Not Without Fighting all out or coming out on Rucktion this year.

We have so many talented creatives in the LBU that are well worth checking out from tattooist, artists, designers, producers, videographers and more.

For further show information keep an eye out on their socials @knuckledust_ukhc

Knuckledust celebrate their 30th anniversary with a headline show at The Underworld Camden on the 20th June. Tickets are currently sold out so keep an eye out for people selling tickets if you don’t have one!

I also spent time with Pierre a few weeks back at All Ages Records in Camden, our full interview can be seen on youtube via the below link:

Until next time, I’ll catch you in the pit!

If you are interested in writiing a review of an album/show and would like it featured on our site please email us by using our ‘Contact Us‘ page! If you are an artist that would like to be featured please give us a message!

Never miss an article we post by signing up to our newsletter below!