Matt
McCall came out of Redding's early 2000's hardcore scene as the
singer of the straight edge youth crew band SOME STILL BELIEVE. Since
moving from Redding, he has actively continued in the Northern
California hardcore scene fronting other bands such as RIGHT ON,
SECRET PEOPLE, and more recently COUNTER (also featuring ex-Redding
hc local Ben Paulsen). All of which are rad and recommend you check them out. I'd like to thank Matt for taking the time to
do this interview with me. I have always found him to be a well
spoken man and great singer.
What
was your introduction to punk and hardcore?
I
was introduced through the popularity of grunge, namely NIRVANA.
Prior to their popularity, I listened to a lot of popular rap and
other top 40 hits. After that I got into rock and roll a lil more
heavily, but when GREEN DAY'S Dookie, came out it was all over from
there. It took about the same path as most all people who are
involved in punk or hardcore.
When
did you first start going to shows in Redding? What attracted you to
them?
I
first started going early in High School. When you get into punk you
love the music, but you quickly learn hearing it recorded is not
enough. You need to take an active role, and the easiest way would be
to actively go to shows. So when I would hear about some local bands
playing, I always made an effort to go, even if a few ties i had to
have my mom drop me off.
Do
you have any top favorite Redding shows?
Easily
it would be the AIDS benefit at Mondo's. It was an all day event in a
field somewhere south of Redding run on a generator. It was awesome.
Also the AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, DEATH THREAT, STRIKING DISTANCE tour
coming through was a real good one.
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How
did Some Still Believe become a band?
SOME
STILL BELIEVE came about after I met Duane and Nate through a mutual
friend. At Shasta College we became closer friends, and there was a
lull in the local scene, so we discussed starting a band. The first
time i "sang" at practice I heard it was awful. Luckily the
guys gave me a chance to get better.
What
kind of reactions did you guys get in Redding?
You
know its been a while, but I feel we got a pretty good reaction at
the shows we played.
What
was Some Still Believe’s reason for relocating to the bay area?
Some
of the members decided to move to the bay area, and the few of us
that hadn't planned on it said fuck it. We weren't doing anything
terribly important, so we decided why not move collectively as a
group.
Why
did Some Still Believe decide to break up?
SOME
STILL BELIEVE broke up mainly because it had run its course. When
SOME STILL BELIEVE moved to the bay area Duane and Nate were in
ALLEGIANCE, and it was very clear that ALLEGIANCE was the band and
SOME STILL BELIEVE was on the back burner. After that it looked like
it was time, we weren't writing a lot of new music and we all
expressed doing new projects.
What
would you say are the differences in being a band in a town like
Redding vs. being one from a larger metropolitan area?
The
main differences would just be the towns themselves. It is easier in
a larger city to get shows and places to play these shows. Other than
that, its just the fundamental differences between large cities and
small towns. The scenes themselves are very similar. The only
difference that I can think of now is a less fragmented scene in the
small town, which is great.
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What
have been your reasons for being straight edge? Have your reasoning’s
why to remain straight edge changed since first identifying with it?
I
still see being straight edge as a "fuck you" to
conformity, plus I save a ton of money not buying booze or ciggies.
Seriously though its easy (especially in a small town) to get sucked
into the everyone's doing it and there's nothing better to do attitude,
and I for one do have better things to do. Not to mention I do
believe I have an addictive personality when I get into something I
REALLY get into it. When I got into records I bought a ton, got back
into comics and now I have bookshelves filled with them and that's
just a few examples, so its more than likely in my best interest not
to get into drugs and things of that nature. These days being
straight edge doesn't even cross my mind, I'm 32 years old why on
earth would I start drinking now? I cant see any upside to it, and
I'm still a little pleased that people are put off when they find out
I don't drink. They cant wrap their heads around it and I like it
that way.
As
time goes on, a lot of people come and go from the scene. What has
kept you involved with punk and hardcore?
I
think for me personally its the sincerity that keeps me involved. I
know some people will write it off and complain that the scene in
general has lost direction and to an extent it's true but I try to
surround myself with people that do believe they can have an impact
however large or small on the way people think. I know its cliche but
I still believe it. Not to mention the rock and roll aspect. I like
to rock, so that's what I try to do. Hardcore/punk is essentially
aggressive rock music that kicks ass. It's fun to be involved in it.
Despite its faults, hardcore/punk is still miles ahead socially of
any other music scene I know of, so I'll take it.Here are links to bands Matt has played in.
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