Interview w XIBALBA

I would like to think that I am an open-minded guy when it comes to music. I can get into pretty much anything, but there’s nothing I like more than pissed off, grimy, no-frills brutal hardcore from the West Coast. On that note, here’s a short and sweet interview with one of my favorite bands in that genre, Xibalba– you’re fucking moshing!!

Hit them up on Facebook, pick up their new record on A389 Recordings, and make sure to check them out on tour. Thanks to Nate for taking a few minutes for us!

To start off with, I don’t really know much about Xibalba other than what I saw on your Facebook or whatever. Can you give anyone who isn’t familiar with the band a quick introduction?
Whats up we are Xibalba from Pomona Ca. We play some hardcore/metal.. whatever you nerds wanna call it. We started up up in late 2006/early 2007 and we just doing what we do.

You came out with a video a couple weeks ago for “Cold,” which I loved, and has been really well received so far. How did that come together? It looks like it was super fun, how did the shoot go down?
Our homie wanted to do a video for us and we didnt really have ideas so we said fuck it.. had a BBQ and a show in our apartment and this is what happened. such a fun day… Everyone in the band was pissdrunk, minus Big of course.

On that note, you guys seem like you are pretty chill and like to have fun. So many hardcore bands are super uptight and take everything really seriously, which to me is pretty dumb.  What’s that all about?
Eh some of us are straightedge, vegan, drunks and some smoke but our friendship is all that matters. Yeah some bands have certain agendas and messages which is cool and the reason i got into hardcore, to be able to speak my mind but no need to force it down someone’s throat.

As a band we tour, live and hang out with each other and honestly our usual argument is paying the damn rent on time. we are all self dependent and you come to a time in your life where the basic necessities in life and friendship are far more important to me. Im not saying dont be angry or speak you mind, as i hope Xibalba sparks the mind and make you question the world around you but always remember whats far more important, yourself and those closest to you. I am to fucking angry and depressed, no need to surround those closest to me with it. It is us against the world..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN_nhL3-QJ4

It’s not exactly the same style, but Xibalba’s sound and vibe in general kind of reminds me of stuff I was real into back in the day– Dystopia, Phobia, Despise You, Gehenna, etc (aka “tagger metal” haha). Did you get into any of that, or am I imagining things?
all Bands that i like.. um soundwise maybe not similar but definitely bands that do what they want and however they want, in that sense i think we are similar.

It seems like your band is pretty DIY in general, which is kind of a nice break from all the super glossy, generic metalcore bands who have professionally-shot promo photos before they have a demo. Can you talk about that a little? Now that you are building up your name a bit, what are your goals as a band?
Yeah I run SOS booking which is strongly structured around DIY ethics, for the most part every Local show we have played has been booked by me.. we all have been in bands since teens and its pretty much the only way we know how to do it, play shows and have fun. as
for goals we just want to keep playing shows and put music out. We have been hit up to play places around the world and it boggles my mind, i have always wanted to travel the world and if thats something xibalba can do then that be amazing cause our broke asses could never afford it. playing shows and touring its crazy to see the hospitality you encounter, you cant be nothing but thankful and grateful. This summer we are doing a Full US and Europe… fuckin Europe! its surreal to be playing in bands for so long and playing backyards to touring europe. we are ready to tour and fuckin party..

You guys are from Pomona or something, right? I feel like there have been a ton of good bands from the inland empire/909/951 in the past few years. Personally I love the IE so I am stoked on that– what do you guys think of the IE scene these days?
yeah Pomona, Chino and i originally lived in riverside. yeah man people like to talk shit but IE has always been alive and well.. as far as i can remember. Spankys, the Barn, Showcase, Tithemi, Sos Project and on and on. IE has always seem to have awesome bands but never really do much.. the “scene” is and will always be there, people just come and go.