Rockezine.com interview with Disfear on Sep 22, 2003

with Bjarn on Sep 22, 2003


		For anyone who doesn’t know Disfear yet: can you give us a short introduction to the band? Disfear started as Anti-Bofors back in 1989. I am the only original member even though Frykman joined forces in early ´91. We released a couple of rehearsals and a 7" under that name before changing to Disfear late ´91. We also did a couple of compilations before the release of our first 7" in the fall of ´92. When we switched names we also recruited a new vocalist called Jeppe. Released a MCD called A Brutal Sight Of War in ´93 and did some touring with the same line-up. Got some serious problems with labels and split up for a while in ´94, starting it all up again by the end of the year with a new drummer Jallo (former No Security, Dischange etc.). Released our first full length album Soul Scars (Distortion) in ‘95, followed by some serious touring in Europe. Left Distortion for Osmose Prod. In ´96, did some more touring now with new drummer Robin. Released Everyday Slaughter in ´97 followed by extensive touring. In 1998 long-time singer Jeppe left the band and was immediately replaced by Tomas. Started to rehearse new songs and did some more touring before drummer Robin left the band and was replaced by Marcus in ´99. Did a tour with Wolfpack the same year before starting to prepare for the recording of Misanthropic Generation. After again serious label problems and other shit, we got in contact with Relapse in ´01 and signed a deal. After a far too long recording process, the album is finally released.......
		I have to admit that I never heard of Disfear before, until now!! But I noticed you guys have quite a history already. Yeah, as I wrote in the previous question, we started almost 14 years ago so a lot has happened since. Maybe we are not the worlds most active band but we did some records and some touring, and that’s fine with me. Now we feel hungrier than ever and we will tour to support this album as long as we think it’s fun to do. That’s why we’re doing this, to have fun and to have a good time together. It’s also a very good way to get our personal demons out.
		How did you get in contact with Relapse and are your other releases still available at this moment? Well, it was through longtime friend Mieszko (Soundlab, Nasum, Genocide Superstars) from the very start. When we had all these problems with labels and studio times, we met him at a gig in Orebro. He asked if didn’t want to try his studio. When I told him about our label situation he said that he would talk to Relapse and ask if they might be interested. They were, so we recorded a few new tracks and got the deal. Everything has been really great so far. Of course we had some hard discussions but we are at a same level of understanding. We have the freedom to do 7” and vinyl on underground labels and that’s ok with us. I have no idea wether the other releases are available at the moment. There will be a re-press of the Soul Scars album, and hopefully we can release our whole back-catalogue again. I think that the Everyday Slaughter album might still be available on Osmose.
		Well, congratulations with Misanthropic Generation. How have the reactions on the album been so far? Thank you very much for those kind words! So far the reactions have been really good. We are really happy about all the positive response, since we are satisfied with the album ourselves. Of course there have been some negative reactions as well, but we can’t please everybody. Some punk/crust people might think it’s too metal and some metal fans might think it’s too punk/crust.
		I think Misanthropic Generation has become a great death n` roll album as I always call this kind of music. Can you find yourself in this description or do you prefer calling it otherwise? Personally I prefer not to call music styles this or that. Good music is good music and bad music is bad music to my ears. But that’s just my personal view. If I have to call it something, maybe deathpunk would be the first to cross my mind. I know Turbonegro say they play deathpunk and really not sound like us, but if you mark the words death metal and punk, they come quite close to what we are doing.
		The songs on the album don`t sound too diverse but are played with such a high dose of energy that it compensates all of that!! It seems as if the album is recorded in the rehearsal room (positively)? Do you agree? Yeah maybe you are right. We have tried to transfer all our demons and frustrations into our music and I guess that’s really good fuel for creating the energy. It was like 6 years ago since we released our last album and some of the songs are written just after that release, so they are kinda old. We had time to develop them without any stress and the whole album has actually been ready for recording for almost 3 years. I prefer to work like that, I don’t want to stress out making songs in the studio so…but I must say that the songs on the new album are far more diverse than on our previous albums. We have our roots in the crust/hardcore/punk scene and of course that’s why our songs might seem simplistic and not too diverse. We just make songs the way we want them to sound, that’s all.
		How was it to work with such an acclaimed producer as Mieszko anddid he had an influence on the sound? I know he also plays in the Genocide Superstars. Musically there are some comparisons. We are really happy with the production of Misanthropic Generation. Mieszko is a long-time friend and after all the problems with times in Sunlight and Dugout, it just felt great that he was into doing it. It felt right from the very start and even if we had to record it at 4 different times during this year, I know it would turn out great. Normally we record and mix an album during 2 weeks, but this time Tomas had a lot of other shit going on so we had to do it this way. Mieszko has a brilliant ear and a lot of great ideas, but what makes him really good is that he listens to what YOU want to do and then tries to do it. Also, the fact that he’s playing and into this kind of music himself made it easier to work with him. The mastering at Polar finally made the recording complete. We will for sure record there the next time!
		What are important influences for a band as Disfear? I can imagine that Motorhead plays an important role? I can’t really deny I’m a huge Motorhead fan, can I? But there are just so many other great bands and styles I’m into. Turbonegro, Zeke, Sleep, Ministry, Entombed, Anticimex, Bombanfall and of course Discharge has to be mentioned as long-time favourite bands. A few years ago I discovered bands like His Hero Is Gone, Tragedy, From Ashes Rise and they are really awesome. There are a lot of new bands coming up as well, so I think of a really bright future for this kind of music.
		What are the plans for the near future and can we see you guys live on stage again soon? Yes, we’ll try to tour as much as we possibly can. We will start a European tour together with Entombed on September 28th in Munich, Germany. The tour will cover most western European countries and end October 14th in Berlin. Please check www.disfear.com for all dates. We also have plans for 3 gigs in Finland in November, followed by a tour in Scandinavia later this fall. We will try our best to make it to the States and Japan next year but nothing is set yet. Disfear is a live band and for us this is what it’s all about. Also, we just released a new 7” on Throne Records (check www.thronerecords.com for more details). The vinyl version of Misanthropic Generation is set to be released in a few weeks. It will be released by Feral Ward, which is run by Yannick of Tragedy, and has one bonus track. Check www.feralward.com for more information.
		Anything you want to add to the interview. Thank you very much for the interview and for showing interest in Disfear. Please check us out on tour, hopefully we play somewhere near you…and please check out Misanthropic Generation, the Powerload 7” and the vinyl version on FeralWard. Thanks again and cheers!!
(Teun Jans)