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First of all - can you introduce yourself and your band to us?
Hi, my band is called Symptoms, and we try to create an interesting mix of metal, ambient, humor, pop and whatever comes in mind! We don't take ourselves seriously, because nothing is more rediculous than a rediculous metal band thinking to be cool! So yes, we think we are cool.
Could you describe your opinion and/or views on racism within 1-5 words?
Racism is for stupid people!
What are your views on your own country when it comes to racism? Bad? Worse? Not thát bad? Please explain.
A lot of Italians are racist: people of the south think they are better than immigrants, people of the center think they are better than people of the south and immigrants, and people of the north think they are better than anyone else! Moreover, a racist party is in charge at the moment, so Italy is indeed a racist country. It's damn ridiculous, because Italy has been born from a lot of cultures: Greek, Roman, Celtic, Spanish... The north of Italy is really racist, and the place where I live is the most racist place in the whole country, so I really experience the daily hate and the ignorance.
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?
"Nazi Punks Fuck Off"! I know a lot of people who are racists just because they think it's cool to be one, or because the bands they listen to declares themselves racist. For them it's just a game, but this "game" kills other people and becomes more and more dangerous every day, because young people start thinking that racism can be funny and good.
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?
I saw a lot of fascist and racist people at gigs, and I would never play with a nazi band, because it is against everything I believe in. Nazi bands have no sense, because they try to mix something beautiful like music with ridiculous and shameless "ideas" of hate. I may like a generic misanthropic feeling in a black metal band or hardcore band, but it must be taken as a respectful game with no real discrimination.
Silvio Berlusconi is outside of Italy known as a right winged controversial leader. How do people inside Italy look upon him? Do people view him as a racist in Italy?
Silvio Berlusconi is just a criminal. He started being a politician because he used to be a shameless capitalist crooker and his political protector died, so now he has immunity for being a politician. Moreover, he modifies laws to protect himself (he is responsible for the bankrupt of many companies)! He is just like Benito Mussolini: he doesn't have an ideal, he only wants to have power and money, and he is shamelessly ready to do whatever is needed to do it, so in a sense he is not a racist. His shameless behaviour has no boundaries: he says something and denies to have said it the day after, he promotes himself with advertising saying "Thank you, Silvio!" and makes Italians pay extra taxes because his private television channel (he owns three national television channels and controls the other three main channels) has been judged illegal by the European Parliament. A lot of people trust him, and this is beyond my comprehension.
I've been in Italy myself a few times, and I remember some white power signs painted on the walls - in Trieste for example. What do you think is the cause of this? Are there many hate crimes towards coloured people in Italy?
Yes, an African guy has been beaten by cops (without a reason, there were a lot of witnesses). I think this answers enough already to this question...
Got any final words?
Racism is for people who need something to feel better, because they deeply know they are weak and have no self-esteem. They need someone to hate, because they hate themselves and they hate eachother. Racism is fear for the unkwnown.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Jate (guitar, vocals, bass, programming)
Listen to Symptoms at www.myspace.com/symptomsmetal
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