Catweazle – Interviews

Asepsis (Canada)
Earquake (France)
SxExNews (France)
Interview with Zuhree (Malaysia)
Interview with Antonio (Spain)

Asepsis Interview July 1998 (Canada)

OK, TO START OFF WITH, COULD YOU GIVE A BRIEF HISTORY OF CATWEAZLE, HOW AND WHY THE BAND CAME TOGETHER?

Michael: I was asked to come join TROFOBLAST in July 1988. It all just happened, no special reason. It was very easy to meet people at the W.N.C. squat and alot of bands were formed in that period. At that time we changed the name into CATWEAZLE and the band had a different line-up (two vocalists, different bassplayer). Around 1992 the style of music changed from kind of grindcore to more melodic hardcore. The former vocalists went respectively to play with Fleas And Lice and Dr.Phybes (ska) and bassplayer also got involved with Dr. Phybes and a couple Techno-Projects. The current line-up is Axe on guitar, Emil on vocals, Erik on bass and Michael on drums.

We took the name Catweazle from a British children television-series with the same name (aired in the early 70’s and also released as a series of paperback-books). It is about the adventures of the magician Catweazle that was imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of Farthing Castle during the late middle ages. For once his magic worked  and he managed to fly from the accursed castle. But he didn’t fly through space, instead he flied through time… He landed in a moat but the castle was vanished and in its place there was a large house with a clock tower. It appeared he entered the 1970’s… During a whole series of episodes he tries to find the “Thirteenth Sign Of The Zodiac” which can get him back to his own time. Sympathising with alot of the symbolism used in this series (“feeling isolated and alienated in this age of high technology, speed and profit”), we thought it was a good name to use for the band.

CATWEAZLE STARTED IN 1988, RIGHT?  HOW COME NOTHING EXCEPT THE TWO DEMOS WERE RELEASED UNTIL YOUR ‘CASH AND PAIN’ MINI CD (ON PEFE) IN 1996? DID THE BAND GO THROUGH ANY LINE-UP OR MUSICAL CHANGES DURING THIS PERIOD? DID YOU PLAY MANY SHOWS?

Michael: We never had the money to release anything. The demos are low quality rehearsalroom recordings, originally made for promotion for getting concerts but because people were always asking for releases, we decided to sell some as well. The last concert in this line-up we did in November 1989. Until 1993, we had several line-up changes but eventually we kept working on songs. In January 1994 we had our first concert in the current line-up. We played about 20-25 concerts in the old line-up (also in Germany & Belgium).

MUSICALLY, HOW WOULD YOU LABEL THE BAND? (I’M ONLY ASKING SO I CAN ASK THE NEXT QUESTION…)

Michael: I’m a sucker in describing music. We have been compared to zillions of bands; everybody hears something else in it. Also I have been influenced by tons of bands. Since everyone of us is into different kinds of music and also take this into Catweazle, we more or less fabricate our own style.

Emil: I always find it hard to classify our music but my best shot would be “fast intense HC with a metal touch and lotsa melodies ‘n anger”.

IS THERE A STRONG SCENE IN GRONINGEN (OR HOLLAND IN GENERAL)?  IS IT VERY DIVIDED, WHERE ‘CRUSTY’ BANDS WOULD NEVER PLAY WITH ‘STRAIGHT-EDGE’ BANDS OR VICE VERSA?

Michael: I don’t know about scenes. How do you describe a scene? I know there are different groups of people active all around Holland – some cooperate with others, some stay in their own group/clique. Ofcourse there’s concerts with combined musicalstyles (SE with crust with punkrock with grind…etc.). Groningen is a small city so it is clearly “structured”. Almost everybody knows eachother (means easy communication) and obviously we have alot of bands with the same people. Also I think the contacts between groups/individuals (nationally) is getting better compared to the last 10 years. In Groningen there’s alot of willingness to organise (we now have a squat with a nightbar and already had concerts with Homo Militia, P.C.P., No I.D. and Sin Dios and Seein’Red later this year) and there are some places where it is possible to organise activities, concerts… However, it has been more difficult to squat over the last years due to stricter laws. Squats have always been important for punk (for meeting/ discussions/ concerts/ food/ actions…). One of the sad results of having lesser self-managed places plus the commercialization of punk and hardcore is the de-politicizing of the “scene”. A lot of things have changed politically. In the 80’s the scene was very political (massive riots during the crowning of the queen, evictions, actions against Shell and nuclear missiles, South-Africa/Macro…etc.). Nowadays it’s mostly apathy while alot of things are happening like the unification of Europe, treatment of refugees, uprising of fascism (especially in the countries surrounding Holland), pulling down of our healthcare and social security system… Remarkable was the eviction of the W.N.C. squat in Groningen in 1990 where almost half of the arrested people (149) made statements to the cops about their actions and that of others (treason). People want to survive in this society and mainly think about themselves. Sad but true.

Emil: I don’t feel I’m in a very strong, active scene here in Groningen. There aren’t many gigs at the moment, so sometimes you don’t see a lot of people for months in a row. Other towns seem to have much more activity + new bands. There have been times when the division between SE and crust was noticeable. The split scene “atmosphere” still exists here, although it’s not a predominant feeling. Just every now and then it is noticeable. Tolerance isn’t always as high as it should be.

HOW DID THE PROFANE EXISTENCE FAR EAST CONNECTION COME ABOUT?  DID THE INTERNET PLAY A ROLE AT ALL?

Michael: When we recorded the songs, we wanted to release an 7”EP very soon. We wrote alot of labels but despite everyone liked Catweazle, no-one could help us out within a short period. I put some messages on the hardcore newsgroup on internet and got in contact with Izumi from Profane Existence Far East. After sending him the demo and info, he was very interesting to make a 3”mcd version of the 7”EP. We decided not to wait and let him put out the mcd first. We found a Canadian label (from Gloucester; hey Miles, get in touch!) called Jip Records prepared to do the 7”, sent him the DAT, artwork, everything, but never heard from him again… In the meantime, Izumi has released a 5”CD version of his first 3 mcd releases including bonustrax by all bands. It was a special Japanese new-years edition (500) and only a few are distributed in the West.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION (LIKE THE INTERNET/EMAIL)?  IS IT WORTH THE LOSS OF PRIVACY AND OTHER DRAWBACKS, OR IS THAT A CONCERN AT ALL?

Michael: Since a couple years I do alot of communication with email: organising tours, selling records, trading…etc. The WWW is good for getting direct information from the source and not from the usual media like newspapers, TV. As for the loss of privacy, there are very good ways to encrypt your communication, so I see no concern at all. Ofcourse there are other concerns like the availability of this medium. Not everyone can affort a computer or a account although most universities and libraries give free access.

Emil: I used to have an e-mail account at the University which was anonymous, which, I felt, was perfect. I had and still have some concern about the privacy of e-mail. Since 1 year, they changed the accounts, and now everyone’s e-mail has his/her name in it, and of course it’s registered. The positive aspects of electronic mail are of course sped, flexibility, and the ease of staying home. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with walking to the mailbox. I wouldn’t use e-mail for very personal issues, and I wouldn’t discuss plans for actions either.

WHICH ARE YOU MORE PROUD OF AS A BAND, THE ‘CASH AND PAIN’ CD OR THE SPLIT 10″ WITH SEEIN RED (AND WHY)?

Michael: Hmm, the mcd has good timing. I think an full length LP/CD is often too much for a band. 20-15 minutes of Catweazle is far enough. Also I like this crazy format (3”) alot. Only disadvantage is there was very little room for the lyrics and any explanations. Fortunately, the 10” gave us alot of room and in this regard I am very very content with it. Musically I’m not totally pleased with it. We had an off day during the recording-session. Also the order of songs is not the strongest. In that regard, I think the “Form Of Fear”EP is much better.

Emil: Just like a parent can’t choose between two children, I can’t tell you which one has my preference. They are different projects, reflecting different aspects of Catweazle, on diferent formats (though both are unconventional), and each with a different musical style. The 3”mcd was our first release, with mostly uptempo songs, and was well received. It’s very special to see your first release of music go around the world. The split 10” went around the world even more, and is a more varied record with slow + fast songs and a lot of explanatons of lyrics.

I’VE NOTICED THAT YOU TRANSLATE MOST OF YOUR LYRICS/SONG EXPLANATIONS INTO ENGLISH.  IS THIS SIMPLY TO REACH THE MOST AMOUNT OF YOUR AUDIENCE WITH YOUR MESSAGE/INFORMATION?  WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE WEST, WHEN ENGLISH IS SUCH A DOMINANT LANGUAGE ALL ACROSS THE WORLD?  DOES THIS MATTER TO YOU (AS SOMEONE WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH) OR IS IT NOT A CONCERN?

Michael: I guess so. I have more contact with people abroad than in Holland. Our records are better distributed outside and also we seem to play more in other countries than in Holland. Of course it would have been best to have it translated in Spanish and French as well. I have met people that refuse to speak/learn English because it is the language of the capitalists. So far I adjusted and try to speak in the other language but it is a tricky subject. Would Esperanto give the solution? I still have to give it some thought before I dig into this further. So you can say it is of concern for me.

