xRepresentx Interview

1. Hello, give us a brief introduction to xRepresentx. How did the band come about?
In 2003, I decided to keep the long lasting legacy of Erie Straight Edge alive in my own way. We've always had a lot of sxe bands, and I had some ideas of where I wanted to go musically and what I wanted to say. So i put it together with some friends, and after many years, and member changes, here we are still today.

2. When it comes to your roots, what bands and styles in particular have influenced your sound?
A lot of real deal hardcore bands: Buried Alive, xDISCIPLEx, Ringworm, Earth Crisis, Figure Four, really the lis could go on forever. In a time where there's so much crap, we strive to be a view on what a true hardcore band should/could sound like.

3. How would you describe songs on “The new inquisition”? Lyrically and musically
Musically and lyrically, I'd say this album was the matured next step from True at all Costs. Both hit hard and fast, and both have well put lyrics, I feel atleast, but I really took a lot more time to say what I wanted to say on this album. Musically, ultra-hard.


4. How did you come up with the name of the album?
It's in reference to the Inquisitions of the middle 20th-century, as insane of an idea as they were, their job was to rid the land of heretics and non-believers. In comparison, the name is referring to ridding the lands those tarnishing the name of straight edge.


5. What are some of the topics you touch in your music and how important is message in hardcore for you?
Obviously we sing about straight edge. I feel I hit on subjects not said 1000 times by other bands, or atleast in different ways. I try to be thought provoking. Not comforming to the public ideals and not killing each other based on religion are also some things we've written about. I think it's a great travesty to hardcore to not be able to come up with some type of proactive message. This is a genre of people trained to open their mind and live outside of the box, so to speak. To drone on, talking about basically nothing, is a waste of a chance to make a difference.

6. You are on famous xseventh daggerx label. How works the collaboration with them?
Great. I love Danny and the Label. He's a fantastic gentleman, and every chance I've had interacting with seventh dagger has been top notch!!


7. You’re straight edge. What means straight edge for you?
Straight Edge means personal liberation from the shackles of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Not everyone becomes an addict, but those who do I'm sure wish they could re-think their first life destroying experience. And with so many people visibly destroying their lives, straight edge only makes more sense. However, I'd like to point out the main test of someones edge in my eyes. Some live clean because they chose to be straight edge, but the truest will be straight edge because they chose to live clean. The title shouldn't be the reason you are poison free, it should be a badge of honor once you've decided to live against those poisons.

8. xRepresentx were a long time in Europe in 2009 on Tour. What can you say about the tour? What do you think in special about the German HCscene?
Hands down, German HXC shows were always fantastic. I speak german, so maybe I'm partial, but I loved every one. Scotland was also great, belgium too. So many great places, and so many awesome people. I'm happy to say the Euro Hardcore scene is thriving from what I've seen. To anyone reading this that came to one of our shows, thank you. It means a lot. Not every band thanks the people at the shows the right way, but you are the only reason we could pay to get home and eat. We'd do it again in a heartbeat.

9. What's the scene like out there in Erie/PA at the moment? Are there a lot of newer bands we should keep our eyes out for?
Erie has always had a thriving hardcore scene, what can i say, I love it here. Lots of good shows, and lots of cool kids. Huge straight edge scene too. Keep and eye out for domestic war, and taste the steel. Maybe TTS will rejoin at sometime.

10. Thanks for the interview, any final thoughts or statements for the readers of my blog?
The only way to keep hardcore alive , no matter where you live, is to support any legit hardcore show that comes through. If As I Lay Dying wants to charge 30 euros or something, fine, but when some smaller(but good!) legit hardcore band comes by you, GO SEE THEM! Tour isn't cheap. If you know them, they'll be back if they see love. If you don't, you may like them. And if promoters know they won't lose their ass, they will book more and better hardcore shows. Support you scene, because if you don't, who will? It's everyone's job!

