Seed Of Pain

Interview par MSN réalisée le 16.12.2007

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Can you please introduce yourselves first?

Flavio : So I'm Flavio, I play bass and I'm the only one not from Lucerne.

Where are you from?

Flavio : I’m from Zug.
Matthias : I'm Matthias, I do the vocals.
Samuel : Samuel, riffmaster.
Dominik : I'm Dominik and I beat the drums and bang the girls. I'm also from Lucerne.

And what's the name of the band? I think it begins with an S...

Samuel : We're called Seed of Pain, I almost forgot.

What do you want to achieve with this band? Is there a specific goal you want to mention?

Samuel : I dunno, I don't think we have something like a masterplan. Although I think, compared to other bands nowadays - we are a bit more ambitious. Which means, we don't just wanna play the same venues in our homecity again and again, and we want to get better, play tighter... you know. Also I think we try to grow as a band, at least musicwise...

Do you have a particular message?

Matthias : I think we don't have a particular message. We are no preachers or something like that. If you can identify yourself with our music, lyrics or maybe a single song, it's ok and nice to hear. If you need a leader, search elsewhere.
Samuel : ...still I think we try to have something to say. We try to reflect what's surrounding us, be it political issues or a personal thing.

Let's go on with a bit of history! Can you tell me more about your time in hardcore? When did it all start for you, individually and as a band? What's been happening so far?

Samuel : Me and Dominik already played in some band before Seed of Pain called The Rumble. Flavio and I both were in As It Is, and Matthias always showed some interest in singing in a new band, so I think with the demise of the other two bands, all came together.
Matthias : Beside that, we organized hardcore shows in Lucerne from time to time.
Dominik : Well, I'm too slow. Everything important was said.
Samuel : I’m straight edge.

So am I! Straight edge. But when did you realize you wanted to actually get involved in hardcore?

Samuel : That's gonna sound cheesy...but for me, it's the most normal thing. If you start listening to hardcore, you automatically get involved with the message and the attitude behind the music. I can't imagine that I listen to punk/hardcore without being somehow involved... be it setting up shows, doing a fanzine, playing in a band...whatever
Flavio : For me it was never a question actually. When you go to shows, you always have friends playing in bands. So if they can do it, why can’t I?
Samuel : I’ve always had problems with those who only consume. Besides the fact that most of them have a bad taste in what they call "hardcore"...

I kinda agree with you! But what made you really want to go on with this? Not everyone exposed to hardcore decides to keep it in their own lives later.

Dominik : I don't really know. I just slipped in somehow and felt really comfortable. I liked (and still do) the atmosphere and the whole thing behind this scene. And as Samuel said, it's not just the music and the lyrics. It's much more. You can do so much in and for hardcore. Bands, shows, fanzines and so on.
Flavio : Exactly, it's not a decision you make it's just something that evolves naturally
Dominik : I hate this word, but there's still some kind of "unity" in this scene. If you find kids who listen to hardcore you get into them much easier than in any other kind of music scene.. I don't really know how to explain... You probably know what I mean.
Matthias : I just can agree, it just "packed" me. I was fascinated and wanted to be a part of it.

You're a part of a collective of kids called LTM, right?

Flavio : I'm not. They still won't tell what's it all about. Assholes…

What does it mean?

Dominik : There's no more LTM. LTM is dead.
Samuel : LTM's dead. Some things aren't meant to last.
Matthias : LTM was about "Raststätte Kemptthal" haha...

Raststätte Kemptthal? What the fuck is that?

Samuel : LTM started kind of an inside-joke on the one side, on the other side we needed a name for the shows we put on in Lucerne... a "corporate identity".

I still want to know what Raststätte Kemptthal is !

Dominik : It's the place to be. It's our favourite break area on the highway, before and after long drives. Gas station, food and stuff.
Matthias : I remembered it because you talked about LTM, that's all.

Why did you choose the name Seed Of Pain? What is the seed you're referring to?

