1. First of all if you introduce yourselves?

We are .calibre a Belgian rock band. All of us used to play in the hardcore band facedown. Some two years ago we decided to quit facedown and start all over again. This marked the birth of .calibre. Our band still features the same members and we all still adopt the same ideas. This means that .calibre is an ethical band. We are a political band in the broadest sense of the word. We use our band as a medium to create awareness. We mainly focus on aspects like human-, animal- and environmental rights. To go in dept would lead us way too far. People who are interested in our mission statement can read it on our site: www.calibremusic.com. This site also features pictures and audio fragments.

2. What is the average age of the band?

That would be around 27. A bit older than your average hardcore kid but we are still very young at heart.

3. I heard Facedown on the Rage of the Dying Light compilation released by
Hybrid Records (a subsidiary of Sonic Wave International) was this the bands first appearance on a comp? And if so has the style of music changed or evolved since doing that?

To be honest, I have never heard of this compilation. Are you sure it’s us featuring on this cd? There used to be more than one facedown in the hardcore scene. Are we talking about the Belgian band? Anyway, if it is really us, it must have been something that our previous label fixed. We are not aware of this fact. To answer the rest of your question. This is not the first time we feature on a compilation cd. Our style of music has evolved. We sound more melodic nowadays. There are still parts in our music that sound like facedown but our style has shifted towards new directions. That’s a good thing. Being a musician means you have to be creative. Being creative does not mean copying yourself. It’s as simple as that. We try to keep our music interesting for ourselves and for those who listen to it. Being copycats does not fit our bill. We encourage everybody to explore new fields and interesting domains. Be innovative. Supercede all boundaries. You might be surprised what you find.

3. How does the style you played in Facedown compare to .calibre and why not
just keep the Facedown name if it is still the same guys?

It’s not the same. Facedown and .calibre are two different bands. There are a lot of similarities but they are two different concepts. Facedown was an underground hardcore band and .calibre is a mainstream hardcore band. The latter may sound like a contradiction in terms. Compare it to a Trojan horse technique. We use .calibre to infiltrate into a commercial circuit. We use our position in the media to spread an ethical message. We are doing this in order to reach as many people as possible. And it’s working. In Belgium we have successfully addressed political-laden topics like sweatshops, fair trade, veganism/vegetarianism and ethical consumerism. We have enjoyed a great deal of coverage in mass media. Both television and print. As a result to that, we are getting tons of reactions. We try to help all these people by getting them in touch with specialist organizations. Non profit organizations, grassroots initiatives and even opinion leaders from the hardcore community. Our band tries to bridge the gap between underground and mainstream. The hardcore scene hosts tons of great ideas. It would be dumb and elitist to keep all this information to ourselves. That’s why we transformed facedown into .calibre.








4. How did the reformation happen. Who instigated it?

We instigated it ourselves. We were getting frustrated with the lack of progress in the hardcore scene. With our previous band facedown, we’ve been very active in the underground scene. But after 8 years we got the feeling that we were running around in circles. Nothing really changed. We kept meeting the same people who were all doing the same things. We played the same venues in front of the same people who already knew our stance. It was time to move on. It was time to meet new people. It was time to touch new horizons. It was the next logical step if you honestly think about it. I do want to state for the record that we are all still very much in love with the hardcore community. We still go to shows and we keep on seeing our old friends. It is just that our band moved on. Right now, we are interacting on a whole new level. Not better, not worse. Just different. New people, new ideas, new opportunities. It’s as simple as that.

5. When was the band formed and have you all played in previous bands to .calibre at all?

The band was formed in the beginning of 2000. Prior to .calibre, we all played in facedown.

6. What sort of things are you guys interested in outside of the band?

We like to go to the movies, we like reading books, going to shows. Me personally, I like to play chess. Meeting our friends is always nice. We don’t get to see a lot of them because we are pretty occupied with .calibre. We tend to play a lot of shows. If we are not playing, we are rehearsing, answering mails, updating our website and stuff like that.

