The I Skandal interview on Manic

Interview with THE I SKANDAL featured on MANIC MAGAZINE 10th April 2006

Beyond the music It’s taken a while but local ska band I-Skandal are finally set for the release of their new CD, Skaccomatto. Was it worth the wait? Manic meets the band members to find out – and discovers that there is more to a band than the music. Photos: Peter Johansen Even Written by: Sandra Aquilina

On a rainy Monday evening, Fre and iz-Zghiru’s appearance can hardly be termed low-key. Tall and imposing, as if in deliberate contradiction to his nickname, JP aka iz-Zghiru, would have trouble passing by unnoticed even without his quintessential hardcore punk look. He is the I-Skandal’s bassist, lyricist and frontman while Fre, immediately distinguishable through his trademark black hat and spectacles, is the band’s guitarist.

Following a number of line-up changes and additions, the I-Skandal have recently made a revamped comeback, sporting a new brass section. They have also been working on the recording of their new CD, Skaccomatto, which will be released in May. First single Como Estas promises well for the rest of the album. Retaining the band’s distinguishing qualities – their raw and fresh approach to music, the coarse but heartfelt lyrics - it nevertheless moves towards a more melodious ska approach than their previous punk sound.

Maybe more than anything else, however, the one thing that makes it stand out is the general sense of fun which the single exudes as all the members of the band get to sing and play in the song.

The I-Skandal’s new line-up, in fact, boasts a venerable six members whose appearance vies in glory with that of the bassist and guitarist. Guitar and trombone player Nico, with his black hat and black beard, looks like he might not seem out of place as the grim gravedigger in some fairytale. Drummer Dino, with his long hair and colourful hats, is harder to place in a particular tradition, although this might also be due to the fact that he plays in at least four bands. The band’s trumpeteer, Keith il-Pini, also has a hardcore punk look, complete with red mohawk and heavy studded jackets while Ruth, the band’s saxophonist and only female, is the one with the most toned-down appearance.

Skaccomatto is their second release in seven years: why did it take them so long, I ask, after Fre and iz-Zghiru settle down comfortably around my table at the City of London bar. Soon rows of empty beer bottles start to proliferate between us.

“Our music complements our lives, we do not pressure ourselves about the band,” explains iz-Zghiru. “There are a million other things which go on in our lives which have nothing to do with music.”

“But we still kept it going, I think that’s a cool thing too,” says Fre. “Everything has its merits. I think this is another way of taking a band and I don’t think it’s a bad side either,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.

Despite their relaxed approach, however, the band members have been meeting twice a week for the past seven years. To rehearse? “Yes, although occasionally we end up doing other things,” says iz-Zghiru, with something between a chortle and a guffaw.

“One thing I can say about I-Skandal,” he says, suddenly turning serious, “is that there is a bond between the band members which goes beyond music. It is something which ties a lot of other things together.” “We practically grew up together,” Fre nods in assent. “I think the bond will never end; I hope it will never end,” adds iz-Zghiru warmly. Despite his hardcore punk image, the words do not sound strange.

Despite their fun approach, however, the band is genuinely committed to their music, using it to raise questions about issues they are concerned with and about their lives. Como Estas, for instance, is staunchly anti-war and the Spanish refrain is intended to give it “an international feeling”.

“This issue is not limited to Malta,” explains iz-Zghiru, “there will always be a war going on somewhere.”

Most of the lyrics of the songs are raw and unrefined – but also very genuine, attempting to be personal and relevant at the same time. Life, for instance, speaks about trying to cope with life’s chaos and not being in control of things while Ghala is about when a person asks himself why certain things happen in his life. Living a Lie is a very personal song, which speaks about “when you think that maybe you are making a mistake with your life, or that you are not as you would wish to be - and you start asking yourself whether you are living a lie.”

The questioning and rather pessimistic lyrics are at odds with the upbeat, energetic and positive tempos of the songs, with their catchy ska tunes and jolly brass sections. Typically, the band is not troubled by this paradox, however, emphasising that the happy tunes make the lyrics more accessible and allow the message to get through.

“Frederick and myself have always thought of applying pressure through music,” says iz-Zghiru.

Fre nods in agreement. “I also think that, in addition to the social themes, our music also has a personal touch,” he adds. “We try to talk about how things are working for us in society.”

