Swallowing Shit are an amazing band from Canada that play fast, thrashy songs that are always backed by very intelligent lyrics that tackle a number of issues. If you haven't heard this band yet, then you need to get your hands on some of their stuff. This interview was done over a year ago and was originally supposed to appear in a different zine we were working on that never happened. I still feel that all of the things said in this interview are relevant and issues that need to be addressed and that is why it is appearing here now. Questions were done by us and answered through the mail with Mike A.
What are you views on women’s rights/issues?
Such a huge topic, so little space. Let me focus on womyn’s involvement within the punk scene,
as opposed to going through every opinion I have concerning womyn’s rights. The general attitude
I get is that the punk scene is such a male dominated institution that I’m amazed that womyn
would crave any involvement in it whatsoever. Since we live in a god damn culture of rape based
on the oppression of womyn, where womyn are constantly judged regardless of ability &
expected to meet the standards imposed on them by men, not that a womyn should feel as though
she should live up to those sexist expectations, but it’s rare that, within the punk community, that a
womyn does feel comfortable enough in her ability to get up in front of a bunch of men & express
herself. It’s always men who are telling her that she didn’t go off hard enough & it’s always
womyn who find support from other womyn in the scene. Until I find a balance between men &
womyn in the scene, it will always be bullshit in my eyes. Who’s booking your tours? Who comes
to your shows? Why should a womyn feel welcomed in your community when she’ll be labeled a
“novelty” or as a “girl band” or whatever you want to label her as? It’s bullshit.
Do you feel that it’s a man’s place to be verbal/active in these issues?
Well, since it’s men who feel as though we have the (God-given) right to comment, or pass
judgment, on a womyn’s physical appearance, it’s men that have set up laws to protect our rights
to rape & murder womyn, it’s men who have crafted gender specific roles for womyn, it’s men
who pass on misogynist practices & traditions to our children; I say that men have the obligation
not to intimidate, objectify, & enslave womyn.
In your 7”, you talk about how using the word “bitch” is a form of violence against
women. Could you elaborate on that?(it seems that very few people understand this
viewpoint on using the word)
I totally understand that not a lot of people understand this viewpoint. A female friend of mine
uses it to describe herself all the time. It’s so much a part of our language that it’s difficult to kick it
out of, or it has been difficult for me to kick it out of my vocabulary. I don’t really know how to
elaborate. Black = nigger. Homosexual = fag. Womyn = bitch. For a man to call a womyn a bitch
is a gender specific, degrading remark. It’s unique in that sense & that’s why it’s so dehumanizing.
What’s the male equivalent? Why the fuck do we need barriers? Why do we continue the hateful
traditions that have been set out for us? Gee, sorry if a few moron fuck headed guys are all pissy
about this. Fuck.
How do you feel about the recent rise in popularity of pornography & strip clubs among
many males in the hardcore scene?
Should I feel surprised? I mean, hey, the pornography industry is a multimillion-
dollar industry that revolves around the wet dreams of pathetic white men. And, of course, your
average Snapcase fuckhead is going to beat the shit out of people on the dance floor, go home,
and after reading the bible, jerk off to some pornmag. I mean fuck, as if the hardcore scene isn’t a
microcosmos of the “real world”. I don’t really give too much credit to the scene anyhow so
whatever. I figure that’s why they get all huffy whenever the enslavement of womyn, animals, &
other humyns is mentioned. Cuz if we can’t kill them, we wanna fuck them! Yeah! Hardcore
pride!
It seems that a lot of people who were once concerned about animal rights & related
issues have decided they are no longer important issues. What do you think the reason
for this is & how do you feel about it?
I think a lot of people are drawn into animal rights (within the punk scene) because they do see
the benefits of a cruelty free lifestyle. It really helps when you have a circle of friends that can be
supportive & encouraging. However, as time goes by & people start “growing up” or whatever
the fuck, I can see the interest & the convictions fading away (did I say fad?). In a culture based
on convenience it becomes much easier to return to a pig killing, cow raping, planet wrecking
pathetic excuse for a lifestyle, because it requires absolutely no effort.
Do you find it discouraging that many people write you off as a “pc band” & don’t listen
to what you have to say?
I used to be very discouraged because, for as long as I could remember, the thing that stuck out
most in my mind was the fact that punk & hardcore was somehow subversive & a part of a
counter culture. But whatever, I’m hardly bothered by it. Our “critics” are a fucking joke.
Obviously, a lot of ignorant & comfortable people are going to get upset when you criticize
practices & behaviors that they’ve clung to their whole lives. I’m totally open to being called on
my shit. I think that, as difficult as it is, criticism is an important part of communication. It’s
important to grow as humyn beings. So we’re pc: so what? These people seem so defensive &
shallow minded. It’s so typical & boring that I don’t bother crying (like the wimp/faggot) that I
truly am.
How do you think these people who have jumped on the “anti – pc” bandwagon should be
treated/handled? (it seems a lot of times, if these people are confronted, they accuse you
of being an elitist or being closed minded)
Part of me would like to see their white asses dragged out into the streets & see them caned by a
cop while the fucking army burned their 7” collection & killed their families & torched their house.
