The Adicts have been playing with essentially the same line-up since the 70s. A seminal band in punk and post-punk, The Adicts frontman was eager to discuss the band's gear over the years. We spoke to Keith "Monkey" Warren about the band's gear history, and got responses which were raw, opinionated, and honest. Monkey dished about gear he likes, and offered a few opinions on what he believes doens't live up to his standards. Gearwire brings you the whole truth and nothing but - at least from Monkey's point of view.

Gearwire-What were you each playing back in 81 and what do you play now?

Pete was playing through a Marshall 50mv head & JCM800 with a 4x12 sloped cab. He now plays a Krank Revolution head and 4x12 cab and also Crate 150 Blue Voodoo heads. He used to use a Washburn Hawk guitar and Gibson SG today he plays Washburn and Schecter guitars. He still uses his Korg PME40x pedals for effects.

Mel used to play through a Acoustic head or marshall head and used to play a Precision bass but that was too heavy. He now uses Ampeg VST heads and Ampeg 8x10 cab and plays a Musicman Sterling bass and Schecter basses.

Kid Dee still plays the drums, they haven't changed at all.

Tell me a bit about why the changes and lack thereof?

The changes are simple, amps improve or get worse. For instance Marshall amps have declined in quality; this is due to mass production and crap components. The original JCM800 head rocked. Today's suck. Bass heads are the same. Krank amps really do rock, as do the Crate Blue Voodoo heads. The same with guitars. Gibsons have become lazy in their product where as other guitar companies are making a better quality product for a cheaper price.

Even with the technological leaps in recent years--playing rock doesn't seen as affected as other genres in live music. But what about in the studio? Can you tell me a little about the differences in recording a record in 1981 (Songs of Praise) and in 2005-06?

We have just re-recorded Songs of Praise with modern digital means, it was so much easier. Times have changes so much, tape editing is no longer an "up to your knees" job of hundreds of feet of tape for one splice. It's now a click of a button and environmentally friendly, heheh. Digital is such a great step forward, what one can achieve now is almost endless. Sound has come a long way since the days of "hoping it works," although there is a certain warm sound on tape compared to digital.

There is only one way to go, and that is modern tech. Digital is amazing! We use Nuendo 3.0 in the studio it is an amazing editing and recording program, and has a great sound to it.

Are there any old bits of gear you lost or trashed etc over the years you now look back on fondly?

Pete broke a few Gibson SGs worth thousands on todays market, but they have a flaw in the neck stock. They are weak there and tend to snap easy. Pete broke a few guitars on people's heads too. He once had a guitar stolen in New York City in the early 90s which was his pride and joy, but he still has his old guitars from the past and amps.

Mel had a Precision bass given to him by Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, stolen or misplaced, which had huge sentimental value as it was the black one with the silver pick guard, it weighed a ton.

Do you have any advice for young bands on choosing gear--how to pick a bass, a guitar, a drum kit?

Picking a guitar is simple, don't dream of rock cliches i.e. Les Paul dreams, copies are as good and better in many cases and cheaper. Always pick a guitar you feel balanced with and comfortable, make sure it sounds sweet and your fingers like it just like a nice p***y. Another important thing is that it stays in tune.

Drums are drums, fittings are the most important things on a drum kit-- sturdy means it lasts longer. Tuning is an art form, and skins today are great. A good footpedal is important. Bass guitars are a problem, weight balance and tone have to be considered.

On a non-gear front, how do you stay together, with all original members for such a long time? That is pretty unheard of.

The only thing we can say it, that we left our egos and bullshit at the door many years ago and we got on as mates as well as musicians, we are a family now.