7. What sort of bands are you listening to at the moment and do any of these bands inspire you as musicians, in what sort of way?

We listen to bands that are able to move us in whatever way possible. We do not stick to one genre in particular. Everybody in the band likes the following artists: U2, The Police, Heather Nova, The Smiths, Hundred Reasons, 108, Refused, The Pixies, Rage Against the Machine, Sparta, At the Drive In, Circle, … In fact, this list is pretty endless. All the above mentioned inspire us to be the best musician we can possibly be. They inspire us to use our talents and not to sit on our lame asses. They inspire us not be jealous regarding other people’s achievements but to be creative. To go out and grab the opportunity.

8. What is your opinion of pop-punk bands such as Blink 182, New Found Glory (feat. an ex Shai Hulud member) and say Bowling for soup in the charts. Do you see it as having a positive effect on the punk / hardcore scene?

I can relate to these bands. I respect their decision as long as they remain true to themselves. I think that underground bands who make it to the charts can attract new kids. For example, I found my way to the hardcore scene thanks to Rage Against the Machine. Each genre has its bigger bands and I believe they serve as some kind of a beacon. I’m sure a lot of narrow-minded hardcore kids will disagree with me. They have a right to do so but maybe they need to put some of these aspects in a proper perspective. I mean, who are we to judge and to criticize what other bands do with their careers? They are not hurting other people by going commercial. What the fuck do I care whether Blink 182 or New Found Glory made it to the charts. There are things that are far worse than that. The war in Sierra Leone for example. Think about it.








9. How has being in facedown & .calibre affected you as a people, has it changed any of your perspectives at all?

These two bands have altered our lives. Music and hardcore enabled us to get in touch with a lot of interesting people. We have had numerous discussions that shaped us in so many ways. I can’t imagine my life without facedown and .calibre.

10. How do you find touring? Have you had anything crazy happen aside from the usual occasional van break down?

Yeah, one of us was abducted by aliens whilst being on tour. No seriously, touring is great. It gives you the opportunity to expand your perimeters and that’s always a good thing. We have many crazy touring stories. For example, once when we were on tour in America, we were arrested by the police because they thought we were dealing drugs at a local supermarket. Pretty crazy if you take into consideration that we are a vegan straight edge band. The situation was very funny. They approached us with guns and shouting. Very macho. It was just like in the movies. We were even strip searched. After we cleared up the misunderstanding, they let us go.

11. If you could tour in any country which one would it be and why?

We would love to go to Japan. Why? Because we have never been there. Being big in Japan sure beats being big in Belgium. To be honest we will grab any occasion to play. It doesn’t matter where that is.

12. Have there been any point in your careers where you have found touring difficult? Do you have families to support and does this make gigging problematic?

Touring is always difficult if you have ties like family, girlfriends and bills to pay. But we do it anyway because we believe in ourselves and because it’s the only way to make our band visible to the outside world. The biggest bands in the world are, most of the times, those who tour intensively.

13. What are the most important things in you lives right now?

Creating ethical awareness.

14. What are the plans for the band at the moment? Have you got any tours lined
up and who with?

We are currently working on a Belgium and Holland club tour. That is going very well. We are getting lot’s of good reactions. We are booking a small tour in France for the beginning of next year. People who are interested, please get in touch. You can find all the information needed on our website: www.calibremusic.com. We are looking very much forward to play some shows in the UK. Beside the touring, we are working on new songs for a new cd.

15. What sort of bands have you had the opportunity of playing with?

We have played with so many bands. It’s hard to remember all of them of course. We’ve been playing for almost 10 years now. I’ll try to give you a brief and incomplete list: Earth Crisis, Liar, Congress, POD, Ill Nino, Refused, Integrity, Strife, Hundred Reasons, Get Up Kids, Alien Ant Farm, Culture, Morning Again, Madball, Dropkick Murphy’s, Battery, Earthmover, Tool, Slayer, Nations on Fire, Stamping Ground, Catharsis, …




16. Are any of you guy's straightedge at all? If you are what was it that made you what to make the change? And if not what is your opinion of the straightedge ideal?

