IE: Hey Freddy, what’s up? It has been 4 years since Madball had a new full length out. How does it feel to get “Hardcore Lives” out to the masses and what have people been coming up and telling you about it so far?

Freddy: It was definitely overdue but I hope it was worth the wait for most. At one point we were going to record last year and I'm happy we held off. We were just so busy with the band, life, family, etc. I've heard mostly good things thus far…..very good things!

IE: Where was the cover photo for “Hardcore Lives” taken and is it the real deal or were there some photo shop skills involved? I am guessing it is real so as far as you know is it still up or has it been buffed?

Freddy: It’s up still in the L.E.S, our "stomping grounds". Might actually be buffed by now but its legit graff no photo shop!

IE: Since your last full length you got Mike in now as your full time drummer. Can you tell us a little about his musical background and how did you go about finding him?

Freddy: Mike has been with us for about 4 years or so now. He's a perfect fit both playing wise and personality wise. He used to play in Unearth and has done stints with The Red Chord, Earth Crisis, etc. Even though he's played with more metallic bands his "background" is actually deeply rooted in the hardcore scene. When we were looking for a guy his name popped up because he was somewhat of a "free agent" and I'm happy we gave him the shot. He's fam now. We are as solid as ever. 

IE: Now that you had some time to hear the finished product and have it sink in is there anything that you would like to go back and have a do over with or is this record everything you hoped it to be when you started writing and recording for it?

Freddy: I'm always going to find something that I could have or should have done different or better lyrically/vocally. Musically as well. With that said, this record is one of my proudest moments thus far with this band.

IE: Does Madball still have band practices or are you guys out on the road enough that you get your work in there?

Freddy: We never practice….hahaha…We should! Although, we usually get compliments on our tightness…hope I didn't jinx us! We recently did when we had to do the "Set It Off" set (at the This Is Hardcore Fest). We hadn't played some of those songs in a long while. We rarely do though because we stay active enough, so we just get re-acquainted during sound check. When we are writing is the most we ever practice. We'll run through some stuff to warm up and then go from there. In certain cases if we've been inactive for a long time, then yes we'll do something before a tour. 

IE: This kind of ties in with the last question about band practice… Can you take us through the process on how a song usually comes together for you guys in regards to the music, lyrics, and putting it all together. Does each song just sort of evolve or do you all sit down in a room or a tour van/bus or wherever and work out new ideas into songs? What is the norm?

Freddy:  I'll give you an example: Hoya will bring in a "meaty" riff or two and that could be the basis of a song. Typically we'll all chime in on the arrangement in some way or another…We build it from there, together for the most part. If I start to hear vocal stuff right away (which is usually a good sign) then I sometimes dictate the direction of the arrangement (musically) because I'm hearing a chorus/verse/break,etc. Someone will come up with a bridge or Mitts can hear a good guitar transition….Mike might hear a beat that compliments the track,etc…It’s a team effort. Hoya is the main riff writer I would say. Then Mitts, he's written a good amount of stuff as well. Mike is newer but he's definitely contributed beat wise and has chimed in on the arrangements, he has a good sense of structure. I've hummed a few riffs here and there that have been used but mostly my thing is vocal patterns arrangements and lyrics, etc.

IE: Madball has never been shy from referencing the DMS Crew in their songs… the new one is “Doc Marten Stomp” which contains the lyrics…"they’ve been talking us down for so long, I almost started to believe them all, yeah I know we've done some wrong, we've done some right too... life goes on”... DMS has never been looked at as choir boys but with the positive things that DMS and Black N Blue have done over the past few years with such things like the BNB Bowl, Black N Blue Radio, and the BNB Label do you think DMS has gotten a bad rap? When you make mention to people talking you down does negative feedback/talk really get to you on a personal level?

Freddy: No we've never been shy because it’s our extended family. I'm proud of it.  It’s not a gang and it’s not some mindless purposeless group or "crew".  There are a lot of good stand up people amongst us. This "crew" is our "social- club," our  "fraternity", our "brotherhood" and we also happen to be legitimate business men who help each other. We employ those who need help so long as they're qualified to do the job, whatever that is - security, production etc. We came up together since we were kids/teens, some of us. Sure, we were no choir boys everyone knows that. Some of us were rambunctious and very protective of each other and our beliefs, scene, etc. Some guys unfortunately got "lost" in the struggle. Guys went to prison. Some passed succumbing to a certain lifestyle…..but that happens in LIFE in GENERAL! We can't control that anymore then I can control a tsunami. I almost went that route myself and really some will never truly know how close I came to leading a very "different" life. Luckily, I'm living the life I chose which is, taking care of my fam and making the most of this music thing. Anyone who's been down a dark path knows, it's a personal choice. Unless you're an impressionable child which was never the case with us. The choices made and actions taken were most certainly not because of our crew, per say. That applies to me and any of us. Also applies to those who we unfortunately lost - they were good hearted people despite anything. Some of the best! They just lost the fight with their inner demons. Anyway, the infamous rep has always been there whether we like it or not. I don't see it going away anytime soon. With that said, I think we've demonstrated through all the bands and creative ventures, and all those other channels you mentioned, that we have grown and have overcome some adversity - both personally and as a group. We're not criminals were not organized crime...that's all rumors and hype and fantasy but I will say, we do get our respect from all walks….because we give it. The song says the rest! The book is coming soon! Haha!

IE: The song “Hardcore Lives” uses a bunch of old lyrics/song titles/and band name references while sticking to the songs message.  Do you remember when it hit you to make a song along these lines lyrically and was it hard trying to get as many references in there while sticking to that message?

