Dying Breed. They have been described as tuffguy hardcore, new school math rock, and a combination between Daryl Braithwaite and icehouse..... or even as awesome, politically-charged hardcore punk... which is probably the description I’d pick. They have just released a CD and play quite a bit round Melbourne. This interview was done by email just before their CD came out.
1. “Genocide can no longer be denied” is the title of your new CD. Why did you choose this title? The (mis)treatment and exploitation of the indigenous population by white Australia seems to be an issue that comes up in quite alot of DB’s lyrics. With songs like “Mandatory idiocy” and “Denied”, you seem to see the Government’s current policies as a major obstruction to the reconciliation process. Why do you think mandatory sentencing is wrong? Why do you think the white Australian majority finds it so difficult to admit to the wrongs of the past?
GRANT: "Genocide can no longer be denied" is a line from one of our songs called "Denied". It sort of covers two aspects of the issue in one song, the first half is directed at the general level of funny cunts making stupid jokes or just stupid ignorance of common people, and the second aspect is that the people that run our lives (politicians, little Johnny) are as ignorant as the yobbos making the petrol sniffing jokes, just on a different level. As far as Mandatory sentencing goes, it's clearly targeted at Aborigines. The laws are focused on petty crimes which are often committed in desperation, therefore a starving kid steals some food and receives a similar sentence to rape in other states. I think a lot of "true blue aussies" find it inconvenient to admit mistakes have been made. It seems people think that if they are saying sorry it's admitting they did it or something, when I believe it's purely identifying that killing innocent people based on skin colour is wrong.
2. What are your views on the Australian population officially celebrating patriotic holidays like Australia day? Do you agree with the notion that it is more of an “Invasion day”, a time to think about the brutality of the past rather than celebrate it?
GRANT: Yeah, Australia Day is bullshit and insulting to think that a country celebrates destroying peoples cultures. I think we should have a Redemption Day where everyone gets to whip John Howard’s ass with a brick.
3. Would you consider yourself a patriotic person?
GRANT: Patriotism? I care about people. I don't care where they live, obviously things that take place in Australia may effect my life personally but generally no I'm not proud of Australia what so ever.
4. What do you see as the most important current issues within:
a) the hardcore scene
PAUL: I’d have to say the most important issue within hardcore is, if it is what people say it is. A lot of people are saying how revolutionary hardcore is, but I see so many reflections of the mainstream and contradictions of what people preach. How many times have you heard “it doesn’t matter what you wear”, from people who’s made the effort to buy an $80 hoodie and $100 pants. The macho attitudes of football players and the masculine values pushed upon us are opposed.............by kickboxing in the pit. I know not all involved in hardcore share these attitudes but I see it a lot.
GRANT:"80% of this place is filled with assholes and Speds" - 9 Shocks Terror. In general, I believe that in the hardcow scene the good outweighs the bad. There are fuckloads of inspiring people and bands who I can proudly say have changed my way of thinking, and therefore my life. So I suppose when there’s fuckloads of awesome people there’s gonna be fuckloads of cocks too - rock stars, tough guy jocks, emo fashion victims yadda yadda yadda. Dancing has been pretty controversial lately and rightly so, I love dancing to bands I like but please if you're gonna impersonate Jackie Chan do it with style and keep in your own space, not punching people that are trying to watch a band.
b) the city of Melbourne
PAUL: I don’t see any major problems with Melbourne, but I think safety is a major concern. Personally I don’t feel threatened, but more gangs seem to be forming and stuff like that.
c) Australia
PAUL: I think racism is the big issue in Australia, other issues come and go where as racism is always there. I don’t think it will settle down until a federal government makes an apology. I also think land usage is another big issue, although it is not publicised. More and more forests are being cut down all the time.
GRANT: I suppose the most important issues in Melbourne are happening Australia wide. I may sound like a broken record here but there is no doubt this country acts atrociously towards the indigenous people. No significant identification of the damage done in the past, Mandatory sentencing laws, The standard of living conditions many Aborigines live in. Jabiluka Mining, Coober Pedy Nuclear waste dump etc. I also just finished reading a disturbing article about the treatment of onshore refugees and the shit that they have to put up with here after leaving their own country fearing for their lives. That was from www.indymedia.org which from what I've seen looks fairly informative. I was really looking for the statistics of the Western Bulldogs match but I somehow got onto that ;) In case you can't tell by my ordinary answers I'm not a political activist of any kind. I just have my opinions and do what I feel is right, whether that be boycotting, telling people about issues I'm concerned with or writing lyrics.