Strength for a Reason Interview

1. Hello, tell us a little about the history of your band. How did SFAR get together?
SFAR started back in 1997 when the guys from Out 2 Win (Mushmouth at the time) and our singer Karl got together and began fooling around and writing songs. They wrote two songs together, Strength For A Reason and Never Knew, played a show or two together, and then Karl got his own permanent members. The story goes from there to where we are today. Lots of great times, great friends, and more to come!
2. What are some key elements and influences that have shaped the band over the years?
I would say the key elements and influences would be our own personal experiences in our everyday lives. When we write songs, we incorporate what we are going through at the time, which relates to alot of people out there as well. We've stayed true to our sound and message and I think that is what keeps our fans loyal and brings us close to the new kids out there.
3. Were there specific musical influences for your last album?
Not really. We have been just progressing and evolving on what we have been doing over the past 13 years. We strive all the time to take things to the next level, while not stepping outside the bounds of the hardcore sound that we are known for.
4. You've shared a stage with a wide range of bands. What were some of the memorable gigs you’ve played?
Personally, I'd have to say probably Warzone in our early years, just because of the message Raybeez had and how much I personally admired him for overcoming the struggles in his life. Their shows were always fun too! We also had the privledge of playing CBGB's a few times, which is a honor. More recently, I would say probably Pressure Fest this past summer. It was insane and the kids there were awesome. They showed us lots of love and we appreciate it alot. It helps us to keep this thing alive!
5. You had a successful Euro-Tour in 2009.What do you think about the euro HCscene?
Right now, the Euro hardcore scene is where its at. I love how the kids are really appreciative of the music and what they have over there. They don't take it for granted and give every band on the show a chance and help them out in any way possivle. We are missing that over here in the States. Its all about fashion and popularity over here right now, which I hope Europe can stay away from.
6. Last Saturday your tourmates from Cheap Thrills had the last show. Do you want to say any words about them?
Those guys were for real! Awesome guys and we miss them alot. Cheap Thrills was one of the best bands we've had the privledge of touring with and we wish them well in the future endeavors and careers. Its a shame that they had to call it quits, but sometimes life can step in the way. We will see them again though and have a blast! Can't wait..
7. What can we expect from SFAR in the future?
You can expect alot because we have no plans on quitting what we love. We are looking forward to coming back to Europe in 2010, so keep your eyes open for news on that. We have a new guitar player too, his name is Nate and yes ladies, he is single!
8. Any good, upcoming bands everybody should check out?
Nate's other band is Concrete Reality. Awesome guys and definitely worth checking out. Our boys in Not Without Resistance are keeping things alive in central Pennsylvania. Steel Nation hail from Pittsburgh and are hard as hell! And of course, Wisdom in Chains. If you don't know, now you know..
9. Thanks for the interview, anything you would like to add?
Thank you SIB for taking the time to consider us for this interview. We appreciate it. We'd also like to thank Axel and Nils of Filled With Hate Records, Jamey Jasta and Stillborn, the Euro HC scene (We love you guys!), Martijn and No Heroes Bookings, the rest of the crazy guys in No Turning Back, Gerwin, and all the friends we've made in Europe and the world. Keep your eyes on http://www.strengthforareason.com and follow us on Twitter, http://twitter.com/SFARPAHC to find out what we are up to. See you again in 2010!

Interview with IH8YH aka. Naggi

1.First of all, can you introduce yourself for the people, who don’t know you?

My name is Joerg, i did bootleg videos for a couple of years of the european hardcore scene, i do graphics and some artwork stuff. thats basically it.

2.In the European Hardcorescene you are much asked for design cd cases, booklets, websites or merch designs. How did this come about?

Well first of all its not THAT much, i do Shirts for german bands from the ruhrarea every once in a while, some flyers for the Proberaum shows and for Rico17stitches. I know all these people from the hardcore scene. Some i knew even before that time, like Samis Reduction, I know that guy for ages. Its the usual way... word of mouth you know. you do something for someone, another one notices or asks around who can do a flyer or a shirt and they get back at you. Once you've done something good people always come back. guess i have proven myself reliable to always make something that sells or looks decent haha. It was the same with the CD Artworks that i did. I made some shirts for Six Ft Ditch and Peachey then asked me if was able (and wanting) to do the artwork to their next record. I took that chance and it came out pretty nice. I think thats also how the Fallbrawl and Bun Dem Out Artworks came together, they are both friends with SFD and me aswell and liked the stuff i did for SFD and so they asked me.

