Fast Times have been around for a little while now & have established
a fairly big following in the US & Europe. I sent these questions to Ali and got them back the next day. Thanks heaps to Ali for her rad responses.
As usual all the boring stuff 1st of all - band members, how did you start, influences etc.?
Alison aka Fastali = voice+main influence=New York style HC.
Matt = drums, but not for long... he's leaving, and we are actively seeking a replacement (sniff). His main influences=old school punk.
Chris aka frump = guitar, and he likes even older school punk.
Graham aka Wanderween = bass has been known to get excited to see Shai Halud and
Converge. By our four powers combined... we are... FAST TIMES.
You recently did a month long euro tour with Up Front, how was that? Any funny tour stories?
The european tour was amazing. it changed all of our outlooks on life (especially mine (for the better)). The best tour stories are in "the vault" and since none of us drink, even peach schnopps cant drag them out. When we got home, 4 out of six of us quit our jobs. Chris claims he is quitter # 5, but hes actually just
taking a long break. The experience was enlightening. It gave me the confidence to take a chance and dedicate myself full time to the band and to my artwork. Cumulatively, the seven of us jerked off 32 times.... (thats really not a lot, though)
At the moment you are after a drummer, what happened to Matt?
Just as i was enlightened, so was he. He's got other ambitions to realize. he is leaving gracefully, and we are playing shows with him until we find the replacement. Its possible that we may need him to write and record the new album.
Your lyrics cover a lot of different topics, how do you come up with them & do you put music to lyrics or vice versa?
Usually, the basic lyrics are written, then i have to sit in front of my stereo like an asshole rewinding and fast fowarding, and rewinding a tape of the new stuff to try and fit what i wrote with what they wrote. Whatever is on my mind when i ride my bike is usually what i end up writing about. I go through phases where i become obsessed with things.... when our first few songs were being written, i was simply obsessed with the band itself-- thats why a lot of the songs on the 7" ended up being about the love of hardcore. I was so happy that it was finally working out after years of taking one step foward and two steps back. I love those songs, even though they've been criticized for not dealing deal with important issues. Over the last year, we've all grown artistically, and it will show on the next album.
In the Smorgasbord Records wholesale catalog you are refered to as
'The hardest working band in NJ' how true is that?
We all dedicate everything we've got to this band. I drink & sleep thinking about what new thing i can do for the band. Playing 10 shows in March didn't feel like hard work, but booking the shows, driving hours to get there, getting art done for merchandise, getting shirts made, practicing twice a week (Graham drives an hour one way), writing the new album, making and passing out flyers, doing interveiws, answering letters, dealing with comp releases, etc. adds up to a full time committment from all of us. Even though its not all fun and games, i will never complain because nothing in life has ever filled me with such happiness and satisfaction.
Speaking of Smorgasbord, whats the deal there? Like how did you come to be on them and stuff?
In a nutshell, Steve Asbury from the worthless heard our demo at the Casino Skate Park, he talked to Jeff and said "you have to sign this band i just heard", i met steve, Steve told me to send a demo to Smorgasbord, Jeff came to see us in Phillie, the band talked after the show, months later we were in the studio. We are a very lucky band. We owe a lot to the chain of events i just described, and stuff.
When you wrote 'Where Were You' did you realise Atari had a song
called that?
I knew the words"where were you" had been used for other bands song and record titles, but my whole idea for the cover art was to communicate a young, starry eyed kid at his first show with all these punks and skins all around him. I was mezmerized when i discovered the excitement in going to shows, and i wanted to capture that. I had no other choice but to use that phrase to enhance the song, the art, and to involve the listener by asking the question.
Can you tell us a bit about the NJ HC scene, it seems like that is
where it's all at at the moment.
I am spoiled, so many influential bands arose from new jersey, and so many hard working bands are making their mark now. There are great record stores, and a "Hot Topic" store in the heart of woodbridge mall. Hot Topic is the lifes blood of the scene (just kidding). And if thats not enough, New York is a half hour north, and Philadelphia is one and a half hours south. There is hardly ever a weekend without a show to go to. Before fast times caught on, i was at every fucking show-- sometimes four a week, but i have to pick and choose now since we are so busy.
What are your views on 'Violent' Dancing, veganism, politics,
religion, sXe & Record collecting?
Whew, you've just covered a lot of topics at once. Pardon me for doing this in a nutshell, once again: Words of wisdom by Ali on....
Violent dancing: Punch the floor till your knuckles bleed, but be fucking conscious of the people around you, moron. It is a sad day for hardcore when kids in the pit stop looking out for each other.
Veganism: i gave it a fair shot for four years only to discover that it didn't work for me (i had a major health crisis caused, in part, by a high carb diet.- im still not fully recouperated). I am extremey health conscious now, and veganism does not fit into my plan. This saddens me because i faught for veganism really hard, and i felt like it did me wrong. It is an ugly reality of mine that is difficult at times to deal with. Now that I am an outsider looking in, i find it a little silly when people get caught up in the vegan game of being more pure than thou.
Politics: It's all based on manipulation. I hate that i am only allowed to know what the media and government want me to know. What passes for politics these days is a crock of shit.
Religion: Also a crock of shit.
Straight Edge: if you dont drink or do drugs, you are doing yourself and the world around you justice. The X is irrelevent, but wearing it is like putting up a flag that speaks a thousand words about your values. It says, "This is the team i'm on.... are you with me?"
Record collecting: If you've got the money, and it makes you happy, go nuts. I buy what i buy for the music, if it happens to be rare... yippeeee! Alison has spoken.
So, what's planned for the future in terms of tours, releases etc.?
Hopefully well record the full length (also on Smorgasbord) in the fall. Were always
looking to play new places, and a full US tour at least a month long, is our next goal to strive for.
Any last words, thank, shout outs etc.?
You fuckin wore me out with this internet interview! I need a nap... whew. Write us at PO BOX 1670, Cranford, New Jersey, 07016 FASTali@hotmail.com or breathe00@aol.com
