Interview: Paco Rubio Febrary 2003
-For how long is working The New York Rel-X as a group? We started as the Relix in March 2000, we switched our name to the New York Rel-X a year later, we had some problems with the name, there was some hippie magazine called RELIX so they gave us some problems.
-Explain who are the members of the band and what does each member play, and if you have been in another bands before... Adi-bass (this is my FIRST and ONLY band) Erika-vocals (used to sing for Banner of Hope) Jon-drums (currently in the Krays and Roger Miret and the Disasters, used to be in bands like the Casualties, Summer's Eve and a bunch more) Warren-guitar (used to play lead guitar for Adolph and the Piss Artists and the Breakaways)
-Which groups have influenced your style? I can definitely say Vice Squad, The Avengers, Violators, Souxsie and the Banshees stuff like that, but we all have our influences. We all love many different kinds of bands and music, so I think all in all any music is influencial in it's own way.
-What do you want to transmit with the name of The New York Rel-X? Does it have a special meaning for you... No real meaning.
-What can you explain about your album debut She's Got A Gun / Paranoia? There's not much to explain really. A lot of songs are about things that happen in real life that we have experienced, things that mean a lot to us and others are just our love for horror movies and some fictional stories. I'm very proud of it. This is my first band and first record. I feel like I really accomplished something. I'm a real music lover and to have people feel the same way about my music is awesome.
-What does the title mean? Well the title She's Got A Gun, actually Dave Glass the guy who does all our artwork had a drawing of a girl with a gun and some how I decided to write a song about it. Paranoia is a song I wrote about a girl we know that's really crazy, we kind of exagerated the whole thing but it's pretty funny.. These are actually my two favorite songs.
-Where was it recorded? Who has collaborated with you? Some anecdotes ... It was recorded in New Jersey. the Paranoia ep was recorded at Clearcut Studios and the She's Got A Gun ep was recorded at Twain Studios, we worked with Marty Munsch of Punk Rock Records on the she's got a gun ep.
-What songs do you like the most in your album? Paranoia, She's got a gun and Victims.
-What do you consider more important: the lyrics or the music? I consider both important.. but ofcourse I would have to say most important are the lyrics. You say what you have to say, how you feel, you can learn a lot about a person by reading their lyrics.
-What is the ideology of punk according your point of view? It's about being who you want to be, it's always been about that. There are no rules! There's no certain way to dress/look, there's no right or wrong way and there's definitely no right bands to paint on your jacket. Today i'm sure it's safe to say we all wear a uniform, we all look the same. isn't that what punk was against? Well nowadays you have people looking you up and down if god forbid you don't have enough studs on your jacket or if your hair isn't up. I think that's pretty ridiculous although I do love the fashion, I sure ashell don't agree with the fashion politics that go along with it. Like I said before it's about the bands you love and the person you want to be. NO RULES!!!
-What do your lyrics talk about? Everything from past life experiences to horror stories. Whatever we want to sing about we do, a lot of songs are very important to me like Victims and Blood Shed and others are just random stories about people we meet, things we see and experience.
-What do you think about the evolution of american punk-rock bands? Punk has grown a lot in the past years it also got big in the mainstream however a lot smaller in the underground, which is very very sad. I mean I guess I can say that a lot of it has become a joke, but that's not what I call punk rock. It comes from your heart and nowhere else. Punk is normal now, you aren't gonna get beat up walking down the street if you have green hair, actually you will probably be one of the more popular kids in school. Although i'm happy to hear that my fellow punks aren't getting beat up but it's pretty sad that people can call themselves punk cause their favorite band is Blink 182 but have no idea who the Exploited, GBH, Vice Squad or any of those bands are. Sometimes it's not your fault you just don't know, noone is born with a mohawk and sometimes you dont' have the pleasure of finding out about a lot of underground music, but if you get into punk rock I believe you need to learn more about it's roots and support every aspect of it including the underground.
-And the punk-rock scene? the punk-rock scene is not that big anymore. It seems like we're lacking big time over here. The kids are coming out for the bands they know and are easy to find. Noone is researching anymore, or caring what's really going on in the underground. They think Rancid are like the god's of all punk. I mean I like the band and the music. But it's too easy, you can get Rancid cd's anywhere, there are a lot of awesome bands and they are smack in your face, if you only put a little bit of effort to come and support the bands and your scene. If you're a punk, try to go to the shows, even if you don't know the bands, you might find it very amusing..I guess the real question is: if you are really into the music or just listening to what everyone else is cause that's what's "IN" now!
-How is the rock music scene in New York? Oh yeah I forgot about that. Most of the punk rockers or maybe I should say ALL (hahha) have transformed into rock n rollers, hipsters whatever you wanna call them. I guess you can say. It's all about the Vines, the Strokes and all that shit.
-Could you name any band that has called your attention recently? Deadline, Midnight Creeps, The Voids, Neonmaniacs, 17 Stitches..
-Who would you like to do a split with? Deadline and Midnight Creeps
-What do you know about the punk done in Europe? And in Spain? Hey it's the same as here. we're all into the music and want to express ourselves in our own way. Lyrics, music etc...We all work our asses off in the process, some are less appreciated than others, which sucks, but is the truth. All I know is everytime we come over there, everyone is awesome and looks out for us. It seems there's an older crowd of punks in europe, they are around longer and can appreciate good things when they come to them.. I definitely feel appreciated and I thank everyone who makes us feel that way. Haven't been to Spain yet but I promise we will get there sooner or later, once we get more time to come out there.
-Which gig/gigs do you remember you enjoyed the most? We always enjoy our CBGB's shows, that's our home turf, we love it. We just played the Showcase Theater in Corona, California it was great, we had a great time. Definitely memorable, Erika got knocked down and busted her ass on stage, that's always entertaining...I don't know we've played so many...
-What is it more important for The New York Rel-X to do good gigs or good songs/albums? Definitely good songs and albums! I mean anyone can play a good gig, believe me I love good gigs but...I would rather play a good gig or even a bad one with a strong set than just play to people who will forget me cause I suck. As long as we can kick ass live and still put out great records, I guess it doesn't matter if there's 1000 people at the gigs or 10.. Even though that's always nice.hehhe Your albums will always be there, forever and ever so they better be good..hahaha
-What did think when know Joe Srummer had died? It was a very sad for all of us. He was one of the most influencial people/musicians in the world. And how does somebody go like that. He was so young.. It's so sad. -What has been the worst shit that has ever happened to you in these years on stage? hmmm.. the worst..hahha well nothing too terrible. We played DC and I was way to drunk to remember anything, i totally forgot how to play bass that night. And maybe in San Francisco I fell on my ass on stage in front of over 300 people..hahah! I'm over it.. Nothing too horrible.
-How can you explain the music of The New York Rel-X in a few words? a mix between american punk, new wave influences and UK '82 style, does that make sense? Melodic vocals with punk rock blasting in the background and definitely some '77 style guitar leads. Actually someone said that to me once and it was weird but totally made sense!
-Is there anything I haven´t asked and you believe we should know? hmmm I'm not sure, I think you asked a lot of it. If there's anything else you want to know just e-mail me at punknite@yahoo.com
-To end, you can freet, say what you wont, etc, etc. blah blah blah!
-Who it have answered the interview? It's me Adi-bass player!
Source: http://www.dreamers.com/peterpunk/ent-nyrelx-ing.html
