Interview parue dans WHY SIT DOWN? # 03
(zine des Philippines)
Kawaii recs has release some great HC over the years. All of the release are magnificient so I have no other choice than give the mastermind a place in my zine. Let's hear what he has to say shall we...
1. Ok, lets start with the brief introduction of your self and some background would be nice.
Hi! Thanks for this interview!! It's very cool! I just hope everybody can understand my bad english!!! Ok, let's go! My name's David. 30 years old. Straight edge punk from the working-class! I live in France, in a very small town, Chatillon en Bazois. No many punk or DIY stuff in my area… I write the french zine MONONOKE, and make the label (and distro) KAWAII rds.
2. How did you start your label and why?
Hum, if I remember, I think it's in the end of 2003 or begin 2004. Why?? For win many money of course!!! I'm in the punk than since some years now, and after this time, I need more than just listen CD or go to shows. Not only consume punk culture, need to be an actor of this scene, and not only a spectator. Will to help to make discover small bands from "lost country". To show that HC it is not only bands from the USA or Europe. In the beginning, I make my first release on a CDR, total DIY. Coz I've got no experience, so is more easy to make it at home. And it's funny (maybe too long for burn the CDR!!)… Now I still make CDR, but real CD or vinyl. But for this support, I make it only in coproduction, with others labels. It's more easy, coz I don't need to many money, and don't have a big stock of CD, to sell! And coproduction is the better way to make releases in all the world! And of course, is about solidarity and friendship.
3. Where do you get the money to put our releases? Do you get profit by doing it or is it just enough to gain back the money you spent making it?
I steal the rich kids, and buy sport-car with the benefice!!! Ok, for make this releases (and eat, buy some stuff….), I've got a shit job. I work on a fucking factory, and make seat for cars. This job is not interesting and not easy… It's only for "win my life"… You know, here, in France, social condition is more better than the majority of country, so make release is not a problems. For example, a small salary is more or less 1000 Euros by month. And the French state give some money for peoples who don't work (near 500 Euros)… And for the profit, hahaha, I never see it!! Of course, everybody send the CD little more expensive than the factory coast (the real price of a CD id near 1 Euro, but we sell it near 5 or 6 Euros, and some labels sell it more than 10 Euros…), so money I win go the others releases, and help for the publication of my zine. And don't forget the amazing postage coast!! I make many trade in Asia, so it's really expensive too!!
4. You seem to release a lot of Japanese HC. Is there anything that you specifically like about Japcore?
Actually, there are 3 bands from Japan: MAKE MENTION OF SIGHT, MAKING SENSE, and SPITFAST. But I don't sure this bands are really japcore… They're more classic oldschool HC, and they sing in english, so it isn't really a representation of the Japan HC… I think is more about my interest for the Japan in general. I love this country, and his culture. I see many movies from Asia, and read lot of manga… And listen Jpop!!! I try to go in Japan one day. So, about this interest, I read some book, and try to know more about this strange country, so naturally, I try to have some news about the punk hardcore from here. There are many bands in Japan, but nobody really know them. It's a big and rich country, but we don't have many information about this scene. So I decide to help some small bands to make a name outside Japan borders. For the moment, I've got a good feeling. The most important problems, is the language, coz the majority don't speak english, so that's suck for the communication. But I precise that I'm not only in Japan bands! Kawaii rds is an international label. I try to help bands from all country. There are great bands in South Korea, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Mexico, Ecuador, Hungary… I would make more releases in "exotic punk" way, but the true is that not really interested many people… The kids prefer listen the new big HC bands from Bridge Nine rds!!! That's suck, but it's the reality…
