BASTARDASS INTERVIEW with moses. keeping it real in 2013
How did bastardass start? Where, when, reasons?
Bastardass was the result of deciding to take the originating band's sound to something harder and heavier than it was. I was the addition to what was originally The Juice, a thrashy/crusty band, back in mid 2003. They were all school chums at some catholic high school and were introduced to me after David (lead vocalist) got kicked out of the school and landed in mine. They all got kicked out of that school lol. The name originated from trying to combine the two funniest words we knew.
How did you guys get into hardcore/punk?
I'd hate to speak for all of them haha, but we all have very different pasts. In sum, one of us was really into metal which in turn led to interests in grind, etc., others into punk (from pop to street punk and beyond). As for me, my first encounter with hardcore/punk was in 411VM's Europe 1999 skateboarding video. I was 12 years old, and first encountered 7seconds and Minor Threat. The latter stuck with me much more. In sum, everyone had a different background coming in, but we all ended up on similar grounds at the beginning.
Do you see any differences in the crowd or scene from the early mid '00s to now?
As much I hate to say this, in generalities; no. One thing I've learned playing shows here is that the scene is in Los Angeles is very fragmented. My proof? The numerous scenes in Los Angeles. There are so many kids here; from different communities, preferences in these subdivisions of punk, and means of accessing the diversity offered in the "scene." the only time they seem to come together (from what I see) is when touring bands come around. and it'd have to be a pretty relatable band for this to apply, such as discharge lol. This is just what i see though; it may be a different case for someone else. Some of the upsides to its stagnancy is that the youth are still very much into it, no matter what it may be. It shows it has definitely not died. Also, touring bands used to come by way more often. But, the story of one genius messing it up for the rest of us when it comes to willing venues and what not is all to familiar here... ANNDDD!!!!!!!! promotionial companies, social networking, and their helpful hand in furthering the fragmentation.
What's the story with life in prison? Who's the young fellow in the pic? Haha
I don't know the guy in the pic. Andres (guitarist) might know. But when it comes to the content of the "Life in Prison" session, I can easily say it was the most honest batch of music ever written by us. It truly reflected who we were, what we were experiencing, what we were feeling about everything and each other; tired. Bastardass always called it how we saw it. It was always a reflection of our environment. high at a funeral was a true story.... cycle of violence can be applied to our experiences, mine included.... its difficult to revisit these songs hahah
Before the break up, was there anymore talk about releases? I know you guys have the.all gone dead and say why? Splits on vinyl.
Life in Prison was supposed to be a split with AxRxM. that seems very improbable now. Andres always threw out ideas for an LP, but no other material was ever written (as a band) to realize that. This comes as no surprise though; for we the majority of us were very irresponsible in regards to it (with the exception of Andres)
Why didn't the split with arm happen? Why was bastardass so inactive?
Immaturity and disinterest. Mainly immaturity. We were very fucked up; to some of us, this still applies. It was also because we were troublemakers HAHAHA
Why did bastardass break up?
Immaturity and disinterest. It had nothing to do with resentment between its members
What other bands are you guys involved in?
Andres raps in Shadowrunners. The rest of Bastardass continued as Syntax, where I switched to guitar. Some of our past musical ventures came in the form of ¡Libérate!, Apathetic Ronald McDonald, among others. I believe Andres was in Asshole Assassination Squad for a minute, too. There're others, but those possibly the most note-worthy
Are you guys planning to be more active with syntax?
are you planning any other projects?
We've been pretty active, actually; just out of sight. We have a release coming out soon entitled "corridos grind," which will be available in multiple formats. Aside from that we are planning a split lp with san diego's IDOLS PLAGUE (awesome intricate thrash and awesomer dudes), and an lp of our own. All the songs are finished, its just a matter of going to the studio. We're also getting a west coast mini tour together for the last week of July. We are trying to get some more shows tho, insofar as they land in satyrdays n sundays lol. Mike and Dave work nightshifts, so weekday shows are pretty much outta the question unless the show is exceptional We're also planning something pretty neat to coincide our split with IP. More info as it becomes actualized
So how did you start playing in arm? When you toured with arm did you see differences between la and others?
We've been throwing the idea around for some time, and was necessary once tom decided to jump on drums. We've known each other forever; they started the same year we did, we played countless shows together, grew up together. They are brothers. It was only natural haha.
What do you mean between LA and others? like their scene(s)/people/etc?
Yes that's what I meant haha what are current bands you support?
Well there's a lot less fragmentation. I think when a show goes on ppl go bc options are limited to bigger cities. There are so many things to do here that it can be easy to take some things for granted. Thru my personal experiences, I've gotten much more love out of Other cities than LA; maybe ppl dont like me/my music? Meh. Ppl are friendlier and make you feel appreciated. Sometimes I wonder why I'm driven to play more shows here haha; there's too much drama when LA gets together anyway. Sorry; I probably sound jaded as hell, but I'm speaking for myself, not anyone else. One of the bands I have and will always stand by is hoy Pinoy. They should be in the Guinness book f world records for "band longest overdue for a record/noteriety. Greedy filth/gore wax , she's dead, goner & Alex's new band absurdity, noisear,idols plague, stapled shut, runamuk, cancer patient, matka Teresa . Honestly I'm really out of the loop; I'm sure there are many bands that are great out there right now that I've failed to mention, but I list them by the relationships I've built w em over the music in general.
Speaking of shes dead!!! Did they beak up and reunite for the sergio benefit?
As far as I know, Carl (drummer) lives far. They seem to play in large gaps; the way I see it, their disbandment will never happen, just long hiatus periods haha
Will bastardass ever grace us ever again?
Why should we? I'd hate to reminisce on those times attached to bastardass. We were all fucked individuals, and it showed. The best for any of us to do is just move on from it, bc I definitely don't wanna be in that place again. It is most definitely eternal, but very much so not the present. Jk ill do it for a million dollars
Haha thank for the interview moses. Last words? Shout outs? Hate?
Shout out to the Los Angeles Lakers; it's been a rough year, but resiliency pumps the blood. Fuck the LAPD, and leeching scrubs. East side grind killers ain't no one iller
