[ENG] ODPISANI INTERVIEW RUTA 130 RADIO

 

 

Hi Sasha it’s great to talk about Odpisani here today in Ruta 130. First of all present the band for the punks here in Spain who never heard about you guys and what´s some major points of this group.

 

One big greeting to everyone in Spain, especially Radio Ruta 130 and your listeners. In a few words, ODPISANI is a hardcore punk band from Slovenia, which has been tearing up concert stages across Europe since 1995, which makes us one of the oldest still active bands in our country. We have behind us quite a varied list of vinyl and CD releases for several different labels in our 27 years of existence. After the departure of the two original members three years ago, the group became international, as the new members are from Croatia and Bosnia. This brought some additional freshness to the band and to the musical expression, which is noticed by our listeners and of course by the critics, who respond to the new sound more than positively. Anyway, we're still here, still tearing up the stages and we're still loyal to the hardcore punk scene.

 

 

To really understand the sound of Odpisani I think we can find some good old hardcore punk from the 90s, good guitar riffin’ powerful rhythm section, very solid IMO, with strong vocals and smart lyrics but how do you explain us the sound of Odpisani?

 

That's right, the sound of the 90s is the basis on which we have been building since the band's creation. The members had previously played in various bands since the 80s and after joining two local bands in ODPISANI, we also brought various musical influences with us, which in our opinion, we combined into old school hardcore punk, to which we added various other elements from other genres of music and thus upgraded it. With the arrival of two new younger members in the group years ago, we just upgraded this original sound of ours, rejuvenated it, made it even stronger and louder, and in a way returned to the fast old hardcore punk from our beginnings, but with much better production. I don't think we've ever sounded as good as we do now.

 

 

Now let’s focus in “Rebirth” you latest release, a very solid 5 piece all good songs EP. In these moderns times of pose, plastic image and fast food music the idea of making EPs is more interesting for you? Quality over quantity? Most of your recent releases are short-style albums like in the 80s so what’s the best way to enjoy your music?

 

"Rebirth" is the first official release with two new members. Everything was done rather hastily during the time of the corona, because we wanted to introduce the new members as soon as possible and also prepare as soon as possible with the new product to go on concert stages in Europe after the end of the lockdowns. In the end, we were surprised by what we did, we were more than satisfied and apparently others were too, because the positive reviews are still coming even after almost a year since the release of the EP. And why EP? You probably noticed that our last 3 releases were similar, either a short album or an EP. We do this for one reason only, to be noticed all the time and constantly bombard the audience with new songs, releases, videos... In the beginning we released long albums with a large number of songs, most of which we never played live and were just there to fill the time on the album. There were also large time gaps between individual editions. Then we decided not to continue like this anymore. All the songs we make now are of the same quality, we put the same effort into each one and they are not just fillers.And now we release an EP every year or two, and we plan to continue doing so in the future.

 

 

The production is also remarkable because keeps the raw power of this music but also you can hear every instrument and enjoy every part of the record, first song “The Burden” is a great starter and put all the cards on the table. What’s the importance of the production and track list? Is this record under the influence of the pandemic?

 

Oh yes, the production is amazing, our friend Drazen from CIRITH UNGOL studio from Bosnia has really made one extra. On the previous two releases we worked with Tue Madsen (Madball, Sick of it all...), who was the producer and we were very happy with him. But what Drazen did on "Rebirth" is, in our opinion, something we've been missing over the last few years. And this is the incredible explosiveness of the sound. "The Burden" is really the biggest hit on this EP, for which we also shot a music video. Basically, the pandemic did not have much impact on our compositions and production. The only place where this matter is reflected is the lyrics in the song "Your IQ". Musically, almost all the songs, or at least the basics - ideas, were created before the pandemic. The only texts were written during it, but they are not as much related to this problem as one would think.

 

 

“The Fallen ones” is another example of how to do things in the proper way because lyrics are great and I think everybody in any place in the world could understand what’s about because at the end of the day  “we are the puppets” so how this song was wrote and tell me about the same.

 

It's interesting that this song is the only new one that we made together. In other words, the text was written first, and then we worked together on the music and adapted it to the text. For all the other new songs, we first made the music to which Dario wrote the lyrics. And yes, "The Fallen Ones" has probably the strongest, most message-driven content of all the new ones, in my opinion.

 

 

 

“Remembered” is a very emotional song about somebody who is not longer with us but it was written for someone in particular? Can you tell us more about it?

 

The music for "Remembered" was written by myself and our bassist Pal (who writes more or less all the music for our songs) and was originally intended as a classic punk sing along song with rebellious lyrics, but something unfortunate happened during the making. At that time, our singer Dario's stepfather Bruce, whom he loved and respected very much died and he was deeply affected by his death. The lyrics of the song "Remembered" are dedicated to him and to all our friends who have left us to early.

 

 

“Your IQ” is my fav song of this record, I think musically is just great but also lyrics are very close to me because I think nowadays nobody have some proper own opinion just repeat like puppets what some “experts” said or bullshit from the internet so what’s happened here? I think there is a lot of fear in express yourself like a really free man I think the message of this song is loud and clear “form your own ideas” but what can you tell us about it???

 

As mentioned earlier, the song "Your IQ" is the only song on our latest EP that touches on the pandemic, the relationships between people in this manipulative time and the imposition of opinions and the degradation and discrediting of everyone with a different opinion. We are not dealing with conspiracy theories or denying anything, but with ordinary human relations and brainwashing at the social level that has come from corrupt political elites, "war" profiteers and manipulative media. I think the true nature of certain corrupt people has been revealed during the pandemic. What saddens me the most is that during this time, it showed how indifferent and obedient our society has become. There are more and more bowed nodding heads and bended backs, and even more kneeling and uncritical thinking. This is really very sad.

