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Play To Destroy

Lire cette interview en FRANÇAIS

PLAY TO DESTROY is a criminally underrated and unrecognized band from Lucerne, Switzerland. They're a fun outfit that likes its hardcore short, loud, fast and not too serious. Plus, they take their bandname from a TEAR IT UP song, which deserves two thumbs up in my opinion! So please stop ignoring this awesome band and check out what the "André Faction" has to say!

Hey the two André ! So first of all, since you’ve got the same first name, is there a way to distinguish you from one another ? Have you got nicknames for instance ?
André E: My nickname is mostly Emmi, because of my family name Emmenegger.
André T: My nickname is Glis, it comes from my time by the CEVI (it means something like „the pathfinder“)

First off, as PLAY TO DESTROY isn’t that well-known, could you please introduce your band by telling me who you are and who plays which instrument ? Feel free to say whatever you think is important to know about the band !
André T: Actually the band is Tobias on guitar, he sang in the 90`s for a melodic punk band called HOPSCOTCH and works as an architectural draughtsman. Harald on the other guitar sang in Vienna for a metal band called FOREVER ENDS TONIGHT and is a journalist. Timo on drums also plays in a rock band called MEYER and is an engineer. André E. sings, he also played in a hardcore band called ANIMAL INSTINCT, and in the 90`s he sang for a band called PROPER and he is a physiotherapeut. I play bass and work as a health specialist in a clinic for paraplegic people. But we're going to have a new drummer this fall/winter, because Timo won't do it anymore. The new drummer will be Christoph, a longtime friend of ours who quits his other band this fall. We hope he will enjoy playing with us.

Let’s go on with a very open question : what does the band stand for ? Have you got a guiding line or a cause you firmly defend through this band ?
André E: When we started the band the only concept was, that everybody should play an instrument that he'd never played before. So it was kind of a „schoolband“ of old guys, but quite efficient at the beginning. We almost wrote one song per session. That explains our simple songwriting. And we tried to keep that as we wrote more songs. The simpler, the better.

I think you both have been around for years in the hardcore scene. Can you tell me when and how things got started for you ? What moved you the most in hardcore when you discovered this small yet riveting universe ?
André E: I came into the hardcore scene around 1993 as a metal kid. My older brother showed me his records an took me to shows. I saw SICK OF IT ALL in 1993 in Lucerne and from then on I knew hardcore would be an important part of my life. I also became straight edge, because I already was (I never drank) and I also stopped eating meat. The most fascinating part of this scene was the feeling to really be part of it.
André T: It started around 1996 for me. A friend of mine was a bit into hardcore and he gave me the A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL discography CD, it was the first hardcore record I ever heard, and I loved it from the first moment on. The song „Full Circe Stop“ was on repeat, this great intro and then the first lyric... I'm on fire! This energy and aggression blew me away! A little later I became straight edge.
My first show was SUCHAS at the Schüür in Lucerne, but not the whole show, because we had to go home at midnight, my mom picked us up by car. At that show I met Emmi and other people that are still in the scene.

I think it’s refreshing to see and hear a band like yours currently, playing this very straight forward, fast and uncompromising kind of hardcore. I can’t think of any other bands in Switzerland sounding a little like PLAY TO DESTROY to be honest. So my questions are, when you started the band, was it clear in your mind that you wanted to play fast and aggressive hardcore punk ? Was the lack of decent representatives of this particular kind on a local scale a motivation to form the band ? Was there any other element that somehow paved the way for the band’s inception ?
André E: When we started the band we weren't be able to play complex songs. And I think we're still unable to do that. Haha. But we all liked (still like) bands like TEAR IT UP, KILL YOUR IDOLS, BLACK FLAG, SSD and so on. We do like melodies but we also like kind of simple, short, aggressive songs. Mostly we take some parts or rhythms from other songs and make a new one. So our first song ever had almost the same chords as an AGNOSTIC FRONT song played backwards. And of course we knew that there was no other Swiss band sounding like us.

I don’t think you play shows on a regular basis. Is it a deliberate and collective choice of yours to keep a slower pace than most bands ? Or have you got overloaded schedules that prevent you from playing more often ? I also might have missed the thousands of underpromoted shows you’ve played these last few months, I don’t know…
André E: You haven't missed anything. We know that we don't play often, but that's not because we won't play. We all have just a lot to do besides the band. So it's really just a hobby for us. Writing some sick songs, making music, having a good time and playing as many shows as possible. We don't pick out our shows. We play almost everywhere. Be it a Turbojugend party, a classic hardcore show or a crust evening in a squat. We don't care.

