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Interview with Ali   December 13, 1999

FAST TIMES

How is Fast Times doing nowadays? What's keeping you guys busy?

If you had asked us that question two months ago, I would have answered with "not so good", but you caught us at a time when were flying high. We just had a member change behind the drums. It was really hard to find the right guy.  Now that we have Steve, we plan on recording a new full length in early January, and as soon as the record comes out in late February, were hitting the road. Preparing for the record is keeping us really busy, and really happy too. Its a great feeling to have these kind of projects to put your heart into.

I had this impression that lately, bands from NJ sound emo-tic (ie. lifetime, saves the day...), what do u think is the reason behind that? How's the NJ HC/punk scene?

If that's your impression of New Jersey, you should plan a visit, and I'll show you what NJ is about. We actually have a very diverse selection of bands. There are strong scenes in every genre.  Unfortunately, the different scenes-- emo, metalcore, old school, punk, rarely intermingle.

With all this hype going on, have u ever thought of writing and playing emotionally driven songs?

I would show my middle finger to anyone who called us an emo band, but to answer your question, Fast Times IS very emotionally driven. The four of us love this band, and we play our hearts out every time. My lyrics reflect the things I love and hate. I think I can speak for the entire band when I say that we don't write and play according to what the hype is. I am pretty detached from that scene that is labeled emo. it really doesn't do much for me. I gravitate towards the more aggressive stuff. Hype is temporary, and any band who plays what they do simply because they want to cater to the popular trend probably wont last long. The chemistry among ourselves as musicians, dictates what the sound of Fast Times is.

I heard that you guys just finished your European tour. any funny stories you would like to share?

Hmmm... The first things that come to mind are too incriminating. And the things I can tell you just don't seem funny typed in an interview. The things that make us laugh are all inside jokes: Steve kicking the orange juice, jobbie three rubs, yaya, 50 broken bottles, Turkish toilets that can't be funny to you.... but it is to anyone who was in that tour van.

Have you guys tried to play for a non-punk crowd. ( ie yuppie bars, gay bars)?

We played to a sea of hessians at a festival in Austria with DIO, Creator, Motorhead, The Misfits, Napalm Death (and about 20 other very metal bands). I was worried that the crowd would be like "what the fuck are they doing here?". Especially because the band before us got that response, but when we started playing, a huge crowd streamed into the room-- long hair, tight jeans and all. They really got into us, and that was pretty rewarding to see a whole different crowd open up to us like that. Another time in the early days of fast times, we played a graduation party. Jen's (the graduate) friends were all punk, but her family was there too. We have a video of our set, and it is hilarious. Its definitely a contender for Americas Funniest Home Videos because Jen's dad got up for one song and was dancing around like a total idiot and yelling "Fast Times" into the mike. And this big biker guy moved up front to watch us, and the rest of the family looked on in horror. There were mullets, grandmas, etc in the crowd that day. You've got to see this video!

Do you really think you could start a revolution by playing your music?

What kind of revolution are you talking about here? A global revolution? probably not. That's not my intention anyway. I definitely believe that our new record will be capable of sparking a personal revolution in an individuals life though. And when that happens, the chain reaction of events can be significant. A theme that keeps on presenting itself in our songs is the that of following your heart and taking chances in life. If our songs are to affect listeners, they will do so by focusing on personal development.

State your musical and non musical influences?

All of fast times is influenced by the classics, but that's not a surprise. Bands like Minor threat, Seven Seconds, Agnostic Front, the Misfits, Gorilla Biscuits, etc. laid the foundation of this music. if your into punk/hardcore, liking these bands is almost universal. It seems cliche to list them as influences, but admitting their significance is inescapable. Some of my other favorites were vision, token entry, sheer terror, bad brains. And then there are the modern ass-kickers vision (again), dillinger escape plan, rorshach, kid dynamite. No one person has influenced my Music most. Great "singers" that I've drawn inspiration from would be Henry Rollins, HR in his heyday, Joan Jett, Paul Bearer, and dare I say Cappo? but my adopted mom has most influenced the person I am. She supported every interest I ever had, and that is the reason that I am confident in reaching the goals I set for myself today. Its sad that she still pisses me off so much sometimes.

Since you guys have a girl singer, have you encountered people who are prejudiced about it?

It really all begins between these two ears of mine. I mean business when I get up on that stage, and our audience definitely picks up on that, so they have no choice but to take me seriously. I am confident in my skills as a front girl for a hardcore band. I completely belong here, and no one has ever told me otherwise. I pity the fool who would dare to.

Have you ever gotten harassed at a show?

I get asked "do you have a boyfriend?" a lot, more than the guys get asked "do you have a girlfriend?", even though all three of them are handsome devils. But that's not harassment. I got my first creepy "fan letter" not too long ago, creepy, but still not harassment. so the answer to your question is no.

Do you think there's enough being done about women liberation?