Emil: We use the English language in our explanations of lyrics so that more people can hear what we are trying to say. Don’t you hate it when you buy a good record with “foreign-language” lyrics with explanations in that same (for you: incomprehensible) language? You went through the trouble to buy and listen to the record, the band went through the trouble of writing ideas and opinions, laying it out, and releasing the stuff. But still in the end: nothing comes across.

I would agree if you said it would be better to release stuff in Dutch, English, Spanish and French. But hey… why stop there? Why not Greek, Turkish, etc.? This is a choice you have to make. Besides all this, many topics Catweazle sings about are just as valid in the US, Canada, or wherever as that they are here. Why I sing mostly in English? Well, I consider it my first language, and i just “feels” betting writing in English. It gives me more creative freedom.

FROM THE LYRICS TO ‘EQUATION’, YOU EXPRESS CERTAIN VIEWS ABOUT DRINKING/ALCOHOL.  HOW EXACTLY DO YOU FEEL ABOUT DRINKING OR DRUGS, AND DOES THIS REFLECT ALL OF CATWEAZLE?  DOES ANYONE IN THE BAND CONSIDER THEMSELVES ‘STRAIGHT-EDGE’?  AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO LABEL THEMSELVES WITH THIS TITLE, INSTEAD OF JUST A PERSON WHO DOES NOT DRINK OR DO DRUGS?

Michael: Catweazle is a group of 4 individuals with their own views. That’s why we often sign our articles. The song Equation and its explanation is written by Emil. Personally I don’t have anything against drugs and alcohol, as long as it is not taking over your life. Also, I have been too many times in situations where drugs (I consider alcohol as a drug as well) spoiled the atmosphere. On Catweazle concerts we always get the obligatory crate of beer but when in the end there’s only 5 or 6 consumed, the organisers are either surprised or shocked to see we don’t drink so much (you must know our home-town Groningen is (in)famous in Europe for its drunkpunks). It’s quite funny.

I’m not so concerned with straightedge. They’re people as well. I have seen them come and go. “True til death” you know. It’s often just a phase in life, like punkrock. Behave extreme for a couple years and then go for the bucks/family life or drown in drugs (the other extreme). Only thing that bothers me a bit is the “respect for all” aspect. Religions, fascist ideas, conservatism, patriotism…. are consumed without any critique and pop up in alot of fanzines. It is really nauseous, especially when you see 13 year old kids swallowing that shit.  They take it like a drug…

Emil: Alcohol is an accepted and tolerated drug in today’s society which, in my eyes, does more damage than good. A lot of misery in this world exists because of alcohol; a lot of reality and misery is avoided with the help of alcohol. It gives temporary pleasure and is an escape from the things that are happening around you, no matter how small. Alcohol is artificial because it distorts your perception of your surroundings.

I’M INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS NEXT QUESTION, AS SOMEONE WHO COMES FROM OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA, AND (HOPEFULLY) HAVE HAD DIFFERENT MEDIA EXPOSURE/INFORMATION.  HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CONTINUED SITUATION IN IRAQ?  ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE US HAD A PRIMARY ROLE IN CREATING THE SITUATION, AND THE SANCTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 500,000 IRAQI CHILDREN’S DEATHS SINCE THE WAR? DO YOU THINK SADDAM SHOULD BE REMOVED IN THE WORLD’S BEST INTEREST, AND ARE SANCTIONS THE BEST WAY OF GOING ABOUT IT?

Michael: First I must emphasis that we might have a different way of media/coverage than North America but eventually it will not differ much. As with so many political issues, media is used to manipulate and lie and to mobilize the people against “the enemy” (in this case Iraq and Saddam Hussein – note he’s already been compared to Hitler). Fright and prejudices are exploited. Welcome to the world of psychological warfare and massmedia. In this sense the Dutch press/media doesn’t work different than the U.S. People have been brainwashed so much that there’s almost no identification with Iraq anymore; it’s mainly seen as a threat.

As for Saddam being removed, I believe I wouldn’t shed any tear to see him dead. Only take a look at what he did and is still doing to some of the minorities (like the Kurds). Genocide that is. As for sanctions and interference by governments, it can only get worse. Always the wrong people will suffer. And besides that, the arms-lobbies/trades will find their way and no matter what sanctions, will continue doing their business with Iraq.

Emil: Actually, media exposure on the Iraqi situation in 1990 was pretty one-sided since CNN had a monopoly on the news from that area. All other broadcasting stations had to use CNN’s info to make their own news-shows. This definitely changed in the last confrontation U.S. – Iraq (the setting of deadlines to allow entrance for inspectors). Partially this came about because CNN had realised what had happened during the Gulf-War was fairly one-sided.

Your question about Saddam is a very good one. It is also a difficult one to answer. Since I can’t offer an in-depth perspective of the situation, I’m afraid I can’t give a good answer to your question. If I could, it probably wouldn’t be possible to do so in the context of an interview.

COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE ‘PIG-PLAGUE’ IS, AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF IT?

Michael: Pig-plague is virus-disease which is already known for decennia. The first breakout was around 1830 in the American state Ohio. Infected animals have for example fever, diarrhoea or bleedings. Sows have often spontaneous abortions. Infected piglets grow with great difficulty and stay behind their age-groups. The spreading of the disease can happen directly or indirectly. Direct through for example animal to animal, through clothes, foot-gear or transportationmeans. Indirect through the air from sty to sty. Humans are absolutely impassive for pig-plague. Even if infected meat is consumed, there is no risk at all.

On 4th February 1997 there is pig-plague determined in Venhorst (in the province of Noord-Brabant which is in the south of the Netherlands). All animals from that particular pig-farm are destroyed (a usual pig-farm holds around 500-1000 pigs) and a protection-area is created where any transportation of cattle and/or dung is forbidden. Soon after, the epidemic breaks out all around (first mainly the south but later also the middle of the Netherlands). Belgium starts to destroy all pigs that were imported from Holland since January ’97 (12000). In a lot of areas it is forbidden to transport and/or deal in pigs and pig-sperm. After about 100 cases, the preventive destruction of pigs starts. Also the European Union agrees to the buying and destruction of 500 000 piglets (0 – 3 weeks old), to avoid over-population in the pig-plagued areas. After the 176th case, the Dutch government decides to destroy all piglets between 3 and 17 days old. The destruction-centres have a hard time to keep it up. The press is not allowed to be present at the killing of the piglets. Until 22 July, there are 803 farms preventively cleared (750000 animals destroyed). In September, the government agrees to a structural change in pig-farming. Last case (the 429th) was determined in March 1998 but the fight against this epidemic is still fully on.

IN THE ‘RANDOM THOUGHTS’ IN THE SPLIT WITH SEEIN RED, YOU WROTE ABOUT ANIMAL RIGHTS, AND THE HUMAN PERCEPTION OF ANIMALS.  IS THERE A RAISED AWARENESS IN HOLLAND/EUROPE ABOUT THE ISSUE?  IS THERE MUCH ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISM, GREENPEACE, ALF, PETA, ETC?  EVEN MCDONALDS HAS STARTED TO SERVE VEGGIE-BURGERS, IS THIS A VICTORY FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS, OR THE SAME OLD EVIL MCDONALDS CORPORATION JUST TARGETING ANOTHER GROUP OF CONSUMERS? 

Michael: I believe so. It is a totally accepted thing to be vegetarian today. Ofcourse commercialisation has something to do with it, but it’s taken more seriously now. Alot of people I know are active in the animal rights dpt. Many of them are focused totally on how animals are (mis)treated but don’t (want to?) see why. Any change in treating animals would mean a huge change in politics/economics. Where does this places you politically? Not many animal rights activists seem to bother about this, which is odd.

I think McDonalds veggie-burgers are only served to make another easy buck. It is quite naive to think otherwise.

Emil: I believe that McDonalds veggie-burger sales are partially a small victory for animal rights activists/supporters, but that the main reason of it’s existence is the fact that it brings in some extra money. In a sense, it’s a logical step for the corporation to expand its market share and number of varying customers. Next to that, they now can say: “Hey, we care about animals too, you know… check out the menu!”. Many people who visit McDonalds don’t know/don’t care about all the other “consequenses” of McDonalds’ policy. Yes, that is meat consumption (animal murder in our eyes). But there is also environmental pollution, low salary and bad workers’ rights, campaigns meant to mislead children, and shameles lies all hidden behing a laughing clown who is shown everywhere.

CATWEAZLE OBVIOUSLY HAS A STRONG OPINION ABOUT RELIGION IN THE PUNK/HC SCENE, COULD YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE? DOES KRISHNA-CORE OR CHRISTIAN HC HAVE ANY PLACE IN THE SCENE AND HOW BIG HAS IT BECOME IN HOLLAND/EUROPE?

Michael: I think religion is a means to escape, like drugs, consumerism or ideologies. Religion is based on hierarchy and not liberty and leads to a weakening of individuality and a lose of self-identity. The last couple years alot of Dutch and Belgian punk/hc-zines write without any critic about Christianity and Khrsna. Mainly  taking out the “positive” points and use it as it suits. I guess it has alot to do with the North-American influence. It has always been very popular to copy U.S. hardcore (see NYHC, Straightedge, Khrsna, Emo…) including the life-style (give it a very “personal” touch). Nowadays, alot of Euro-punk/HC fanzines write about stuff like how well they do on school, about their parents, about how much they miss their girlfriend when on tour, how it feels to shit…. Interviews don’t differ much. In regard to this: religion is very personal, very spiritual – it comes from the heart. A perfect subject!

