BUMBKLAATT
(Mexico/USA)
When
did you start your band, what's the idea behind it and in which other
bands did/do you play?
adrian:the
band
started in 2000, the original idea was having a side project,but then
discordia (our band at the time) broke up.diference of ideals made it a
non functional band.so we decided to do the side project full time with
our friends from chulavista ubaldo (ex-chicken farm, the rabbits, los
diableros) and fernando (run for your fucking life) and now our current
bass player george(ex-run for your...,los diableros,etc.) and everyone
has a side progect in the band.
BUMBKLAAT
is
composed of people from Mexico and the United States, isn't it? When
did the idea rose to from this kind of 'international band'?
adrian:we
choose
to do this way to aproach the differences of culture between mex. and
the us. i guess it was to learn from each other and create a sort of
unity between both comunities.
How
would you describe the connection between the punk scene of Mexico and
the United States?
the
conection is
good,now more and more bands are crossing to play in tijuana,and vice
versa,in my opinion i can say we get along pretty well.
And
what do you think about the region (Tijuana, etc.) in general? Did you
raise in the area?
adrian:well
i
got to tijuana when i was 15.oscar was born here.so i can say pretty
much that i was raised here in tijuana,i think tijuana is good in some
aspects,as far as work,you can always find a job,even though the pay is
very low.culture wise it is varied,but you can see the american
influence eveywhere.and as every day living it's not a very safe place
to live.you have corruption, prostitution, executions, kidnappings.you
have to look behind your shoulders once and a while.
Do
you remember the first time you've crossed the border and made
experience in the other county?
oscar:i
really
don't remember.adrian:my first time was ilegally when i was 8 years
old.so i dont remember anything bad or special about it.as regular
crossing now you can sometimes see the racism by the border patrol,but
if you are cool they leave you alone.
I
guess a lot of the relationship between Mexicans and US Americans is
based on prejudices. Where and how do you suffer those prejudices and
what
are
the most common stereotypes which both countries are confronted with?
adrian:the
stereo tipes wee see on american and mexicans ake effect on regulas
people,the ones that live with patriotism on their heads.if you see a
white person in tijuana he automatically turns in to a gringo.it doesnt
matter if he is european or canadian.and if you see a brown skin in
america he's oficially a latino,and this goes on with everybody
What
are the main reasons for you to stay either in Mexico or in the USA?
oscar:well
ubaldo and george were both born in the u.s.all their families live
there.i'm just use to living here and my hole life has been here in
tijuana.
adrian:the
reason why i live in tijuana is because i have my friends and family
here.i got a good job as a designer ilustrator and it's good enough to
provide for my family.
I
guess the majority of inhabitants of each country has it's own views on
the politics of both states. In which aspects can learn Mexicans from
US-americans and US-americans from Mexicans?
the
u.s.goverments main concern is ilegal crossing and drug
smuggling.why?because it's easier to disguise the subject from the real
purpose,mexico has the real problems,and it seems that both goverments
don't help each other,they just criticize their actions,good or bad.so
i just think they should work together to solve their problems.
A
lot of the new generation bands from Mexico seem to be heavily
influenced by TRAGEDY and FROM ASHES RISE. It's the same in Europe.
Bands like EKKAIA, COP ON FIRE, TO WHAT END, PACK, etc. created
sub-scene within the punk/hc world which is dominated by depression,
frustration and negativism. What do you think about these tendencies?
adrian:i
think
these tendencies,musical and lyrics are welcome in my point of view,but
not to base a sub-scene from it.i like these bands but the way i see
it,you gotta create your own stile,or at least try...basically
everything has been done in one way or another.the bands now a days
have to find a way to be more creative.
The
sub-scene which I'm talking about is also heavily stuck in alcoholism
and drug-use. How's that in USA/Mexico? What's your opinion about
alcohol in the punk context?
i
see drug and
alcohol use in both the u.s. and mexican scene.personally i dont use
drugs or smoke,but i do drink.the way i see it is as long as you don't
affect a second or third person it' ok.but i defenetly reject the use
of heroin.
oscar:well
i
smoke and drink,dont do drugs though.i try not to be judgemental about
people who do that,if they wanna waste away their life like that thats
their problem.
How
would you describe the aims and ideals of your band?
adrian:the
ideals are very simple;respect,sacrifice and no time for bullshit.we
all have kids,wives and girl friends so we apreciate everithing we do
in or for the band.
Most
of my readers never have been neither to Mexico nor the States. But
almost everyone has it's own opinion and clichee about a Mexican and
especially an US-American. Do you have an idea what the common clichees
are? From your point of view... which clichees seem to be true, which
are false?
oscar.well
when
you deal with people from all over the world,people tend to generalize
and most of the time they dont see past that.i think prejudice is
everiwhere not only in the us and mexico.but unfortunatly that's the
way life is.cliche's about americans are very
common:rude,obnoxious,think they are better than everibody,but that's
one asshole out of a 100 people,and they tend to think that's
everione.about mexicans being ilegal in the u.s.:ofcourse,they need to
eat,feed their families,they have the right to survive.
As
far as I know you've never been to Europe. How's the image which you
generate if you think about Europe in general and especially if you
think about the pun/hc movement in Europe?
personally
i
think it's hard core heaven.we really wanna tour europe,but like adrian
said,our jobs and famillies makes it some times imposible even to
practice.but we all do our sacrifices for the band.
Are
you happy with the place you life at? Ever thought about moving
somewhere else? if so... where and why?
oscar:i
think we
are all acustomed to our way of living,even though it's a different way
from each other.personally i don't plan to move anywhere else,but who
knows,life takes alot of turns and twists,you never know where your
body is gonna lay after you die.
Finally
a question which deals with your band: What are your next projects?
oscar:right
now
we are writing songs for a full length that we are planning to put out
hopefulli next year,and right now we wanna play our asses off.......
Any
comments or things you'd like to tell us?
oscar:well
first
of all:thank you for the interview,we apreciate the interest for the
band from that side of the world,and any comments or questions are
greatefully welcomed.you can reach us at bumbklaatt.com....or my
space/bumbklaatt.thank you for everithing and we hope to soon.from the
bottom of our burning hearts........