Interrogation: Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord
May 2002
I have to start out with a few questions about the lyrics, because there are a couple of tracks on the new record that really fascinate me on several levels (namely "L Formation" and "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint"). "L Formation" is a very pointed attack, though the exact "victims" aren't necessarily clearly defined; and the somewhat obscure video game references in "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint", straight down to Bagu from "The Legend of Zelda", are just brilliant. Can you shed any light on these particular songs?
I'm glad that you enjoyed the lyrics. Often times in hardcore and metal I think that lyrics are overlooked because people don't want to think. "L Formation" is a big reference to a chessboard, as in the "L" that the knight makes when it moves. We've collectively found a recent eruption of emo kids within the hardcore scene. One thing I can't stand is when people try to act as though they're something they aren't. So all of a sudden being a toughguy hardcore kid is out off come the bandanas and big jeans, and here come the tight t-shirts and supposedly "emotional" lyrics, lyrics that are little more than an excuse to try to get into some 16-year-old girl's pants (or 18-years-old, or 21 whatever). It's just the idea of putting on a fake front to prey upon women. Rappers come right out and say, "We fuck bitches." So at least you know what their deal is. This new breed of sexual predators (i.e. fake emo kids) whines about their ex-girlfriends and how bad they were hurt, with their perfect looking hairdos and "xmyheartbreaksforyoux" screen names when in actuality they're the ones breaking hearts! It's bullshit! Be real. If you're in a band for the pussy (which, if you're playing hardcore, you're in the wrong scene) just say so don't try and fake it. As for "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint", we all have an obsession with video games. I was huge on old Nintendo. But I feel like television and video games often serve not only as a way for to children escape reality, but also as a way for parents to avoid getting to know their kids. It's just easier that way than working at being a good parent.
May 2002
I have to start out with a few questions about the lyrics, because there are a couple of tracks on the new record that really fascinate me on several levels (namely "L Formation" and "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint"). "L Formation" is a very pointed attack, though the exact "victims" aren't necessarily clearly defined; and the somewhat obscure video game references in "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint", straight down to Bagu from "The Legend of Zelda", are just brilliant. Can you shed any light on these particular songs?
I'm glad that you enjoyed the lyrics. Often times in hardcore and metal I think that lyrics are overlooked because people don't want to think. "L Formation" is a big reference to a chessboard, as in the "L" that the knight makes when it moves. We've collectively found a recent eruption of emo kids within the hardcore scene. One thing I can't stand is when people try to act as though they're something they aren't. So all of a sudden being a toughguy hardcore kid is out off come the bandanas and big jeans, and here come the tight t-shirts and supposedly "emotional" lyrics, lyrics that are little more than an excuse to try to get into some 16-year-old girl's pants (or 18-years-old, or 21 whatever). It's just the idea of putting on a fake front to prey upon women. Rappers come right out and say, "We fuck bitches." So at least you know what their deal is. This new breed of sexual predators (i.e. fake emo kids) whines about their ex-girlfriends and how bad they were hurt, with their perfect looking hairdos and "xmyheartbreaksforyoux" screen names when in actuality they're the ones breaking hearts! It's bullshit! Be real. If you're in a band for the pussy (which, if you're playing hardcore, you're in the wrong scene) just say so don't try and fake it. As for "Sixteen Bit Fingerprint", we all have an obsession with video games. I was huge on old Nintendo. But I feel like television and video games often serve not only as a way for to children escape reality, but also as a way for parents to avoid getting to know their kids. It's just easier that way than working at being a good parent.