Interview #3 SUNPOWER

We've decided to make an short interview with Sunpower after their show in Namur last weekend (sat.22th  October). And what a show ! Thanks to all the bands and people who were there.

I don't know what I could tell about Sunpower, except that they should rule the world. Sorry.

Oh, I can also say that we're preparing something good together... Hihihi

                                                                SUNPOWER

                                                         Max, Till, Dario, Antonin, John, Boris, Bert, je vous aime

- ME : For how long are you in punk / punk-hardcore music ? And why do you still love it (if it's the case) ? 

- DAVY (drummer) : I've been involved in punk music since I discovered Nirvana at age 11.  Most people who got into my age went to other so called "grunge bands" such as Pearl Jam and Soundgarden (which I discovered later), but I had on in the direction of Dead Kennedys, Ramones, Black Flag etc...  I still love punk music today because (despite what the dance scene says about their interpretation of freedom) it's on of the most free and intense music genres you can play.  You have such a diversity from "male bonding" music such as Agnostic Front through pure Art (Suicide, Teenage Jesus & The Jerks, Minutemen) and of course, the stuff we chose to play : basic angry hardcore punk.  It seems like punk, although underestimated, is still one of the most influential music genres ever.  Without punk : there would be no Nirvana, no Sonic Youth, no Green Day etc...  And of course, the most important thing... punk gives you the opportunity to let you say what you feel inside, without having to repeat every time that you miss or love some woman.

- ME : Was it the first time you played Namur ? You have to know that this weekend you woke up the soul of an ex-skinhead dude who's now in hip-hop !

- DAVY : We played at least once in Namur, with the legendary Dead Stop.  It's nice to hear when your music influences people listening more to hardcore punk music.  I had no idea we had such impact on people, but still : fuckin-a man!  On the other hand, he shouldn't stop listening to hip-hop.  The lyrical concept of hip-hop is sometimes very interesting.  Despite the "bitches and ho's" stuff you also have things like Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash and all those other awesome oldschool hip-hop projects!  Both can come together (cfr Beastie boys)

- M : Do you have future plans with Sunpower ? (recording new songs,...?)

- D : The last 9 years we recorded some stuff we're proud of, we played shows we're proud of, sometimes we did some things we're not that proud of... but in the end, it was all cool!  I guess you can't keep innovating yourself as a hardcore punk band but for the moment there are no plans for recording any new songs.  We'll keep on playing a handful of shows and probably will do something special at our 10 years anniversary next year.

- M : My brother told me that you said him you saw Youth of Today in Namur, I'd like to learn more.

- MIKE (singer) : I saw Youth of Today at Aalst in 1989 (a long time ago) with Project X, on that moment it was one of the most powerful performances I ever saw. After that gig they played Namur, Sammy(YOT/CIV-Drummer) told me at the CIV-show(where Sunpower did the support) that there were a lot of right-wing people at that show.

- M : What would like to say to the new "hardcore generation" ? (sorry for this horrible term)

- D : At this point... please: start a band, rehearse like a motherfucker and play shows.  Flanders is horrible!  No new bands are coming and few people seem to care about hardcore music in general.  Play what you want and don't let the public decide what you want to play...  they'll pick it up when they're ready!  

I have a question for you: Before we left... we smoked some weed together with some guys... what was in it man?  That wasn't just weed...  I did google searches and thought it was pcp or opium... no idea, but we were wasted!!!

- M : Haha ! I don't really know... But be sure that it was only weed + tobacco. Probably " AMNESIA " or " WHITE MEX ". Thanks for the show and for giving me some time to answer the questions. See you !

Links :
http://www.sunpowermusic.tk/ Sunpower website
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmMXfwb-778 Project X in Namur ? Aalst ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaJpSXUaXTQ&feature=related Nessbeal - Amnesia