Emil: For me religion is oppression, and it stands for a lot of misery in the form of the many wars fought in the name of religion and even more victims it has led to. To many religious people, the “one above” is the cause and reason for almost everything in life, and, in this submission, their own  “input”  to (their) life has decreased. “Everything that happens, happens because He wants it to happen.” To me, this is even worse than Murphy’s Law (“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”). Anyway, I believe the world of punk to be one whre thinking for oneself, taking responsibility, and being free of chains are (among others) values which are important. I believe religion stands in the way of these values, and cannot sincerely be combined with them. Let’s keep punk free of religion.

I hear a little here and there about people/zines with Christian beliefs stepping in the scene. But when I read their naive columns, I don’t worry at all about an ‘invasion”or “take-over”of religious freaks in the scene. It’s good to let them say what they want because they have the right to do so, and because it’s a healthy injection of humor, something our “serious” scene can use every now and then.

HAS THE SCENE IN HOLLAND GROWN OR GOTTEN SMALLER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS? HAVE MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS GROWN UP AND MOVED ON, OUT OF THE PUNK ‘STAGE’ OF THEIR LIVES?

Michael: People come and go. Hc/Punk is always there and will always stay around  but it’s constantly changing. Musically, skatecore and melody/softcore are currently very popular (in the mainstream), crust and outspoken political hardcore balance between underground (squats, bars…) and acception (youthcenters, fests). There’s a network of D.I.Y. bands, individuals, groups that help eachother. Also a couple interesting zines pop up which is good for being kept up to date. But overall there are really not that many people involved, in like doing labels or putting out fanzines.

Since I have been involved in punk from 1982, I have seen most of my friends “grown up”. With some I still have contact. For most of them punk is something that belonged to their youth while they moved on. To me it is a rebellous lifestyle. DIY. Self-managing your life.  

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT PUNK DOESN’T PRESENT ANY THREAT TO SOCIETY, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM IS BY WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM (LIKE BECOMING A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER OR SOMETHING). WHICH WAY DO YOU THINK MAKES MORE OF A CHANGE, OR ARE THEY BOTH EQUALLY USEFUL?

Michael: It depends on how you describe Punk. If you see punk purely as music, I think punk doesn’t present any threat to society. Punk can be a method to make people conscious about certain issues but I never think it is a direct threat. If you see punk as a movement, including squatting, making actions, demos, radio…etc., I think it can be very influential and eventually make a threat or a change.

As for changing the system by working within, I have some reservations. It fully depends on the situation. If you look at the social centres in Germany, it works quite well. Since squatting is almost impossible, alot of punks/activists live in houses with an official contract. Because they now own certain rights, they can do alot of activities with their houses (meetings, concerts, bar…etc.). This is a good example to make a change by working within. However, if you work for example in a refugee-organisation that has to follow government-rules, I don’t think you can make a change. You probably make a change for the individual refugee, but you maintain the system.

SO WHAT DOES CATWEAZLE STAND FOR AS A BAND?  ARE THERE GOALS, OR JUST TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND MEET LOTS OF COOL PEOPLE AND TRAVEL?

Emil: Catweazle stands for 4 friends making hardcore music, each contributing in his own personal way. We live very different lives sometimes, but we get along very well and I respect the others a lot. Musically, we want to let our music explode and let the melodies stick in your head. Lyrically, we ventilate our opinions, ideas, and feelings on many subjects, be it political, personal, or otherwise. It’s nice if ideas are spread.

Michael: Like Emil states, we are not a band with 1 opinion. My “goal” is to travel/tour all over, build a network of friends and exchange ideas. In this way I have already met with alot of different collectives, squats, places… (I play drums in 2 other bands and organise tours for friendly bands as well). We help eachother and build an free alternative in this consumerist society.

WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE OF CATWEAZLE, ANY TOURS PLANNED, NEW RELEASES, ETC? ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY BEFORE I WRAP THIS UP?

Michael: It is now July 1998. I’m almost off with No I.D. to Spain and some of the other Catweazle’s have taken their holiday-break. I wish Axe and Erik could participate in this interview as well but they had no time. I could have written more extensive answers, but I’m under timepressure as well. If you want to know more about us, feel free to write at the address below. Currently we are working on new songs and we hope to start doing concerts again later this year. Maybe we will release someday something on Difusion Libertaria La Idea from Madrid. So far, our new EP is doing pretty well and we receive alot of positive feedback. Thanks to Jordan for making this interview (some of the more interesting questions we’ve been asked – in those past 10 years!), good luck with Asepsis and take care.

Earquake Interview 27.04.1997 (France)

The usual history of the band and the signification of the name.

Michael: Catweazle was formed in 1988 in a different line-up (two vocalists, different bassplayer) and around 1992 the style of music changed from kind of grindcore to more melodic hardcore. The former vocalists went respectively to play with Fleas And Lice and Dr.Phybes (ska) and bassplayer also got involved with Dr.Phybes and a couple Techno-Projects.

We took the name Catweazle from a British children television-series with the same name (aired in the early 70’s and also released as a series of paperback-books). It is about the adventures of the magician Catweazle that was imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of Farthing Castle during the late middle ages. For once his magic worked  and he managed to fly from the accursed castle. But he didn’t fly through space, instead he flied through time… He landed in a moat but the castle was vanished and in its place there was a large house with a clock tower. It appeared he entered the 1970’s… During a whole series of episodes he tries to find the “Thirteenth Sign Of The Zodiac” which can get him back to his own time.

Sympathising with alot of the symbolism used in this series (“feeling isolated and alienated in this age of high technology, speed and profit”), we thought it was a good name to use for the band. Besides, Catweazle is a magical and hilarious character as well! 

Have any of you played in any bands before? What did you learn (to do and not to do) with them? In what way do you think Catweazle is better than your prevous bands?

Michael: I have played in bands since 1982. My first band PUINHOOP (as singer) was formed on a Dead Kennedys gig in Amsterdam on 5/12/82. Also on this gig was my first introduction to US Hardcore in the form of M.D.C. I guess this concert has formed me (musically) through the years coz PUINHOOP played very chaotic and fast like LARM. When in mid 1984 this band split, I joined BLOEDBAD. This lasted until late 1985 when I joined in 1986 a band called INTENSITY but later changed name to R.O. CONSPIRACY. In this band I also drummed some songs and because of this I was asked in July 1988 to join a band formed by people from BUITEN ADEM. Within two months we had our first gig under the name CATWEAZLE.

Probably most important I learned through the bands is that there is still room for trust and idealism in this world (which is mainly based on profit). Especially when it comes to arranging concerts and exchanging ideas, it is often very refreshing to see that there are people and groups prepared to make an effort for others they don’t know (yet).

CATWEAZLE is better because we can release stuff easily, do alot of gigs/tours, everyone’s involved and we can reach alot of people. Ofcourse there are also certain aspects in which my other bands are better than CATWEAZLE… but to go into detail and compare would take (p)ages.

What have you released so far, and how?

Michael: In the old line-up we released a tape with 16 songs that were recorded in the basement of the infamous W.N.C. squat in Groningen. Sound-quality wise it’s hard to deal with but I’m still excited whenever I hear it again. It’s soo different from what we’re doing now. The new ‘92 line-up did some promo-tapes (also kind of rehearsal recordings) and in October 1995 we finally saved some money to record 8 songs. 4 Songs were supposed to be released as an 7”EP but we couldn’t find a label to do it. Meanwhile in late 1995 I got in contact with Profance Existence Far East via internet (alt.punk.hardcore newsgroup) and they were very interested to release the 7”EP as a 3”mini-CD plus 3 bonus tracks. It came out in March 1996 but we still hadn’t found a label for the “Cash And Pain Remain”EP…. At the moment Jip Records from Canada is busy getting it out (very limited edition though) and hopefully it will be out sooner or later. We also released tracks on some compilations like “Bits Of Noise 2”CD (W.R.F., Holland) and “No Fate 2”double-CD (H:G Fact, Japan). In January 1997 we recorded 2 songs in Amsterdam for a Duch hardcore/punk compilation CD/LP on Bitzcore, Germany with 11 bands (out in May). Finally in February we recorded 11 songs for a split 10”LP with SEEIN’RED (Wicked Witch, Holland; out in May) and hopefully an full EP. Probably early next year PEFE will release their first 3 mcd’s on a 5”CD plus bonus trax (“System Fall”). As you can see we have released everything through labels so far.

Are you happy with their work? Do you like the other bands that are on this label and do you feel near or far from them (both musically and politically)?

Michael: I’m very happy with PEFE. Although I don’t know all the bands, I like the Dropdead, Tolshock and Nailed Down stuff alot. Musically I think we are quite different from the bulk of PE bands. Actually I think it’s difficult to label us properly. We more or less fall in between all labels – alot of people from all kinds of scenes seem to like us. We are already compared with bands like Agnostic Front, Indigesti, Exploited, Metallica, Seein’Red, Cro-Mags…. Go figure! Politically I cannot say because I don’t know most of these bands personally. For what I can say is that alot of bands “act differently than they preach”. The word ‘Weekend-Punk’ comes to mind. There’s for example so many of those dis-bands that act extremely political on their releases but when you read interviews or talk with them….

