Here we go! Our new team member Michi from Italy just got the chance to interview punk rockers ONE TRAX MINDS. Read on to see what she came up with...
I’m pretty sure that back in 2007, when these 4 guys from the heart of Italy started playing together, they couldn’t have imagined that their strong passion for punk rock would have brought them to the conquer of Europe. Yes, because One Trax Minds' angry but fine-branded mix of punk rock and rock 'n' roll keeps setting crowds on fire all’round Europe, from London to Vasque country without forgetting eastern Europe. We caught up with Alex (OTM's voice and guitar) a few weeks ago just back from a tour in Germany, which has now become their new home-country, and we had a chat about their new album “Restless”, touring around Europe and some other stuff...But don't wanna add more, so read on what they had to say!
gan: First of all, can you please introduce the line-up to the readers of gotanerve-zine.com?
Alex: Hello! We are One Trax minds: Alex Maiorano-vocals, guitar, Ivan Dm-lead guitar, vocals, Matt-bass Alessio-drums.
gan: Let's start with a quite typical question: how did the story begin? When and how did you start out? Where does the name One Trax Minds come from?
A: I’ve been playing music with Ivan since more than ten years and after different projects in 2007 We started Otm with our old bassplayer Ronnie. Name comes from a Johnny Thunders song, wich is one of our favourite artist.
gan: On some websites you state you are from Abruzzo, Italy, but now based in Berlin...
A: True. We are all originally from there but We moved in Berlin one year ago.
gan: Why Berlin? Does this city mean something special to you?
A: We like Berlin a lot, so much things going on every day and musically speaking is one of the best cities in the world.
gan: What about your new album "Restless"? How do you feel about it and why the adjective "Restless"?
A: As every band said, We are also going to say that. It’s the best thing We did in these years. We love this record, We wrote the songs in two years and you know a lot of things happened to us in that time, So the record contains all those stories that became lyrics and rock and roll riffs. ”Restless” is how We felt when We were in our smalltown I mean living your life without any breaks and tryng to do your best for your band and your life and never get involved in shitty things. I can say that We are still Restless right now.
Gan: Has something changed compared to your previous record (Spit, Debts and Tears)? In terms of sound, lyrics, consciousness...
A: Of course. We grew up as musicians So you can note the difference of the arrangements between old and new songs. I’ve been also workin more on the lyrics and the way to sing more than before.
gan: What are the lyrics about? Life, politics, social...? Is there any message you would like to convey?
A: We just talk about our stories, heartbreak tales and our good and bad times in the place where We come from. Beside of this We could not avoid talking about some things that happen in this crazy world. I think that We don’t spread messages we just sing What We feel.
gan: What's your favourite song of the new album?
A: I love them all. Right now Let’s say XX square, wich is the place where all of us spent our youth. When We play that one on stage I feel a great energy, that’s Why I also like it a lot.
gan: You have often been compared to some of the greatest punk bands such as Social Distortion, U.S Bombs...sometimes also The Clash and Rancid...Do you agree with these comparisons? Something to add? What do you think about that?
A: It’s cool. I mean being compared to big bands is always a pleasure. Nothing to add, thanks to the people who say that.
gan: In the interview with Payback, we spoke about the Italian hardcore scene..But what about punk-rock? Does an Italian scene exist? Any band worth mentioning?
A: Scene means people that help each other, clubs, squats, zines ,bookers right? I can tell, punk rock scene is not so big in Italy. There are a lot of good bands, too many to mention some.
gan: You have been touring a lot outside Italy, you're just back from a tour in Germany...What about that? Which are the differences between palying in Italy and playing in Germany? How's the scene in Germany?
A: The scene in Germany is very cool, of course bigger than Italy. We always meet nice people, play in cool places. For sure there are difference between playing in Germany and Italy. We enjoy playing shows everywhere anyway.
gan: And what about the crowd? How did people react?
A: We are not a big band to say that the clubs We played are always packed but If they are We try to get the people into the show as much as We can.
gan: In which kind of places/venues do you usually play? I mean, clubs, squats, pubs.. And where do you prefer to play? I see you played in a festival organized by a shop, Core-Tex...what about that?
A: We actually played in every kind of place ,bars, clubs, squats, strange open airs and also restaurants I can tell. As I said We like to play everywhere then it depends on the audience, sound and things like that. Yes We played on 1th of May at Core Tex stage, super proud to be there in front of loads of people. It was awesome.
gan: You have been playing in Kreuzberg...a multicultural area where the punk subculture is deeply rooted...Did you note that? How was the atmosphere there?
A: Very cool actually. We played there many times and We hang around there so of course We love KRZ. There are so many things to do, concerts, record stores and I don’t have to say because the whole world knows, the atmosphere is awesome.
gan: Is that easy to find gigs and organize tours outside Italy? Is it always DIY ore are you supported by an agency?
A: We always did by ourself, but now fortunately there are people Who help us to find gigs and manage things.
gan: What about the future? You are promoting "Restless" now...What about next gigs? Touring plans?
A: We’re doing that right. We got some German shows then Basque country and Italy for the moment. Surely on the road again after the summer.
gan: That's all for us! thank you very much for your time. Is there something else you would like to say to gotanerve-zine readers?
A: Thanx a lot for the interwiew! come and see us! cheers.
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