Link is a band coming from Belgium; They started playing in 1998 but focused my attention only in a couple of years when they have released "Chapter I", a really great records.
With the release of "Chapter II" (their new LP) I've immediately made this interview. Let's talk with Michael and Lampe.
AS I read in your bio "Link started in 1998"; I think this is a really good thing for a band to play for a lot of years trying to bring always the same passion. What has been changed into the band during these 13 years?
Michael : A lot of things changed, first of all we had different line up’s during the years. We even got no drummer for a while and we started playing with a drummachine. Over these 13 years I’ve seen many people come and go, some left their mark and others did not. It was not always easy to lose bandmembers but everybody got to do what is best for them in their lives. At some point you really don’t want to be part of something and then you have to move on. I have been in the band since the beginning and since our vocalist left the band last year I am the only original member.
AS I read in your bio "Link started in 1998"; I think this is a really good thing for a band to play for a lot of years trying to bring always the same passion. What has been changed into the band during these 13 years?
Michael : A lot of things changed, first of all we had different line up’s during the years. We even got no drummer for a while and we started playing with a drummachine. Over these 13 years I’ve seen many people come and go, some left their mark and others did not. It was not always easy to lose bandmembers but everybody got to do what is best for them in their lives. At some point you really don’t want to be part of something and then you have to move on. I have been in the band since the beginning and since our vocalist left the band last year I am the only original member.
what do you think it's changed from 1998 to 2011 inside the punk-hc european scene?Michael : I have been around in the ‘scene’ since ’91, I have seen many people come and go, seen many great bands and bad one’s too J. The difference with the scene now and the scene back then is that it is becoming a fashion thing and people don’t seem to care that much anymore.
Lampe : I spent most of my time in the hardcore scene since ’96 and grew up with that music. Back then bands still had had something to say on stage (about animal liberation, politics,…). Right now it’s, like Michael said, all about fashion and being the coolest guy around the block. There are no values anymore so that’s why I lost my attention in that scene. I think there are still more values and ethics in the crust-scene.
what does diy ethic mean to you?
Michael : A lot of things! Everything starts with the diy mentality, from making a fanzine to playing in a band. With LINK we try to do everything ourselves from recording our music to printing our shirts, organizing our tours and gigs….from building or rebuilding our home’s to growing our own vegetables. Without the diy mentality there would be no scene at all.
what's your position about veganism, animal liberation?
Michael : I am a vegetarian for more than 18 years. Animals are not to consume nor to breed to feed! Everybody should look around them and see the beauty of the animal kingdom! Animals are not here to be eaten by us.
what does diy ethic mean to you?
Michael : A lot of things! Everything starts with the diy mentality, from making a fanzine to playing in a band. With LINK we try to do everything ourselves from recording our music to printing our shirts, organizing our tours and gigs….from building or rebuilding our home’s to growing our own vegetables. Without the diy mentality there would be no scene at all.
what's your position about veganism, animal liberation?Michael : I am a vegetarian for more than 18 years. Animals are not to consume nor to breed to feed! Everybody should look around them and see the beauty of the animal kingdom! Animals are not here to be eaten by us.
Lampe : I’ve been a vegetarian for 14 years now. For me it’s just a logical thing. If you know that by being a vegetarian, you can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 50%, that’s enough for me to skip eating meat.
what are the most subjects of your lyrics?
Michael : They speak about everyday life and situations we come across, we try to put our feelings and emotions in our lyrics. Some songs are a direct answer to what we see in our society others speak of the struggles we all have to deal within our life.
how is the political situation in Belgium?
Lampe: Actually it’s funny and pathetic at the same time. Over a year ago we had elections who had a right-wing party as the winner. But Belgium has 3 regions (Flanders, Brussels and the French speaking part) it also has 3 different parliaments, next to the national parliament. So negotiations to form a government started between 9 different political parties. As there were huge differences in demands between the Flemish parties and the French parties, the negotiations got stuck. After many different persons who were assigned to rule the negotiations, things are still the same. No government…
What are the most important differences between chapter 1 and chapter II?
Michael : First of all these are the first recordings without our female vocalist so that is a big difference. Apart from that, the songs are more direct and there is a bigger mix of slow stuff and some crusty riffs, with down-tuned guitars who will make your ears bleed.
One of the songs of you last album is called Martyr; for you, who are the real martyrs of the modern society?
Lampe : The lyrics of Martyr deal about persons who give their life for certain goals or beliefs, but in the end it was worth nothing. They all believe it is for the good cause, but they are blind to the things they do wrong. After doing all the effort, they are just fucked in the end. For example all those radical religious extrimists. Do they really think by blowing theirself up and killing a lot of people, they will earn their 40 virgins? Hell no. No gods, no master.