5. I know the song “Majority Rules” is a bit of a commentary on the failings of democracy. Could you go a bit more in depth on what inspired you to write the song, why you feel it is a relevant issue and what (if anything) you consider a better alternative to a democratic system?
PAUL: Stan Zamanek actually inspired the song. I flicked over to “Beauty and the Beast” and there was a discussion on aboriginal rights and Stan basically said that aborigines as a minority don’t deserve anything as we live in a democracy. I Don’t know how serious the guy is, it’s probably put on for ratings, but the comment did get me thinking. In our democracy a political party needs to please 50%(Or make them think they are going to be pleased) that leaves alot of people who can be treated like shit. And who is most likely to be in this situation aborigines, homosexuals, the poor etc. The fact alot of people are getting treated so badly makes the issue relevant. I believe consensus democracy is a fairer system, where everyone is equal and everyone must give their approval before a motion is passed. This would mean people would have to compromise, but the final solution would please everyone and give people more control of their own lives. This would require a break down into smaller communities to work.
6. My secret sources tell me that you were the one who came up with the bands name. Why did you pick the name Dying Breed?
PAUL: We were discussing band names and Grant suggested a name (I can’t remember what), without thinking the words “Dying Breed” shot out of my mouth and it just stuck.
7. What originally inspired you to play in a punk rock band? Do you still feel the same way?
PAUL: The original inspiration for me playing in a band was all the bands I was listening to at the time, just wanting to do what they were doing. Where as now the inspiration comes from the other members of the band, working together to get what we want out of the band.
8. What are the CD, record and tape of the moment? How many votes do they receive. (I know J. Hynes only managed to attain a maximum of 2 votes at any time).
PAUL: The CD is-”Since I left you” by The Avalanches. The record is-Ian Thorpe’s 800 metre freestyle world record. The tape is-a radio taping of live action chess. The votes have been awarded but will not be announced until the end of the season.
9. Where do you see Dying Breed going musically?
GRANT: It's hard to say really. We all listen to different music and different styles of hardcore. In a way I think that is great because it means we aren't tied down to a stereotype. We have heavy almost metal sounding parts, we play fast, we have blast beats etc. I think maybe what I listen to comes out more as I write a lot of the music but there's definitely a mix of everyone’s styles. I think our newer stuff is just getting faster and heavier which is fine with me.
9. I hear there may be some interstate touring coming up for Dying breed. Wanna tell us a bit about that?
GRANT: We are going over to NSW to play some shows with Sense Of Purpose which should be rad. They are my favourite band in the world and it's great to tour with some fellow wrestling fans, The Supervisor performs a devastating powerbomb and Chris's submission move : The Kombination Lock is excruciating. We are playing with Deadstare, FMD, Life,Love,Regret and more. I'm amped to see Life,Love,Regret and Deadstare and FMD are awesome bands and favourites of mine so I can't wait. We are going for the 18th and 19th of may so get over there.
10. OK here’s a bit of a weird one. What band/artist would you love to do a cover of a Dying breed song? What song would they do?
GRANT: I think it's great when australian bands cover fellow australian bands. It shows a certain respect and emphasises that the particular band has had an effect on those people. So if in a few years some young band were covering a song of ours, I'd probably bust out my cardigan and get emo all over their arses.
PAUL: I’d love to think that Bon Jovi would one day do a cover of our song "You give love a bad name".
11. Your new CD is damn close to being let into the world of punk rock. What kind of impact do you hope and/or expect it to make on people who listen to it?
PAUL: I just hope people approach it with an open mind and just form their own opinions on what’s there. That’s it.
THANKS TO GRANT AND PAUL FOR DOING THIS INTERVIEW!
Check out Dying Breed’s new CD cause it is awesome... and they are also on the internerd now at
http://dyingbreed.8m.com, so you can see when they are playing, and even stalk them if you want to!
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