Emil: The end result of the project has left a good aftertaste in the band’s “mouth”, and it was a wonderful way to do a first release, the format being so small, and PEFE being overseas.

Some of the bands on PEFE I can get into but many of them are not really my style. I can’t really explain… I guess some bands are too crusty for me. Politically… I’m not sure. I haven’t read many of their lyrics, but I believe there are some links here and there. I’ve also seen lyrics I disagree with, though.

 Is there a particular label you’d like to be signed on?

Michael: No.

Emil: Hmmm… I definitely wanna be on JIP Records if possible. Other labels… maybe Crucial Response or Coalition Records for a 7”.

Your country is famous for its own brand of hardcore in the 80’s. What are the bands you like in your country (past and present)?

Michael: Old: Agent Orange, Asperity’s, Larm (pre-1985), BGK, Jetset, Echte Boter GVD, Frites Modern, Knax, Zmiv, Pandemonium, Rondo’s, Vacuum, Zweetkutten, Amsterdamned. New: Manliftingbanner, Human Alert, Seein’Red, Let’s Get Hurt, Disturbing Foresights, Anarcrust, No I.D.

Emil: Bands I liked (past) were BGK and Manliftingbanner. Bands of today include Boycot, One Day Closer, Funeral Oration and musically Backfire. Their lyrics are not so good, though.

What are the bands you feel have had an impact on you (for the music and for the attitude)?

Michael: The very first punkband I saw live was a Dutch band from Rotterdam called Bunker (in the summer of 1981) and they made the biggest (musical) impact on me because they motivated me to know more about the world of punkrock. Dead Kennedy’s/BLACK FLAG and CRASS/POISON GIRLS were huge influences as well because of their brilliant mix of politics and musical anthems (convincingly and angry are the keywords). And ofcourse I was politically formed by the federation of all kinds of Dutch collectives called ROODWITZWART. Alot of bands, zines and groups from Groningen were active in this (like my first two bands) and various political groups/individuals worked together. 

Emil: Many bands have had an impact, but the biggest blow I got was from the late 80’s straightedge bands. Their “positive” messages and lifestyles attracted my attention, and consequently have had an influence on my own lifestyle. Bands that make me feel on top of the world are, among many, Unit Pride, Upfront, Growing Concern (Italian), Four Walls Falling (the LP), Wide Awake, bla bla… I can go on, but what’s the point?

The punk scene seems to get bigger and bigger, do you think it must go on like this and reach as many people as possible, or stay underground? Is it possible to be both political and known to the general public?

Michael: I don’t believe the punkscene gets bigger and bigger. The current hype has nothing to do with punk; it’s all about commercialisation and profit, not about politics and self-managing your life. I don’t call this punk. This trend is just a phase. It will last maybe another year, maybe 2 years but then it’s gone. And with it most of their supporters/fans. They will grow up and see punk as an entertaining phase in their life – punk was another one of many established subcultures in this society; nothing more. However, let’s not forget the people that first got in contact with “punk” through bands like Nirvana, Green Day and the likes, got motivated and eventually ended up doing very punk things like organising gigs, demos, squatting…. It cuts both ways.

As for reaching alot of people and be both political and known, I think this depends on the politics and principles of the individuals in the band. What do you consider political? If we play on a Greenpeace benefit, makes us that political? It’s a fact – and I’m now going to put this very simple – that if you want to reach the general public with a band, you often have to play it by the rules of this system. If you don’t agree with this system, what do you do? And, why do you want to reach the general public in the first place? Is it not possible to get your message across in a different and more practical way without violating your own principles?

Emil: I think a slow growth of the punk scene is good, but when things go too fast, it manifests itself as another “hype”. I believe it takes time before ideals, ideas, and lifestyles pass from one person to the next. People need to become informed and should then decide whether or not punk lifestyles, politics, animal rights, or straightedge are things with which they are concerned, and whether or not they want to get involved in it. For this, punk doesn’t have to stay underground, although that is the place where you’ll probably find the most (accurate) information. It should be possible to be both political and well-known to the public, but the bigger your audience, the harder it gets. Not everyone may understand or want to hear about your ideals and stances. You get misquoted in some glossy poprock-magazine and everyone labels you, and more of that unwanted shit. It must be pretty frustrating!!

What do you think of bands who claim they are, like Rage Against the Machine, or the Clash in the past?

Michael: The views of RATM seem radical and they probably did a good thing for supporting the Leonard Peltier case and bring it more into the open. It might have made a big difference. Then again, their plain support for Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in Peru speaks of great naivety.

The Clash played some great tunes in the past…

Emil: RATM is a perfect example of my answer to question 8. Zack, the singer, doesn’t do interviews anymore because he gets misquoted, or people just write bullshit about him. Because of what his message actually is, it becomes almost impossible to get it across to the public through media-channels. Media acts like a filter and like a mixer: words are left out, sentences re-arranged, mistakes made, etc. With some interviews I’ve done in the past I’ve seen it happen, and those weren’t even deep conversations. Imagine that your interviewer just loses track of what you’re trying to say, and thinks “Aw, hell… I’ll just write some lines that people will understand”. He becomes a media filter, and keeps your words from being printed.

Personally I think RATM are kinda hypocrites because they scream about the system and the “evil empire” and whatever more. But what I see is that they play about 80% of their shows at these big mega-festivals where there are also numerous multi-national sponsors making a buck out of it. Food and drinks are expensive, you have to pay for the toilets, and everyone who sells merchandise will end up with quite some money at the end of the day. You have no say in anything at all, it’s a system in itself. And besides all of this, it’s an incredibly polluting event, with garbage all over the countryside, etc.

What are your songs about? Are lyrics important? Have you got in mind one or two lines you are proud of having written? And a line you think is powerful  from any other band?

Michael: Both political and personal things. Personally I prefer the political approach because they can make you think and confront you. Thanks to lyrics from bands such as CRASS, DK’S, LARM, SUBHUMANS, MDC….etc.etc. I opened my eyes. They made a big difference for me, much more than the lyrics from, for example, the ska-bands that I also loved in that period; so I can say that lyrics are very important. In my former bands I used to write the lyrics because I was the vocalist. In Catweazle we bring in ideas together and mostly Emil is writing them in English. English is a nice language to reach alot of people but if I would have the choice, I’d prefer to write in Dutch language only (with English/Spanish translations ofourse). Dutch is direct and more confronting and it’s the language we speak in Holland… Obviously I wrote the only two Dutch Catweazle lyrics “Strijd” and “Fallaka”. Strijd has this tricky construction in which you first get the viewpoint from the “soul-winner” (for example a religous group) in which you almost think this was written by a christian punkband but twists into a serious warning from us. Fallaka is more direct, about the hypocrisy of western “civilisation” towards countries such as Turkey, Indonesia, China… As for the other songs I like the lyrics for Cash And Pain Remain and Catalyst alot.

Hmm, there’s so many lines that are powerful but to give a few that directly springs to mind:

“Jesus Died For His Own Sins, Not Mine”,

“Nazi Punks – Fuck Off!”,

“From birth to school to work to death from the cradle to the grave”,

“3/4 of the world are starving, the rest are dead”…

Emil: Our songs have many different topics, like: the death penalty, people who go out on a Saturday night and are constantly looking for someone to have sex with, child exploitation, the subject of time, religion, and many more. My lyrics are important to me, and there are only a few songs of which I’m not proud of, so it’s hard to choose. I don’t feel like picking out two lines because first, I don’t have my “two best lines”, and second, if I pick out two lines from one song, they will lose their strength because usually, what I write before and after it is closely related to it.

I’ll give you someone else’s lines, though… (guess who and win a zine subscription!) “The advice that we get from most people is a culturally conditioned message of evil. Always doubt an easy way out, always try… or kiss the truth goodbye. Speak out, use you freedom of speech. Use your brain to learn and teach cause those who don’t care will stay unaware, it’s so simple, we gotta love the people”.

Where have you played live so far? With whom? Have you had unpleasent surprises with other bands on the bill, or do you always know in advance with whom you’re going to play?

Michael: Holland, Germany and Belgium so far. Next month France, Spain and Euzkadi. We played with lots of bands. I like playing small places best. SEEIN’RED, WOJCZECH and POST REGIMENT are some of the best bands I played with so far; however, MANOS was quite an experience as well… haha.

It’s not always sure with who you play but that’s OK. I expect that the arrangers know best what kind of bands to put together on a bill.

How was your latest tour? What memories will you retain from France in particular?

Michael: Our last (mini) tour was in Germany and went OK. Everything was kind of last minute arrangements so sometimes not too many people showed up. I’m really looking forward to do the upcoming tour and play in France, Euskal Herria and Spain. I have been in France last January with SELFISH and that was refreshing. People seem to be very dedicated.

Do you see much difference between the countries or the different towns? Can you speak about them? And do you see any unity?

Michael: Hmm. Holland is a country where it is currently difficult to get bands played. Alot of small places dissappeared  and most youthcenters only want to do bands that attract big crowds. Straight Edge and Melodi-Core are quite popular in contrast to the more straight-forward/political hardcore like SEEIN’RED. Germany and Belgium are much more commited. Let’s take Bremen, a city about 100 km from the Dutch border. They have more than 5 places where (small and big) HC/punk bands play. Every week something’s going on and the places are usually packed with people. Most of the bands playing there, never do Holland coz there’s no interest or possibility… Also I have the impression that people/organizers abroad have more and better contact with eachother – call it a necessary network of friends.