Sure, people need goals in their life, but it may never do harm to other people of animals. So everyone is a martyr in their own world, but just make sure it’s worth the effort.
One of the biggest discussion in Italy is about CIE (identification and expulsion centers) made by the governments for embarking the "problem" (this is their Idea) of mass immigration. In few words people inside these places are waiting for verifications about their identities and a possible expulsion; here politicians say that they are a kind of guests, while in reality they are prisoners. What do you think, and what is your position about it? Does it exist a same thing in Belgium?
Lampe : We heard about the problems on Lampedusa (?) with all the immigrants arriving on the island. Actually, we have this kind of problem in Belgium too. Belgium is the center of Europe and has tons of nationalities living here. Too many people think Belgium is a financial and social paradise to live in and in certain ways it is (health system, work,…). A lot of immigrants are coming over but eventually end up in an immigration center where they have to wait to be sent back to their home country. Some of them are in a ‘closed’ immigration center (call it a prison), others got away and live their life without any papers or jobs and eventually end up in criminality. Immigration is a very difficult subject and honestly, I have no clear answer to that.
what are the future plans of the band?
Michael: A few festivals are booked for the end of this year. Also a small tour to Ireland in November, next year we are planning a tour to Scandinavia. Apart from that working on a new album and maybe playing Italy? ;-)
what are the most subjects of your lyrics?
Michael : They speak about everyday life and situations we come across, we try to put our feelings and emotions in our lyrics. Some songs are a direct answer to what we see in our society others speak of the struggles we all have to deal within our life.
how is the political situation in Belgium?
Lampe: Actually it’s funny and pathetic at the same time. Over a year ago we had elections who had a right-wing party as the winner. But Belgium has 3 regions (Flanders, Brussels and the French speaking part) it also has 3 different parliaments, next to the national parliament. So negotiations to form a government started between 9 different political parties. As there were huge differences in demands between the Flemish parties and the French parties, the negotiations got stuck. After many different persons who were assigned to rule the negotiations, things are still the same. No government…
What are the most important differences between chapter 1 and chapter II?Michael : First of all these are the first recordings without our female vocalist so that is a big difference. Apart from that, the songs are more direct and there is a bigger mix of slow stuff and some crusty riffs, with down-tuned guitars who will make your ears bleed.
One of the songs of you last album is called Martyr; for you, who are the real martyrs of the modern society?
Lampe : The lyrics of Martyr deal about persons who give their life for certain goals or beliefs, but in the end it was worth nothing. They all believe it is for the good cause, but they are blind to the things they do wrong. After doing all the effort, they are just fucked in the end. For example all those radical religious extrimists. Do they really think by blowing theirself up and killing a lot of people, they will earn their 40 virgins? Hell no. No gods, no master.
Sure, people need goals in their life, but it may never do harm to other people of animals. So everyone is a martyr in their own world, but just make sure it’s worth the effort.
One of the biggest discussion in Italy is about CIE (identification and expulsion centers) made by the governments for embarking the "problem" (this is their Idea) of mass immigration. In few words people inside these places are waiting for verifications about their identities and a possible expulsion; here politicians say that they are a kind of guests, while in reality they are prisoners. What do you think, and what is your position about it? Does it exist a same thing in Belgium?Lampe : We heard about the problems on Lampedusa (?) with all the immigrants arriving on the island. Actually, we have this kind of problem in Belgium too. Belgium is the center of Europe and has tons of nationalities living here. Too many people think Belgium is a financial and social paradise to live in and in certain ways it is (health system, work,…). A lot of immigrants are coming over but eventually end up in an immigration center where they have to wait to be sent back to their home country. Some of them are in a ‘closed’ immigration center (call it a prison), others got away and live their life without any papers or jobs and eventually end up in criminality. Immigration is a very difficult subject and honestly, I have no clear answer to that.
what are the future plans of the band?
Michael: A few festivals are booked for the end of this year. Also a small tour to Ireland in November, next year we are planning a tour to Scandinavia. Apart from that working on a new album and maybe playing Italy? ;-)
Lampe : Yeah, we got the final masters of Chapter II in and everything is at the pressing plant right now. We finally hope to release this album and play tons of gigs to support this album.
do you wanna add any other thing?
do you wanna add any other thing?Michael : First of all thanks a lot for the interview! And for everyone who are involved in the diy punk hc scene don’t give up, we are not alone!
Lampe : Yes, thanks for the interview and good luck with your zine. Check us out and buy our album!
To get in touch with the band visit: http://linkbelgium.com/
or write to: contact@linkbelgium.com
To get in touch with the band visit: http://linkbelgium.com/
or write to: contact@linkbelgium.com
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