Interview: Cor, Cordis #11

1. Since people here are not really familiar with your previous work and beginnings, would you like to tell us something more about the inception of Malefaction and your main musical and non-musical influences?

Malefaction first started playing live shows way back in 1992. We didn't start taking the band serious until 1995 when we released our first CD (Smothered) and did a five week tour of the eastern half of the US. Since then we've done many tours of North America in support for full lengths such as Man Grows Cold (1998), Crush the Dream (2001) and, most recently, last August for Where There Is Power... We also released a handful of EPs on various labels. When we started out we just wanted to play death metal but we couldn't really pull that off. Instead we were more of a thrashcore band. Over the years our sound has changed to become the black metal, crust, grind, and metal beast that it is. The current line-up is me (Travis) on vocals, Clint on guitar, Mike on bass, and Cory on drums.

2. In July, G7 Welcoming Committee released Where There's Power There's Always Resistance, the follow up to your previous album Crush the Dream. What inspired you to write this particular album and in what ways have Malefaction progressed on the new release?

We don't really sit down as a band and decide how our albums are going to be written or what we want from the songs. Basically Clint and Mike write the songs and jam them with Cory. So whatever they happen to be listening to at the moment usually comes through in the music. I think musically Where There Is Power... is more interesting and dynamic than Crush the Dream. I would also add that Where There is Power... is more metal than the last record. Lyrically me and Mike write about what is bothering us at a particular point in time. Not surprisingly most of the issues we deal with are about the state of the world over the last two years.

3. Your first full length effort received massive critical acclaim from influential magazines and fanzines. I haven't had the chance to read anything about the new album. What were the reactions like this time and do the reviews any influence you in any way?

I've only seen about 10 reviews for Where There Is Power and they've all been very positive. Those reviewers who were familiar with Crush the Dream like the new one even more. It's interesting to read reviews of a record you've released, and any positive feedback gives you a nice feeling. Reviews don't really influence us. We'll do what we want regardless of what a reviewer might print.

4. What makes Malefaction more powerful than many of the other extreme bands is your socio-political awareness. Which political authors inspired you to write this type of lyrics and is there any political theory close to the message that Malefaction are sending?

I don't know if I would attribute our lyrics to any political author with the exception of Mike Ruppert. The song "Old gods, new blasphemies" was written about a presentation Ruppert did a couple months after 9/11/01 on the US and their involvement with the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. He also outlined the American government's geo-political plans for the Middle East. Ruppert's website is www.fromthewilderness.com. All the other lyrics deal with things that have happened in the past two years that bother me or Mike (who wrote half of the lyrics on Where There Is Power...). I don't know if we subscribe to a specific political theory. I'm really into social justice and I can't stand it when people are being murdered in order to further the interests of a tiny business elite.

5. Where There's Power There's Always Resistance is a title that can be very inspirational in these times when power plays the decisive role in the world. What makes you believe that there is always resistance having in mind that the USA attacked and invaded Iraq in spite of the massive anti-war protests?

The title Where There Is Power, There is Always Resistance is a paraphrased quote by the French philosopher Michel Foucault. What he meant by that statement was that power is resisted and renegotiated in all aspects of life. It can mean resistance to a boss you can't stand working for by stealing things from work or it can mean killing US soldiers because they are occupying your country. I think that the fact so many people protested against the war in Iraq (myself included) is obvious proof that resistance occurs. It just doesn't necessarily mean it will be successful.

6. The dominant subject in the lyrics of Malefaction is the United States and their illegal actions. You say: Goddamn All Others but God Bless America. What pisses you the most when the US government is concerned and how are your fans in the States accepting this comments having in mind that you are from Canada?

What bothers me the most about the US government? Where do I begin? I hate how it has destroyed the lives of so many people around the world. The US government has overthrown democratically elected governments in order to further the interests of US corporations. Chile (1973) and Guatemala (1954) are just two examples where legitimate governments were overthrown by US backed coups and replaced with murderous dictators who butchered or disappeared members of the population. Guatemala is still reeling from this. I hate the US government's hypocrisy. The entire country of Iraq has been shattered because of a supposed threat of nuclear and biological weapons. No proof has been forthcoming, and now the US wants other countries to send their youth to die in car bombings and other attacks alongside US troops. I don't know how our lyrics are going over in the US. We played a handful of shows down there last August and I didn't have anyone come up to me and complain about what I was saying. Of course, I try to discuss how fucked up Canada is at US shows cause I'm sure most Americans who see us play are already suspicious of the actions of the government. Plus, they probably don't get much information about what is going on in Canada. Also, our lyrics are not condemning American citizens as much as it is condemning the actions of their government which they didn't elect anyway.

