Last awesome band from Australia. Pure hate filled un-pc hardcore. Interview originally featured in PM#7. Conducted w/Meatdog via mail around early '11.
Perro:
How does Reckless Aggression started? What was the primary reason/
goal to make you start it?
Meatdog:
Me and my pals just got sick of the same old shit bands and wanted to
hear something we liked, that was stuff like Condemned 84, and united
blood ep. Anthony and Dan did a demo recording called LIFES FATE who
didn't quite have a solid line up at that point, but had one of the
best demo tapes that'd come out of Melbourne in years, Anthony was
doing vocals but i wanted to cause he's also a fucking awesome
drummer, and all they needed was a drummer, the feeling was there to
start something new, i wanted to fuck off out of Melbourne cause
nothing was really keeping me here so i asked my friend Joel if he'd
want to drum in a punk band again, and we started RA. I stayed in
town and the rest is history. No goals or reason just Open season on
Melbourne and it's art faggot culture and also to put a little wind
up some crusts skirts.
Perro:
You got your name from a White Noise lp, a record perfectly described
by Mr. Beau/ Not Guilty with the following words of wisdom: "It's
probably the best Oz Punk LP this side of Aspirations but it has been
forever confined to the record collections of dudes that own a first
edition copy of Mein Kampf. Can of worms". I know RA has a "no
politics" policy, but did you ever get shit for being named
after that record?Meatdog:
I actually own the lp and a first edition copy of Mein Kampf, Beau
hit the nail on the head! I really like the sound, the vibe and
attitude of that 80's breed of Australian oi. And feel it is what our
band is minus any political direction or cause. I don't think we've
copped too much shit at all, to be honest the new breed of hardcore
kids today don't take things as face value as much or try and be
righteously political anymore. The funny thing is the majority of
guys i have spoken to who have a massive problem with "nazis"
love Reckless Aggression, so whatever storm in a tea cup problems
they have with all that doesn't roll into their appreciation for us,
like most of those types, go figure. White Noise put out the best
Australian punk lp ever, i could write an essay on how good each song
is, it's depth and importance . But i wouldn't be that much of a cock
sucker. The music is ballsy, the lyrics tread on levels fuck all
skinhead bands do, they don't care, they are personal and free
thinking it's my kind of punk. Their brand of skinhead would have
attracted the worstmen of the skinhead scene and that's pretty much
what i'd like to attract to RA just the worstmen of todays punks,
rejects, assholes and violent cunts that can't find what they're
looking for anywhere else, just fuck up everyones day.
Perro:
Have you ever been accused of being a nazi band? I remember in one
issue of GG you said that you got bad looks for being a skin while
you were at a crust gig...
Meatdog: Sure i know people talk shit and say stuff behind our
backs,my back. But i think they are just afraid of anything different
from themselves and our style represents power and they are insecure
people. With no knowledge of our culture other then a few choice big
name films about Ultra Rightwing Supporters of German Nationalism.
Skinheads always get funny looks from morons. But no ones had the
back bone yet to ask us in person where we stand? The thing is the
punk crowd are a bunch of Fascist left wing clones without a free
thinking mind among them, so a little Clean cut style and pride goes
a long way to shake em up. But we aren't going away, hopefully with
the sudden popularity of RA alot more kids get into oi and skinhead
culture here, i'd love to see a rebirth in my time. Something really
ugly and out of hand.
Perro:
The demo has been out for a while now and it received an awesome
response worldwide. It has even been repressed onto vinyl by a quite
big yankee label. Were you expecting it? How was the reaction
locally?
Meatdog:
It's been very surprising how large a response the demo has received,
it's just what the doctor ordered for alot of people i think. Even if
it only gets compared to 86 Mentality? But that's the limited
knowledge of todays hardcore crowd for ya. We are alot more well
received over seas then locally because people know us and hate us
personally here, which is great! the only time we get a good response
locally is when my friends from New South Wales come down and cause
trouble. Melbourne is a soft crowd. A social scene. Getting your demo
pressed to vinyl is overwhealming, i'm surprised how much people like
the demo. I can't wait till the ep is out on Six Feet Under, then you
will get a record worth spinning right up there next to gay youth
crew in the Revelation catalogue and coming to a chain store near
you!
