Interview Cruel Hand: Chris Linkovich

Artiest: Cruel Hand

Geïnterviewde: Chris Linkovich

Interview afgenomen in: Muziekcentrum Trix

Label: Hopeless Records

Cruel Hand. Wie kent ze ook weer niet? Deze hardcore sensatie stond op een prachtige affiche met gevarieerde bands zoals Havenside, Coldburn, Desolated, Angel Dust, Nasty en Lionheart.  Festivalblog had de gelegenheid om zanger Chris te interviewen voor hun show begon. 

Hi! Welcome to the interview with Festivalblog.

Well, thank you for having me.

How is Belgium so far for you and Cruel Hand?

Yeah. Excellent. I got a tattoo today. Very great food here. I’m excited.

Well. I know that Cruel Hand doesn’t tour so much in Europe. Why’s that?

Yeah, we haven’t been in Europe for two years now. We used to come a couple time a year but we had a kind of a hiatus in Europe, but now we are band with a fucking great line-up.

How’s the tour so far?

Tour has been cool. It’s kinda different, also the crowd is different for us. It’s more beatdown, kinda heavier. It’s cool to reconnect with a different audience. I’m happy. These are new people that’s are going to check us out.

Can you tell me something about the history of Cruel Hand?

Yeah. We’ve been a band for in a year from now, for like 10 years and we just do what we want. We write a record the way we want it to sound. We don’t care if that’s going to leave some people. Some people turned their backs on us, that’s how it goes. We don’t care, we do it our way.

Yeah. Like your albums. You’ve changed in music. You became a little softer.

We just wanted to stray away from the metal influences and try to embrace more punk. The roots where hardcore came from, but still being a hardcore band and still being Cruel Hand.

Can you tell me something about the latest album?

We recorded it in May 2014. It was like next door. It’s called ‘The Negatives’. It’s also a song of the record. It was a cool concept. It’s describes the band with the things we are dealing with all the time.

Okay. So how can you describe your lyrics in the album?

I would say that the album has more flexibility and more fun. Not necessary in the negative way. We just put it on paper. I think that there are elements of fun.

Where did you find inspiration for your music?

Personally, Nirvana. Yeah, in both music and lyrics. I look up to their music. The themes that play in our minds are like social unrest, the society and unrest in your personal life. Just life in general, the ups and downs. The things that happening around us that aren’t controlled by us.

A whole other question. Touring with bands as Nasty or Desolated is a lot different then touring with a band like Bane or yourself. What do you think about the hardcore music of today? Is the touring harder, funnier, or something else?

It has been great. The music is different but as people we are all the same. The music is the tip of the iceberg. Everything else is the same. We party together and do everything together.

Can you tell me something then about the best memories of this tour?

The friendships we’ve made. Yes, the insane events with the bands. The connections with people. Coming back to Europe was also a great memory. Europe was the same, but the kids are different. It was great, yes. The old kids were also there.

Is that the thing that’s happening tonight in Belgium? Last time we saw Cruel Hand, was like two years ago.

Yeah. I just hope that between the records, I hope that kids have stepped us by in their minds and hearts.

How do you think about the hardcore scene today?

The scene is okay. People are coming and growing. New kids are coming up. It’s cool. Things are always going to be changing. We hope that the older generation will always support you and are coming to see you.

Can you describe Cruel Hand in 3 words?

3 words? Euhm (thinking a lot). Damn, it’s hard. I’m gonna say (clock is thicking away).

Is it too difficult?

No, I would say... life luck regret. That are my 3 words.

What do you think that the future will bring for Cruel Hand?

Hopefully just a brighter horizon for us and for everybody everywhere.

Thank you for this interview.

Yeah. Thank you, because I’m leaking. My tattoo is leaking (laughs and yells).

Have fun tonight!

Yeah, you too!