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First of all- can you introduce yourself and your band to us?
My name is Naive (quiet) and I am the front man for the Industrial band 26z. 26z is American based, spanning the East Coast (Boston) to the West Coast (Los Angeles) for both performance and leisure. Generally 26z employs anywhere from 1-8+ performers/ staff at a time, uniting individuals of all different ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles, both alternative and conventional. Currently 26z is recording a new full length album and will be on tour with a cast of new performers and staff, other than myself, including z.phen (Guitar), Siren (DJ/ Samples) and Staff members J. Darling and M. Duffy (Security).
Could you describe your opinion and/or views on racism within 1-5 words?
1-5 words, that’s’ hard... ‘Racism is based on uneducated ignorance’. That’s 6 words. In the words of z.phen (26z Guitarist) ‘Racism is dumb’, but I wouldn’t be able to relate to such an open statement, especially since I come from an ethnic background outside of the conventional ‘White America’.
What are your views on your own country when it comes to racism? Bad? Worse? Not that bad? Please explain.
I was born in Hawaii, even though the (Hawaiian) islands are part of the US, I was engrained to openly have distaste and prejudice for anyone that came from the continental US. Being Latin-American and having an African-American brother and a mother that looks Caucasian in the best light kept it all very interesting. After traveling through different parts of the continental US, and surrounding areas, I have come to understand that every race that exists in the US has a racial prejudice towards a secondary race. I also learned that a lot of races will default on the white race for their prejudices OR ethnic individuals blame their own race for their own personal shortcomings, as though that made a major impact on human capability. I vote for the one that ignores these differences.
It seems some kind of sick ´trend´ these days to bring racism into alternative music, referring to terms such as 'Nazi-punk', 'NSBM' and 'Right-winged Electro'. What are your views on this? Do you think it will become dangerous?
This is difficult. Some bands may be trying to convey a message that supports ‘sick trend’, but I am confident that this is not the intention of every band that uses ethnic, political or religious propaganda in their music (IE: Laibach, Mindless Self Indulgence, Bruce Springsteen, etc). Nazi Punks and NSBM bands seem to display an aggression, though sometimes comedic, based on political and religious text and misconstruing such writings. They don’t realize that the politics that fuel racism are based on social morays and folkways of a domineering society that they have never been a part of... Because these occurrences happened years to centuries before they were born. Uneducated ignorance. Each minority has hosted an empire at some point in history. Now, do I think it is dangerous that these trends exist? No. We all have a right to Freedom Of Speech, at least in the US, and we all have the ability to ignore and not be offended. However, if these trends are used in a manner that is openly violent, meaning intentionally causing a riot reaction and or harm to others, or causes the establishment of/ or involvement in hostile extremist groups then yes, I think it is dangerous.
Did you witness any racist things during local gigs, festivals, etc? Would you reject an offer to play a show together with an outspoken right-winged band?
In the land of the real, Racism in the US is only displayed when there is no one around that would be offended. An individual may look around the room before making an ethnic joke or statement. But only if they’re Caucasian. I’ve learned Americans rely more on prejudice than open racism. And, yes, this prejudice generally turns into violence or causes argument at shows. Now, would I reject an offer to play with an outspoken right wing band? Probably not. By definition Right Wing does not necessarily mean racist. I guess it would depend on the band, theme, date and location of the show. I myself am pretty aggressive and outspoken, and 26z has and will continue to use religious and political propaganda to help convey an awareness, but I assure you we research all aspects including the establishments of ancient cultures, religious symbolism, documented psychological interpretations, sociology, cosmogony, etc. So in cases where 26z could be accused of representing something people could consider offensive, could be easily explained in an educated manner.
Since the 'War on Terror' - lots of hatecrimes against Muslims were reported in the U.S.A., but on the other hand, a black president was elected recently. What are your views on all of this?
Hatecrimes will always be an issue in America. Insecurity and wonderment creates a problem. It all seems to be a circus. I think the exploitation of the African American community since Obama’s Presidential candidacy is a little much. When commercials air by TV icon Montell Williams displaying the true act of American integrity- saying ‘Buy Now... It has Obama’s face’- during one of our nations political achievements we know that no one is taking this issue seriously. I even have received e-mails selling Obama related merchandise exploiting his ethnicity to sell a product. Individuals speak like African-Americans, and other minorities, have never received equal rights. In the past I have been offered higher paying management positions due to my ethnicity- And again I am not Caucasian. I think America can’t come to terms with its origins, not thanking all those that made America possible. Congress should have considered an African American candidate the moment that individual became a part of the American government. As a quick note: The majority of people I have spoken to believe that an assassination on Obama’s life is very probable due to his ethnic status. How sad!?
Is there a lot of racism in the local metal scene over there?
Again racism isn’t openly conveyed. Prejudice and Stereotypes fueled by Racism is the threat. Maybe ‘they’ don't want to offend everyone, just the one person or group ‘they’ have a problem with. In America the metal scene is predominately Caucasians between the ages of 12-35. They are installed with the idea that anything considered ‘anti-metal’ is unacceptable. This includes music, fashion, choice in lifestyle, ect. I wish this wasn’t true, but after traveling coast to coast this is what I have come to know. If you aren’t ‘metal’ then you won’t get respect. ‘Unless’... There’s always an exception to the ‘Metal’ rule. Thankfully, I usually am that exception.
Got any final words?
The definitive term for Racism will always be based on the perspective of the ‘victim’. If we allow ourselves to believe that we are superior, or inferior, to any given race because of our own discomforts AND act on those feelings in a violent or overly aggressive manner than we also choose to rebel against our own subconscious. Nothing we as people believe and or own can be forged by one solitary race.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Naive (Quiet) (vocals, guitars and much more)
Listen to 26z at www.myspace.com/26z
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