Dominik : It's a XCHORUSX song.
Samuel : As Dominik said, it's a song from a band called A Chorus of Disapproval. We were just flipping through our whole music collection to find a name. There's no greater intention behind it. But, to me the name fits to the music and us as a band in general...

What do you do besides the band? Students, workers...unemployed? Any other "important" activities? At least important enough to be mentioned?

Flavio : I’m still going to school, but graduation is right ahead this summer.
Samuel : Same for me.
Matthias : I'm a student.
Samuel : The reason we do this band is basically because we don't have a social life going on beside SOP. There are maybe reasons for that, who knows... haha
Dominik : I finished the first part of my education last summer. Now I'm working for a year and then I'll continue my education.

So, you're not really into sports, for instance?

Samuel : Hahaha !
Flavio : Well for me, it's skateboarding and snowboarding.
Dominik : Haha !
Samuel : You can't be into sports and into music. It's like screaming "free Palestine" with a Mc Donalds burger in your mouth.
Matthias : Haha !

By the way, do you skate or snowboard on your own? Are you guys loners?

Samuel : Of course. We're freaks. That's probably the reason why we're the most hated Swiss hardcore band.

Haha ! You are scary !

Flavio : « Heavier than heaven, lonelier than god. »
Samuel : Oh shut up, Flavio !

During these last few years, the worldwide hardcore punk scene has gotten bigger. I think it's due to its commercialization and to the apparition of brand new medias, like Myspace. That said, "big" doesn't always mean "good" or "constructive". What do you think of this obvious evolution of the scene? Do you care? Is it profitable for the more underground side of the scene?

Samuel : That's a good question. As a band, Myspace is a good possibility to spread your name, for sure. On the other hand, nowadays every band has a Myspace account, but most of those bands still don't get any attention, right? People sometimes tend to glorify this new era of communication and whatever. But in the end, I don't see such a big difference. But then again, I'm a child of the internet. However, I guess you're right, a lot of bands get bigger and bigger. "Emo" or "Metalcore" are parts of the mainstream now, even if there are some kiddies that are still pretending to be "different" or whatever. It's no more underground or alternative. To be honest, I don't really give a damn about this. I like observing this whole trend, but to me this has nothing to do with punk/hardcore. All those kids don't know a thing about the roots of what they're up to. But I don't care. May they roooott in heeeeeeeeeeeeell ! ! !

But then again, I think kids who are into "emo or " metalcore" have bigger chances to get interested by the punk/hardcore scene than the disco kids. So, even though most of these big bands are utter shit and have nothing to say, they can help the underground scene develop itself. Most of the active kids are often a bit ashamed to admit that they used to listen to bullshit bands before getting involved in the hardcore punk scene.

Samuel : Which is OK in my book. But that doesn't mean that i have to care about them, I know this sounds elitist and whatever, but I could care less.

But there's still some kind of connection.

Samuel : And to be honest, there are a lot of non-hardcore/punk bands that also have something to say. and also the best lyricist can't preach his ideals into every listeners heart nor can he be sure that the listener will actually care about what he has to say. so i don't think that those big bands really help. I hope this sounds understandable…

We don't necessarily have to care about them, of course. But we should keep the doors open for the new kids. And then, it's also up to us to show them every aspect of the punk/hardcore scene. Even if they come around with a Korn shirt, or whatever...

Samuel : That's true, I’ve never denied this.

In the question above, I talked about "the scene", in the singular. But as I remember, in one of the latest conversations I had with you Samuel, you were talking about scenes when giving me your impressions on what's going on right now in Switzerland. I think it's interesting to see how these two perceptions differ. So, can you give me yours in a more detailed way?

Samuel : As far as I remember, we were talking about how there are a lot of people who consider themselves hardcore but that most of them (myself included) only have their little niche. Most of the Swiss hardcore kids have their own little scenes and aren’t very supportive towards bands from other regions and stuff. But then again you have scenes like the one you're from, where people most of the time have a long distance to travel, but you see them at almost every show. This is awesome in my opinion, because most of the people don't do so.

But do you think it's possible to consider the Swiss scene to be one scene of a kind? I always talk with other people about how hard it is for all of us to talk because of the language barrier, but it's been more than two hours that we’ve been talking to each other, so it's not a big problem I guess...

