I interviewed Freddy Cricien of Madball on February 5, 2005 at the Living Room. I spent a lot of time thinking about what questions to ask him, as he is a well known hardcore figure, but the questions didn't seem as good coming out of my mouth as they did when I was writing them on paper. Freddy gave real honest, well thought and meaningful answers, which made this an incredible interview.

PL: Introduce yourself.

FC: This is Freddy from Madball.

PL: Is it more important to have family or friends?

FC: Both are truly important. I'd say family comes first, but in my situation, some friends are like family and vice versa.

PL: You were really young when you went to your first show. Do you remember it at all?

FC: Vaguely, vaguely. I remember it. I remember being a little nervous as a little kid being exposed to all this craziness. Its probably a lot more civilized these days than back then. The hardcore scene was so new and so small and crazy, especially through the eyes of a little kid. It was something wild.

PL: When you look back at what Madball has accomplished, what sticks out the most?

FC: Its really hard to say. The fact that we were kind of like a fun type thing that turned into a real band, and however many albums and tours later. The fact that it became what it is now is pretty crazy. That was not something that was planned. It started out as just a thing, for me. They'd do a seven inch with this kid and it'd be a novelty thing, a fun thing. The fact that it turned into a significant thing within our scene is pretty-there's still room for growth.

PL: Should people feel intimidated at hardcore shows?

FC: No. Don't feel intimidated any more than any other show. You can be in the mix or you can stay out of the mix. Use your common sense.

PL: Is it difficult being in two bands at the same time?

FC: Yes, very. Very.

PL: Which New York Hardcore band do you think is most important?

FC: Agnostic Front. I'm a little biased about that, obviously, because I grew up with my brother and he's the one who introduced me to hardcore. But, you can look at it from an outside perspective; without family involvement or anything like that, they are one of the most significant and most important hardcore bands coming out of New York City. There's other bands in the West Coast or Minor Threat, but if you want to break it down to New York Hardcore-you say New York Hardcore, you have to mention Agnostic Front. Otherwise, you're fooling yourself.

PL: What was your favorite childhood movie?

FC: How old?

PL: 0-12, I guess.

FC: I'd say "Stand by Me."

PL: Do you think kids just getting into punk from MTV are taking the time to check out the bands that influenced them?

FC: The generations are shifting, so there's this new-I don't even want to say this new metal, its almost like this new hardcore. There's nothing wrong with it. I don't knock it. We need need flavor and we need diversity within our scene, but you definitely should do your homework; without a doubt. You don't have to like something, but at least know what the deal is. And you might end up being schooled and actually liking it.

PL: Name one album, besides your own, that you think all kids should have in their collection.

FC: Victim in Pain-Agnostic Front.

PL: Who is your biggest non musical influence?

FC: My wife.

PL: Do you have any final comments?

FC: We are working on a new album that will be out in 2005 and its goona be our best one yet. Be on the lookout-Madball is not done yet. We have a lot more to accomplish.

Interviewed by RF

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