PRP: The basic question, how did the band get started?
Insolence: Mando the drummer started the band in 1995. He opened rehearsal studios and started auditioning guitarists. He came upon Joey Ruiz (our former guitarist). From there, we got a friend to sing; Ron Tanaguchi. At this point the band was more metal. In the meantime, Mando started a side project with Mark. Billy came into the picture about a year later. Ron went his own way. Mando, Mark, Billy and Joey started jamming more seriously, which became INSOLENCE. We then recruited Paul Perry and we felt we were complete. Things were definitely going well for us.
PRP: When you guys first started out there was a much more hardcore metal vibe, was it a conscious notion to incorporate all the elements you guys now have or was it something that evolved?
Insolence: It started out subconsciously, however it was meant to be a side project. That was always the direction we wanted to go, but our original singer wasn't "feeling it". He wanted to do straight metal so we did the Insolence thing with Mark and Ron bounced.
PRP: Apparently "Vicious Circle" was your guys first release and few people know about it, what did it sound like?
Insolence: It was speed metal. The singer was down with the metal sound. He was a big part of the direction we were at back then. We don't promote it much only because it's our former singer. That was our past, this is now. We're definitely proud of it, but it isn't us. It isn't INSOLENCE now.
PRP: Is Chunky soup made to be eaten with a fork or a spoon?
Insolence: Both.
PRP: You guys have been together for quite a few years and built up a large following, is it discouraging to still be unsigned or are you guys proud to be indie?
Insolence: We are definitely proud being indie, we've come a long way on our own. (Thanks to Mando, Angie our families and us sticking together through all the bullshit) We wouldn't say it's discouraging because we've had a few offers. We want to stay real though and wait for the "right" deal for us, something that will promote INSOLENCE the right way. That is something that we really push together. To stay grounded and not forget the reason we're in this and why we're where we're at...For the music, the love of it and our loyal fans and supporters.
PRP: The band has had a few line-up changes over the year, with one of the most recent being the addition of Keir formerly of Tribal Disco Noise, do you feel this is a necessary evolution in the bands style or just something that has to be done? And has Keir joining the group changed the bands sound?
Insolence: Actually we've discussed having two guitarists for a while. Keir started "jamming" with us at practices while Joey was still in the band. It worked out great though. Keir just pretty much fell into it. Keir hasn't changed the bands sound of sorts, however he has definitely brought his own sound, his own edge into our new songs. Along with the addition of our DJ Jerry, we feel really complete now. Ready to move on to bigger and better places now.
PRP: Just who's daddy is in Insolence that makes the phat beats?
Insolence: Alixandra's daddy. (My little girl - Mando). I used to DJ as well as play drums. I thought it would be cool to throw that in, since she hung out alot at the studio with me, especially during the mix down of "Universal".
PRP: The band has a very heavy hip hop influence and is very talented at it, especially Mechanizm was he in a rap group before joining Insolence?
Insolence: No. Me and Mark were in a band before, but it definitely wasn't hip hop.
PRP: "Within" borders on a more hardcore metal edge while "Universal" brings forth a whole smorgasbord of influences and styles and now "Terrorists" brings a heavy hip-hop/jungle flavor, is it one of the ideals of the band to pursue different avenues of music openly?
Insolence: Definitely, although "Terrorists" isn't the direction we're going, we just love hip hop and it was alot of fun doing that
album. We think the majority of "Universal" states the direction of us. We all have alot of different musical influences and love to throw a little bit of what we love into our sound. That's just Insolence...
PRP: Was "Terrorists" a side project of Mechanizm and Mando's, or was the whole band involved?
Insolence: It was pretty much Mech and Mando, it was supposed to be a rap album, but giving up tracks for "Universal" we decided to release some old and new tracks that were already completed. Along with some re-mixes.
PRP: Who in the band is most likely to wear a thong?
Insolence: Paul. We always give him shit about being our "pretty boy" in the band. He's crazy like that. He'll whip it out, just to show his piercings at clubs!
PRP: It's rare for an indie band to be able to have played Europe twice, how is fan support over the sea?
Insolence: It's absolutely amazing. We were pretty overwhelmed with the show of support we got there. You know you're not sure what to expect - especially when we'd never played so far from home. It was a great success and give much props to our loyal friends and fans overseas. It was phat!
PRP: Is it just me or do people from the U.K. speak in a generally fucked up manner?
Insolence: Nah, we pretty much are into it. We made some cool friends from the UK at the Dynamo Festival in Europe. They are a bunch of crazy fucks though!
PRP: What's the bands viewpoint on the mp3 format, negative or positive?
Insolence: It's cool. Good promotion - especially for unsigned bands.
PRP: The infamous meat product Spam is best used for?
Insolence: Nothing. That shit is wack!
PRP: The band seems to be bringing a decidedly different style on each record, do you guys ever worry that the fans will be alienated?
Insolence: Nah. I'm sure there are some fans that are a bit confused, but the majority of our fan base know what's up and know where we're "at". We just love experimenting and venturing into new shit. We feel it will keep our fans interested. They'll never get bored with us. (we hope).
PRP: How do you guys feel about the Internet as a means for a promotional tool?
Insolence: It's the best means of communication, promotion ever. We keep in touch with the world though the internet. Look at how we all hooked up - YOU KNOW. RIGHT!!!???
PRP: You're on stage playing a packed show and you have a wet fart, what do you do?
Insolence: That's funny you ask. Mark not only had a wet fart, but crapped his pants on stage at a Festival in Europe. He had good reason though. The food was wack. We all ended up getting sick from it.
PRP: Any bands that you guys could list as a whole as an influence?
Insolence: Damn, there's so many. Where do we start? Ok - Bad Brains, Bob Marley, Skinny Puppy, Sepultura, Slayer, Wu-Tang. The list definitely goes on. We have so many.
PRP: Insolence has a large following but also seems to take the brunt of a lot of shit talking, as the statement in "Terrorists"'s cover art seems to state, is the local music scene really tooth and nail?
Insolence: We're definitely down with the local scene, but there's always your "rock stars" that just don't get it and we feel there's a constant battle. Alot of bands are just in it to get signed. Of course we're down to get a good record deal, but like we said before, we're in it for the music, for the people. That's the bottom line.
PRP: Who in the band would be most likely to end as a guest on Jerry Springer?
Insolence: I guess all of us have a bit of Jerry guest in us. We could see throwin' with some wack pussy band talking shit to us!! HAHAHA!!
PRP: Is it true that Mechanizm had a Jenny Jones makeover?
Insolence: Nope. But he could use one.. Nah, just kidding!
PRP: With the band constantly changing styles and flows what can we expect on the new album, will it be a rapcore vibe similar to Within or will it feature more jungle stylings as "Terrorists" hints at? And when can we expect it to be released?
Insolence: I (Mando) think it will be in between "Within" and "Universal" but in the same realm as "Within". It will definitely be different though. We hope to have a much bigger, better budget this time around so we'll be able to keep it on the heavy tip, but keeping it phat and interesting - you know, keeping it real. We'll just have to wait and see. We don't think anybody will be disappointed however. We've been writing some phat shit that we're all very proud of and happy with. We hope to release it toward the middle of next year.
PRP: What's Next for the band?
Insolence: Well, definitely hope to get a good deal and go on tour around the world in the New Year. We feel good things are coming for us. We've really worked hard together and we always stick together. It's definitely time...
PRP: That's about it, any shoutouts?
Insolence: Big ups to our families - who are always supportive (especially through all the bullshit). What's up to our loyal friends and fans! Big props to ALL our fellow musicians and homies!! PEACE to you...
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