THE BLOOD!!
After a bit of emailing to and fro, I got a handwritten reply done by matt (vocals) in the post. The questions were written like around the 7th of february at about 4am - so they're kinda lame. I got the reply 20th of march...but I think it was done about a week before that. According to rumors I've heard, they're now looking for a drummer too...anyways, here's de interview, thanks to the band for taking out the time to do it, and especial thanks to matt for writing so neatly and legibly :) ...
SETBACK: I'll start off with the usual schtick -
Who does what in the band, and the cartoon character they'd most want to bone...
MATT:I'm Matt, I do vocals. Not Really into cartoons (shame - s/b) Maybe the crooked lady in Beavis and butthead would be my choice of cartoon people to bone. Sneaky D plays guitar; Brad plays guitar; Lobby plays bass; Jason Reality plays drums. They would bone any cartoon chracter thrown at them.
S/B: What first motivated you to start playing guitar? (NB: I thought dave was gonna do this interview - s/b)
MATT: Dave saw a metallica video, "cliff em all" and thought that's what he wants to do.
S/B: When'd you first get into hardcore?
MATT: I got into hardcore through skateboarding in the the mid 80's and school friends helped also. Everyone in the band has loved h/c for quite sometime, we're all about 23+ old, so that might explain it.
S/B: How did Within Blood come about?
MATT: Within Blood came about when I wanted to do a band that had the roots in 80's h/c and the truth of 90's h/c.
S/B: Is anyone in the band straight edge?
MATT: Lobby Lloyd, the bass player, is straight. But maybe not so run of the mill as str8 edge people these days. He's pretty open minded (fucking awesome - s/b) Veganism+Alcohol free are his way though.
S/B: What does everyone do outside the band?
MATT: Work like Muthafuckers.
S/B: Who would you say are the biggest influences on the band's sound?
MATT: Influences are almost any aggressive h/c band and punk stuff from 80 to 99.
S/B: What about you personally. Is there any one person(s) or band(s) that has had an impact on the way you play, sound, etc?
MATT: Too many to mention.
S/B: If you could've been in any band, who would it be?
MATT: Circle Jerks at the start, when things were really unorganised and chaotic. The old Circle Jerk and Black Flag videos from 82 were pretty out there. Not so much fashion orientated.
S/B:How does the band approach songwriting...does someone come into practice with a song already written, do you write on the spot, or is it a combination of both?
MATT: Someone comes up with a song part and the song is built from there.
S/B: What do you think of the state of hardcore both locally and interstate at the present time?
MATT: The state of h/c locally and interstate is always up and down. You can't count on any show to kick arse. It depends on people's moods. I've seen some shows that really make me think h/c is dead and I've witnessed shows that were out of control; really really fun. You never can tell. It's like that all over the world as far as I know.
S/B: It seems as if melton's prducing more bands than anywhere else in the state at the moment. What the hell do you reckon's going on up there?
MATT: Yeah, melton people really know how to play fast old school, maybe something in the water is making them nice and pissed off. It's cool.
S/B: Do you guys prefer playing on stages to playing on the floor (i.e like a soundvault show or something), or vice versa?
MATT: No stage is rad, or maybe 1ft platform so people and band all feel together.
S/B: The two times I've seen you guys most recently (well, kinda recently) have been at all ages shows...with toe to toe at the punters club and the dropkick murphy's support (both were fucking ace shows by the way)...do you enjoy playing to underage crowds? 'Coz it seems if there's really more older people into hardcore than underage kids. (Or at least old enough to get in to overage shows). Yet converse;y, underage kids seem to get into it more...
MATT: I think underage people are more passionate (I know I was), at shows there is no bar to distract them, they seem to be on more of a mission. I prefer allages.
S/B: Do you think the recent success of bands like 28 days, who have a background in hardcore (i.e self reliance), as well as the rising (and much deserved) popularity of toe to toe, is going to have a significant effect on melbourne and australian hardcore?
MATT: Maybe, but I hope h/c and it's beleifs don't just become pop culture, that would be a real shame.
S/B: How is the CD doing? Are you happy with the way it's turned out? Has it been well received both locally and interstate?
MATT: Very happy with the CD, it's being accepted really well.
S/B: What's with the AC/DC type riff at the end?
MATT: That would be the Iron Maiden song. You should listen to 'em.
S/B: I kinda noticed that whenever you guys set up at shows, everyone's palying the same kinda well-known song...like Madball's "Pride" or "step Down" by Sick of it All....do you mess about with covers or anything like that in practice?
MATT: Yeah, we always fuck around with fav songs at rehearsal.
S/B: What's planned for Within Blood this year...move to live under the sea perhaps?
MATT: Just play local and interstate and have fun.
S/B: Finally, I ask everyone this question: Do you find the fact that, in Scooby Doo cartoons, shaggy and scooby always sat up the back of the van, were always shaking an nervous, and perpetually had the "munchies" (excuse me while I go back to high school for a second there with that word), to be in the slightest bit suspicious?
MATT: I have no idea, he was a bit dopey though. Maybe he was on the weed.
S/B: Anything else you wanna say?
MATT: Thankyou for the interview. Keep computer geeren.
READ SETBACK'S REVIEW OF THE WITHIN BLOOD CD "FIRST BLOOD" BY CLICKING HERE