EXTROVERT ZINE INTERVIEW
By: Corix BalucaI was really amazed when you gave me your first and second issue because it was written last 1998 and that was quite long ago, how old are you at that time when you were first writing a zine?
First off, I would like to thank you for this interview; this is actually the first time I got interviewed. Well, I started the ’zine in 1998 and I was 20 years old then.
What can you say about the underground scene at that time you were first writing a zine? Since you are from Pasig tell us something about the Marikina/Pasig scene at that time?
From what I’ve observed, the scene at that time was segregated. Hardcore, punk, metal and crust had their own scenes. Right now it is good to see that our scene is at its peak, gigs nowadays do not focus on one music genre and there’s no more discrimination and I’m hoping that this will continue. Pasig/Marikina scene was and still a tight scene, notable bands are Death After Birth, Mass Carnage, Genital Grinder, 12 Gauge, Tame the Tikbalang, once in a while members of these bands organize shows then but right now some of these bands are inactive due to work and other personal reasons.
Who were those local zines, bands you are in contact with at the mid and late 90’s? Are they still active today?
To name a few, the ‘zines/newsletters that I’m in contact with at that time were I’m Pissed, Shitwiper, Respire, Get In Touch, MYO, Thought Market and Bound by Conviction. Piledriver, Bulldozed, Empty, MS 11 and the bands that I’ve mention in #2 are some of the bands that I’m in contact with. Some of these ‘zines and bands are not active anymore; others are still active with their new bands.
Comparing the scene before, what can you say about our scene today? Do you think bands now are really trendy?
As what I’ve said in #2, the scene today is more united. Trendy? I don’t think so, I think bands are just doing their shits right and I respect them for that.
By the way, what is the first thing comes in your mind why you write a zine? What are your goals? Your purpose? Any inspiration, influence or something?
Support and expose our local d.i.y. scene and meet individuals with the same interests. My inspiration is my family; my wife and the 3 mos old baby in her womb, my daughter and of course you!!!
Your first and second issue was dated 1998, and you were just starting to write again for your 3rd issue, what makes you stop for almost 8 years? What are those reasons about your hiatus?
The 2nd issue was actually released late 2001. I stopped doing it because I had other priorities like work and family. Lack of resources like money was and still a big problem too, although I stopped doing the ‘zine I never stopped supporting the scene.
Your past issues focuses on hardcore/punk scene and mostly you cater SXE hardcore, are you SXE? If yes, since when and what made you to decide? Are you also a vegan? And if yes, what the hell is that all about? Pls. share your thoughts and ideas about SXE and veganism so that people will know.
Yeah, my past issues focuses on the HC/Punk scene but right now I’m trying not to focus on one music genre because I believe that music is just a label and labels just divides us and that unity is the key to make our scene a strong one. I’m neither straightedge nor vegan but I respect them for their choice and their principles. Straightedge is a serious and strict abstinence from different vices such as drugs, alcohol, smoking and promiscuous sex while veganism is non-consuming of poultry products for food for moral, social and religious motives, I don’t want to further elaborate on this because I’m not into these stuffs and I might misquote some things.
You have just started to write your 3rd issue, is the format; lay out, themes and bands genre will still be the same?
About the format, it will be on full size and done with computer lay out and the theme as I’ve mentioned will try not to focus on one genre.
How much dedicated you are in wrting a zine and in the u.g scene as well? Do you think it is for life?
Right now I have a family and I’m studying again and there are other priorities too so I can’t really put all my time a 100% on these stuffs, I do the ‘zine on my free time and attend shows when I find time and there’s nothing to do.
Just wanna know what are your current stuffs you enjoy listening? And wanna know if you are also involve in playing in a band?
I’ve been listening to lately to the possessed to skate comp., Descendents, The Beauty of Doubt, Co-Arse, Dead Ends, D.R.I., Overkill, Brutal Truth, Bulacancore releases, Kalawang Records comp., and the stuffs you gave me and just recently I bought DVD concerts of S.O.D. and Anthrax. My band Outcry is inactive at the moment due to our drummer’s absence, he’s working abroad.
I was into sk8boarding when I was younger, and I have read in your zine that you are also playing sk8boards and even have a sk8 scene portion in your zine, are you still active in that extreme sport? What are those tricks you have right now?
I don’t skate anymore and my skating was just short lived coz I had more important priorities then like work, family, etc., etc. and now and I’m studying again to give my family a better future.
Here in the third world shit hole, sk8boarding is really an expensive sport, sometimes I feel mostly people are into it because they feel that they are cool and IN! Something like a trend thing, do you think we still have to support it? Even though the sk8boarding capitalists are just using us?
I think we should support them because as we all know skaters here don’t earn big money unlike in the States, the sponsors are just helping out our local skaters which is good to expose their talents and make the Philippine skateboard scene known to other countries.
You are from Pasig right? Is Ultra near your place? Have you witness the stampede incident happen at Ultra? What are your opinion about that incident that cause of losing 75+ lives? Who do you think are to blame for?
I think the tragedy would have been avoided if the said event was well planned and executed the organizers of the show just wanted to help those needy and out of luck people in a little way and from my point of view there’s no one to blame than the government whose only priority is to grab and maintain power and does nothing to improve our economy and produce jobs for the lower class.
What do you think the advantages/disadvantages are with fanzines compared to mainstream music press?
In mainstream mags there’s no freedom, anything you say can be edited or may not be printed unlike in underground ‘zines you are free to write and express opinions.
I have known bands who are in the ug scene and even witness them playing in the u.g gigs, but their self produced releases or we can say independent releases were distributed by Tower Records, what can you say about them? Do you think they still belong to the U.G scene or what?
Yeah, I think they just did it to expose their music and message and our scene as well and I’ll still support those bands as long as they do it for themselves and the scene and not for the money.
Anyway, lets go down to some serious topic, this is my favorite question, what to you is Love or define Love? And who is your first crush? Hehe
Love is everything you do because you love doing it and you won’t let anyone stop you from doing that thing. Hmmnn, I don’t know what you’re up to bro but from what I remember my first crush was my first grade classmate named Michelle. I hope that satisfied you…LOL!!!
One last thing, Do you believe in God? And share your views about religion?
I was raised in a strict Catholic way and I can say I believe in God. Religion is a particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices.
Alright bro, thanx for answering all my shits! This space is all yours.
I would like to thank you again best bud Corix for this and more power to No Bullshit ‘zine and an ultramegaviolet sorry for the delay for answering it….CHEERS!!!! The 3rd issue of my ‘zine will be out in a little while, so I hope you can bear with my laziness….
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