Speaking of shows, I know you recently shared the stage with DRI. If I remember well, you also played with THE FREEZE last year. So first of all, how does it feel to play with these old glories of hardcore ? Did you feel some sort of generation gap ? I bet PLAY TO DESTROY owes a lot to 80’s hardcore, but still you’re a band of today. So do you think it’s easier to relate to bands from a past era that you share sound similarities with than to younger bands that are closer to you in terms of age but that sound nothing like you ?
André E: I think these promoters knew that we would fit to these gigs. And we really appreciated to play with those bands. But I think it has to do with connections and popularity. If you play a lot of shows, people get to notice you and book you. And maybe they select bands that are related to each other. But we don't really like that. We like to play with old hardcore glories like ANGRY SAMOANS or THE FREEZE, but we also enjoy to play with bands like KRANK, SEED OF PAIN or BLACK HILL. So there might be a different audience.
André T: I think most of these „old glory bands“ are shadows of their own, we played with THE ANGRY SAMOANS, these people are so fucked up and had nothing more then their name. DRI are cool guys and they played well and a really really long set! Haha! Younger bands are more enthusiastic, and full of energy, look at UNVEIL, DEADVERSE, SEED OF PAIN, THE STRAPONES, these bands blow you away and are of good quality. These older bands have a name, some are still good, some are not that good, but everybody goes to their shows, whereas for younger bands, it's really harder.

There’s something often happening at shows on the German side of the country that is rarely to be seen here on the French side, it’s people bringing food, most of the time vegan food. I find this very interesting and it’s usually one more reason to go to shows, but sometimes I have this strange feeling that the culinary thing steals the show ! I’m not blaming the gifted cooks here and there, cause I do enjoy having a meal while watching a band play…but if it becomes a distraction that keeps you away from the stage, then I think it’s lame. I hope you know what I mean ! What are your views about it ?
André E:If there is the opportunity to eat a good vegan meal at a show that's a bonus to me. And if I wanna see a particularly band that same evening I'm going to watch them. If the cook cooks better than the band plays, that is not his problem. And to be honest, it is the same thing with all the merchandise and records selling. These days it can be a part of it. Like in hip hop culture. There are MCs, DJs, graffiti artists, breakdancers and so on. And we have our passionated cooks. I'm quoting VERBAL ASSAULT: „It's more than music“.
André T: For me the food thing is something great! I love eating and I love music, and when a band plays and it doesn'tinterest me, then I go and eat something, that's perfect! I dont think that this culinary thing steals the show, at bigger shows, the people are usually not interested in vegan food and prefer eating something from the McDrive after the show.

You guys come from Lucerne and have your practice room at the Sedel, which was a prison before turning into a building devoted to culture. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I also heard from many people that the city of Lucerne was very supportive in general towards artistic and cultural events. Is that right ? As a small alternative kind of band, can you benefit from any help at all ?
André E: 30 years ago the city of Lucerne gave the Sedel to an association of musicians from Lucerne. Before that an other building (in the area of Lucerne) with a lot of practice rooms burned down. So there was the necessity of a new solution. And maybe the city of Lucerne was supportive because there where riots going on in Zürich around that time.

André T., believe it or not but before I came to know you personally, I kinda identified you as « the tall guy with the cap and the edge tattoo on the neck » ! Sorry if it sounds ridiculous but I couldn’t help it ! Anyway…I’d like to ask you something about the tattoo. To me, now that I know you a little, it’s obvious that these three little X’s represent the straight edge. But for the masses, XXX is more likely to be associated with porn actually ! Do you sometimes have to deal with surprising comments ? Oh well I’m aware that it is quite a surprising question as well !
André T: I got this tattoo when I was 19, and if I could go back in time, I wouldn't do this again. Maybe just one X. I don't care about the porn association, I have nothing against porn. it's the association to this fucking movie called „Triple X“ with this testosterone monster Vin Diesel, he also had 3 X's on the neck. That movie came out and the comments started...“you're a secret agent bla bla bla“, it also happened at hardcore shows... but only at bigger shows, with all these farmer kids, they have no idea from nothing.
 