3. Where do you draw your influences when you design something?

That basically depends on the band. If it is a band that I am familiar with like Six Ft Ditch or Reduction, I just think about something these guys would like. With SFD is particulary easy since they all share my interest in Serial Killers and the love to 70s and 80s horror movies as you can clearly see in their lyrics. Reduction is also very easy.. just take something evil and disgusting, something that will have people say "oh you can't do THAT...". Its harded with other bands but i always try to get inspiration via their lyrics and other stuff they had, like their record artwork or older merchandise. I try to come up with something that is new but still kind of fits to their other stuff.

4. How do you think the genre of hardcore has evolved over the years? Do you think it’s all going in the right direction?

Personally I think it totally went downhill. There are good bands for sure but the amount of real bad bands, ungeneric ones has more than trippled in the last few years. also the fans are mostly just scumbags scenestars who are just in it for the image and "the mosh". you can clearly see that in all these "i mosh in front of my mirror on youtube" videos and such stuff. Of course there are also some new people that are pretty cool and are in it for the values of hardcore, the same stuff that i felt when i started. They've got it in their hearts, whereas I would say 80% of the people in the scene today are just in it for bout 2 years maximum and then they are off to the next trend. It really isn't the same anymore. Bands that deserve attention don't get it (like Cheap Thrills R.I.P.) and others are just jumping onto the trendwagon and people are kissing their asses for basically no reason.

5. How do you look upon the Internet and music, free mp3s, filesharing etc…? Is it a chance for a promotion ?

Thats maybe the toughest question ever. Of course its a great chance for bands to promote their stuff and reach a worldwide base with only a click. On the other hand its a real pain in the ass as you can see with FWH Records for example, they wanna change their way of distribution to a more digital format and only do a limited number of physical copies of a record. THAT is even the worse part for me as a designer because the booklet will be redundant someday. people will download the files, theres a cover and a txt.file with the lyrics. thats it. no artwork. and thats a shame cause i think a record and the artwork is kind a of a unit, the artwork tries to enhance the music by giving it a visual component.
The sad part about filesharing is the fact that theres people who have maybe one or two records at home and the rest is just downloaded somewhere. I have nothing against people downloading a record every once in a while. I do it myself but I have (or had.. sold most of them) about 1000 records here that i bought over time. so you get the thought. i hate it when people ONLY download and there seem to be an awful lot of these idiots.

6. What bands, labels, crews do you support in your area?

Quiet a lot since i am friends with most of them haha. Basically its the DRM (which i am no member of, just to clarify!) and all its bands, the RBS (which i am also no member of, just to clarify!) and most of its bands. Theres the newly found german chapter of the SOSF which i am a member of. In London its the LBU and all affiliated bands. Label wise it just comes down to three basically and those are Massive Bloodshed Records, Filled With Hate and Rucktion Records from London.

7. You are straight edge. What it is about straight edge that makes it a lifestyle for you? What was the main reason why you said no to drugs and alcohol and smokes?

The mainreason for me was my Dad. He was an alcoholic since i can think and i just started to get to know him after he had an heartattack and was forced to change his "way of life". before that he was just the guy who came home late and passed out on the couch. I swore to myself to never become someone like that and thats basically it.
As for the "lifestyle" thing... it aint really a lifestyle because i don't buy any new SXE shirt, I don't listen to a lot of straight edge bands (in fact i think bands singing bout partying and shit are even more fun, like No Reedeming Social Value or german thrashgods Tankard). I may have a Straight Edge Tattoo but as with all tattoos I did that one only for myself, kind of like a bold reminder to myself that i can see not to become my father.

