the Freddy Cricien of madball interview
It has been many years since Freddy and Madball took the stage and the New York Hardcore scene by storm and became part of the next generation of leaders and forces in the world wide hardcore movement. As a matter of fact it has been 20 years and the band is still going strong, dropping amazing albums and touring the world non stop. Today being October 12th 2010 marks the release of Madball’s newest album Empire and another chapter in the Madball book of history. A few moths back I had the pleasure to interview Madball’s front man Freddy Cricien and talk about what has been going on with the band, his flourishing hip hop career and how many of his life experiences have shaped him as a musician and lyricist. Shortly after the interview I had the pleasure of meeting up with Freddy at a Madball show in my town and am pleased to say he is one of the most down to earth and grateful people I have had the pleasure to meet in recent memory. Check out the interview, support Madball and be sure to pick up their new album on iTunes or Amazon today.
Freddy and I after the show.
1) Freddy you have a million things going on right now so lets start with Madball and can you tell us about the new album Empire that is due out in October of this year?
Just finished recording. The album is dropping Oct 12th. I feel really good about the end result,I’ll let the people be the judge though!
Here is the title track “Empire” for you to judge.
2) You are kicking Empire off with a tour almost right away. The tour also happens to start in Canada. What was the reason behind the tour kicking off in Canada?
To be honest, we’d be touring whether we had a new album on the horizon or not. It’s what we do! but yeah, I’m looking forward to doing this run with comeback kid..should be cool.
3) Madball has been going for 20 years strong now, is this something that you thought would go on for so long? No doubt it has been a hard road, when you look back is it still all worth it?
20 years strong indeed. I honestly didn’t think it would last this long,but I’m glad it has. I’m glad we had the patience and tenacity to stick with it. This band has always been,one day at a time, but now it’s a few years at a time..haha. No regrets man, it’s as it should be. We are still young and have a lot to offer.
Hardcore legends Hoya Roc and Freddy Madball.
Myself with Freddy and Hoya.
Long time Madball guitarist Mitts.
4) I wanted to touch on your hip hop career. You along with DJ Stress just put out an album called Catholic Guilt. What was it that made you move into the MC side of things and is this something that has been an interest of yours for a long time?
I’ve always been a part of hip hop culture in some form or another. I’ve always been a hip hop head. I guess it was only a matter of time before I made this happen, luckily I found the right people (DJ Stress) to work with. I also finally found the actual time to do it.
DJ Stress.
5) As far as hip hop goes what are some of your major influences?
Oh man so many..here’s a few: sugar hill,slick rick,rakim,bdp,kool g rap,az,pe,ice cube,biggie,etc,etc…..
6) The album has some amazing guest spots on it with guys like Slaine, Vinnie Paz, Rancid, Reef The Lost Cauze and more how did you get hooked up with some of these guys?
Actually, these guys are my friends. Vinnie I met some years back, Reef I met more recently. They are good dudes and very talented. Slaine on the other hand, has been my friend for many many years, he’s a part of my Fam and super talented as well!
Video for the song “Gunshots” off the “Catholic Guilt” album ft. Slaine.
7) Is hip hop something that you will be doing as a full time thing in the future or is Madball always your first love?
I will be doing it as much as possible. It’s something I take seriously and I plan on making a mark in that world as well. Of course, Madball is always a priority. That’s my foundation musically speaking.
8 You have been managing some other bands in the hardcore scene how is that going and is this a way for you to help out the new bands coming up?
Yes, I manage Death Before Dishonor from Boston and Wisdom In Chains. I enjoy the management thing, but I am selective with who I work with. These two bands are the leaders of the newer generation of hardcore bands in my opinion. I’m glad to pass on thing’s I’ve learned from my own experience because they are great bands and great people. I plan on continuing in that area and hopefully growing my “company”, it will not be limited to just hardcore music.
9) The world is in a state of distress these days. How do you feel things like the economy, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the general uncertainty in the world effects the music you make? Needless to say things are a lot different now then they were when you wrote Set It Off. Does this affect the music and lyrics?
Things are in disarray without a doubt. We are as effected as everyone else, if not more so because we travel and see the global effect. It definitely influences are music and lyrics to a point. That said, I try not to get too political lyrically because it seems “out of character”. Sure we are more mature, more cultured,more evolved. Still, we have to give that street commentary, that personal real life experience, from our perspective. I feel that’s what people want from Madball. That’s what we like to embody! On the new album I touch on the whole oil spill debacle and things of that nature, but I also bring it back to the essence of Madball, in your face fuck you music.
10) A while back we posted the video for the song Gunshots on Action Recon and it got a lot of views. In the opening moments of the video you mention “violence is a necessary evil” which I agree with you on. What do you mean by this line? Tell us in your own words.
Well, it’s self explanatory really. Its an unpleasant fact, but it is a fact. At least for me it is. From my experience, in certain situations/scenarios, a violent gesture is sometimes the only way to protect you and yours and get your point across, it may even save your life. Sad but True. A pacifist would tell you differently of course. But, realistically speaking, violence is sometimes a necessary evil. History has proven it time and time again. Let’s be honest, no one likes war, for the most part. It’s cruel and wasteful. Lives are lost, money, etc, etc. But, what if we let Hitler do his thing? Was there a civil way to tame that beast…hey hitler come on cut the jews a break? Not happening. People strive for peace but don’t like being bullied or taken advantage of. People will do what they have to to protect their families. It’s our nature, or at least mine.
Check the track “Tough Guy” off the new “Empire” album and see hear Freddy is talking about.
11) In the video you also mention that you would like to be done with your old ways, is this something that comes with getting older and wiser or now realizing you have way too much to lose?
That’s exactly it. I put myself in a lot of dangerous and vulnerable situations. I was lucky to escape them. You live and learn from your experiences, hopefully you come out on the other side a success story. You live recklessly and don’t choose to take anything from it, you wind up in prison or dead. Unless you’re extremely lucky! may be a cliche but it’s true.
12) You come from a Cuban and Columbian background (please correct me if that is wrong) and you seem to be very proud of this. How has your background and upbringing shaped the music you have made over the years? Do you draw on a lot of influence from these things?
Yes, that’s correct. I’m very proud of my back round, my heritage without a doubt. I’m also proud of being a first generation American it all shapes who I am and of course comes out in the music I do.
Check out the song “Y Que” from “Catholic Guilt”.
13) Where do you see yourself three to five years down the line? Is music something that you will always do or do you have other plans in the making?
3 to 5 years, that’s nothing! I see my self doing my thing on the hardcore and hip hop front! I’m still young man! Hopefully we’ll be in a good place on both fronts. I try and look at things more optimistically these days, which is a good thing I think, but yeah 3 to 5 years is a snap. Now, if you ask me what I’ll be doing 15-20 years from now, that’s trickier. Whatever it is, it’ll be music related. If all goes as planned. God wiling.
14) Thanks for the interview and are there any last words or shout outs you would like to give?
Thank you! Check out Catholic guilt out now and Empire coming Oct 12th.
For more information on Madball and Freddy himself check the links below.
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