Todd: Well I would say Boysetsfire are
one of a hundred influences. I can’t say if anyone
has lost their way. I know for ourselves that people and
times change. Anytime a group of people spend years together,
its a journey with many twists and turns.
2. You hail from San Fransisco. Please
describe for the uninitiated what the San Francisco sound
is and how well do you think you fit in with it?
Adam - You can’t
really describe the “San
Francisco sound”… In fact I don’t think
there is one. The scene is very eclectic, with all sorts
of bands. As far as fitting in goes; Time in Malta has a
broad sound, and sometimes it is frustrating. A lot of the
shows we play, kids just want to dance to breakdowns, so
when they hear more “rock” oriented songs they
are not as accepting. I’d probably say that we don’t
really fit in, but that’s okay…We do what we
do, and we pour our hearts into it.
3. Your latest album ‘Alone With The Alone’ is a dark, cynical,
angry yet cogent and poignant offering. What messages do you want to convey
through this album?
Adam - The lyrical content
of this record definitely has a wide range. I don’t
think that there is a specific message that is trying to
be said through this
record. Lyrically, Todd did a great job tackling political
issues, as well as everyday inner struggles and demons that
we all face as people. Even though some of the songs may
seem a little dark, Time in Malta is a positive force relaying
positive energy.
4. You are signed to a New York based indie
label Equal Vision records. How important is having an understanding
label who gives you artistic freedom to a band of your elk?
Do you get this from Equal Vision and do you think you will
ever make the move to a major label which Boy Sets Fire has
done, much to the chagrin of its hardcore base of fans?
Todd: We can’t think that much ahead really. We have our plates full
as it is.
5. What does the term hardcore punk mean to you? Do you think its meaning has
changed in the public eye?
Todd: It’s definitely changed from the 70’s nihilism to 80’s
angry hardcore, to 90’s political punk, to millennium pre-mainstream.
I’ve liked it all to tell you the truth.
5. The lyrics on your
new album are cutting and angry. For example, In ‘Bare
Witness’ Tom Gullion your singer screams out; ‘All
along you have asked for sacrifice, while you sat back and got fed, it never
ends all the wars. You’re King for a day but we vow to take you down.” This
is also prevalent in ‘Louder than bombs; “Our Voices Will Be Louder
Than Their Bombs”. You could be classed as the only real opposition or
the only group offering alternatives to mainstream views. Does this fuel your
anger and do you ever think you make peace with those in power and start penning
beautiful ballads??
Todd: If you could combine the consciousness of the 90’s scene with the
opportunities of 2000 beyond, we could have a revolution.
6. What song, book or poem would you say sums you up (as
a group or individually)?
Todd: Right now it would be “Walking” by
Thoreau.
7. You are becoming more and more popular
in the United States. Do you have any plans in the near future
to treat the United Kingdom to your live displays of insightful
anger and passion?
Adam - Most definitely! When “A Second
Engine” came out T.I.M. supported the album with a
U.K. tour and we plan to do the same with “Alone with
the Alone”. Nothing is confirmed yet, but look out
for future tour dates.
9. What are you current musical influences?
Todd: Everything in the record store put in a blender and
then thrown in a fan.
10. Who or what makes you angry (aside
from annoying interview questions)?
Todd; People comparing
us to Boysetsfire.
11. What message more than any other
do ‘Time In Malta’ wish to convey to their
audience?
Todd: That music can be a mirror to the soul.
http://www.timeinmalta.com
David Adair |