“I am not one to read books,” says iz-Zghiru with disarming candour. “But I do listen to music and I try to listen to the lyrics. There are many bands which I admire and which have changed my way of thinking.”

That the band members are out to make a difference is obvious from their activities outside the band. Iz-Zghiru, for instance, is the mind behind Reciprocal Records, the music company which promotes Maltese bands, issues their releases and organises large-scale festivals like Festahwid and last year’s two-day Broadband Gathering. Reciprocal Records was born four years ago out of a frustration with the local music scene.

“I remember a particular moment when we were all sitting on the old car-seat in the garage where we rehearse. About six months had passed by without a single concert - and everybody was just complaining and complaining,” says iz-Zghiru. “I hate to hear people complaining.”

Reciprocal Records was set up soon after. Since then the record label has released nine CDs, with five more coming out this year. “We promote our own music, organize our own events and at the same time we have helped bands like ourselves to emerge.”

The label has made a real difference, agrees Fre. “I remember that about four years ago, before Reciprocal was born, this type of scene was limited to a few punks listening to their music with a stereo outside Fredu, a small bar in Paceville.”

One thing Reciprocal Records has achieved, adds Fre, is that they “put this kind of music on the spot, they have given it an identity.” Previously there were only a few scattered bands doing a few concerts here and there – “now there is a spot and people who are not in the scene, recognise it too.”

With the release of Skaccomatto, the band has come a long way since they started off life as iz-Zghiru, Fre and Ryan playing together – in Ryan’s sitting room.

True to their punk roots, the boys learnt their instruments on their own, not attending any music lessons.

“Actually I attended a couple of lessons but the tutor did not actually let me practise on a guitar; I had to do a lot of clapping and theory, so I got bored,” says Fre.

“Then, at the school which I used to attend, one of the brothers taught us a couple of chords used in church music. From then on we have just been meeting up and messing around on our own.”

Iz-Zghiru is also self-taught. “I think buying an acoustic bass was the best thing I ever did,” he says with enthusiasm. “I bought it as a pretext to be able to sing… Now I play it better than I sing,” he says, with characteristic underpinning of his own seriousness. “I’m joking,” he adds, almost as an afterthought, and flashes an only-kidding grin. Then again: “I write my songs on it,” he says, sounding serious. “And the more I drink, the better I write.” Another chortle.

Prior to Skaccomatto, the band issued another release, Under the same Sky. The band members are honest about its merits. “That was just an experiment,” says iz-Zghiru, almost blushing. “In the end, we didn’t even like it ourselves,” he says, bashfully. Then adds quickly: “But then lots of people came for the launch - and we still had loads of fun.” He laughs with disarming directness.

“People still came, we’re not sure why,” laughs Fre.

Skaccomatto is miles better, they assure me. The band hopes that it will receive some radio airplay which will make it available to an audience outside the punk and ska subculture. “I hope people will not only listen to the music because it is pleasing to the ear - I would like them to know that there are other things to our music, not just the earcatching tune or the melodic brass,” says iz-Zghiru earnestly.

“Personally, after a rehearsal I feel satisfied because I know I have done my bit - and that at some point I will sing a song live or I will record it or I will do something with it.” The I-Skandal is one of several bands which have sprung up in recent years and persist with a tenacity and seriousness that suggests that there is more to it than the music.

I think there are so many bands in Malta because young people do not have any outlets here,” says iz-Zghiru. “There is no interest at all in Maltese youth culture.” So young people form bands and play their own music, pouring their life blood into it and holding on for dear life, as the music takes on a dimension which not only serves as an outlet for pent-up energy and frustration but also becomes a symbol of distinction, one’s way of trying to make a difference.

The band put a lot into their music, says iz-Zghiru, bringing in their lives, their problems and their feelings about themselves and their surroundings. “Whenever we play, the six of us have a certain feeling; we put what we can in the music, with all our problems and our lives.” He pauses. “We go, we meet, we play, we open up our hearts to each other. And then we speak about the things that we dislike together.” A dry smile. “Who knows, maybe the following day, we will wake up feeling a little better.”

Skaccomatto will be launched at the beginning of May. For more info log onto www.reciprocalrecords.com

You can also listen to "COMO ESTAS", the first single off "Skacchomatto" by going here: http://www.reciprocalrecords.com/media/The%20I%20Skandal-Como%20Estas.mp3 or else right click and press 'save as'.

Cheers!

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