5. How many releases have you put out so far and how many more will you release in the future?
This is my releases:
-CDR- MAKE MENTION OF SIGHT (positive oldschool HC from Japan)
-CDR- MAKING SENSE (olschool HC from Japan)
-CD- THE GEEKS (youthXcrew from South Korea)
-7"- RABBIES / DISTURBANCE PROJECT (fastcore from Czech / grindcore from Spain)
-CD- DESARME (anarchopunk hardcore from Peru)
-CD- FIRST FAILURE (modern oldschool HC from France)
-CD- SPITFAST / THRASHINGTON DC (fastcore thrashcore from Japan and France)
-7"- CHAROGNE STONE (crustcore powerviolence from my area)
-7"- OFF MY CHEST (powerful oldschool HC from Netherland)
-2x7"- CHACHI ARCOLA / BOOTER / PAVLOV / KRAPNEK (scramo hardcore crust DIY from France)
I wait my exemplars about LEARN 7", thrascore from Italy. My futures releases are an international anarchopunk/crust/hc compilation (el liberatad, a benefit compilation for an anarchist newspaper from Venezuela), the CD of GOLEM OF FLESH (atheist hiphop band from France), OLD JOE'S ANGER (HC from Bulgaria), split CD BACKSIGHT / KIDS ON THE MOVE (oldschool HC from France and Malaysia), the 2nd 7" of CHAROGNE STONE, a 4xsplit CD with bands from Puerto Rico and USA… And maybe others stuff too! But for 2007, I release less stuff, coz I need to sell all this!! Of course, it's all coproductions.
6. Tell us something about your place and also about the scene there?
Near my town, there are no DIY scene, and just some cool bands. CHAROGNE STONE, two friends make crazy music (http://www.myspace.com/charognestone), FTX, play great modern oldschool (http://www.myspace.com/ftxhxc), SELF CONTROL, cool hardcore (http://www.myspace.com/selfcontrolhardcore), and some others locals bands… There's some cool activist in the area, like MALOKA (anarchopunk label + shows in a squat), bands like PAVLOV, KRAPNEK, ATAXIA, THE TAN CASE… And about the scene in France, there are many and many bands!!! Some are DIY, other more "only for music/scene/fun"… The most interesting are NINE ELEVEN, YOUSSOUF TODAY, VOMIT FOR BREAKFAST, GANTZ, KOCHISE, HORS CONTROLE, BRIGADA FLORES MAGON, BRIXTON CATS… and all French bands from Kawaii!! If you need more info, just mail me, or look links on my webpage or myspace. I forget to say, in my area, there are no many shows… or just "big bands" in general (COMEBACK KIDS, IGNITE, RAISED FIST, BANE…)
7. In Europe, is it easy to get accross countries and see shows , do tours,etc... have you tried backpacking across europe?
Yes, it's not a problems. Officially, there are no borders now, so see a festival in Belgium, or booking a tour in the East Europe is easy in general. There are many connection on the European DIY network. If you wana play in Slovakia or Polish, you can. About me, I just go in Italy, Germany, Belgium, and 2 days in Spain… With my fucking works, it's not easy to have the time for travel, and my priority is to go in Asia. But many friends make shows in all Europe. CALAVERA (DIY hiphop) go play in Romania!!
8. Have you ever played in a band?
Never!! I don't play any instruments, and I don't sure about my voice, for sing… And still this fucking time! One life is not enough!!
7. Tell me whats on your playlist right now?
Ohohoh, that's change every week… So this days, I listen METRIC (great pop), SEE YOU IN HELL (crustcore), TOTAL FURY (oldschool), FEUD (oldschool), BLACK FLAG (classic!), HYDRA (hiphop), PUNTAS DE ACERO (oi), UNDERATTACK (fastcore), ISTUKA OVER DISNEYLAND (great band, isn't it?), BALLAST (crustcore)…
8. Could you please tell us something about the things that you feel passionate about and why?
You speak apart punk? Many things!! I love listen music, punk of course, but too hiphop, industriel, gothic, heavenly-voice, metal, pop, electro… Tonnes of music in my life!! I like cinema and see movies (some DVD, and many download DIVX), old horror classic, 50's science-fiction, gore and thrash, survival, animation, many Asiatic movies… CHAINSAW MASSACRE, AVALON, THE DESCENT, DELIVRANCE, PSYCHOSE, SAW, JSA, GOODMAN TOWN, THE KILLER, RING, BAD TASTE, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE… I read some book, and many manga (AKIRA, GUNM, MOSNTER…), and magazine. I try the photography too. Go to shows and stay with my friends… Not enough time again!!!
