1. Tell us a bit about the band.

L: Lusitanoi! originated from a band called V Império that started playing in November '92. Since then we've had some changes in the line up but the actual formation is: Tiago - Bass and Vocals, Miguel - Guitar, Rodrigo - Guitar and myself, Branquinho - Drums.

2. How many recordings have you done?

L: We recorded an EP called "Olho por olho, dente por dente" (An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth) through the Italian label Tuono Records and two tracks for the compilation CD Soldados de Rua - Street Soldiers, released through the Portuguese label Dogs of War. We also started recording a CD, that will be released through DoW.

3. What sort of music do you play and what are your songs mostly about?

L: We play Oi/RAC music, with some hard-core influences. Our songs are about our way of life, Nationalism, the problems of our Nation, revolution, Europe, football etc.

4. Have you played many concerts?

L: We've played only two concerts and they were great. Unfortunately it is very difficult for a skinhead band to play live in Portugal.

5. Tell us a little about the Portuguese Nationalist Movement - the music and the politics?

L: At the moment there are three bands: us, Extremo and Combate. There were other bands like Guarda de Ferro, Bulldogs da Patria, Confronto, and others.

NS parties and fascist organisations are forbidden by the Portuguese Constitution. There have been a lot of Nationalist parties, that usually haven't lasted too long. Some of the bigger ones were the MAN - National Action Movement (after a fight between skinheads and members of a small Trotskyist party - PSR, Socialist Revolutionary Party - in 1989, which resulted in the death of a PSR leader, the MAN was raided by the police and declared extinct by the Constitutional Court). The FDN (National Defense Front) was also raided by the police in the early 90s. A lot of material was confiscated and it soon folded.

Nowadays there are a lot of small parties which aren't as radical as the MAN or FDN. There is the National Alliance, the Right-Wing Nationalist Front and others.

6. What contacts do you have world-wide? Do you co-operate with any Spanish Nationalist organisations?

L: We have many contacts with bands and organisations world-wide. In Spain, we have contacts with the organisation Juventud Radical and other Spanish Comrades.

7. What are some of the worst problems facing Portugal?

L: One of the main problems is immigration. Portugal has a lot of immigrants, especially from the former Portuguese colonies (like Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, etc.) but also from other African countries, from India and from China. To make this situation worse, our left-wing government had the "brilliant" idea of legalising thousands of them, after winning the elections (extra voters! - Ed).

Portugal also faces drug traffic and a growing number of drug addicts, unemployment, a so-called democratic system (which only gives freedom of speech to some) and many other problems.

8. What do you think of all the tourists that go to the Portuguese coast every Summer?

L: We have nothing against tourism. Portugal is a beautiful country and we welcome everybody who wants to visit it.

Sure tourists help the economy, but in many places, built especially for the tourists, our culture is ruined and what's there can be seen anywhere else. Despite this, there are still many other interesting places to visit where you can see the real Portugal and get to know one of the oldest cultures of Europe.

9. If you could do a concert anywhere - where would it be and why?

L: We have no preferences. We would like to do a concert with good bands and a great audience.

10. Are there any Portuguese Nationalist heroes? Some of our readers may have heard a little about Salazar - can you tell us a little about him?

L: There are so many Portuguese Nationalist heroes, that I decided to choose one that was a great man and most people don't know about. Rolão Preto, leader of the National Syndicalist Movement in Portugal, known as the Blue Shirts. With ideals very similar to those of the Spanish Falange and José Antonio Primo de Rivera (with whom Rolão Preto met), and the JONS and Ramiro Ledesma, this Movement grew and in the early 30's it had more than 50,000 members. It was the biggest movement of its kind in Portugal. In the mid 30s it was banned by the Estado Novo (New State) of Salazar, because of differences of ideology and the power that the Blue Shirts had in the Portuguese Armed Forces, seen as a danger to Salazar's regime.

António de Oliveira Salazar was a great man, and a true Nationalist. He was a natural born leader. Considered by many as a moderate fascist, he was a Catholic, a traditionalist, and also anti-communist and anti-democrat. he formed a Corporate State based on the political organisation União Nacional (National Union), in which the main values were God, Nation and Family.

He revitalised the Portuguese economy, developed industry and built schools. He created the Mocidade Portuguesa (Portuguese Youth), a national youth organisation and the Legião Portuguesa (Portuguese Legion) which was the regime's militia.

Salazar was Franco's friend and supported the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, where many Portuguese volunteers fought.

The Estado Novo and Salazar, like Franco in Spain, survived World War II having kept their neutrality, and siding with the British after the war.

Salazar maintained the Portuguese Colonial Empire, that included Angola, Mozambique and other African territories, Goa and other territories in India, Macao, and East Timor. In the 60s the war in Africa started, instigated by the communists. Salazar died in 1970 and the Empire started to fall apart. In 1974 the Communist revolution of April 25th took place. the African Colonies were left to be controlled by Soviets and Cubans, and Portugal lived in political chaos until the end of the 70s. By then, Communism was beaten and a 'democratic' system has ruled the country ever since.

11. You recently started a fanzine. How popular has it been? Does it sell well?

L: The zine is Sobressalto, which is still on its first issue. It has been very popular. It has sold well in Portugal, all across Western and Eastern Europe, in the USA and even sent copies to countries like Russia and Australia.

12. Most European Nationalists favour pulling out of the European Union, NATO etc. Do you believe this too? Are there any U.S. bases in Portugal?

L: We believe that Europe has to be united, but we do not believe in the kind of unity that the EU wants. We also believe that the WEU (the European Defence Force) should be stronger, and that Portugal should leave the Yankee controlled NATO.

One of the most important American air bases in Europe is in the Portuguese islands of Azores.

13. I understand the FC "We just hate all queers" stickers are popular there. Can we sell you some? But seriously, are poofs a problem in Portugal or are the people still traditionally minded?

L: Although people are still traditionally minded regarding homosexuals, especially due to their Catholic education, they are starting to be a big problem. They have a strong lobby, that controls most of the arts and fashion world and they also have a big influence on the media.

14. Any last words for FC readers?