Madball
Its been a while since we’ve heard from Madball, how ya been, what ya been
up to? Any changes in the line-up?
Well the band broke up from 2001 until 2003, so we’re back now. When Freddy and Hoya decided to get the band going again, they asked me (Mitts) and Rigg Ross (drums) to play, so that’s your lineup. We’ve been playing a little over a year now with this current group.
How long ya reckon you are back for, is it a case we’ll see what happens?
We’re back for good. We’ve got a new EP out called “NYHC EP”, and we intend on doing a full length in the very near future. There was a little confusion when we first came back. People thought it was just a reunion, but that wasn’t the case.
You have an EP out on GSR, how did you hook up with them?
We’ve all known Theo for many years. He’s an honest, hard working guy. We did a tour over the summer with Born From Pain, and their bassist also works for GSR, so I think we started talking about it then. They’ve done a great job with it so far. We’re very happy with GSR.
Can we expect the usual Madball sound, or something different?
It’s the continuation of the Madball sound. It’s as heavy and hard as the previous 4 records, with a few more years experience thrown in there. I think the sound of the band has evolved each record, and this one is no exception.
Will we be seeing an album?
Yes, definitely. As I said, we’re writing now, and we’ll probably be in the studio sometime this year.
Have you played any of the new stuff live yet? If so what reaction are ya getting?
The EP is 4 songs, and so far we’ve played 2 of them (3, if you count the new version of “Pride”). The response has been good. I’m noticing people are singing along with the lyrics. It’s good to give people new stuff in your live show.
You’re on the Resitance tour – you done anything like this before?
In the 10+ years Madball has been around, they’ve done lots of tours, package tours, etc. This tour was really special because we were friends with so many of the bands. And then also we got to be really tight with Suicidal Tendencies. When the bands on a tour all get along, it makes for a better show, and I think people notice it.
What bands on the tour you looking forward to seeing?
We’re really good friends with Ignite, Sworn Enemy, and Backfire, so it’s been fun to see them play every night. The bill is a really good mix of sounds.
Where are you going to playing over the next few months apart from ther Resistance Tour?
We’re gonna be coming back to Europe in April, and then again over the summer for festival season. We’re gonna have a busy year. Probably not one big tour, but lots of shorter runs.
What are your 5 favourite albums (- any style, not just hardcore)?
Metallica: Master Of Puppets
Slayer: Reign In Blood
Ozzy Osbourne: Diary Of A Madman
Cro Mags: Age Of Quarrel
Agnostic Front: Cause For Alarm
What has been your best and worst moments in Madball?
I’ve been in the band about 2 years now, and so far the best moment for me was some of the summer festivals we did this past summer. Only in Europe can you have a hardcore band playing for 20,000 people at an open air festival. I don’t wanna jinx us, but so far, we haven’t had any really bad moments as a band. We wanna keep that positive vibe going into 2004 and beyond.
Do any of you have side projects, if so tell us about them?
Rigg and I play for Rag Men. It features Jorge Rosado (Merauder) on vocals, and Bulldog (Earth Crisis) on bass. We have a new full length album out on Gangstyle called “Rag Men”. Also, Freddy and Hoya are doing a project called Hazen St. It’s Freddy and Toby Morse (H2O) on vocals. That should be out before summer this year.
What do you think of George Bush, and the whole Iraq thing?
I am an American, and I always support my president. I’m not saying I agree with everything he does, and the Iraq war is definitely something that remains to be seen whether it was needed or not. There’s an election in November, so maybe we’ll get ourselves a new president. We’ll see.
You played Dublin way back in 1996, can we expect to see you soon?!
That was long before I was in the band, but I would hope we get back to Ireland sometime this year. If it’s been since 96, I’m sure the response would be worth going.