Freddy Madball of Madball fame spoke to Push to Fire in February 2010. He's currently still singing with the hardcore act who have recently completed a UK tour, whilst also working on solo hip hop material.
First off, we all know you as being the singer of hardcore band Madball which was founded around 20 years ago. How did the band start?
MB started as a side project of the legendary Agnostic Front, but soon after the first 7inch it started to blossom into its own thing. I was 12-13 when we dropped 'Ball of Destruction'. My Bro Roger was the frontman for AF, so that's the connection and my introduction into the hardcore genre/movement/world. As for MB, we've pretty much created our own "lane" in this genre.
You recently toured the UK; how was that experience?
Yes we did. The tour went really well. It was a rough time of year to tour weather wise, but the shows were cool. UK is not the biggest market for HC, so considering that it was very successful. I'm looking forward to building more roots in the UK..besides London.
How do UK hardcore fans compare to US hardcore fans?
UK and US fans are not too different from each other actually...slightly different accents that's all..haha. They are both good folks! Anyone who comes, supports, has a good time..is cool in my book. Regardless of where they're from.
And in reference to the NY hardcore scene how do you feel the sound and the status has changed over the years?
With NYHC the sound/style always evolves but it should always maintain certain key elements that make it..NYHC. I really can only speak for myself and maybe a few other key bands (AF,SOIA,Cro Mags,etc). We all make it a point to make sure we continue to represent our genre/movement. That said, new flavor is always needed. When MB came out, it was a new style/sound within the genre, yet it was still very much HC. Same with the others I mentioned. Safe to say our (NYHC) status is in good standings considering we are all at the forefront of the scene. Thankfully so. The scene on a whole is still one of the best in America.
A lot of new bands are coming out of the NY scene now like This is Hell; what's your opinion of the newer hardcore bands on the scene?
New blood is always good and necessary. We were the "young bunks" at one time. Now we are the "young vets". As for This Is hell, I haven't really listened to them enough to comment. But, I respect anyone who comes out and gives it their all and stands out in a pack! In any genre!
Do you think the closure of CBGBs has had a big impact on the hardcore community in NY?
No. CBs lost its "allure" in the late '80s early '90s. CBs is dead..but hardcore lives.
With the rise of the internet and the ability for bands to self promote more easily than previously, do you think that the days of underground hardcore are long gone?
Internet or no internet, last I checked HC is pretty damn underground...in the BIG scheme of things. That said, I think it's great that our music, and just good music in general, is more accessible now. The movement is still underground music, just on an international level.. that's amazing. May it continue to grow!
The International Superheroes of Hardcore have a song called 'Madball's got our back'. Hypothetically speaking, in a fight which band would you want to have your back?
Haha..come on you should know that MB needs no back up..ha. If I had to pick one though,I'd say AF. Because they would fight till the death for us and vice versa.
So you've recently put out a hip hop release. Is hip hop something you've always been into and a direction you've always wanted to move into?
No, I actually just got into hip hop after hearing Soulja Boy..ha..just kidding obviously. I grew up with hip hop music/culture. It's as much a part of me, as HC is. As for making the transformation into an "mc", yes I feel it's always been brewing and lurking in me...finally I made it happen.
Which hip hop artists have inspired your material?
Hip hop music and life in general has inspired my material. There's no one direct influence. I like everything from Slick Rick, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, Sugar Hill, to PE, Gangstarr, Kool G, Cane, Rakim, BIG to Ice Cube and Jay-Z..too many to name. Not to mention,there's a lot of underground stuff that's amazing. But, like with HC, I make my own lane. Hopefully people appreciate it!
I suppose that the hip hop colaboration with Rancid on London Calling is a good example of your ability to merge the music from two scenes. Are there any other elements of hardcore/punk that you feel are present in your solo music?
London Calling was made on the fly because I needed material for my first show..in London of course. We wanted to sample something from there,something cool,different, that had an edge. My DJ Stress threw out The Clash as an idea.. I thought it could work. He (Stress) flipped the song brilliantly in my opinion. Then I just did my thing on it. I got my boys in Rancid involved after the fact..which was a great addition I must say. I'm not really a punk guy, but I respect the genre.. especially considering that HC was spawned from that movement. I respect The Clash as well..obviously. It just happened and sort of worked.. I think. Other than that, I think the album is more or less a straight up hip hop album.. with an occasional "heavy" sample and maybe a yell or 2 here and there.. and some singing. I would definitely say regardless of how you classify it, it's not "typical" or generic.
What's the crossover between the two scenes (hardcore/hip hop) like? Do the two have different ideals and different methods of music production?
I think the similarities between the 2 genres are the fact that they are both "street music". There's a gritty element they both posses. But stylistically/sonically they are very different. Production wise, different.
How easy do you feel it has been to adapt to hip hop?
It feels natural to be honest. By no means do I think I've mastered the craft, but I feel I'm off to a good start. It'll only get better and more comfortable from here. But I'm proud of my debut. I think it can appeal to not only HC kids who like hip hop..but straight up hip hop heads as well.
Why's the record called 'Catholic Guilt'?
When you're brought up Catholic, you are made to feel guilty about anything you may do wrong..or what's perceived to be "wrong". I talk about some sinful shit, so that title just made sense. I do live with some resentment and guilt about certain choices I've made. Then again, mistakes build character. So there are "bad" things I don't regret. It's all a learning process. I don't think it's cool when religion dictates every aspect of your life. There are some cool guidelines to live by with all religions... but generally speaking theres a lot of hypocrisy and unrealistic expectations. All that said, the album is not just touching on religion. It's about life. My life and experiences mostly. But I think people will relate in some way or the other.
How did the colaborations on the record come about (e.g. Vinnie Paz, Travis from GCH)?
I know Vinnie Paz and thought he'd be good for that song. I respect him as an mc, he's got a distinct voice/sound.. also his religious background gives you his perspective. As for Travis, I'm cool with him as well.. but really I know him through Stress. That song was actually his song for a mix tape that they asked me to be on.. I borrowed it. I think it's a cool/different type of track.
And finally what are your plans for the rest of 2010 with regard to both your solo work and Madball?
In 2010 I plan on playing select shows to support Catholic Guilt. With MB we will have a record out this year...we'll be touring a lot as well.
Thanks!
Thank you!