Freddy: It hit me when I decided to make that the title track- we were going to place that song second regardless because it was "attached" to the opener "Intro". I really wanted to make a statement "out of the gate", I wanted to capture the vibe and "spirit" of this "special thing" we call hardcore. I wanted to go outside of the box with the presentation and do it in a different and cool way but I was being careful to not get corny, hopefully I did that. I just transported myself back to when I was a little kid and I first hung on the L.E.S. with all these characters. When I was introduced to the scene these guys literally lived on the streets and I was out there with them…pan handling, robbing, hustling whatever it took to get a meal, etc. I'm not necessarily proud of those things in particular…haha.. Nor am I glorifying that aspect. Ultimately, that's not what it's all about. But the struggle aspect is my point. I am proud of being a rebel though.. that’s what brought everyone together…a certain rebellious spirit. everyone from different walks of life found a place where they were accepted. This was their sanctuary the "antidote" they were looking for. It was happening  in NYC/DC/Boston/Cali/Detroit…the list goes on and on. So yeah after the first verse I started to incorporate band names/lyrics/etc…It felt right so I ran with it. It's still happening and the spirit lives on- now in places like Indonesia/the Philippines/etc... Besides the usual spots. It's an amazing ride thus far. 

IE: On the new track "Nothing To Me" are you referencing anyone or any group in particular? Who is that song about?

Freddy: Glad you asked without just making assumptions, I appreciate that. A lot of folks tend to do that with us. They think they know our angle, because they think they know us. Anyway, it's from the perspective of a young kid, could be a hardcore kid or whatever kind of kid. When I say kid I just mean a young individual not a toddler..haha. So, basically there's a contingency out there that grew up in a different time than ours.. such is life. They can care less about our struggles, lifestyle, etc, Maybe

they've never had to deal with any serious adversities.. They live in the social media era where you really don't have to be accountable for much at all. Not judging just saying my opinion..  Essentially, this "kid" is talking to me/us in the first verse. My response is the chorus, then I elaborate in the second verse. Again, I put an exclamation point on it in the second chorus. It all means something! Because everything that happens, everything you experience or witness happens for a reason whether it's bad or good..... And you have to earn your place in this life, in my opinion...otherwise you're just coasting, just another body not contributing to your own life or anyone else's. You have to be open to learn from the world around you. It's to no one person specifically. It's more generational but I think it's a timeless topic. It's not just related to hardcore either, another misconception.

IE: For the non-Spanish speaking audience what does the title “Mi Palabra” mean in English and what is this new track talking about?

Freddy: It means My Word. And that's exactly what the song is about, living by your word and the actions that follow. Again, too many people live in a fantasy world where they don't have to be accountable or responsible for what they say....but there's a lack of human contact and interaction and that's not living. I can elaborate more but that's the gist. 

IE: Fans in the US and Canada will get their copies of “Hardcore Lives” via your label..  The BNB Label. Your last EP in 2012 “Rebellion” was the first release on that label but we haven't seen any other releases since then. Where do you see things going for The BNB Label.. Will it be more of a thing that you put out only Madball releases to have full control over your music or can we expect to see you signing other bands and branching out?

Freddy: For now The BNB label is there to facilitate Madball and my other endeavors (FMB/ hip hop, etc). But that doesn't mean it can't or won't grow into more. No rush on my end. I prefer quality over quantity and I really want to work with projects I'm whole heartedly into. Even if it's a damn country band. If it's a project I genuinely back- I'm all in.

IE: You guys had some issues with the vinyl versions of the new album and they didn’t come out at the same time as the CD’s. What was the issue with that and when can people expect the vinyl to be shipped?

Freddy: Unfortunately, yeah we had some issues. Out of our control really. Something at the plant happened that caused some delays. Everyone involved are reputable people, these things just happen! Sucks that it happened with my project! An important one to boot. We're back on track now and orders are going out on time for CDs. For vinyl we have to wait a bit longer and I put the word out about that- so it's not like I've been stalling. I think we've been informative on the BNB side. I do feel bad though.... 

IE: This next question is coming at you from a new father (me) and just out of curiosity I have to ask…how has... if at all…becoming a father changed how you go about your business with Madball whether it may be with scheduling shows and tours or maybe even with your perspective on life when you go to write lyrics for new songs? How has is changed your life?

Freddy: Congrats on being a new father, it's still somewhat new to me as well. As I'm sure you know, it has enlightened and enriched my life in every way possible...and yes it makes my job that much harder! I want to be there every second of his life watching him grow... Unfortunately at the moment my career dictates otherwise. So, I do my best to balance the time right and obviously give as much time for my fam as I can. It's not an easy balancing act to say the least.

IE: If your kid wanted to pursue being in a hardcore band would you encourage him to do it? How old is he now?

Freddy: Music, maybe. Hardcore no way! Ha. He's almost three.

IE: What advice would you give him if he did choose to go down the path of playing music?

Freddy: Do as I say not as I do...or did....rather..ha. I'll have to be his manager or all bets are off....haha. He's a smart boy, I think he'll be fine with whatever he chooses in life.

IE: Do you still keep in touch with long time Madball members Will Shepler and Matt Henderson and do you know what they are up to these days?

Freddy: Absolutely. Those guys were like family before we started doing Madball together and they'll always be just that....fam. They're both married, Will has a son and has a career as an architect. Matt has 3 sons and works in the computer field. He still dabbles in music from time to time (playing/producing/etc). He just played a “Set It Off” anniversary show with us and might be doing some more before the year is up.

IE: What else can we expect out of Madball going forward in 2014? Any surprises on the way?

Freddy: It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you! Expect big things from Madball, always. Just when they count us out we come out swinging harder. Thank you again! Hardcore lives.