Pictures: Erik Valestrand, take a look at his flickr erikxedge

You all certainly agree that music means a lot to all of us. You listen it while chilling, when you have fun or maybe it’s even a background for the daily routine. In our opinion, it’s even more: it’s inspiration and motivation. And today we’re stoked to have a talk with one of the motivating bands out there, the “Hatebreed”.

On the scene since 1993, Hatebreed has traced a path of coherence and aggressive sound since the very beginning, creating a very own attitude reaching a worldwide success which is second to none. The thing we like the most about them it’s their positive approach to life’s challenges, their will to react to problems instead of letting them get you down. So just read these words from HB guitarist, Frank “3-Gun” Novinec (buddy thank you for the nice words!)

1.First of all, I know you’re planning a huge amount of tour dates; will you hit Europe and maybe Italy?
YES, WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONFIRMING EUROPEAN FESTIVALS FOR THE SUMMER AND THAT WILL MEAN OFFDAYS AS WELL, SO I ASSUME WE WILL BE BACK IN ITALY. CHECK THE HATEBREED FACEBOOK OR HATEBREED.COM FOR UPDATES.

2. Besides the tour, are you also working in studios to record new tracks?
SLOWLY BUT SURELY WE ARE/WILL BE WORKING ON A NEW RECORD, YES. WE KNOW EVERYONE IS READY, WE APPRECIATE THE PATIENCE.

3. Even being one of the heaviest band at the moment on stage, I was suddenly impressed by the quality of your lyrics: far from the negative\death feeling of a lot of metal bands, and instead really positive, pushing oneself to always do his best and to never give up on life difficulties. Do you share this point of view? How do you get inspiration for your lyrics? Do you feel like “giving a positive message” to your fans?
I RELATE TO JAMEYS MESSAGES THE WAY THAT ANYONE CAN, AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THEY ARE VERY DIRECT, AND DEAL WITH REAL LIFE SITUATIONS. WE DONT SING ABOUT FANTASYLAND AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WE ARE NOT THAT BAND. I THINK THAT’S WHAT MAKES OUR FANS FEEL EMPOWERED AND ONE WITH THE BAND, BECAUSE THE LYRICS HIT SO CLOSE TO DEALING WITH THE HARDSHIPS WE GO THROUGH, GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES, AND LIFE IN GENERAL.

4.Hatebreed’s fans are both from the metal world and from the hardcore punk area. In fact your sound is strong and powerful but also really fast and punching. Did you really grow up as a band trying to mix influences from these 2 areas or it’s something that comes to you naturally due to the music you’re listening to and following?
WE ARE MUSIC FANS. ESPECIALLY FANS OF HARDCORE, PUNK ROCK, OI, METAL, AND ROCK. THESE ARE THE GENRES THAT WE ARE CARRYING THE FLAG FOR. ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL. I DONT PARTICULARLY THINK THERE IS TOO MANY BANDS OUT THERE THAT CAN CLAIM THIS. SOMETHING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.

5.I know Jasta is involved in a tons of side projects, can you please remember us some? And what about other band members?
JAMEY HAS KINGDOM OF SORROW (FEATURING KIRK FROM DOWN/CROWBAR), JASTA (HIS SOLO BAND), ICEPICK, (FEATURING LORD EZEC AKA DANNY DIABLO). CHRIS AND WAYNE HAVE “BLACKENED” AND CHRIS ALSO HAS THE HARDCORE “SUPERGROUP” S.O.S.

6.I heard a lot of talking about your religious behavior, I guess due to the fact your lyrics are really inspiring, but is that Hatebreed are really speaking somewhat about religion or not ?
WE LEAVE RELIGIOUS VIEWS UP TO EVERYONE ELSE, THAT’S SOMETHING WE DONT GET TOO INVLOVED IN. THAT IS A VERY TOUCHY SUBJECT AND WE FEEL “TO EACH THIER OWN” AS FAS AS IT’S CONCERNED.

7.Our webzine is focused over the “extreme sport” behavoiur, which often goes along with punk\hc attitude. Are you interested in any freestyle sports?
I AM A HUGE SPORTS JUNKIE!, I SPEND HOURS EVERYDAY WATCHNG NASCAR, NFL FOOTBALL , NBA BASKETBALL, AND MLB BASEBALL.

8.I think one of your most successful songs was “Doomsayer”. I can’t choose just one, but which of your songs reflects the “Hatebreed attitude” the most?
THERE’S SO MANY, ALL THE ANTHEMS I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THOUGH…”LIVE FOR THIS”, “I WILL BE HEARD”, ETC.

9.You have an amazing amount of fans over Facebook pages, twitter and don’t know what else. Are you directly behind these pages writing and updating?
WE ARE DEFINITELY “HANDS ON” WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING INVOLVING HATEBREED, WE TRY TO KEEP IT AS “INTIMATE” AS WE CAN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS VERY HARD AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

10.Guys thank you for your time! We appreciated it a lot! Never let you down and hope to see you soon on Stage!
THANKS FOR INTERVIEW. ITALY RULES!
COME SAY HI TO ME AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRANK3GUN OR WWW.TWITTER.COM/FRANK3GUN

Pictures: Erik Valestrand, take a look at his flickr erikxedge