 

 

The records ends with “Just Dogs” in a take no prisoners wayso I think this is a great “Rebirth” for a band with 27 years of experience on his back. What’s the secret to keeps doing good music without betray your identity and sound?

 

"Just Dogs" is actually a remake of one of our old songs from the 90s, which was written in our native language at the time. We always played the song live and loved it ourselves. However, when the new singer Dario joined the band, we translated most of the old songs, which we still play live and which were originally written in Slovenian, into English. Which is of course normal, since Dario is not Slovenian and does not speak our language. Here we were then offered the opportunity to change this song a little and translate it into English, which in the end we liked so much that we decided to record this song again and give it a new sound. I think we did it more than great. The text remains the same and is an almost literal translation. This is another text that has a deeper meaning and deals with social issues and egoism among people.In terms of identity and sound, however, the identity of ODPISANI remains the same even after 27 years of existence - to be socially critical and not fall under modern trends and influences. Of course, the sound needs to be upgraded and improved all the time. If I remember how we recorded and made productions in the early 90s and how we do it now, I can only laugh.

 

 

What’s next for the band? Are you playing live concerts? Are you planning to record more songs? Tell us about your future plans

 

In two weekswe have the last concert for this year, which was very successful as far as concerts go. After that, we will take a two-month break, because we have to finish the new songs, which are mostly already done, write the lyrics and if everything goes according to plan, go into the studio in January next year. Immediately after that follows the making of new videos, the release of a new EP and of course, concerts, concerts, concerts... We have many dates already confirmed and will announce them shortly.

 

As an experience drummer what’s important for you when you are playing? Do you use triggers? What’s your opinion of using electronic sounds on stage?

 

I've never used triggers. I'm all natural. I know a few drummers who use them, but they're mostly metalheads or grindcore guys. I don't remember knowing anyone in the hardcore punk scene. At least not among those with whom we shared the stage. I have no particular opinion on this.

 

Can you guys tell us something about the Slovenian scene? How are the things over there? Also could you recommend us some good bands? No modern hipster bullshit pls

 

Slovenia is a very small country with two million inhabitants, but despite this we have many clubs and other concert venues, some fantastic well-known festivals, many good bands and the rest that goes along with it. The only problem is concert visits, because due to the constantly large number of concerts at the same time throughout the country, people no longer travel to concerts in other cities and focus more on local events that are closer to them. That's why the organizers have to deal with low attendance at the same time, and it's already a success if you manage to sell 100 tickets at a hardcore punk concert in a club in smaller towns around the country. Considering the size of the country and the number of inhabitants, we have quite a few good hardcore punk bands among which, in my opinion, stand out ODPADKI CIVILIZACIJE, HAK ATTACK, REACH A.D., PIGS PARLAMENT, SPY ABUSE... to mention just few of them.

 

 

Some people keep saying this music is dying and no one cares about it but we keep doing concerts, radio shows like this, fanzines and more so punk is live as well but what’s your opinion about punk and hardcore nowadays?

 

I think it's quite the opposite...we've been really surprised lately about the growth of the scene. At our concerts around Europe, we constantly meet new bands, younger and younger people who attend concerts, more and more independent radio stations or at least radio broadcasts, fanzines are coming back again - online or in print. Since I myself published an independent underground fanzine in the 80s and early 90s, I was pleasantly surprised at one of our concerts in Germany this year when I received a current German punk fanzine from on publisher, which was made the way we used to make them. It was photocopied and the graphic was a pasted collage, like we used to do in the 80s. I'm over 50 years old and I have a family and a job, so I'm not as active on the scene as I used to be. I only see what happens at concerts and festivals where we perform. And as I said, the development I've been noticing lately inspires me with optimism.

 

 

Is this music more than attitude? Play live is more than an intention?

 

Playing live is basically why we have a band in the first place. It's not hard to record music these days. Almost anyone with a little knowledge and ear can make a song with various programs and samples. You no longer need a band or know how to play instruments. That's why I think that hardcore, punk rock and other genres of rock, including metal, are the last ray of hope that real music will not die out. People who listen to these genres of music respect its performers and enjoy watching live concerts with live musicians. That's why even we musicians who play live respect the music and the people who come to listen to us all the more. At the end, the most important thing is the personal contact between the band on stage and the audience in front of the stage. It's an attitude!

 

 

Behind the ideas of Odpisani, what’s your goal as a musician?

 

It's hard to say. When a band has been around for so many years, it's normal for ideas to change. In the beginning, you are young, full of energy, rebellious, motivated and of course excited to play in a band. Over the years these things change and for you the music and the band become a kind of refuge from the daily problems at work and otherwise. As you get older, you look at the whole situation differently and you express yourself and define problems more easily, or you process them more with an open mind. You also begin to accept different opinions and react to opposition less aggressively than when you were young. But the idea of the band ODPISANI remains somehow constant - social criticism and not acceptance of bullshit.

 

 

Thanks for your time also you can say whatever you want

 

Thank you and everyone who listens to your radio. I hope to see you soon in Spain. Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity to play in your beautiful country yet, we have only visited it as tourists. However, if you want us we will come... promoters can contact me at sasha@petroleum-beat.com. Cheers & take care!