André E., I think you write all the lyrics, don’t you ? I really like the fact that your lyrics, at least those you write for PLAY TO DESTROY, are all based on a reflection you had, at least that’s what I assume when reading them, yet they’re all very clear and quite easy to understand. Some are also pretty humorous, which I think is pretty rad since a damn lot of hardcore bands take themselves way too seriously in my opinion. In the process of writing lyrics, do you try to maintain your own style (as described above) or does it come naturally, so to say ?
André E: I just try to pick a topic that's interesting to me or write something from everyday life and pack it into a song. Sometimes I also try to be selfcritical and write about that. But mostly I just write as it comes. Mostly simple, sometimes funny and in bad english. Haha!

The latest EP is called « Consequences ». On this record, there’s a song called « Think Global, Act Local ». This title is catchy and totally strikes a chord with me. It’s obvious that one can’t change the world on his/her own, you express it well in this song. But still, there’s so much you can do locally that in some ways helps make this world a better place and helps protect the planet. That’s my interpretation of these lyrics at least. Was it what you meant ? How do you act locally ?
André E: It was exactly what I meant. In so called „civilized“ countries we normally don't have problems like in third world countries. But I hate excuses like: „I can't change the world, so I'll keep living like before.“. The only thing you can really change in this world is yourself. It's your decision what you consume and who you support with your money. Buy as many local grown vegetables and fruits as possible, support local farmers or factories, reduce the consumption of animal products, recycle as much as possible, reduce your power consumption, ask yourself if you really need that new mobile, computer, car or whatever, fly less and be a role model for others. That's what I try to do.

There’s another text from that same EP that grabbed my attention. It’s the one from the track called « Straight Edge Bartender ». To sum it all up, you expose in these lyrics an experience that you had : you worked as a bartender and served lots of alcohol to your clients. In the end, you make the point that it’s not edge and thus contrary to the lifestyle you try to lead. I understand the dilemma, but don’t you think that being straight edge is personal ? I’m not sure you’re responsible for the actions of others ! Or do you think places selling alcohol should be closed ?
André E: That song is purely sarcastic and exaggerated. I am not against alcohol or drugs consumed by other people as long as they let me do my own thing. I just thought this experience would be a funny story. Everybody is responsible for themselves. So I had to sell booze for a couple of hours and got a free entrance at the music festival. Everybody was happy. But of course, I wouldn't do anything for money.

I’m not sure I completely understood the message of « Wall of Death ». That song was on the « Past Present Future » 7inch. What is it about ?
André E: One time I crossed a street at a traffic light and I wondered why everybody stood as wide as the whole pedestrian crossing on each side. It looked like a „wall of death“ or a „Braveheart“ to me. But in the end, no one got hurt. It just means to care and look at each other in life and especially in a hardcore pit.

What is your favorite TEAR IT UP song ? Maybe « Play To Destroy » ?
André E:„Play To Destroy“ blew me away, but I also like „Live Fast, Die Punk“ or „Through Being Cute“.
André T: This band has a lot of great songs, but my favorite one is „Tear It Up, Tear It Down“.

Have you finally found out where the fuck Mike Judge is ?
André E: André T has found an actual youtube video clip of Mike Judge one time, but I couldn't find it anymore. So I think we lost him again.
André T: He gave an interview at the eastvillageradio.com last tuesday, but I didn't listen to it. I hope they didn't speak about a reunion or shit like that.

Final question and then I’ll stop annoying you ! Can you list your five all-time favorite records ?
André E: Five are way too less. This is a selection that I would take to a deserted island:
SICK OF IT ALL – „Just Look Around“
TEAR IT UP – „Nothing To Nothing“
CATHARSIS – „Passion“
KILL YOUR IDOLS – „No Gimmicks Needed“
MAD SIN – „Survival Of The Sickest“
André T: Every time I read interviews this questions comes out, I've always been glad that I didn't have to answer this one, because it'sreally hard... but I'll try anyway.
JUDGE - „Bringin' It Down“
A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL - „Discography“
SSD - „The Kids Will Have Their Say“
BY A THREAD - „Last Of The Daydreams“
THE GET UP KIDS - „Something To Write Home About“
COCK SPARRER - „Bloody Minded: Best of...“. A great compilation!
Oh, I've got 6, sorry!

Thanx a lot for your time, this interview has come to an end ! 
Thank you and see you at a PLAY TO DESTROY show. Check us out on Facebook or on our dying Myspace page!

Interview : Bastien

Plus d'infos :

Label : Autoproduction

MySpace : www.myspace.com/playtodestroy6010

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