Perro:
I remember that after recording the demo you've been inactive for
more than 6 months and you told me that you were not even sure if RA
would be active anymore. How's the situation now?
Meatdog:
There's no "situation" anymore and everyone is back on the
horse, it just got stagnant for a while, not so much us but the
desire to play gigs here to people we hate. Having practice has been
productive and we are enjoying playing again. Not that anything has
really changed but the shows are attracting "our crowd"
Perro:
I do really like the lyrics of "Nobody" and I totally
relate with them. But in today hc scene it seems that a big portion
of people are involved in it only to gain notoriety and trying to be
"cool" by conforming themselves to what other people expect
them to be. A big mass of clones that are not even able to think with
their own mind...
Meatdog:
I was seeing this girl who thought i'd think she was really cool by
telling me "i fucked this guy in Slipknot he had the biggest
cock i'd ever seen" Yeah bitch i wanna hear that shit when i
like you a lot. Fuck being an idol for idiots, i hate sport stars and
i hate bullshit fame. I hate suck ups and social crawlers, cunts with
no heart who just aim to please, their friends, their boss, the
world. Rather just be alone so i don't have to deal with fucking
humans. Get a job, buy a house, get a stupid sports commodore, you're
doing well suck your fathers cock. People at punk/hardcore are no
different bands that just want everyone to like them and do big
tours, happy positive weak as fuck bullshit.
Perro:
You're doing gigs not very frequently. Which kind of reactions do you
usually get? How's a typical RA set?Meatdog:
If my friends from NSW are in town they slam pretty hard to us but if
not? then people just stand there and fold their arms. We find it
hard being able to play because of work and shit but playing only so
often is fine. Makes for a better release. All the gigs have been
different i hope there's nothing typical about playing but if we are
playing in Melbourne it's bound to be dry and reactionless. It isn't
always like this but in general it is. We played with TAIPAN from
Sydney and the gig turned into a mini riot with cops getting called,
lights getting thrown, black outs and bloody faces, power was still
on with no PA kids sklamming in the dark to "conformity"
Siege and "move back" THINK I CARE!!! mind blowing
shit.
Perro:
I've heard rumors of a possible new record coming out this year and,
if I remember well, few months ago you told me you recorded a new
demo...Meatdog:
We are set to record a new ep mid mum shah sometime so hopefully that
gets pressed soon after. We never actually did a second demo
recording, but my friend Admo from Tamworth did a bootleg recording
of our last gig and you can hear some of the new songs on there.
Perro:
You're also a zine editor: first it was Soapbox and then Groingravy.
Both zines have an unique approach and, expecially GG, very strong
and offensive contents. What goals did/do you wanna achieve with your
writing?Meatdog:
I just wanted to say something honest i suppose, cause i listen to
and am really into hardcore punk. Alot of the times if no one saids
something honest these bands go through and think they are top shit
cause all these idiots tell them they're great and then they go on
tour and make too many shirt designs and then tour overseas and get
money and that's how the new "hardcore" works. It's all a
joke, so i guess i just wanted to have my say from a true fans
perspective, and not a cocksuckers perspective trying to shake
everyones hand and get free shit. Also to get out some creativity
along the way.
Perro:
The first time I saw an issue of Groin Gravy I immediately thought
about how printing shop employees would look at you disgusted when
asked to print copies of GG. Any funny related anectodes?Meatdog:
When i was printing up the issue of Soapbox with the dorothy drawing
on the cover some family was next to me and the kid saw it and got
excited, printing is always sketchy cause of the porns and shit, i
use magazine cut outs so they stick out like dogs balls when i print,
no ones ever hastled me though. I get flyers scanned and the worker.