Samuel : No, I don't think there is one big scene. and I also don't think that most of the parties want to be connected with each other.

What makes this unification impossible? I've already felt tension at shows between some people, but it's never really outspoken...

Samuel : I don't know. But i think it's just like everywhere else. Some people don't get on well with each other because of different points of view… I mean, we're only humans. It’s not because we all listen to the same music (which we actually don’t do anyway), we have to share every single opinion with each other, and like in real life, not everyone likes everyone, so in my book, that’s no big deal.

Yeah, maybe I'm too idealistic. Next one?

Samuel : Haha, okay "Had it with unity" is a good SLAPSHOT song

I know that you're all really into old bands ranging from Black Flag to Burn and from Bl'ast to Cro-Mags, to name a few. As you've probably noticed, tons of old timers do reunion tours nowadays, which I think is pretty strange cause it didn't seem to happen very often a few years ago. What do you think of this phenomenon? Are they all back to get their royalties or is it really for the love of music? Tricky question, I admit...

Flavio : I can't say anything about the motives of the bands, but for me, I don't really care. It's great to see bands you love but you've never had the chance to see live.
Matthias : As Flavio said, I don't really care about the motives of the bands. I really enjoyed some reunions, some not.

Let's focus a little bit on Seed of Pain and what's going on for the band! You have recently signed on a small record label called Let It Ride Records. Can you tell me more about this label? Do you personally know the people behind it?

Samuel : Let It Ride is a small label from Germany, they started this year and they already have three releases out. While recording our songs for the 12", there already were a couple of labels interested in releasing further demos of us. Let It Ride were the first, that became more serious and so everything came together real quick. I'm sad to say, we haven’t met each other in real life yet. But the guys behind the label seem to be super nice. So I guess every one is happy with the situation right now.

It sounds great! Why did you choose the 12" format?

Flavio : We had too many songs for a 7".

OK! And are the songs on this 12" in the same vein of those on the 3-track demo? Is there a notable difference?

Samuel : Hum, I think the songs have a similar sound. On the demo, the three songs sounded like they were written for three different bands... Maybe the newer songs are a bit darker, but it's hard to say as a bandmember.

I remember that the last time I saw your band on a stage, I found that some of the songs were pretty crazy, I'd say a bit more experimental, less conventional. Especially the guitar, I heard some strange yet interesting effects. But knowing that you listen to a wide range of musical styles, that doesn't really surprise me. Samuel, what kind of pedals do you use for all these effects?

Samuel : Haha, I always get shit from other people for using too many pedals, but in fact I only have a reverb and a cry baby. However, 2008 will bring some new gear, Haha ! And yeah, I like trying out different things, especially since we're a four piece with only one guitar player. But thanks for the nice words anyway.

By the way, haven't you tried to find a second guitar player? Or are you more comfortable when you’re "on your own" (so this one is for Samuel again...sorry guys!)?

Samuel : Uuuh... I’ll leave this one to the other guys !
Flavio : We discussed that recently, and well maybe for the sound it would be better, but we like being a four piece and seriously we're always jamming and that wouldn't work with a second guitar player.

Do you know why? Is Samuel selfish?

Matthias : Samuel is the one and only riffmaster...haha !
Samuel : No, I sometimes wish, we had a second guitar player. But then again, nobody would have enough nerves to get on with us. And as Flavio said, we're always jamming blues and stoner rock songs. and most hardcore kids aren't that open minded to other genres and maybe they would kill themselves after a few rehearsals because of all our bad jokes and behaviour in general. So this eventually won't happen.
Dominik : We want to stay Seed of Pain and Seed of Pain is us. Only us ! Haha !

Haha! So, it's like a sect, right?

Samuel : Holy terror, chapter Switzerland, church of the final judgement represent !
Flavio : Pff...humanity is the devil.

Satan is straight edge!

Dominik : WORD.
Matthias : For sure!

How would you describe your band to someone who doesn't know it at all? Which adjectives would you use?

