Hold A Grudge - The RADICAL ROOTS Interview

From Radical Roots Fanzine - 18.11.2009

RR: Please introduce your members. What do you do besides the band?

Hold A Grudge is:
JP (Vocals) - He works as a technician in a print shop.
Mat Oi (Rhythm Guitar) - He's doing web sites.
Dan 86 (Lead Guitar) - He's currently doing security at the local punk club, les Katacombes.
Dom (Drums) - No one really knows but he's working in a garage.
Steve Saga (Bass) - The latest Hold A Grudge member, he's working for a music distributor.

RR: First of all is it possible to interpret the band's name? Please explain the meaning of it.

JP: Well, to me, the name Hold A Grudge doesn't mean that we have something against someone in particular. It's nothing personal. It's more like a global idea, to be against the scam industries, the mainstream and anyone who tries to fuck us up... The list goes on and on.

Mat: To be honest we chose this name, like most bands, because we thought it sounded good, and Dan already had it tattooed on the back of his head. That's a good way to insure he can't leave the band now!

Dan: They didn't have the choice to pick a different band name since it's tattooed on the back of his fucking head.

RR: If I’m right, all of you had been in bands before forming Hold A Grudge, so how did your band get together and who came up first with the idea of founding your band?

Mat: This is actually my first band. Dan has been in countless bands (Corruption 86, The Prowlers & Self Control amongst them) and is still in 2 or 3 other active bands. Luc (our ex-drummer) was also in Inyrface and joined Les Esclaves Salaries later. Dom, current drummer was (and still is) in Self Control. Our latest bassist, Steve was in All The Answers and still plays guitar with And The Saga Continues.

RR: You are not shouting a lot of oi! in your lyrics, but the influence is obvious in your music. How much are you involved in the oi! or skin cult?

JP: I listen to a lots of oi!/streetpunk bands like Cock Sparrer, The Blood, The Business... I like the whole working class ethics that surround the movement; real music for real people, no bullshit!

Mat: Although some songs have a much bigger 'oi' sound to them, we usually try to blend in different styles of 'punk' in our music. Of course, with Oi! music being such a big influence for all of us, it's gonna be present a lot.

RR: What have you brought out so far (LP, CD, etc)?

JP: We released our first, 3-song demo in 2004. In summer 2006 we released our self-titled album on Troika Records. There have been a lot of lineup changes since then so the next album, Doing Time, will only be available in March 2010 on Insurgence Records. We also appeared on a couple of compilations, the latest one being 'Northern Aggression: Project Boneyard Vol. II' by Insurgence Records. (Look it up, it rocks)

RR: How is the current hardcore/HC punk scene in Montreal, your hometown? Is there unity or any bad blood between HC kids, skins and punks?

JP: The Montreal scene is doing really well right now. We get a good amount of shows, new bands are starting up... Some good Montreal bands you should listen to include: Union Made, Slobs, Plus Minus, Preying Hands, Omegas, And The Saga Continues, Burned Ships...

Mat: Montreal is awesome. Lots of bands covering the entire punkrock spectrum. Lots of shows all the time. A diverse crowd... I wouldn't call the scene 'united' but it's definitely friendly.

RR: Do you have your own sanctuary, where you can give shows from time to time?

JP: Yeah, Katacombes! Best venue/bar in Montreal. We played there a couple of times and we always loved it. Dan works there too.

Mat: There's no shortage of punk rock/hardcore friendly venues in Montreal. Many closed in recent times, but new ones opened too. We often play the Katacombes but there are many other fun places too. Something we should try to fix in the future is playing more all-ages shows.

RR: How many gigs have you done so far, which one was the best and with which band?

JP: We played about 50 shows so far. It's hard to choose the best gig so I’m gonna name a few. Our 4th gig was with Good Riddance and The Saint-Catherines at Foufounes Electriques. That show was amazing. Other good ones include: Criminal Damage/Born Dead Icons(@ Katacombes), The Unseen/And The Saga Continues(@ Club Lambi), Death Threat/Sons Of Disgrace(@ Anti), Slumlords/The Sparks (@ Cafe Inco), and every time we played with Union Made!

Mat: I personally lost count a long while ago. Over fifty, for sure... Although we would definitely like to tour more in the future, we mostly played close to home. I think that because we blend many different 'punk' musical styles, we shared the stage with a lot of different sounding bands (Subhumans, Good Riddance, Slumlords, Criminal Damage, Varukers, S.N.F.U., Agent Orange, Death Threat, The Unseen and many more.) It's hard to really say which one was the best though... The CD launch in Montreal (with Union Made & The Prowlers) was memorable, with everyone going crazy. It's also always fun to go in the smaller cities. The kids are usually really into it and there's always plenty of funny stuff happening on the road.

RR: How did you get into HC (or punk)? Please tell us something about your first experiences in the underground music scene. What was the first gig you attended?

JP: I got into punk rock a long time ago, hahaha. My older brother Hugo (R.I.P) got me into this whole thing when I was about 8 years old. He introduced me to SNFU, GBH, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat. These fucking bands changed my life. 20 years later, these bands are still my favorites. I started going to shows in 1992 and in 1993. I saw SNFU, my favorite band, for the first time. I was blown away!

Mat: Similar story. An older cousin gave me some old tapes, I instantly fell in love with the music and tried to find more about those bands (it would have been so much easier with the Internet). I don't remember the first show I've been to though... must have been local bands that are long dead.

RR: And first run-ins with the law?

JP: I’m gonna let Dan or Mat to answer this question. My only trouble with the law are jaywalking and skateboarding tickets.

Mat: Yep, same thing. I'm an honest working man (if sober).

Dan: I just got a $310 ticket because I got caught peeing in the streets.

RR: And what’s the funniest thing that has happened to you during your career?

Dan: Well, every time JEEE-P get too drunk, it's the funniest shit to watch.

RR: Your new album will be out in the near future, if you would like to advertise it now, please do!

JP : Yeah! New Hold A Grudge album will be called ‘Doing Time’! It's gonna be on Insurgence Records from Toronto. 12 songs plus a little bonus! You better buy it!

Mat: A lot has changed in the band for this album. In the end we think it's been for the best because it sounds really great. Stay tuned for the official launch date of 'hold-a-grudge.com'. In the meantime, listen to 'Trust is Lost' on this magazine CD compilation and tell us what you think!

RR: Have you got any plans to sweep across Europe with your grudge in form of a tour?

Mat: There's no concrete plans right now but it's definitely something we want to do in the near future. We talk a lot with bands from all over Europe and there's always hope we'll manage to get it all sorted out. If you think you can help (with anything, really...) contact us!

RR: Thanks for the interview! Any closing message to the readers of Radical Roots fanzine?

JP: Thanx Kova, for the interview. Hope you guys enjoy it! Check out our new album in 2010. CHEERS TO ALL TRUE PEOPLE OVER THERE!!! PUNK ROCK!!!

Mat: Thanks for having us. And to all: Keep on supporting 'zines like this one!

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