World Be Free | facebook |
By: Steve Fallows
World Be Free is a hardcore supergroup consisting of Scott Vogel of Terror, Joe Garlipp of New York hardcore band Envy, Arthur Smilios of Gorilla Biscuits, Andrew Kline of Strife and Sammy Siegler of Judge, CIV, Rival Schools and Glassjaw. They just released their debut album The Anti-Circle, which was enough reason for Steve Fallows to ask the band some questions. Sammy was kind enough to give some answers.
(((o))): World Be Free is quite a collection of musicians, how did it all come about?
WBF: I think Scott (Vogel) who sings for Terror had a desire to do something a bit more positive. I know for myself I liked the challenge of trying to make a solid, classic sounding hardcore album. Originally it [The Anti-Circle] was supposed to be an EP, but we kept getting together and writing, next thing we had about 20 songs.
(((o))): The whole project was completed under the radar. How did you manage to keep it quiet?
WBF: I don’t think we really knew what we had until Scott did vocals, so it wasn’t really a big secret, we didn’t want to start talking about something that we weren’t sure of. But when he did the vocals I really got the sense that it was special.
(((o))): It all seems to have come together very quickly, especially considering everyone else’s commitments. Were there any struggles to get it done in time?
WBF: It’s almost harder now that it’s released, everyone is pretty busy, so it’s been hard to play shows. We took our time, it was a good year of getting together when it worked for everyone, it was a pretty natural process.
(((o))): What is the future for World Be Free. Could we see a tour? more albums?
WBF: Definitely want to play more shows, another album would be great. I joke that it’s time for our “Staring Into The Sun” or “Wig Out” attempt… Joke.
(((o))): Might we see them over in the UK?
WBF: World Be Free? Yes, there’s nothing solid now, but I like to think we’ll make it happen. The UK has always been one of my favorite places to tour.
(((o))): With member’s other bands CIV and Gorilla Biscuits returning to the live circuit with occasional shows, what does the future hold for both of those bands?
WBF: There’s really no solid master plan, I can’t speak for Gorilla Biscuits, but I don’t think CIV would record new material, we take the shows as they come, whatever is fun and whatever makes sense. We’re playing a cancer benefit at the end of May in NYC.
(((o))): All of the band have links to some of the best punk and hardcore to come out of the US. Who do you see as the best young bands coming through?
WBF: I’ve heard great things about Angel Dust, to be honest I tend to pull out the old stuff when listening to hardcore, that’s just me. Turnstile seems exciting, I love that there are new bands, I like to think there will always be a pocket of pissed off inspired kids that want to make music and have a say.
(((o))): What do you think it is about hardcore that make it such a tight knit scene?
I think it originated at a time with no internet, it was community based, DIY and all that. If you wanted to be involved and have a say, do a zine, start a label you could, and I think that spirit fortunately continues to this day. Kids will always be pissed and the music although not for everyone, is full of energy and power and spirit.