9. Do you have a job asisde from doing this label?
Yes! This the question number 3!!
10. How about some other movements or organizations that you are a member of or a proud supporter of?
Time is the same problem! I've got the label, the distro, the zine (and Intertet page for each), so… With a friend (drummer from CHAROGNE STONE), maybe we try to organise shows here. And in my work, I'm in the CGT, a workers-union. I'm not a militant in CGT, coz it's an official workers-union, so we don't have the same goals. But I try to help the others workers to defend there right, against the boss! I support some anarchist movement, class-war, black-bloc, anti-fascist… But remember, in my area, there is nothing interesting, so not easy to make something!
11. Couls you please tell me some memorable moments during gigs?
The most recent is a show with SICK TERROR (amazing Brazilian thrashcore)… The band go to Spain for play in the center of France, and they have some problems on the road. So there have more 3 hours of late!! When they come in the city, it's more than 2 o'clock of the morning, and the majority of the kids go back at home. But the band want to play. So they make a private shows in a studio in front of less 25 kids (the organizators, others bands, and some kids like me)… They play of very intense show, and we are all crazy! Everybody dancing and happy!! Great night!!! Another good moments, with FC FIVE, from Japan. When this guys see a kid (me!) with MAKE MENTION OF SIGHT t-shirt!!! See LA CASA DEL PHONKY, hiphop band, on a total DIY punk/crust festival!! Or HORS CONTROL (2 guys and a box-rhythm, play oi), with more 40 people on the stage for the singalong!!! SOPHIE NUN SQUAD make a crazy and funny show, with disguise, virtual skate, stupid spectacle…
12. How do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?
Whaouu!! How can imagine!!! I just hope I still in the scene, with the same passion and commitment! Maybe I stop to work and more travel… Or married, with 2 children, a dog, and a beautiful house, and listen DS13 in hiding-place!!! Hahaha
13. What can we expect from Kawaii records soon?
See the question 5!
14. have you heard about the Hare Krishna movement? Im a try hard devotee and i try to change myself for the better. How about you? do you adhere to things like vegetaianism, non intoxication, etc...
Yes, I know the Hare Krishna movement… Some HC bands are into this in the 90's. And in my area, there is a beautiful temple for Buddhist. Personally, I'm not into this. I've got a problems with ALL religions!! I never believe in a god (his name is not important), I don't understand this way! Punk is against the authority, is about the freedom, is about break the chains, so, for me, there is no place for the religion in the punk movement. If god exist, we must destroy him!! It's a good anarchist slogan! Of course, my hate is more about the institution of religion. About the believe or faith, I don't fucking care about. If it's better for your life, it's cool. But I think everybody can change for a better way, without the help of religion/sect/god. Choose YOUR way!! About vegan, I'm not. I don't eat many meat, coz don't like this, but some part of aliment contains some meat… And in my small town, it's not easy to find vegan eat. But I try to eat the less possible meat/fish, and when I've got the choice, I eat vegan. I'm straight edge, so about non-intoxication, I approve. But sXe is not about fucking rules. It's a personal choice, not a doctrine or other shit. I think drug or alcohol is a taboo in our scene!! Hey political punk, don't be slave of the bottle master!!!
15. Ok Bro, thanks for the help, I really hope that you'd prodeuce a lot of quality HC releases soon.
It's me who make a big THANKS for this cool questions. It's the 4th interview I answer!! Cool to see people interest of my activities! Unfortunately I would be write more, but it's not easy with my bad english. It's not really natural for me! Hope you understand! You have a great scene in Philippines! You can be proud about this! More authentic that the majority of USA bands!!! I say a big hello for all Asians punk and HC kids! Don't hesitate to mail me, or send info for my zine. Trade is cool too. And remember, punk = international = solidarity = friendship = threat
xDAVIDx