HERESY INTERVIEW
from Activate zine #13, 1989
Some people may be wondering what a Heresy interview is doing in here when they split up at the end of last year, well, I thought what they had to say is still relevant, you can still get the records, so what does it matter that they aren't together anymore? This interview is about a year out of date actually, so even if they were still going it would seem a little odd. They were an absolutely amazing band in both lyrix and ripping music and it's a shame they split up but that's life, thanx to Keith of Undersige mega stardom for donating the interview. Questions answered by John who was the vocalist (5/7/88)
1. Your songs have very strong political views so should it be right to say you're a political band?
John: We're not an anything band, but we will always be a something band to others, depends on your personal interpretation of what Heresy is about as a band, we've been called a political band, straight edge band, USA clone band, positive band, crossover band, etc etc (it gets worse!). The only label we class ourselves under is that of a hardcore band, take it or leave it. We sing about things that we believe should be focused on, be that political, personal or whatever, just what interests us or depresses us. Life is politics and we sing about life.
2. It's been said that Heresy and Lärm sound alike, what would you say to this?
John: Yeah, maybe we do, but not completely alike. Lots of bands sound similar, it happens in all forms of music because of the restrictions of style/sound. We are friends with Lärm and are interested in many of the same things so I guess you could say in all fairness that both bands are somewhat similar in sound and attitude too.
3. If you found out that a member of your band was racist, what would you do about it: (A) Kick him out of the band (B) Try and change his ways or (C) Not have anything to do with him?
John: I'd answer this by saying/doing (B), and if that failed, (A) would be the only logical course of action left open to take. After this time (C) would be appropriate.
4. About the LP "Face Up To It", some people said it was a bit weak in places and that it could have been recorded better. What do you think about this?
John: I would agree with "some people". The sound is far from perfect, too technical and dehumanizing, lots of distortion and not enough energy or raw power. It just doesn't flow enough. There are other faults too concerning parts of the sleeve insert, but you learn from mistakes (I hope!). The Japanese pressing is far superior sound wise and in many other ways too – I'd really recommend that version to anyone who can get hold of a copy.
5. A friend told me you released an EP before the LP was released, is it true?
John: Yes, it’s true. The EP was called the "Thanks" EP, has 4 songs (all on the LP but different versions), colored vinyl, fold out sleeve, blah... blah... but alas, only 700 copies and all are sold out, sorry. It was meant as a kind of "thank you" present to all the people that have helped the band out in any way but it became a token that people used to improve their record collections, I suppose that was inevitable, our mistake.
6. Boring question time, what do you think of the hardcore scene at the moment, any new bands you like?
John: Yes, you're right it is a boring question (sorry, didn't mean to offend you) I really don't like answering such generalized questions, I'll just say that most UKHC is too musically/thematically conservative to interest my own tastes but new bands that interest me include Bad Beach, Intense Degree, Pink Turds In Space (Northern Ireland HC), Terrorain and a few others. Thanx for the interview. Excuse my sarcasm!
Well, here you have it, I'm not going to put Heresy on any pedestals as they were just a band but they were a bloody brilliant one and I hope they all go on to do future stuff coz they’ve obviously got a lot to say. Recommended listening: Heresy/Concrete Sox split LP.
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