8. Thanks for the interview, anything you would like to add?

listen to Bastard Lovechild! FUCK MEDIA CUNTS
myspace.com/bastardlovechildukhc

and thx for the interview!

Brutality will prevail Interview

1.Hello,introduce your band to our readers,please and tell us where your bands from?
We started in 2005, with a very different sound and members. We did two demos,but nothing ever released properly.Then we finally released "forgotten soul" in march 2009. We are from south wales CCHC!
2. What bands have been biggest influences on your music and lyrics?
No bullshit..Forgotten Soul musically was heavily influenced by Life Long Tragedy,Rise and Fall,Shipwreck,The Banner, Converge. Just bands that we all love and listen too. The lyrics are directed at people fading out, changing for the worst, hateing how the world is changing, being in a state of depression, forced to listen to lies, never being the voice that's heard.

3. Could you tell us something about your upcoming album?
We have about five songs finished, Its along the same lines has FS,just more planned out and more grown up.
>
4. What would you say about the european hardcore scene today?
Mainland Europe is amazing! Shows are always packed out, the promoters are friendly and work very hard. People care a lot more. When US bands come over, they all say the same. The rest of the world have a lot to catch up with.
I have put a few shows on, I found it very stressful!!
Right now,the UK has a very good bunch of bands,and good shows too offer, the scene is good. Lets hope it lasts!!

5. What can we expect from BWP in the future?
Us and hang the bastard are just starting to record our split 7inc on PURGATORY RECORDS, fully syked on it! It will be out late December time. We have just pretty much sorted who is doing our album release, so we hope 2010 will be a good year. Lets see what happens


6. What are tour plans for you? Are you planning any trip to Europe?
We have a 10 day tour with your demise in Dec, that's around the UK,we are trying to sort some euro dates to promote the split 7inc in Jan. Then tour all 2010, any venue, any city, any country haha

7. Thanks for the interview, anything you would like to add?
check out www.myspace.com/purgatoryrecordsuk
and fuck media hype shit bands! you know who you are..

thanks for your interest.and all the best with your blog

Hang the Bastard Interview

1. First of all, could you give us a rundown on HTB – who is who, how did you guys get together and what was the reason to start a band?

Band is Chris - Vocals, Sam Hell - Guitar, Sina - Guitar, Stu - Bass and Simon - Drums
Me(Chris) and Sam started the band Summer 07, we were in another band that wasnt exactly what we wanted to do so we decided to start a band that was a mix of all the bands we were listening to and really loved at the time. So basically we wanted to sound like a cross between Integrity and Black Sabbath with a lot of classic rock influences.
We're still very much keeping the same formula but with members changing over the last couple of years, influences have changed. We still love Black Sabbath though!

2. How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you before?

A mix up of modern hardcore with Sabbath style riffs. Dark, aggressive and menacing!







3. Can you tell us some bands that have influenced your style?

Theres quite a lot but I suppose the following - Black Sabbath, Integrity, Crowbar, Life Of Agony, Pentagram, Trapped Under Ice to name a few.

4. What’s the most important part of hardcore scene to you – the message, the people, the music or something else?

Thats a hard question, seems like hardcore doesn’t really have much of a message anymore. All that matters to me is that the band and everyone involved in the hardcore scene are sincere about what their doing.

5. Any good, upcoming bands everybody should check out?

NeverxAgain, Abolition, Brutality Will Prevail, Burning Love

6. What are the bands plans for the future?

We have two split 7"s coming out by the end of the year. One with Aboliton from London and the other with Brutality Will Prevail from Wales.
We've just started to write a new e.p for early next year which will be out on Holy Roar records.
Other than that, we'll be touring loads next year and possibly writing an album.

7. Thanks for the interview, any last words?
Listen to Black Sabbath

The beginning

Yes,
a new blog is born. haha
The idea of this blog is to show interviews with different HC-related Bands and guys from all over the world and in special from the Ruhrpott Area.

So prepare for interesting interviews in the next weeks and months.