Perro:
I've heard stories about Soapbox causing troubles in Brisbane a few
years ago. Please explain it better. Also, does something similar
happened with GG too?
Meatdog:
Cade and Beau from CHUNKS sine were selling them a few years back in
Brisbane at some gig and this chick gathered a crowd of half wits to
protest the sale of Soapbox in the small hall, load of wankers. You'd
have to get in touch with those guys to know the details, though. GG
got taken off the shelves in Missing link records cause i had too
much to say.
Perro:
I'm pretty sure you are going to tag them simply as a bunch of
junkies scum, but the way you are using porn and nazi images to
provoke indoctrinated PC crusties has always brought to my mind those
Perth degenerates also known as Rupture...
Meatdog:
I'm a fan of early Rupture! i have a few records but that early stuff
is on cd. I couldn't care less if they do drugs, that shit is next
level for 90's Aussie hardcore. Fuck Melbourne mindset, fuck try hard
political crusaders. Fly the flag and listen to mushed out mania and
slam skank through a wall! Here's a little secret i'm actually doing
a new band with Stumbles and Zombo from Rupture called TRICK BABIES
we have like 4 songs so far, think early Rupture sliced with hard
slam pits and SSD. Possibly no live shows due to human interaction
and people might enjoy themselves but we will record something and
have it pressed in Europe hahaha.
Perro:
The only other zine that could be compared to GG is Tesco Vee's Touch
and Go. I think your approach to hardcore is quite similar. Was it an
influence? Which other zines have an impact on you?
Meatdog:
I only ever saw my first copy of Touch and go last year in that book
release, it's good shit! Very cool approach, no fucking around heaps
funny shit. I don't know what first influenced me maybe wanking? i
was into doing online porn site and vas reviews when i started with
demo and records, short interviews with THINK I CARE. Rest is
history. Along the way i've really liked White Trash from 84'
Portland sine by tony and Del from LOCKJAW!!!!!! Lockjaw and YDI are
my influences when making zines.
Perro:
You're doing a lot of sick drawings, not only for your zine but also
flyers and a few record artworks. I expecially like the Deathcage ltd
cover and that Eye Gouge cdr is pure genious. When did you start
drawing? What are your influences? Which kind of stuff were you doing
when you were a kid? I'm asking it since I'm supposing you were one
of those problematic child that spent a good portion of time at the
school's psychologist office...Meatdog:
Hahahhahaha nah i don't know about that, i drew some comic called
JEWrasic park once when i was young about Jewish dinosaurs with ear
locks and some bullshit stories that went on for ages with paintings.
Who knows about school, i liked stealing things out of kids bags, so
when there'd be an assembly or sports game all the bags would be
piled together and i'd sit next to em and pretend to be doing
something and then steal things out bags, the best thing i ever stole
was a 7 dollar Aliens comic off a kid that used to have purple around
his mouth from sucking on a hyper colour shirt, some fat cunt. Today
when i draw my influences are just i dunno, weird photos i can find,
pornography and my own imagination. I am a big fan of CHUY from
Newyork and Eric Cooch Lockjaw, his stuff is wild swell as Crowley,
his stuff is the best.
Perro:
In #2 you reviewed Rohan/ Extortion.That was the first time ever I
saw a review of a human being! How was his reaction? I mean, it's a
good review but I'd kinda feel weird and maybe violated being
reviewed as a person in a zine...
Meatdog:
I'm mates with Rohan i was talking to him for ages the other night,
he's really into Nuclear explosions and docos about radiation fallout
shit, he's a cool guy. I just thought it'd be funny to see what he
did to me, which was nothing. Ya know those quiet weird kids that
snap and stab people? well he aint one of em. I wanted him to do
something weird to me, stalk or kill me.
Perro:
Thanx for your time, Allan! Add whatever nonsense you prefer to close
this interview.
Meatdog:
Watch Cafe Flesh. Fanx Raffa!!!! OMEGAS "absurd visions"
favourite lounge room slam song, yeah, yeah now ya doing… the
lounge room slam!!!