Your projects?

Michael: See first question for upcoming releases. Further we will be doing this France, Spain, Euzkadi tour from 1/5 – 20/5. Also have some gigs coming up with NRA and then end of June a tour in Germany. There’s a chance we’re coming over to France again with SEEIN’RED later this year. 

SxExNews 1997 (France)

What does the name mean?

Michael: We took the name Catweazle from a British children television-series with the same name (aired in the early 70’s and also released as a series of paperback-books). It is about the adventures of the magician Catweazle that was imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of Farthing Castle during the late middle ages. For once his magic worked  and he managed to fly from the accursed castle. But he didn’t fly through space, instead he flied through time… He landed in a moat but the castle was vanished and in its place there was a large house with a clock tower. It appeared he entered the 1970’s… During a whole series of episodes he tries to find the “Thirteenth Sign Of The Zodiac” which can get him back to his own time.

Sympathising with alot of the symbolism used in this series (“feeling isolated and alienated in this age of high technology, speed and profit”), we thought it was a good name to use for the band. Besides, Catweazle is a magical and hilarious character as well! 

Do you like INFEST?

Erik: Yes, very much, thank you…

Michael: Yep!

Axe: No. They don’t have enough unity and their scene is also not the best scene I’ve seen. By the way, I love you.

Holland is/was well known for its squat-scene. Is it still alive nowadays? Do you play in squats? Are they “official: ie. with the authorization of city halls?

Erik: The squatscene is still alive, but unfortunately not as big as it was in the 80’s. Nowadays it’s mostly centered in Amsterdam, although almost every city has a few squats. Here in Amsterdam (where I live) there are about 2-3 squatting-actions each week. This sounds maybe incredible but most of them are little houses or flats to live in, for about 1-5 persons. Also there’s still a lot of big squats where there are people living and also activities take place (bars, concerts, arts, theatre, sports, etc.) And there’s also a lot of big places that are legalized in the 80’s and where still a lot of political and cultural activities take place (offices, info-shops, bookshops, etc.) So it’s still going on but I also have to say it has become more difficult over the years; more repression, evictions, new laws, etc. But with a big housingproblem like here, for a lot of people it’s the only way to get a house, so I think it will continue, yeah!

Michael: In my town Groningen it’s been harder since the eviction of the (in)famous WNC squat in may 1990 and new laws regarding empty buildings and against squatting. There hasn’t been squatted a big building ever since, only some smaller ones where sometimes a bar was made or an infoshop was opened. At the moment there’s a new squat with a bar. It’s always important to have free spaces where you can meet and organize. Also here’s a (non-political) squat that do regular concerts, ranging from garagepunk to hardcore. Other squats are mainly for living only. Which brings me to another point: the reason for squatting.

Lately it is popular to squat only for living reasons without the political aspect. There seems not to be so much involvement anymore with squatting out of protest. Evictions happen smooth and quickly and often squatters “cooperate” or deal with the cops/authorities to have a quiet life and eviction. Also police are using certain tactics (they usually work with a special “squat-coordinator”) for dealing with, and evicting squats and squatters. Whenever they have to deal with a political squat that takes an uncompromising stand, criminalization will take place and the media called in. Squatting seems no big threat anymore for the establishment and many seem to submit to this way, judging on the evictions.

We have done and will do alot of concerts in squats. Some squats are “legalized” like the famous Vrankrijk squat in Amsterdam. It has some advantages to be legalized coz you automatically earn some societal rights (always easy regarding police-trouble: they cannot evict you so easily). However, it is often considered non-political to legalize coz submitting to “the system”. But I think legalized squats can work very well – just look at Germany where they have alot of buildings that are either bought or rented by political groups and do their own thing nevertheless. Here in Groningen we used to have the biggest squat in Holland called Oude RKZ, a former hospital and which has been more or less legalized in the 80’s. It contains a couple bars, a gig/party-place, a whole floor of rehearsalrooms, places for artists, etc. etc.

Axe: Squatting in the form of protest still exists in Groningen. In this city there seems to be enough living-space but I can be wrong about it. Knowing the Dutch laws,squatting is legal if you succeed to get a table and a bed in, pretending living in it. But I’m no specalist about this.

Are you a straight-edge hardline-vegan band? Is French cheese better than the oh so famous Dutch cheese?

Erik: I don’t care, I’m vegan.

Axe: Yes. When you read our lyrics, you’ll find a very subtle approach on his subject. Our cheese is the best. French cheese stinks because it’s yeasting and rotting. It means: It lives! Yuk! Amoebas have feelings too!

Michael: Pfff… and I don’t like cheese that much.

Most of you have been around for a long time. How do you see the evolution of the “scene” these days. Is it still any different from the past? Is it progressing?

Erik: I see no “scene”, in the meaning of one big community, or so. I see a lotof small groups or individuals oing a lot of really nice things, or sometimes a lot of bullshit things. But I wouldn’t speak of a “scene” only because there’s a lot of people who like the same kind of music. I have no affinity with khrsna-core, hardline conservatives, macho-kickboxinghardcore, bullshitdrunkpunk-attitude, so I don’t want to say it’s one scene.

Axe: I hope to evolve from being round into a more humane form of living organism.

Michael: Hmm, “the scene”. Actually I don’t know much about scenes; How do you define a scene anyway. For me it’s no different than let’s say 10-15 years ago, only now it’s different people I’m dealing with, apart from some exceptions (hello SR). People come and go, as well as musical styles. I’m happy the way it’s still working. We can make gigs without contracts, purely based on trust and understanding – even with people you don’t know. Go to places and meet people you’d otherwise never see. A network of friends! And I’m sure it will always exist.

Holland is also wellknown because they legalized marijuana. What do you think about it? Are you in favor of all drug legalization? Has it solved any problems?

Erik: Yes, I’m in favour of the legalization of all drugs. Not that I think everybody should take a lot of drugs or so, but to get rid of all the hypocracy. The fact is there aare alot of junkies, and if they could get their dope in a legal way, it would mean the price totally goes down, there’s no need for them to rob, steal, etc. Their life would get a lot more stable, relaxed (which I know is something, most of them want), we can fire half of the police, there’s no need to build more and more jails (which is no solution anyway). It’s just that the politicians are too chicken to lose votes, when they take a statement like this. Although I have to say hat they just started to finance some big projects to get junkies free dope, a house, medical assistance, etc. so maybe this is the beginning of a different attitude towards junkies and drugs. I hope so.

Michael: Marijuana is not really legalized – it is tolerated/accepted. Still, if you are caught with more than ?? grams (I forgot the amount), you can be arrested. I guess it is about the same situation in Spain only here you can buy it “freely” in coffeeshops when you’re older than 18. Personally I don’t have anything against drugs, especially not against marijuana (however it can make people zombies), so legalization would be a logical thought. Currently the trade in drugs is in hands of criminal organizations who keep the prices extremely high. Drug addicts need alot of money and use prostitution, stealing, robbing… for getting it eventually. When drugs get legalized, prices can drop. BUT who is going to control all this? Do you trust you government? Actually, for years the Dutch police have secretly been the main supplier of softdrugs to dealers, criminal organisations…. under the pretence of undercover actions… It has been (and still is) a very big case and everybody is waiting for the final outcome, but you know: governments are very good in covering up dirty laundry so I wonder. Nevertheless, control of drugs is necessary. A special institution run by experts in working with drug-and alcohol users? Legalization means not only one country can do it, everybody has to do it, otherwise I’m afraid it would score no effect at all (like the destruction of the international drugsmafia). But you know how for example the French government thinks about this all… They probably have a great deal to do with this mafia as well?! What bothers me is the question: Why do people start to use (hard)drugs or become alcoholics in the first place? Ever wondered from what neighbourhoods these people come, what miserable lives they have to lead. Sure you don’t get automatically a junkie or an alcoholic. These are often the poor and “useless” people that were spit out by society. The ones with no or low education and always saw the dirt. They can not take it anymore. This is their escape and they don’t care in what way. And I think in here lies the real problem. It is not drugs but the way this society works.

Today, this society produces individuals who define themselves by what they have, not who they are. This leads to consumption for the sake of consumption, as people try to make themselves happy by consuming more commodities. This cannot work and eventuallly leads to even more insecurity (and so even more consumption). This consumerism is a product of a hierarchical society within which people are alienated from themselves and the means by which they can make themselves really happy (i.e. meaningful relationships, liberty, work, experiences…). It is a means of filling the spiritual hole capitalism creates within us by denying our freedom. Capitalism is based on hierarchy and not liberty. It leads to a weakening of individuality and a lose of self-identity and sense of community. Both these senses are a deep human need and drugs, as well as consumerism and religion is often a means by which people overcome their alienation from their selves and others. Legalization of all drugs can probably work but is merely fighting a symptom. The real solution is abolishment of government and eliminating social breakdown, the gap between rich and poor, colour and white…..