.calibre is a vegan straight edge band. All of us wholeheartedly adopt this lifestyle. I even think we are the only band of that kind left in Belgium. There used to be a time when straight edge was very popular over here. Nowadays the edge has gone dull. But not for us. On a personal level we all consider straight edge to be an important political lever. In a society that promotes blind consumerism, abstinence is a strong and important statement. Straight edge promotes a clear mind and a healthy, independent body. Life is a precious gift. You have to live every second to its fullest. Anything less than that is a crime. Straight edge allows you to maintain a high level of consciousness because your body and mind are not polluted by products that generate dependence. Still, it’s important to realize that straight edge is but a simple tool on the road to freedom. It’s not the ultimate tool. There are other ways of achieving a certain degree of freedom. Needless to say, you have to put it in its right perspective. Straight edge is not absolute and nor is there such a thing as a straight edge ideal.

17. Do you see the straightedge as a positive voice for hardcore punk? A lot of people I find cannot see past the aggressiveness of the music and find it hard to understand behind the singing style some bands have opinions on say religion, vegetarianism and animal rights for example?

For us, straight edge has got nothing to do with music. Music is just a medium. You can use it to promote a certain message. You might just as well write a straight edge book or give a straight edge lecture in your local school. Straight edge is a way of life. Music just gives color to it. You can even be in a jazz band and be straight edge. You see what I mean? We do consider straight edge to be a positive voice for any given community. Just keep an open mind and respect other opinions.

18. What are your opinions on the situation of Bush/Blair coalition for a war on Iraq? Is it wrong or right? Do you think or foresee anything positive coming of it?

This is a very delicate issue. We are totally opposed to American Imperialism, to say the least. But I’m going to answer your question with a statement of a writer I absolutely adore, William Blum:

“If I were the president, I could stop terrorist attacks against the United States in a few days. Permanently. I would first apologize to all the widows and orphans, the tortured and impoverished, and all the many millions of other victims of American imperialism. Then I would announce, in all sincerity, to every corner of the world, that America’s global interventions have come to an end, and inform Israel that it is no longer the 51st state of the USA but henceforth, oddly enough, a foreign country. I would then reduce the military budget by at least 90% and use the savings to pay reparations to the victims. There would be more than enough money. One year’s military budget of 330 billion dollar is equal to more than 18.000 dollar an hour for every hour since Jesus Christ was born. That’s what I’d do on my first three days in the White House. On the fourth day, I’d be assassinated”.

(Taken from the book ‘Rogue State’ by William Blum)

Food for thought, wouldn’t you agree?

19. Do you see it escalating to world war 3? Does this scare you?

It will not escalate into World War 3 but nevertheless, it scares the living shit out of me.



20. What is the Belgium music scene like?

Belgium has a very active scene with lots of talented bands. But all the Belgian bands share a common problem, the fact that they are Belgian. Our country is too small and insignificant on a worldwide scale.

21. What was the last great book you read?

Against Empire – Micheal Parenti

22. Where do you all see the band going from this point in and have you got any plans at the moment to come over to the UK?

We are aiming for nothing less than total and utter world domination. Just kidding. We are taking it one step at a time. We would love to come over to the UK. Again, if anybody is interested to set up a show for us, please get in touch.

23. If you could achieve one thing in your lives what would it be either as a band or as individuals?

Absolute freedom and a egalitarian society. But, in reference to Thomas Moore, it’s utopian to think such a thing would ever happen.

24. Are there any up and coming local bands that you want to give shout outs
too or could recommend for people to check out?

Circle (circlerocks.com), Leech (leechmusic.com) and Moneymaker (moneymakermusic.com) are awesome bands. Check them out. It’ll be worth your while.

Thanks a lot for your time and attention!

If these shackles are routine – then prison is surrender

Fuck the band

.calibre