Rockezine.com interview with A.18 on Jun 12, 2003

with Isaac Golub on Jun 12, 2003

Californian hardcore band A.18 are in the trenches with their in your face album Foreverafternothing. An interview with singer Isaac Golub about convictions and line up changes.
		Can you give us a short lesson in the history of A.18? We formed in late 1998. Mike and I wanted to do a band together since the day we met, and after all our previous were defunct we decided to make it happen. We contacted Steve, another long time friend from the band Instead and he was down from the get go.
		Your first album on Victory Records is out for a while now. How`s the response on the album so far? So far we have received great reviews in the press, and the kids seem to love it. The Victory Records team has really given us a great push.
		In a written piece on A.18 I read, "Victory finally release a hardcore album". Do you feel at home on Victory Records or in other words can they help the band grow to another level? It`s true Victory hasn`t released a "traditional" hardcore record in a long time, but the lines of tradition have been erased for sometime now. I think Victory recognized good music from us and realized a potential in where we were. They have invested a lot of time and money in us and they obviously believe in us, we have always believed in ourselves so for us to grow together is inevitable.
		The first time I listened to the new album it blew me away. You must be very proud of the result? We are very proud and happy with what we have created.
		It`s been a long time since I encountered a hardcore band with such strong convictions. What makes you guys tick? Our convictions come from years of getting our hands dirty in the hardcore scene. We have been hands-on in this scene for over a decade. We have seen a lot of depressing things happen and we have seen the best in people we never would have expected. Most of our ideals and convictions are so deep that band or no band we would still remain.
		I read in an interview with the band that you see yourselves more of a `straight` band than just a `straight edge` band. First the music than the message? For me the music and the message must go hand and hand. I cant write words that have no meaning, all of them mean something to me in a personal way. The straightedge message is subtle but it`s there because that`s who "I" am. I am done alienating people, I am not to concerned with how other people live their lives. I will put "my" message out there set to hard music, if people grab onto it. Good.
		Talking about messages, what`s the message behind the album title Foreverafternothing? The most straight forward message would be, when all is said and done, when nothing is left I will still be here. Forever.
		The darkness in your sound and the variation in song material make Foreverafternothing a strong album. Is this variation a conscious move or is it something that just `happens`? It just happens for the most part. There is some calculation, but not much. We don`t sit around and try to be evil, or think of ways to make people think we`re hard street thugs. We do what we do in the most honest, real way we know how.
		Almost typical for hardcore are the many line-up changes in bands. Does this affect A.18 as well? It has a definite affect. When you get a new member you have to start from scratch, teach the songs, make sure you agree on certain things. It just holds up progress, but is necessary sometimes.
		Is it difficult to keep a line-up stabile and can it effect the growth of your band? Absolutely.
		How has the support from Europe been so far? There has been wonderful support from Europe. We are set to come to Europe in October by popular demand.
		Any bands from Southern California we should check out? Countdown To Life is great, and The Subject Of Us from Scato is good.
		Famous last words. Check out our website www.heroesaredead.com, and come see us in the winter.
(Marc Lochs)