Axe: Most drugs are bad, so they should be illegal. However, making or keeping it illegal creates bigger problems. The choice of the individual to take them evolves in a very much controlling police-state (like the USA). In Holland experiments are running (also in Swiss) annd the expectations are that junkies don’t have to steal and gradually become accepted in society, getting them off of drugs. Clever, eh? Of course this means that society has to find a form of tolerance and find an approach towards these people with their  problems. Trying to take away the needs to consume. Using drugs has been around over since mankind uses herbs. They change people’s mind into a different logic for different purposes. It’s silly to forbid all drugs. Sugar is a drug. Caffein is a drug. Everybody uses it. It should be clear what these things do. And they should be tolerated accordingly. Marijuana is an innocent form.

What do you think about marriage?

Erik: Marriage is bullshit. Who needs an official confirmation for love?

Michael: Marriage is used to get people fit in into this society. It is a contract with the state and/or a religious “company” to continue to live together and get the permission to copulate. It is a way to propagate “family”. Or with David Cooper’s words: “family is the ultimate and deadliest gaschamber in our society”.

Would you play for a big festival (thus reaching a wider audience)? What are the limits you impose on yourself as fan as sacrifices are concerned?

Erik: I would probably play at a bigger festival if I have the feeling it’s organised in a good, non-commercial way, because of the love for the music, and certain political ideas/beliefs, but for me small concerts with some nice people are just as good, or maybe even better.

Michael: I don’t care about big festivals so much. We have played some before but I couldn’t get excited about it. I’d rather play small concerts in squats, basements, bars…

Interview with Zuhree 1997 (Malaysia)

Hi! introduction + How you all met/ the history of the band? How you got your band name(Catweazle)?

Catweazle was formed in 1988 in a different line-up (two vocalists, different bassplayer) and around 1992 the style of music changed from kind of grindcore to more melodic hardcore. The former vocalists went respectively to play with Fleas And Lice and Dr.Phybes (ska) and bassplayer also got involved with Dr.Phybes and a couple Techno-Projects. The current line-up is Axe on guitar, Emil on vocals, Erik on bass and Michael on drums.

We took the name Catweazle from a British children television-series with the same name (aired in the early 70’s and also released as a series of paperback-books). It is about the adventures of the magician Catweazle that was imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of Farthing Castle during the late middle ages. For once his magic worked  and he managed to fly from the accursed castle. But he didn’t fly through space, instead he flied through time… He landed in a moat but the castle was vanished and in its place there was a large house with a clock tower. It appeared he entered the 1970’s… During a whole series of episodes he tries to find the “Thirteenth Sign Of The Zodiac” which can get him back to his own time. Sympathising with alot of the symbolism used in this series (“feeling isolated and alienated in this age of high technology, speed and profit”), we thought it was a good name to use for the band. Besides, Catweazle is a magical and hilarious character as well! 

From info that i get,your band play into HC style, why you choose to play this kind of music?? How would you describe your sound to someone?

Michael: I was more or less grown up with this musical style. Alot of my favorite bands happen to be punk/hardcorebands and because it is not necessary to be professional musicians, it was easy to start the band. Actually, anyone can start a band! It is hard to describe our sound because we are not influenced by one particular genre or another. We all listen to different kinds of music and that’s where our influence probably comes from. We have been compared to Indigesti, Agnostic Front, B.G.K., Exploited, C.O.C., Poison Idea, G.B.H., Metallica, Hogans Heroes, Discharge, Sick Of It All, Wrecking Crew, Ratos De Porao,  Manliftingbanner, Cromags…. This is what people hear in our music and not always our influences!

Emil: I play hardcore music because it’s the style of music I listen to most. In hardcore music I can put a lot of energy, anger and emotion and it gives me back a lot of energy, the feeling I’m doing something worthwile. I would say we play fast intense HC with a melodic touch and lotsa metal!

How about the lyrics? Who writes the lyrics? Are you write about politic, cops, anger, protest, frustration, pollution etc.. ??

Michael: The lyrics are very important for us. A lyric can make a song special even if the music’s shit. We all have influence on the subject of the lyrics but eventually Emil (vocals) and me (Michael) are writing the lyrics. Our songs deal with political and personal matters. Some examples: Cash And Pain Remain deal with child-labour/exploitation. How this is still tolerated by the big western economics because profits must be made. Strijd deals with the influence of religions and sekts on (insecure) people. Especially in this time, where there is ALOT of influence from religion (christianity and krshna) into punk, it is an actual subject. We want to make clea that you must only trust yourself and not depend on others who promise enlightenment. Building of Lies deals with a refugee-prison near Amsterdam where alot of people were and still are humiliated during their wait for expulsion. The general Dutch asylum-economics is a horrifying story. I have written an extensive article about this in the booklet that comes with our split 10”LP with Seein’Red. Catalyst deals with sexism and the discrimination of the sexes. Adversary is about personal hate against fascism and Fallaka deals with the situation in Turkey in particular but about dicatorships that are tolerated by the West in general. These are some examples of what our songs are about. On our new EP we have a parody on the everlasting Nuclear War theme that was so popular in the 80’s and is still popular within the crust/dis-scene.

Are you all pretty active in politics? Any campaign that you are involve? Any of you got problem with the cops??

Michael:  Some of us are active in the squat,- and anti-fascist scene. There is always problems with cops. Repression is everywhere but at the moment in Holland it is not that bad (you don’t get physically tortured in jail or killed on the street. However, the last couple of years more and more incidents happen where mainly foreigners are killed – accidently – by cops…).

Emil: Due to other activities, I have very little time for being active in politics. Some of my best friends are P.C. Police, watching over our scene.

Erik: I’m active in squatting, a info-cafe, anti-fascism, actions against the unification of Europe. So, if you do this kind of actions, it’s logical you get problems with the cops…

What do you think about:
i.straightedge XXX. Any of you into it?
ii.vegan
iii.drug
iv.alcohol
v.prostitution

i.straightedge:

Emil: most of the bands I listen to have some SE-touch about them – I don’t use alcohol, smoke, do drugs, and try to live “positive”, but I don’t wear X’s on my hand.

Erik: I was straightedge for some years, now I drink a beer now and then. I like the idea of straightedge as a reaction on all the drunkness around us, as another way of thinking, but I hate the whole “sheep”- mentality that is so typical for a lot of straightedgers.

Michael: straightedge is ok. However I don’t like the way it is going now with the strong influence of hardline, christianity and khrsna.

ii.Veganism:

Emil: I’m vegetarian and rarely eat cheese or eggs. I’m not vegan because of the milk I consume.

Erik: I’m vegan for 8 years now so I obviously “like” it!

Michael: I’m vegetarian and have lotsa respect for vegans. It’s more or less easy to be vegetarian in Holland. There’s good availability of a vast variety of veggie products. Also lots of special shops.

iii.Drugs:

Emil: I don’t need drugs! I got my own! (stolen from Grudge)

Erik: I’m for legalisation of all drugs, stop the war on drugs! This war on drugs is causing a lot of social, financial and violent problems.

Michael: Holland is (in)famous of its softdrugspolicy and experiments with free heroin. Marijuana is tolerated/accepted. Still, if you are caught with more than ?? grams (I forgot the amount), you can be arrested. I guess it is about the same situation in Spain only here you can buy it “freely” in coffeeshops when you’re older than 18. Personally I don’t have anything against drugs, especially not against marijuana (however it can make people zombies), so legalization would be a logical thought. Currently the trade in drugs is in hands of criminal organizations who keep the prices extremely high. Drug addicts need alot of money and use prostitution, stealing, robbing… for getting it eventually. When drugs get legalized, prices can drop. BUT who is going to control all this? Do you trust you government? Actually, for years the Dutch police have secretly been the main supplier of softdrugs to dealers, criminal organisations…. under the pretence of undercover actions… It has been (and still is) a very big case and everybody is waiting for the final outcome, but you know: governments are very good in covering up dirty laundry so I wonder. Nevertheless, control of drugs is necessary. A special institution run by experts in working with drug-and alcohol users? Legalization means not only one country can do it, everybody has to do it, otherwise I’m afraid it would score no effect at all (like the destruction of the international drugsmafia). But you know how for example the French government thinks about this all… They probably have a great deal to do with this mafia as well?! What bothers me is the question: Why do people start to use (hard)drugs or become alcoholics in the first place? Ever wondered from what neighbourhoods these people come, what miserable lives they have to lead. Sure you don’t get automatically a junkie or an alcoholic. These are often the poor and “useless” people that were spit out by society. The ones with no or low education and always saw the dirt. They can not take it anymore. This is their escape and they don’t care in what way. And I think in here lies the real problem. It is not drugs but the way this society works.

Today, this society produces individuals who define themselves by what they have, not who they are. This leads to consumption for the sake of consumption, as people try to make themselves happy by consuming more commodities. This cannot work and eventuallly leads to even more insecurity (and so even more consumption). This consumerism is a product of a hierarchical society within which people are alienated from themselves and the means by which they can make themselves really happy (i.e. meaningful relationships, liberty, work, experiences…). It is a means of filling the spiritual hole capitalism creates within us by denying our freedom. Capitalism is based on hierarchy and not liberty. It leads to a weakening of individuality and a lose of self-identity and sense of community. Both these senses are a deep human need and drugs, as well as consumerism and religion is often a means by which people overcome their alienation from their selves and others. Legalization of all drugs can probably work but is merely fighting a symptom. The real solution is abolishment of government and eliminating social breakdown, the gap between rich and poor, colour and white…..

iv.Alcohol:

Emil: is an accepted and tolerated drug in today’s society which, in my eyes, does more damage than good. A lot of misery in this world exists because of alcohol; a lot of reality and misery is avoided with help of alcohol. It gives temporary pleasure and is an easy escape from the things that are happening around you, no matter how small. Alcohol is artificial because it distorts your perception of your surroundings.

