1.Could you tell a bit more about
Byllepest distro label?
Byllepest distro label said :
Hey Azra, thanks a lot for showing interest
and doing this interview. Byllepest Distro is a hardcore punk label, distro and
booking service located in the squat Vestbredden in Oslo, we've been doing
vinyl and cassettes since 2011. I've been doing it with help from friends and
supporters and have done about 42 releases now and a lot more to come. We focus
on primiitve hardcore punk and related genres with good political and mental
hygiene without ever promoting ourselves as a "political label"
allthouhg we ofcourse don't tolerate any fascist, sexist or hateful bands or
artists on our label. I've been trying my best to have a sincere contact with
the bands and involve them as much as they want to with the label as a
"collective" rather than being another conventional publisher. The
label have changed our generic sound and priorities a lot over the years from
crustier stuff to fresher takes on primitive 80's hardcore, punk and new wave.
Basically, we are just another chaotic DIY punk label I guess.
2. When did you start with the
byllepest distro label and are the bands satisfied with your services?
Byllepest distro label said :
Byllepest Distro started as a small
distrobution in 2011 as a solidarity project to pay legal funds for squatters
and activists who were fined after the eviction of our action squat in the
empty half of Oslo Central Police Station. The squat was called the Cockroach
Cafe (After the Blatz song, haha!) and had subcultural events such as punk
gigs, poetry nights and general assemblies up to five days a week. It only
lasted for a month until we were evicted by police coming down from the roof
and waking us up with teargas and dogs at 7 o clock in the morning. One month
later the whole inside of the building collapsed after the shakes from the nazi
bombings of 22nd of July. It was pretty insane times and seems so surreal in
retrospect. The whole concept started out as a small distro of records and
tapes, I took over the remains after another norwegian label; Nakkeskudd Plater
called it quits and for a good long while it was me on a trolley bringing my
boxes of records around to shows, record fairs etc. In late 2011 I released a
record by a local hardcore band called The Ødeleggers which later went on to
form current Oslo favorites Purple X (also members of Jenkem Warriors), who I'm
also so lucky to be workng together with. Purple X are all dear friends who
help me out a lot. For the first couple of years the releases happened pretty
sporadically and there was no real ambition, structure or further idea besides
me having an awesome time helping out a growing international punk network. In
the starting years after the eviction, I was living out of a art studio I
shared with some friends and I pretty much spent all my time sorting and
shipping out records from there. At the time, one of the main functions was
also to support my own band; JENKEM WARRIORS and the projects of my friends.
Economically we are always chaotic and allthough I'm getting help now it's
always difficult to maintain a label out of my own personal welfare check. I
try to help out as many bands as I can though. Weither or not all the bands
have been satisfied is a sore topic as I can't say everyone have been. There
are bands I haven't been able to release on time as Ive sometimes taken on too
many releases which have caused me to not be able to meet deadlines, one
example is the great norwegian band GYNEKOLOGENE. I wish them all the best
though. Mostly, I like to think we are on time and manage to please the bands
involved. It's a good thing I'm getting help from my partner in crime, Jonas
who's way more structured than I am. I've also received endless support,
dedication and co-operation from my concidered family and new friends for life
from Bogota; MURO, FINAL and RAT TRAP. I would never have been able to reach
the now seemingly insane dimensions our small label have reached since 2011.
They are eternally resourceful in means of printing, design, putting out some
of the most successful records on the label (YES, there will eventually be a
Muro - Ataque Hardcore Punk repress...) and generally being emotional and
spiritual support. I am lucky to know such amazing people and these things
would not have been possible without them. Juan Sebastian Rosillo from Rat Trap
have also been a defining force in developing a aesthetic for the new
generation of Byllepest with his visual touch. Check out his artwork as he's one
of the finest visual artists in contemporary punk. Basically, as much as I
think I generally do a good service for bands and punks; the bands I'm involved
with also help me out a great deal and it is thanks to them that the label is
what it is today. It's a collaborative co-operative effort and the artists are
contributing just as much as me as a publisher. I don't believe in a service as
much as collective work.
3.What bands can expect from you?
Byllepest distro label said :
I usually go a bit out of my way to give bands
the best promotion and coverage I can, usually they get 20% of the records as
well as a no-profit comission price for further records. I also t ry to help
out as much as I can in means of networking, booking european tours and helping
them get in touch with fanzines, interviewers and promoters in general. I only
release bands I truly believe in and want to lift. We don't have the best
economical capicities but we do what we can to get our bands out there. The
label is supposed to be as much of a stamp of quality as the bands are for the
label.
4. Could you give some advice to
bands about the underground scene?
Byllepest distro label said :
From my own experince playing in bands , it's
easy to give up because you don't feel like you don't have an outreach or that
people don't show interest in what you do. From my own experience running a
label and distrobution and having been privileged enough to go around and see
different corners of the international punk scene, I've experienced quite the
opposite. There are always people out in the far corners of the world that play
your demos regularly, show it to their friends and are deeply devoted to what you
do, but it's not always gonna show through the "luractive DIY Promotion
channels" that you might wish to see it from. Keep on doing what you do
and get better at it regardless of the response. At one or several occassions
your stuff will reach through enough words of mouth that someone will get in
touch with enough dedication for what you're doing to raise it above ground.
Also, never compromise your passion with realistic limits, espescially if
you're in the starting phase. If you have the mental and physical capability,
put everything into your project if you truly believe in it and support and get
in touch with other new bands that truly captivates you. There's too much focus
on reincarnations of old bands, but forging new friendships and networks is how
new, inspiring scenes are forged. Also, give people credit for the work they
do, anything else is bad ettiquette and shitty rockstar behavior.
5.Could you say something at the
end for the blog All for one and one for all?
Byllepest distro label said :
Punk is co-operation, not competition. Thanks
to all the bands, dear friends, old farts and true rockers that helped
Byllepest become what it is today. You know who you are. And please start new,
awesome labels and bands rather than sucking up to has-beens! It's truly what
keeps punk fresh and vital! P.S I can not express in this interview the amount
of gratitude I would like to include towards everyone who've supported
Byllepest over the years. I know this is the fourth round of thanks, but you
really don't know how much you all mean to me and I am terrible at expressing
it through everyday gestures.
