• achtergronden
• DE 7EVEN
• video's
• agenda

ernaast

THE TRANSPLANTS: EVERYONE GETS STABBED IN THE BACK SOMETIMES.

Rob Aston wrote his first songs for THE TRANSPLANTS, a band that also includes Tim Armstrong (Rancid) and Travis Barker (Blink 182). The debut album features a mix of many different styles: punk, pop, hip-hop, breakbeat, reggae, and more. Time to catch up with Rob Aston: "I don't care if everyone loves it or hates it."

Tekst: Norbert Pek

Publicatiedatum: 27 november 2002

How did you meet up with Tim and Travis?
"I met Tim the first time when I was a roadie for the punk band AFI: I met Tim and the Rancid guys on tour. At the moment, I also live with Tim in Los Angeles. I knew Travis even before he was in Rancid. Tim and I needed a drummer at a certain point, and we wanted the best one, so we called Travis."

When did you decide to start making an album?
"We started working on some things in January, 2000. We didn't have the intention to make a record; We were just fucking around, experimenting with shit. At a moment, Tim said that we should make a record and put it out on his Hellcat label."

The album is so full of styles — how did you come up with that?
"It's just that all of us listen to every sort of music: metal, punk, hip-hop, everything. And this shows on the record. We didn't have a plan. We didn't think 'hey, this song has to sound like this,' but we just did what we wanted. And we wanted to do something completely different. And I think we succeeded."

Why did the recording process take two-and-a-half years?
"That's because of Tim. Tim is a busy guy, working hard on Rancid and his Hellcat label."

Is it hard to promote the Transplants album, because of some scepticism towards a side project?
Tim and Travis don't see it as a side project; they give 110%. But people could have thought it would become a punk record because members of Rancid and Blink 182 are in the band. But, actually, they didn't know what they could expect. I think right now a lot of people are convinced the Transplants made a good album, and they seem to enjoy it. But I don't give a fuck. I don't care if everyone loves it or hates it. I don't care what the critic says. I don't care what anyone says. We made this record, and we like it, and that's what it's about."

Are you going to put out a single?
"We are going to put out a single and shoot a video in January. I think it's going to be 'Diamonds And Guns' "

Good choice. Who did the piano loop, by the way?
"Ehh, who did that one? Ah, it was Dave Carlock, a friend of ours. He played it and Tim looped it."

What do you think is punk about the Transplants?
"I think in the sense that we say 'fuck everybody — who cares if we're going to sell one copy of our record or a million copies?' That's a punk attitude. Musically, it isn't punk."

I heard you're also a big hip-hop fan.
"Oh yeah. Me and my friend Danny always listened to hip-hop. I love rap. Right now I'm working on a 100% rap record. I'm going to do exactly what I want. I still have to find some producers, but I'm going to record it soon."

The name of the track 'D.R.E.A.M.' refers to 'drugs rule everything around me.' Wu-Tang parody, or the truth?
"The Wu-Tang Clan is what the hook came from. But it's true: Drugs do rule everything around you. People have to sit down and think about that. There is bad money everywhere. Drugs rule everything. There are so many problems around."

But do the drugs rule the situation for you or for everyone in this world?
"It's not really my own situation. It's just that a lot of people just don't know what's going on. I think the people who are so naïve — they say there are no problems — are the ones who are really in shit."

Do you feel more like you're punk or hip-hop?
"I'm not a punk rocker. I'm not a certain type of person. I'm just Rob, just a regular person."

Do you think people in the punk scene imitate each other? . . . try to live the same?
"There are always going to be things like a punk elite or punk purists. They always tell everyone what to do: 'Live this way and you're bad.' 'Is your song on the radio? Then you're not really punk.' That shit, you know? But who cares? You just have to live your life. When you live by their rules, you live a lie. And that's not punk."

Is it important to focus on the trouble you have in your life?
"I write a lot about problems, about the things around me and the things I don't know about. I think you should write about these negative things, because they are important. People just can't ignore them."

In 'Sad But True' you mention the person you're grateful about, how he came into your life. Who was that?
"It's a song about everyone around me who died: relatives and friends. Not a particular person. It's not that I had bad luck in my life with people passing away. It's just life. No one lives forever. Some people's time is up before it should be. These are the bad things that happen."

Does the person that 'We Trusted You' is about know you made this song?
"It's mainly about one person, and I'm not going to tell his name. The song can be taken in many ways. Everyone's had some friend who's stabbed him in the back. So the song is also for everyone. I don't care if the person I wrote this song about has heard it, and I don't really give a shit about it either."

You started as a roadie for AFI. How did you come to that?
"Well, some of my friends were in AFI, and I said: 'If you need someone on tour with you, I'll go.' I had a great time, and that's also where I met Rancid. I'm just a lucky guy who now gets to play with people like Tim Armstrong. The way it went is like the domino effect. First you go on tour as a roadie, and now I'm working on that rap record. And next week I'm going to work with Cypress Hill on it."

How did you get in touch, then, with Cypress Hill?
"I got in touch with them through my friend Ray, from Downset. He's also the one who did the artwork of the Transplants record, for the Mister Cartoon company."

I guess you're going to write the lyrics again. Is it hard to do?
"Well, at first it was very intimidating to work with Tim. But he put no pressure on me; he's a really relaxed guy. But you get the hang of it. It's just like skateboarding. In the beginning it is hard, but you learn a lot and get better."

Are you going to tour with the Transplants?
"We're going on tour in March. We'll do that with the three Transplants members: Matt from Rancid, and Craig from the Forgotten."

Also a gig in Holland or Belgium?
"Yes, because we're going to play everywhere."

And will there be a next Transplants album?
"Next year we're going to work on a new one. But it won't take that long; it will be faster. We're just going to work faster."

http://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/transplants/the-transplants-everyone-gets-stabbed-in-the-back-sometimes/2093/
Meer Transplants op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/transplants