Rockezine.com interview with Madball on Dec 12, 2003

with Freddy on Dec 12, 2003

Madball is back in the game with a brand new EP. Time for a short update with Freddy. Who said you need long answers to make a point?
		So. Can you tell me something about the new EP? It’s 100% pure N.Y.H.C., Madball style of course. If you like our sound, you’ll love it!
		About a year ago I got the news that Madball broke up (which was shitty news). But a few months ago I heard you guys are back together. You are probably sick of this question but: What happened and is Madball fully back? Yes, we broke up for about 2 years because we were plagued with all these problems at the time. People quitting, me going to jail…a lot of stuff. But all that is behind us now and we‘ve gained new appreciation for what we do.
		Madball is one of the monuments in the NYHC-scene, along with Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Sheer Terror etc. How is the scene doing right now? Are there any new cool bands we should check out, and how are these bands getting along? Thank you for including us with those other names. You will see a resurgence of the NY-scene. The new cool bands are On The Rise, Sworn Enemy, RAGMEN. All the bands get along great.
		When I listen to Madball, I hear some hiphop influences. How important is hiphop for Madball? Madball is its own thing, but we grew up listening to a lot of hiphop. So it may peak through every now and again!
Hardcore will always have a future		When you look back at your career in Madball so far. What were the highlights? Having the privilege to travel to other countries. But I think there’s more highlights to come.
		Are you guys coming to Europe again? We’ve just been there on the Eastpak Resistance Tour and we’ll be back again.
		If you have to choose between a lawnmower and a glass of 7UP. What would you choose? If I owned a horse I’d say the lawnmower, otherwise I would take the drink.
		Is being in Madball a full-time job? Yes at the moment it is!
		Final question: How is hardcore doing in the States and how do you see the future of hardcore? Hardcore is doing decent in the States, but I think it has room to grow. It will always have a future.
		(Friso Veltkamp)