7. In the same song there's a line that says Goddamn All Others God Fascist America. Many analysts compare the state control in the Western democracies (especially the US) with the one in Nazi Germany. What's your opinion on that and is something similar going on in Canada?

This guy from a band we played with in Cleveland called Halving described the US as a police state. He said people were really scared to demonstrate against US foreign policy or even speak out against it for fear of reprisals. But are western democracies as messed up as Nazi Germany? There's definitely some scary shit going on. In Canada you can now be thrown in jail on suspicion of involvement in a terrorist group, which would include any anti-globalisation or animal rights organization. The government does not need to charge you or show you proof of what they have arrested you for. It called the National Security Certificate and I believe there are 6 to 18 people currently incarcerated as a result of this. The Canadian government is also trying to implement a National ID Card so no one could have their identities stolen, possibly by terrorists. These cards would feature some kind of genetic trace system such as a fingerprint or retina scan. Critics have called it expensive and unnecessary, and I agree.

8. Besides the disapproval of America's actions, your hatred for global capitalism is quite obvious. Some theorists agree that capitalism must be reformed. What political system is the right alternative for capitalism and are there people in the worlds that can turn that idea into reality?

I don't know if I can answer that question. Can capitalism be reformed? By its very nature it seeks profit at the expense of people and the environment. And it needs to find new markets in order to expand. I don't know what kind of system could replace it. I don't think I know enough to declare what I think is the proper political system that will solve the world's problems. I think the bigger problem is figuring out how to change people's behaviour. Values also have to change. Too often power, strength, and violence are celebrated but what about compassion, empathy, and dialogue?

9. Self Involved: Shopping at Walmart, eating at McDonalds is no cultural identity worth saving. Most people don't even bother trying to see that there's another world possible. What, in your opinion, makes the majority of the population so indifferent and not remotely interested in anything but Walmart and McDonalds?

I think people's apathy has to do with a variety of reasons. First, I think that many people are too busy trying to survive. Anyone living in the inner city will probably have bigger concerns such as paying bills, taking care of families, eating, etc. If you happen to live in a particularly violent neighbourhood you will be more concerned with your personal safety than issues such as US imperialism. Secondly, even those who may have attained a certain level of comfort in western societies will be unwilling to disrupt their social status. Anyone who owns a house, makes a living wage, and has a SUV in the driveway will probably be satisfied with their lot in life. Third, media plays a big role in influencing what people think or see. At least in Canada we have a public broadcaster so you get a leftwing perspective to news and world events that you wouldn't get from a private broadcaster such as CNN. Even if I flip through a local newspaper most of the "news" deals with the J-Lo/Ben Affleck relationship instead of telling me about what's going on in Argentina. Private media is a total joke. Why the fuck would I give a shit about two rich Hollywood celebrities when there is so much happening in other parts of the world? I need real information. Lastly, I think education plays a role as well. In Canada you are not taught to think critically or question the status quo until you are in university, which is not an option for many because of the cost of tuition. I think students should be taught critical thinking and be exposed to different points of view at an earlier age.

10. The great Swedish hardcore punk band Refused represented the idea that art and especially counterculture can free the world from the capitalist chains. They said We need new noise - new art for the real people. What's your opinion on this?

I think art and counterculture could definitely be used to promote an anti-capitalist worldview. Any little bit helps. Whether or not it can actually change the world is another question altogether. But even if our music has changed someone's outlook or politics then it has accomplished a great deal.

11. The troubled world we live in and the injustices that happen every day bring people down and make them believe that change is not possible. Where do you find the strength to continue on this path and what advice would you give to the people that are starting to engage themselves in some way of anti-capitalist protest?

I think my strength comes from how strongly I feel about injustice. I want to reach people and share my thoughts on the topics I sing about. I like expressing my politics in front of others and hopefully challenging their ideas or making them think about an issue in a different way. I want to continue this beyond the life of Malefaction. My goal is to teach at a university, and this is what I am working towards currently. There are different social movements I would like to get involved with eventually. I really can see myself becoming more active in the next few years. I think for people who are becoming politically active it is important to remember that you cannot change the world through your actions. But you can plant the seeds. And you will never know how your actions influence others. It is also important to have fun. Though there are many depressing things going on around us we still have to live our lives.