Michael: I see alcohol as an accepted hard-drug. It definitely kills. I sometimes drink but not excessive.

v.Prostitution:

Emil: I have never really communicated with anybody in this business, so my opinions are all indirect. I can imagine a lot of problems and stress coming with the job. I do think it’s someone’s own right to decide if this job is the one for him/her. I don’t think I could do it with conviction (or at all). Ofte, women are forced todo this due to addiction, kidnapping or false promises (to women from overseas countries).

Erik: I can’t answer this. What do you mean? If I agree, what do I think about women-track etc. There’s so many different aspects about this topic, you cannot just say it in some simple words.

Michael: prostitution is often a sad way to survive in this consumer-society. 

Any of you against the television??

Emil: No, the television is a good medium for information transmission, because the visual and accoustical pathways of human beings can create an image which can be remembered very well. The big problem is that it is a one-way transmission and that a select group of “professional” TV-makers decide what is going to be broadcasted and what is not. In some countries, censorship is huge, and the TV is just as big a disaster, because the ones in power of the media will be even stronger. Be selective of what you watch, question “official” reports and big companies. Never follow blindly, because then you spent a lot of money on a TV when you could have done with a radio.

Erik: I’m not against TV. I’m against the indoctrination by television and I’m against the stupidness of people who don’t think for themselves anymore, and believe everything that’s said on TV while the big part of it is bullshit and lies. However, sometimes there’s really good interesting things on TV.

Michael: I’m not against television but I don’t like the way it is often used (media-manipulation).

Beside Catweazle, do you have any  side project?? (other band, zines, organize gigs, distro/label… etc)

Emil: I used to play in YPHOBIA, a metalcore band, but I quit. They still exist and they’re doing fine nowadays, which is cool.

Erik: I just started a label with Michael (Koroshi Records).

Michael: I also play drums for P.C.P. (with members of Fleas And Lice, No I.D., Yphobia..) and Tuco Ramirez (grinding hardcore). I run a small distro plus Koroshi Records together with Erik. Also I’m organising tours for either my own bands or for bands who are friends (No I.D., Sin Dios, Subterannean Kids). I sometimes write articles for zines or make one myself.

What about working, are you all employed? Does Catweazle help out with the bills at all?

Emil: I’m training in a hospital, learning to practise medicine. I don’t get paidbut this is only for 1 ½ years. Catweazle doesn’t pay my bills at all, although in the long run, it probably won’t cost me much either.

Erik: I’m unemployed at the moment. Obviously when you don’t want to sign for a major-label it’s impossible to live out of a hardcore band!

Michael: I don’t have a paid job but have enough work to do anyway.

What your influence/favourite zines??

Emil: Influences: SE-bands worldwide, emo-music, a little crust now and then, some reggae, some techno, some ordinary pop-music, and any musician who does something that is special for me. Favorite zines: our local hero “Monkey”, “Heartattack”, and a thousand small zines you’ll never hear about.

Michael: I was formed both musically and politically by Crass/Poison Girls and Dead Kennedy’s. My all time influences are definitely from bands like Chain Of Strength, Exodus, Manliftingbanner, R.K.L., Slayer, Deathside and 80’s US/Euro-Hardcore. As for zines, I prefer zines with indepth articles. Music zines/interviews are usually sooo boring.

What about gigs? Do you play around town a lot? Do you do any touring?

Michael: Right now we don’t play alot because Emil and Axe are working hard. We’re now working on a new set and probably start playing again end this year or early next year. We have been touring France, Spain and Germany the last years.

What been your best and most happening gig so far? What sort of audience come to see you?

Emil: My favorite gig… hmmm, difficult to choose. Probably gigs in Cherbourg, Orleans, Saint Etienne (all in France), or Gijon (Spain). When people sing along and are full of adrenaline, screaming and dancing, when their emotions can be felt, and when there is a sense of something special going on, I get shivers down my spine and goose bumps.

Michael: Our very first concert with Emil and Erik (Kraneweg 1 on 15.01.1994) was great! In a small pub called De Bliksem was great fun as well. We were literally playing in their show-window. For the rest, Tinck Hoogeveen, Cherbourg France, Portugalete Euskadi, Vallodolid Spain, Orleans France, Saint Etienne…. Great memories!!! Since our music seems to be hard to label, we attract all kinds of people.

Are Catweazle do/perform any gig (tour) in overseas. Do you have any problem with the audience? Are they too violent?

Emil: We have played like 14 gigs in Germany, 11 gigs in France, 9 gigs in Spain and a couple in Belgium and Luxembourg. We never have problems with the audience, except for maybe 1 in 20/30 gigs. We tell them to dance less violent, but it doesn’t always help.

Michael: We have never been to overseas yet. We have had some offers though. It will take some time before we can do any touring again.

How do you get your gigs? is it easy or hard?? (Do people come to you and ask you to play or must you always contact venues and promoters)

Emil: Both. In the NL, we usually try to call venues and organise shows and we have to call them more than they contact us. It’s not always easy

Michael: Right now it is easy. I get alot of offers especially after the split 10”LP with Seein’Red. We also have the 7” just out and already got some very good reactions!

What do you think are some really valid things coming out of the holland underground scene these days? Any bands you think are really on the mark or worthwhile to check out??

Emil: Bands you should check out are Seein’Red, Boycot, One Day Closer, Human Alert and Mainstrike.

Erik: Bands I like at the moment: Seein’Red, Human Alert, No I.D. … There’s more and more good hardcore/crust bands in Holland at the moment.

Michael: Yes, there’s always some good bands here. Currently I like Point Of View (EP out soon), Let’s Get Hurt (ex-Union Morbide), Roggel, Human Alert, Deadstoolpigeon (RIP), No I.D., Fleas And Lice…

A lot of kids are more into fashion (baggy pants, shaved head, skate shoes, beer…etc) than anything else… give your opinion on this situation??

Emil: Fashion is big these days, an “alternative” lifestyle is carefully marketed and young kids are interested in wearing the clothes that fit that lifestyle. Just to look cool. And yes, a lot of clothes are pretty nice, but so often over-priced. And when you see 40 people with the newest clothing style at a show, you’re happy you’re wearing your old t-shirt and hooded sweatshirt

Michael: I’m not interested in fashion.

Any of you into skateboarding? What do you think about hardcore/crust skateboarder? and…what do you think about people (a few skateboarder) that into skateboarding just for trend,always hang out at the mall, show off, to get girl’s attention, look cool etc..??

Emil: I like skateboarding, but I don’t do it because my ankles are weak and I’ve torn my ligaments 3 times already. I can say I don’t want to experience that again, so I’ll just watch.

Michael: I used to be a skateboarder in the mid-eighties. It was not popular then and we did crazy stuff like skating behind bikes, cars, mopeds… stuff like that. I don’t do it anymore because I got injured too much and alot of my friends stopped as well. Hmm, I don’t care about trendy people.

What do you think about a few bands signed to major label and for the reason they of doing that is because they can reach their music to more people and also easy to get playing in anywhere they want, what do you think about it?

Erik: I would never sign a major label! I want to stay as independent as possible. When money involves in music it mostly ruins the good part of it! On the other hand it’s easy to say for me. I live in a rich country when I’m unemployed I get enough money to live of etc. A lot of people, bands don’t live in this situation and I think it’s hard to generalize this.

Emil: It’s not always true that you reach a lot more people when you’re on a major. I know 2 bands in Holland that signed to a major but they still are selling under 10 000 records in Holland. We sell about 1000 – 3500 (not only in Holland though). What I’m trying to say is that you reach more people, but it’s not like you automatically sell 50 000 – 100 000 when you’re on a major. The difference is sometimes very small. A bigger independent label (e.g. Ebullition) can easily press 10 000 for the more popular bands (maybe even more!). I believe you have a good chance of sacrificing some important things, in trade for your “bigger” audience when signing. Do you really want huge posters on cardboard in all the commercial record-shops? Do you really want to play big shows (all the time)? Do you really want kids, friends, and fellow musicians to pay $18-20 for a full-length CD?

Michael: I agree with Erik. Also it is always nice to do it yourself. Sell your records at concerts and talk with the people who buy your records. Make new contacts this way and set up a network of friends!

What do you think about DIY ethics?

Emil: DIY-ethics are important in order to keep shows, records, distro’s, cheap and available. It gives a sense of accomplishment and respect, because often people have to work together to get something done.

Michael: If you don’t DIY, you miss alot of the fun.

What do you think about internet? What do you think about all underground stuffs in internet. Too many lies and bullshit. Give your view on this…?

Emil: Internet is a great way to communication, information exchange, etc. It’s very flexible and censorship is difficult, So that means that if someone wants to write crap stories, he/she will do so. This is also true for the “hardcore underground”. This is confronting but also a healthy thing. Our scene is full of ideologies about change, equality, commitment and durability. But we must accept the fact that there are also a lot of other ideas in the “scene”. I think there will always be a bad apple in the pie.

Michael: For me Internet is a good way of getting information and for fast and cheap communication (email). I already did alot of concerts this way and also we made the Profane Existance deal by internet. Of course there’s alot of bullshit on the net as well but if you’re long enough around, you will find your way around.

