Who are the members of Mastic Scum and when did the band form?

The Band is running since 1992. The actually line up exist since 1994. Steven on bass, Man on drums, Harry on six-string and me myself and I – Will on Vox.


How would you describe Mastic Scum's music and what kind of influences can be found on your latest album, "Scar"?

I think it's a kind of Metal/Grindcore with tons of groove - "Grinding Metalcore“. Maybe it helps to say: it is something like Napalm Death meets Melvins, but Mastic Scum stay’s definitely for his own. When you listen to Mastic Scum twice, you can recognize it.


How would you compare "Scar" to previously recorded material?

I don’t like to compare but I will describe the new material – It’s probable heavier than the last Mastic Scum puke out “ZERO” and a natural progression what we’ve done the years before. Because of everything that’s gone, on we’re not in the mood to write a happy or mellow album. This new album has so much to say and it’s also a very honest and personal record because it’s an album built on tragedy and loss. It’s the album I never thought I’d ever do, because I never thought I’d have experiences like these to draw from in my life. Our new album "scar" is very amazing and diversified. Tracks like "Face 2 Face" and "Generation X" are fast straight, groovy songs, tracks like "One-Track Minded" and "Kiss Or Kill" are high speed Grindcore-tunes and in songs like "Re-Progression“ and "Turn Inside Out" we found a new stream, treating with different music influences based on heavy groove.


I see that you did a tour last March. Where were you all traveling to? Who set up the tour?

We ‘re back from the “Straight Into The Balls Tour “ – what a shitty name for a Tour?? Anyway the Tour was a great experience for the band and we spent mostly a fine time with Lividity U.S. Master.  U.S. Paul rules and Damnable Poland. It run’s from Germany to Tschech Republik, Slowakia, Austria back to Germany over to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Nearly 3 weeks-killer. It was actually organized by Bruchstein Records from Germany.


Does Mastic Scum have any plans now that the tour is done?

A lot a festivals this summer, another Tour in autumn – and for sure we're working hard for the next album. You know mike no time to waste? Ah and before I forget it, Mastic Scum will visit the States next year 2004 for a Tour!! July or maybe August , details later. I think also a main thing for a Band like us is we ‘re gonna have to talk more and any time there’s a problem or someone feels strongly about something then we should all talk right away , and not wait until tomorrow or next week or no means whatever !! A lot of the shit that came up in Mastic Scum were due to a lack of communication ,and we would blow of the important issues until another time. No strong attitude – no strong band.


Who does most of the promoting of Mastic Scum's material and shows?

We’ve got our Label "Cudgel Agency’’ - they are helping a lot. Also "Resonance Promotion" from Austria is promoting our latest album "scar". But definitely, we as a band, are doing most of these part. Ah, yes, and don’t forget the WWW, radio, zines like you and so on - THANX FOR SUPPORT!!!


Is there a good music scene in Austria? What do you think of the worldwide metal scene in general?

The Austrian music scene is running well, I don’t wanna say it is killer but it grows up and that’s the point. There are cool webzines like: www.earshot.at  www.resurrectio.at  www.deathmetal.at it helps a bit. The Pungent Stench and Disharmonic Orchestra are back, there’s still Belphegor and Seeds of Sorrow , Fuckhead and you should listen to Hollenthon – and so on – yes, there’s a lot a shit on the move! The worldwide music scene ‘"fuck’’ it’s the ultimate drug that doesn’t destroy you! You can embrace this music and use it for so many good reasons . It can get you through life without you having to bow to all those other pressures. One gift we have is sharing this music. It’s good to know, Mike, that our music is the alternative to what the hell every one else call 'music’. We are the underdogs and we can’t deny that we’re always going to be connected to the underground. Don’t feel bad about being fucking part of a rejected group – feel good about it!!!!


Your newest CD, "Scar" was released by Cudgel Agency? Are they easy to work with and somebody who you plan on doing business with in the future?

Are they easy to work with and somebody who you plan on doing business with in the future? We’re happy with Cudgel Agency www.cudgel.de .  Jens and Besen are cool guys they ‘re working well. Yes I’ m proud to be with them. They sent us on Tour last march.  They also organizing gigs and other great things ??? for us – oh lala. We just signed for the split 7’’ "crap" with Finnlands Superstars Rotten Sound and for the album "scar’" as well. Let the future run into the Mastic house we’re ready for a lot albums and bullshit .


In my eyes, people seem to blame a lot of problems on music and lyrics. How would you respond if somebody told you that somebody hurt themselves and they blame it all on your lyrics and Mastic Scum's music?

I would say there’s never a 100%, maybe someone try a suicide or whatever and you find a Mastic Scum CD in the player you will find also definitely some strange books the newspaper – front story – "we’ll blow Sadams head off and yours too".  Some videogames and on and on what you want – When someone is unstable it goes with the person up and down –but life is hard as hell and that’s why we have fight against the daily grind. A strong person will check out the lyrics, the mu-sick, the art, and for the rest there’s the parental advisory . There’s a lot a difference in law between U.S.A – Europe especially after a suicide. Next time more about it...


Are there any bands out there that have been around a long time that you think should just give up and retire from the music industry?

Express yourself, be honest to yourself and you will get what you deserve!!


Have you seen any crazy things happen at any of your shows?

Of course, on tour with Master and Lividity. Matt and Dave from Lividity – fucking crazy, cool guys – invaded "Harry" our guitar man on stage, pulling his legs and drumming on his breast, banging and acting like maniacs, fucking crazy...


Do you have any other comments or advice that you would like to add to this interview?

I would like to thank you Mike and all at Adrenalin Fanzine and all the others.  Listen, I wanna give you an idea about how things could be ‘cause right now so many things are going wrong in this world. Greed and ignorance are keeping us under control.  People, even young children in Asia and the third world, are working under the worst conditions just that we can wear our ’’hot’’ brand new fashion – they are starving while we throw good food away – animals are used and abused in our factories – our deathcamps in the name of progress – what kind of progress??? ! fight! Let’s start today! It’s in our hands to listen, think and to react.  We gotta act, we gotta move, we gotta wake up... Let’s set the world on fire and let’s start today. Cheers - Lazy Mastic Will !!! Don't forget to visit: http://www.masticscum.com

 

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