Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

In regards to the group CIVIL DEFIANCE, (Wikipedia Reference: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Defiance)

the members are as follows:

Gerry Nestler/ Vocals, Guitar & Piano (current)

Brad Hornbacher/ Lyrics (current)

Mike Kinney/ Guitar (1989-1994)

Mike Kent/ Drums (1991-1994)

Jenk Kent/ Bass (1991-1994)

Gabriel Trevizo (1989-1990)

Brian Terry (1989-1990)

John Lisi (EU tour 90's)

Juan Perez (EU tour 90's)

Have you had other previous members? Yes, CIVIL DEFIANCE has had some line up changes throughout the years.

Did you make music even when you were young? Yes, Music, along with art.

Where are you from? Los Angeles, California USA

What year did the band form? 1989

Documentary Films, Books, 

Documentaries, world events, the constant battle between good and evil in society and the world.

How have you developed since you started with the music? CIVIL DEFIANCE had developed very much from a technical Thrash Metal group in 1989, to a pioneer of Alternative Thrash music.

Do you have other interests of work outside the band? More bands and more music and film.

Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? CIVIL DEFIANCE was last signed to a deal with GRIND SYNDICATE MEDIA/ NUCLEAR BLAST. 

What made you decide to make this music? Back in the 1980’s I was writing songs for a band called Broken Edge. We released an album on Polydor Records and had some songs placed in some movies. After the band broke up, the lead singer and I kept writing and producing songs together. The material we were writing was pretty basic stuff about relationships gone bad ,  broken hearts etc..

Pop oriented lyrically safe songs. On the other hand I started writing lyrics dealing with things in society that disturbed me. Inner city violence, government propaganda, needless war etc.. but my songwriting partner felt it was too radical for what we were doing. I held onto the lyrics and eventually when I met Gerry,.  he stumbled onto them and thought he could write some great music to put to them and form a band around our collaboration. That eventually led to the forming of Civil Defiance and the music we make.

What are your songs about? This might seem cliché but mostly world issues. We’d like to bring attention to some of the injustices that are going on both locally in our society and in different areas of the world. When I see a documentary or read an article about an injustice that pisses me off  I usually just start telling the story from my view point and Gerry finds a way to structure it into a cohesive song structure. Besides that, I also tend to write about inner conflicts that affect most anyone and hope they can relate it to their own feelings and lives.

Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Gerry Nestler composing with lyrics by Brad Hornbacher.

Do you start with the music or the lyrics? Both, sometimes one or the other first.

What language do you sing in? English

Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? Throughout the bands live performance history the set list has always varied.

Do you have a regular place you play live often? During 1989-1990 at the Troubadour(West Hollywood CA.) and from 1991-1993 at the Coconut Teaszer (West Hollywood CA.)

What was your first gig like? The first CIVIL DEFIANCE show was on April 9, 1989 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood CA. It was a Sunday night at 8pm and the group was booked last minute. The turn out was a decent 35 in attendance, which quickly led to another Troubadour show on the following Sunday where the attendance grew to 135. 

What was your latest gig? Thelast show was in Switzerland.

What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? A: I f***ing hate it. I think kids these days are unknowingly cheating themselves out of the experience of discovering the depth of  bands that might make a mark on their lives. Before all of this downloading shit, an artist would make an album that would cover a canvas of what they were about musically and lyrically. People were able to immerse themselves into that body of work and relate to the experience of what they were listening to and form a bond with that artist and look forward to their future work. These days people are downloading their own little playlists of hit singles that are being shoved down their throats by the programming puppetmasters and media.  You used to go into a record store to find an album and discover new bands while searching through the record bins. Now with downloading you go to a site and the first thing that pops up is “Most popular new tracks”. And it lists shit like the new Imagine Dragons pap or the same 20 hip hop acts that have been recording the same fucking song and releasing it with different lyrics and a couple of beat changes for the hundreth fucking time. Give me a break! If this was what went on back in the day, bands like Led Zepplin would probably have never even been heard of. I could go off on this subject for days but I think you get the idea. 

How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? The bottom line is, both the consumers of music and the artists today are being cheated by the laziness of song downloading.

How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? I honestly don’t know if it will but I hope it could draw some new interest in our band.

Do you have any role models or idols? My role models are anyone that has the courage to stand up for what’s right in this world .  Anyone who fights and does not back down to the human monsters and bullies that prey on the weak and innocent.

Why do you think that they exist? Someone’s got to do it.

Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Older bands. They worked their asses off  and their blood, sweat and tears made it possible for he new bands to do what they do today.

What advice would you give other bands or artists? Stay true to what you believe in. Don’t let some slimy asshole  who doesn’t even know you tell you to change your sound or image to be like whatever’s popular at the moment. Also don’t give up the dream.

What are your plans for the future? To keep writing and make more records. Keep our dream alive.

Do you have something to add? Not off the top of my head, but if you have anymore questions we’d be happy to answer them.