Introduce yourself…
We're Haulin'ass, an italian band playing punk-hardcore that we like to define 'unusual'. We started playing in 1999 and we intend to go on for a while.
How did the band start?
We're a group of friends who met each other during high school. Already before forming the band we used to go out together, to see gigs and things like this. Then we decided it was the moment of having more fun, we started rehearsing and then playing gigs where we could drink for free and be assholes with the excuse of the stage.
How did you come up with the name?
The name Haulin'ass comes from a writing that was on a truck. At that time, none of us got actually informed about the meaning of the name, but after some years it really glued on us: for us haulin'ass and being constantly on the move, or up to something is a rule of life.
Who would you say are your influences?
Surely a good dose of italian hardcore like Negazione and Raw Power, then a massive dose of californian punk like NOFX and Strung Out, and really much, much more. From Giuseppe Verdi's Opera to rock 'n roll, up to Motorhead...Chuck Palahniuk, Carmelo Bene, Errico Malatesta. In our music we put everything, and everything takes the shape that we like most in that moment. Over the years we changed several times.
What is the punk scene like in Italy?
The punk scene has become a clash of opinions on facebook, and groups of friends balling each other. Over the years the people have accused a lot the gap that television put between one world and the other: also who introduces himself as a producer, or promoter for emerging bands, is only asking for money and not actually believing in projects. Despite this, DIY reality is capillary, and there are several good examples of how punk and hardcore are integrated in the social fabric. Lately it looks like things are changing: people can't anymore bear not to have any place where express one's frustration, places where take it out and vent: hardcore is a veichle that's beginning again giving answers. Unfortunately there's less and less pogo, but no one lacks the 'right' shoes or a piercing in the 'right' place. Before regaining originality more time is needed, but we're hoping to be able to return to create new situations and no more the usual clones of some shitty 'punky' band who makes one video clip a day and has no idea of how a squat looks like.
Describe the song writing process...
We start from riffs and arrangements that create the armonic frame of each track. Then we develop the rythmic session and until everything doesn't get us satisfied, we don't stop. At last we work on the lyrics: on topics as well as rythm and impact. Sometimes we prefered writing in italian and some others in english. Sometimes to have one track finished it took one year, sometimes two days. In rehearsal too we don't have rules or leadership: we write as five individuals, but the result is one band.
Your first released was 'Knots to the comb', tell us about the EP...
It's been a sound experiment, for we wanted to give more anger to our songs. We came from anothe EP 'Get some stress', which started a new chapter for the band, out of melodic hardcore towards harder and more hallucinated nuances.
Your First album was 'Towards which future', tell us about the album...
Towards Which Future closes the first decade of activity: it contains really old songs and other written on purpose for the album. It's a concept album divided in three chapters, the topic is time. Past, it is Life so far: Presents, or Contemporary Ghosts, and the most popular demand of a planet that is going to hell: where are we going? Towards which future?
The album aroused conflicting reviews and reactions: soneone claimed it as a masterpiece, others as a scandal. The italian hardcore scene is also this, if you're out of the schemes, you're out of the scene. There's no room for melody in a hardcore track, just like there's no room for a 220 bpm solo in a pop song. We don't give a shit about there things. Now the album is in free download from our website, tell us what you think about it.
What else have you released?
A demo, some songs on compilations and like that.
Our last work is a four song EP in italian, printed on vinyl and CD, 'Sono Menzogna' (meaning 'I am a lie'). Thin is a new bend in the sound. We really like it a lot and it's running well. Precedes the album that we hope will be out in 2012.
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
StrungOut, Total Chaos, Born From Pain, No Friends... in the italian scene Skruigners, Mannix, Stinking Polecats, and other dozens.
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
In the small venues we get to smash everything by the first half of the tracklist, in the big ones it takes a bit more. We hate playing where there is security or where people stay sitting and drinking.
Have you toured?
Yes, two times in Spain and in the Basque county, and in Italy. We would like to play more gigs abroad but perhaps we organize ourselves like shit. Help us! We can bring to you mafia, pizza and mamma.
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
No, thera are many and each time is a different thing.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
No, we played everywhere, from big clubs to the back of a prehistoric themed fast food!
Do you see is the future of Haulin' Ass?
We want to put out more records, play around and avoid prison.
How can people contact the band?
Easy! Visit www.haulinass.it or write to info@haulinass.it You can find us too on facebook, youtube, myspace, punkrockers.com. Cheers!
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