In America, women are liberated, the work is done. In lesser developed countries, the customary atrocities need attention. But I don't consider female castration in Africa or permissible rape or selling daughters as brides women's lib issues. Those are human issues that need reform. As a hardcore chic in America, oppression is nonexistent in my life.

If punk rock was a coffee, how would you like it served?

Super caffeine concentrated cuz punk rock is all about energy.

Is fashion really important in a subculture like punk?

Of course not. what does clothes have to do with sharing ideas and good times? What kids wear is just a slight reflection of what's going on in the wearers head. Take those clothes off, what's in the head remains the same. Punk gear does serve some purpose-- a sort of flag announcing where your interests lie (patches/buttons especially). But the gear is a matter of taste and choice, its certainly not of great importance, and it is not mandatory to wear the uniform to be considered punk. Punk is a lifestyle and state of mind, not fashion style/state of dress.

Have you ever had an experience that made you lose your faith in HC/punk?

If I had lost my faith, would I be here right now? But with your question, a span of time comes to mind. During 91-93 there was this uprising of PC in punk/hardcore. Dancing at shows was being shunned, and hardcore as I knew it seemed quite threatened. I call this movement sophisticore. I guess that was the birth of the scene now known as emo. Old school was on life support, but it finally pulled through. I continued loving the records I always loved, with a lot of people who I knew loved the same records "progressed" beyond them. A lot of people started considering hardcore and punk to simple for their complex selves. Thank god good old fashioned hardcore pulled through. You really cant deny the power of it.

What made you decide to join the Smorgasbord Records roster? As we all know, Smorg Recs is a (mostly) straight edge label, and you guys in Fast Times, I'm not sure if you guys are sXe. How is Smorg Recs treating you?

We are all straight, but that is a coincidence. We don't make to much of an issue of Straight Edge. The label was always known for being very diy, and it had strong roots. (it's been in existence for over 10 years now). I was mainly attracted to those two things. I'm honored that fast times defines the modern smorgasbord label. we made a really good decision when we signed with them. Jeff turned out to be a great friend to all of us. Our relationship with him goes beyond business now.

Do you guys have day jobs? if yes, then how would you justify a punk working on a corporate institution?

You have just touched on a subject that Fast Times Focuses on quite often. I am 25, and I work only for myself. After the European tour, I quit the part time jobs I had, so that I could focus on my artwork. I make a living painting murals and doing other at related things on a freelance basis.  Of course, not everyone can do that. Every person needs to make ends meet somehow, so it is not my place to judge ones occupation. But in our world, I see so many people who hate what they do and are miserable at their jobs. They turn off their brains when they go to work, and they forget to turn their brains back on when they punch out. They commit their lives to accomplishing their boss's goal. Meanwhile, they lose their identity and their dreams are never realized. It is not in a punks nature to follow this pattern, so when you have found a way to be happy, make a living, and be yourself, you have beaten the system. The solution will be different for everyone. I hope you don't mind my including song lyrics in this answer, but I feel   that they are pertinent to the question:
THE QUESTION NEVER ASKED
Stop what your doing, and ask yourself,
"Does this make me happy?"
Might you wake up one day, and wish you did things differently?
DOES THIS MAKE YOU HAPPY?
If the answer is no, if the answer is no,
You owe yourself a motherfucking apology.

Who knows what is right for you? Only you
ONLY ME
Who's gotta live with what you choose? Only you
ONLY ME

They try to beat the dreams out of your head,
and make you one of them.
But you cannot deny the vision in your eyes.
DOES THIS MAKE YOU HAPPY?
If the answer is no, if the answer is no,
You owe yourself the worlds greatest apology.
Who knows the right thing to do? Only you.
ONLY ME!
Who's gonna make sure you stay true? Only you.
ONLY ME!

We can do anything. We control what the future brings.We can do anything.
Whose gotta live with what you do?
ONLY ME ONLY ME ONLY ME ONLY ME
Who's gonna make sure you follow though?.....

Are you guys pro-abortion? If yes, then how would u justify being pro-human rights ( my personal definition of human rights also covers the basic human right which is the right to live)?

Abortion is a crappy thing to do, but it is necessary to let it be an available option. I stress the importance of using birth control to prevent an unwanted Pregnancy.

What if punk rock was never invented, what do u think would u be into right now?

I would have more time to concentrate on my artwork, but I wouldn't have such a strong source of inspiration from which to derive ideas from. And if punk were never invented, I probably wouldn't like any music at all--- that's how it was before I discovered punk.

When was the last time you shed a tear?

When I felt stressed out about getting some projects done, and then I came home to a nasty note left by my mom.

Tell us the funniest joke you heard.

I have the worst joke retention capability, but guess what..... chicken butt.

How would u describe Fast TimeS in just one word. That one word should begin with F and end with S.

FuckinEnergyOutTheAss