Why not? Obviously talking shit about people in zines isn’t going to get anyone anywhere. Maybe
having people experience real life would open a few eyes. I wish that privileged western people
could go somewhere where the cops wouldn’t protect them, where they couldn’t order a piece of
corpse through a drive through fast food restaurant, or where they’d feel the fear & alienation of
being a minority. I think that would shut a lot of people up a lot easier than breaking a shovel over
their head.
Do you think it is important to educate others, especially outside of hardcore, about
political issues & how far should this be taken? Do you think there is a point to where it
becomes too invasive or preachy?
What makes you so sure, or rather arrogant, that people outside of hardcore need to be educated
about anything? I’m not implying that you need to be a certain age before “preaching” to people,
but I think that there are a lot of people outside of the hardcore community that have spent a long
time involved in various struggles. And of course, for example, a gay man will perhaps know a lot
more about this homophobic shithole society because he will have experienced it for himself &
could give 2 shits less about hardcore. As far as educating say, people like my mom & dad, I
think it’s important to offer as many alternatives as possible, but beyond that, I think that the point
where it becomes too invasive comes down to individual situations. Every person is different.
Why do you feel it is important to oppose capitalism?
The existence of the state & capitalism are rationalized by its benefactors as being a necessary
evil. But, of course, the barriers to a truly free society are private property & a grossly injustice
distribution of wealth where a privileged elite dominates the majority of resources & institutions. It
is the state which causes war, poverty, police oppression & other forms of violence. In capitalist
societies, it is the maintenance & expansion of dominion over the workers & the common people
by a privileged class, & the state will go as far & resort to as much violence as required to subdue
us into complacency & apathy. Lorenzo kom’ Boa Ervin, an organizer for the Anarchist Black
Cross, has described our society as a minimum security prison & when you look around at the
way people have been conditioned it makes sense. The drug wars, poverty, the suppression of
Blacks, Latinos, Aboriginals, Womyn, & Animals. Any attempt to improve living conditions of
these oppressed humyns/nonhumyns are met by state terror. We live in a fucking police state.
Look at the people in less privileged countries & how many of them have been murdered for
attempting to organize democratic movements. It’s coming here & I don’t know what else to say
other than that opposing capitalism should fuel us all & if it isn’t then it’s time it did.
Do you believe that there is an alternative system to it & is it obtainable or more
idealistic? (if it is obtainable, how so?)
Based on conversations with others, & speaking for myself, I think that Anishinabe people should
seriously consider drafting an alternative system. We were placed in North America by the
Creator; we have never relinquished sovereignty & we were never conquered by settler
governments. I think that sovereignty is a realistic step towards establishing a political structure
designed to benefit all First Nations, based on the teachings of the Creator. I believe that there are
many laws which, if implemented, would improve our communities. There is not enough space to
answer such a vague question, but here are a few ideas: The Sovereignty of the individual, family,
community, nation. The law of open dialogue, the law of consequences, the law of consensus &
collaboration. This means collective decision making & asking for consideration. The law of
fairness & equality. The law of equal representation of both men & womyn at all levels of decision
making. I could go on for quite some time but I feel that I’ve opened up enough cans of worms
for discussion. I think that these ideas alone could be discussed for hours & hours without any
clear solutions. Suffice to say, this is probably not the best place to discuss an alternative to the
piece of shit system that we’re currently living under. Maybe you should have asked “who are
your influences?” and “what does the band name mean?”
It’s very rare to hear about issues that involve the native people who reside in Canada,
what are some of the issues for the indigenous people there?
I think that there are many issues that we’re attempting to deal with within the aboriginal
community. I’ll focus on the youth because that’s where I’m doing most of my work. Our chiefs
& elders are attempting to settle land claims with the invaders &, until lately, haven’t been
interested in listening to our voices which is a mistake because 50% of Canada’s first nations
population is under the age of 25. We need to be a part of the discussions & we need the skills
required to deal with the settlers. The youth have all kinds of struggles to deal with. Drug &
alcohol abuse, gangs, poverty, & self-esteem are a few that come to mind.
How does the government affect their struggles & what are the native people doing right
now to strengthen their rights?
I think that the government is becoming very sly in the way that they go about dividing us, which is
why it’s so important that we come together & discuss how we can best defend ourselves. Right
now I think that there is a desire to return to a more traditional way of doing things. We’re starting
to place a lot of emphasis on powwows, sun dances, sweat lodges, language, & other traditions
that have been passed on from generation to generation. It’s important that the practices continue
because for us, it’s more than some religion, it defines who we are.
What releases do you have out & what lies in the future for you?
We have a 7” out entitled “Love Is The Act Of Being Moved Into Action”. We have a 7” coming
out on Spiral Objective as well as a split 10” with Silence Equals that a couple of friends are
putting out for us. The 7” will be a benefit for an aboriginal group in Australia. The 10” will be a
benefit for the Anarchist Black Cross. Both will contain the same music. Other than that, probably
writing songs & playing shows. No solid plans to tour but that’s all right.
Swallowing Shit
P. O. Box 26014
116 Sherbrook St.
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 4K9
CANADA
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