What do you think about being fascist, racist, sexist in the scene because there still a lot of bands keep singing about this stuff and promoting in through the kid in the scene and also proud of it? What do you think??

Emil: Racism, fascism, sexism all such big time. Bands who have elements of any one of these don’t get my support.

Michael: Don’t make room for such tendencies.

Do you believe in anarchy?

Erik: I think there’s about 2000 opinions about what is anarchy, so which one do you mean? I believe in a anti-capitalist world where things are equally divided amongst people, and where people treat and are treated in a social way. I don’t like this dogmatic way of acting a lot of people have, like “I’m an anarchist, and communism is bad” or “I’m a communist and anarchism means chaos”, etc. It’s about what your ideas are and not about hollow slogans. 

Emil: No, not on a large scale. I’ve seen too many egoistic people. On a small scale (very local): yes. But don’t expect anarchy tocome without problems and conflicts, you’ll be dissapointed.

Michael: Everybody has their own idea of what anarchism exactly is. For me, anarchism is a socioeconomic and political theory, but not an ideology. The difference is very important. Basically, theory means you have ideas; an ideology means ideas have you. Anarchism is a body of ideas, but they are flexible, in a constant state of evolution and flux, and open to modification in light of new data. As society changes and develops, so does anarchism. An ideology, in contrast, is a set of “fixed” ideas which people believe dogmatically, usually ignoring reality or “changing” it so as to fit with the ideology, which is (by definition) correct. All such “fixed” ideas are the source of tyranny and contradiction, leading to attempts to make everyone fit onto a Procrustean Bed. This will be true regardless of the ideology in question — Leninism, Objectivism, “Libertarianism,” or whatever — all will all have the same effect: the destruction of real individuals in the name of a doctrine, a doctrine that usually serves the interest of some ruling elite. Dogmas are static and deathlike in their rigidity, often the work of some dead “prophet,” religious or secular, whose followers erect his or her ideas into an idol, immutable as stone. Anarchists want the living to bury the dead so that the living can get on with their lives. The living should rule the dead, not vice versa. Ideologies are the nemesis of critical thinking and consequently of freedom, providing a book of rules and “answers” which relieve us of the “burden” of thinking for ourselves.

Anarchism bases itself upon the power of ideas and the ability of people to act and transform their lives based on what they consider to be right. In other words, liberty. Liberty for anarchists means a non-authoritarian society in which individuals and groups practice self-management, i.e. they govern themselves. The implications of this are important. First, it implies that an anarchist society will be non-coercive, that is, one in which violence or the threat of violence will not be used to “convince” individuals to do anything. Second, it implies that anarchists are firm supporters of individual sovereignty, and that, because of this support, they also oppose institutions based on coercive authority, i.e. hierarchy. And finally, it implies that anarchists’ opposition to “government” means only that they oppose centralized, hierarchical, bureaucratic organisations or government. They do not oppose self-government through confederations of decentralized, grassroots organizations, so long as these are based on direct democracy rather than the delegation of power to “representatives.” For authority is the opposite of liberty, and hence any form of organisation based on the delegation of power is a threat to the liberty and dignity of the people subjected to that power.

What band you like to play in future??

Emil: I’d like to tour with bands with nice people in them, who can teach me things and who I can teach back.

Michael: Sin Dios.

Tell me how you get hook with Profane Existence Far East?? Tell me what do you think other bands that are under this label??

Michael: When we recorded in 1995, I decided to put a message on the ALT.MUSIC.HARDCORE newsgroup to see if there were any people/labels interested in doing something with us. I got in contact with Izumi from Profane Existence Far East and he offered to make a 3”mcd. As for the other bands, I like Dropdead, Tolshock and Nailed Down alot.

Do you know anything about Malaysian scene/band? Do you like to play in Malaysia (maybe one day)??

Emil: I don’t know much about the Malaysian scene; I’ve read a scene
report in the International Straight Edge Bulletin, though.

Michael: No, I know nothing about your scene…It would be great to play Malaysia someday but I’m afraid it is a bit expensive to come over…

Please list out your 10 playlist and bands to check out

Emil: Gee, this is new for me. Ok, I’ll try…
1.Aside – anything
2.Unbroken – LP
3.E-150 – 7”EP
4.Untit Pride – 7”
5.Upfront – LP
6.Straight Ahead – anything
7.Seein’Red – “Trefwoord Punk”EP
8.Mainstrike – 7”
9.4 Walls Falling – LP
10.Bob Marley – “Survival”CD

Erik: Hey, listen to:
Swingkids – “Discography”
His Hero Is Gone
French emo-bands
Sin Dios (political hardcore from Spain)
No I.D./Aside split 7”EP (on Koroshi records!)

Michael:
Banda Jachis – “Que Pasa En El Mundo?”CD
Sin Dios – all
37 Hostias – “Tratado Sobre El Ruido”CD
P.C.P. – new demo
Mind Intrusion – all
Eat Static – all
His Hero is Gone – all
Ebola (UK) – 7”EP
Testament – “Demonic”CD
Maniatica – all

Interview with Antonio June 1999 (Spain)

At the moment Catweazle is looking for a new guitarplayer so we couldn’t answer all. I tried to answer them alone but it is short. Normally I want to do long answers with indepth meaning but I am sooo busy I did not have enough time to do it. If you think it is not good, you can decide not to put it in the zine. I can understand. Please let me know. Thanks.

The band started in 1989, ten years ago, Which different do you see between hardcorepunk scene in 1989 and 1999.

M: The biggest difference is that there’s alot of new people involved. Only a few have been going on since 1989. Also hardcore/punk has been more mainstream and accepted except for the more raw, diy political.
The best and the worst things now…. The best is the network of groups/people that are always prepared to offer you an insight in their world. I have been touring all over and it is great to be in such varied places. The worst is probably the commercialization and americanisation of the “scene”. People blindly copy everything which is cool including religions and trends.

You were in Spain two years ago… How were the shows? Do you like Spain? Which spanish band do you know?

M: The spain tour was briljant. It was a learningful experience coz Spain has a totally different culture (socially as politically). I was always interesting in Spain and Euskadi especially coz of the history (1936-1939 period). We have become very good friends with Sin Dios and learned alot from them about the history and current situations in Spain. Since the Catweazle tour I have been in spain/euskadi 2-3 times each year (also with my other band PCP twice, and touring for bands like Aside, No ID, Ação Direta, Sin Dios….etc.) My favorite are Sin Dios (ofcourse), El Corazon Del Sapo, Banda Jachis, Likidillo, E-150, Maniatica, Chicharicca, Etsaiak, Negu Gorriak, 37 Hostias….

The Catweazle shows in Spain were crazy. Sometime we played for a packed place where everybody went crazy (Portugalete & Valladolid), places where almost nobody came (Villaverde/Madrid & Vitoria) and the places where we got a great response (Gijon, Zaragoza, Oviedo, Badalona). Everywhere we made new friends, and were treated very well. For me this tour was the perfect introduction to the spanish scene. I had organised another spanish tour in March 1998, but then suddenly our guitarplayer left the band and we did the tour with my other band PCP. That tour was totally crazy. I have written a tourdiary about this tour in the Antipoder/Love And Flowers fanzine from Gijon.

Which are the band perspectives now?

M: finding a good new guitarplayer (we’re busy with someone). Then make new songs, practise alot and go on tour. Spain is high on our list!

What do you think about the situation in Yugoslavia now?

M: I think it could have been solved in a different way (diplomatic). In these kinds of wars, the “normal”people always have to suffer most. Last month I have been talking to people in Croatia (they were involved at the beginning of the war) and they have made some interesting points to think about. The NATO bombings were just the result of what happened years before. It should have been solved far before.

What does Catweazle mean?

We took the name Catweazle from a British children television-series with the same name (aired in the early 70’s and also released as a series of paperback-books). It is about the adventures of the magician Catweazle that was imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of Farthing Castle during the late middle ages. For once his magic worked  and he managed to fly from the accursed castle. But he didn’t fly through space, instead he flied through time… He landed in a moat but the castle was vanished and in its place there was a large house with a clock tower. It appeared he entered the 1970’s… During a whole series of episodes he tries to find the “Thirteenth Sign Of The Zodiac” which can get him back to his own time. Sympathising with alot of the symbolism used in this series (“feeling isolated and alienated in this age of high technology, speed and profit”), we thought it was a good name to use for the band.

You have played in many benefit gigs. Which is the organitation or  the cause you have helped more?

M: We played the most benefits for squats. Alot of occupied buildings need money for repairs so benefit concerts are a good way to help.

The last one which three bands can’t we be without knowing them?

M: The is the favorite bands question, right?! I cannot pick out just 3 bands coz I have been influenced by so many and especially musically I was formed by more than 3 bands. Probably one of the most important bands for me was when I saw my first Dutch punkband called BUNKER (from Rotterdam) playing on an open air fest in the summer of 1981. They made a big impression on me as much as the pogoing audience. The the punks on my highschool had a big influence on me. In this way I got to listen to Crass and Dead Kennedy’s. When MDC played together with the Dead Kennedy’s in Amsterdam on 5-12-82, I was totally impressed and formed directly my first band. Well, these are a couple of my major influences and formed me for the rest of my life.