Samuel : Progressive hardcore...so to sound like a completely arrogant dick !

What is your point of view on religion? I was wondering if listening to bands that contain people who are quite religious could directly affect you. I was thinking of the Krishna Consciousness...Maybe it's better to speak of spirituality than of religion, in this case...

Samuel : Funny, in every past interview, people asked us this kind of questions !
Dominik : I think, you have to make a difference between personal spirituality and organized religions, no matter which religion though. Our opinion is, that organized religions have no place in the hardcore punk movement.
Samuel : I think, spirituality is something everyone could need, but it’s a wide term, and the borderline to religion is a thin one. But as Dominik said, I don't like organized religions.

What about politics? Do you vote?

Flavio : I’m too young.

But would you?

Flavio : I would.
Samuel : I do.
Matthias : I do, too.
Samuel : And at this point I have to say, I'm glad that this Sunday neither Ueli Maurer nor Toni Brunner made it into the Ständerat, haaa!
Dominik : Mostly I do. But sometimes not. If there's a topic I'm not really into, I leave it.

Yeah, the thing is, I don't feel concerned about every topic, so...I actually do vote, but I feel a bit disheartening sometimes cause I generally vote against something, and not for something or someone. Don't you find yourselves in this kind of situation?

Samuel : Well yeah, a lot of times you're stuck in a kind of decision for the « not-so-bad » option.

I feel I have the responsibility to do something to limit the damage, and I don't feel good about this...I had a debate with an anarchist friend recently about the "voting or not" subject and he clearly says that he doesn't trust any of the politicians. Whereas I was like "yeah, but if we don't try to stop the fascist pigs, who will?". And well, it's a long debate...

What are the plans for the future? Let's say for the next year...

Flavio : We’re planning to go on tour, to hit the studio and to record a 7".
Samuel : That's right. And then very likely to go on tour again in spring.

Let's end with fun: what is your favorite Burn song?

Matthias : The whole 7inch, I can't decide.
Samuel : Everything except the cleanse 12".
Flavio : Some songs on the cleanse 12 “ are great.
Dominik : And the last great sea 7" is better than the s/t.
Samuel : The best Burn song ever is indeed "Tales of Shatou" off the "the last great sea" record.
Flavio : “Out of Time“ is the best Burn song.
Dominik : I'm down with Samuel.
Samuel : Fuck you Flavio ! Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you !
Flavio : “New Morality“ is great too.
Dominik : Shut up you little piece of crap.
Flavio : Fuck, everything is great. It doesn't really matter which song is the best…
Samuel : It doesn't really matter. BURN is one of the best hardcore bands ever. Second best to be exact.

A frequently asked question...the famous Top 5 Records! But as it's late and you will certainly want to kill me next time you see me, you can only give your favorite record of all time!

Flavio : Alkaline Trio – Maybe I’ll Catch Fire.
Samuel : 1. Judge – Bringin’ It Down
2. Burn – self/titled
3. New Model Army – Vengeance
4. Bad Religion – Against The Grain
5. Nas – It Was Written vs. Black Sabbath – Paranoid vs. Inside Out – No Spiritual Surrender
Matthias : At the moment, still the Burn self-titled 7“.
Dominik : That's a hard one.
1. Cro-Mags – Age Of Quarrel vs. Burn – s/t + The Last Great Sea
2. Life Of Agony – River Runs Red
3. Nas – Illmatic vs. It Was Written
4. Merauder – Demo (with Eddie Sutton from Leeway)
5. GZA – Liquid Swords

Do you have anything to add? Any shoutouts?

Dominik : Thanks to you for the interview and the funny hours this evening. Check out www.myspace.com/seedofpain for any updates for the 12", the tour and our future plans. PEACE.
Flavio : Thanks!
Dominik : See you.

Interview : Bastien

More Infos :

Genre : Hardcore

Pays : Suisse

Pour les Fans de : Burn, Cro Mags

Label : Let It Ride Records

Website : Pas de site.

Myspace : www.myspace.com/seedofpain

Label : www.letitriderecords.com