Interview with Vicious Circle

Since the 1980s Vicious Circle (VC) has been a main stay of the Australian Hardcore movement. The band formed in Melbourne in 1983 and was quickly established within the cities scene. VC has appeared on numerous compilations worldwide and released multiple albums, EPs and singles during the bands 30 year tenure. 

Contact Vicious Circle in Instagram - viciouscircle83

Asmita - First of all, thanks a lot for interview, so what are you really looking forward from Nepali underground scene?
Vicious Circle - No problem Eumsn i’d say the main thing is to communicate and if people are interested they can check  VICIOUS CIRCLE music out past and present. From what I gather there is a growing scene in NEPAL and INDIA of music from punk rock to death metal and everything in between. Which means people want to express themselves by making heavy music and having an outlet, which is a great thing.

Asmita - Can I get the short biography  of your band? And what is the meaning of Vicious Circle exactly means to the band?
Vicious Circle - VICIOUS CIRCLE formed in 1983 In Melbourne , AUSTRALIA at the time of the bands formation l think it was mainly boredom that drew us together and wanting to do something we could call our own, just a bunch of kids from different backgrounds who shared similar musical tastes and ideas. Since then VICIOUS CIRCLE recorded our first single in 1984  SEARCH FOR THE SOLUTIONthen in 1985 we released our first album THE PRICE OF PROGRESS. Over the decades we have released 15 ALBUMS , multiple singles,eps and been featured on compilation albums all over the world. Toured AMERICA, ASIA, EUROPE, UNITED KINGDOM, NEW ZEALAND and played extensively through AUSTRALIA . Obviously when you do something for such a long time you change and grow as an individual, for me the band has always been an outlet for creativity and expression, l am not worried about trends or fads they come and go. The most important aspect is to believe in yourself and what your doing, always try to maintain a positive outlook. You need to have fun, keep learning. I have met so many good people doing this, that's a true gift. Also you need to laugh and at times not take yourself too seriously life is far to short.

 VICIOUS CIRCLE are PAUL/ VOCALS YETI/ GUITAR CRAIG DRUMS KARL BASs

Asmita - What are the lyrical themes you use in your songs? Gore, horror, politics, anti religion etc..

Vicious Circle - Mainly self determination,  a way to convey ideas and observations with lyrics  about situations you see wrong or want to question with your own perspective or thoughts. l see to much hatred,greed, in our culture. Humans from an evolutionary point of view really need to get their shit together. So much damage has been done to the planet and life/ forms, for me the best thing I can do is live by example, you can't change anything in this world until you change yourself. Politicians,Religions, Conglomerates , Banks, Industrialists, when it comes down to it they are all people.What they leave or dont leave behind effects future generations. I actually think a lot of decisions wouldnt come to fruition if the impacts or negative outcomes directly affected those making the decisions. l am for the rights of others to exist without condemnation or torture simply because they have a differant life style, sexual prefrence,culture.With my words l like people to think or question whats going on around them, in the end what they take from it is their choice. At the same time I realise how absurd life can be so sometimes you need to laugh,It's either that or go crazy    

Asmita - How it feels to be in an Underground band? And what’s your message to underground community?

Vicious Circle - l think with any form of underground music you must enjoy what you are doing and do what feels right for you , as individuals you're in control, if people get involved who are primarily in it for money or selfish reasons,it won't last , how can it when your building or creating something on a superficial level, some ridiculous concept of making the big time, maybe it will have some initial success but eventually it will turn to crap. The mainstream is filled with rubbish. To anyone forming a band or any other creative outlet, believe in yourself, it's that simple and if you are determined you will find a way. It takes a lot of work, nothing worthwhile rarely happens quickly.

Asmita - In general term extreme metal isn't appreciated by Society what do you have to say on this?

Vicious Circle - People sometimes just don't get it they may have misconceptions or ideas that people are violent or aggressive simply because they dress or listen to music they don't understand. Or their value system makes them prejudice because the person in question is different.If they took the time to talk or know what the person is about that might radically change that opinion. That's part of the path of doing something you enjoy or believe in, not everyones going to get it.

Asmita - What is your opinion on the current state of extreme underground music?

Vicious Circle - I think there will always be new bands and individuals pushing boundaries that's part of it as long as there are people picking up instruments and discovering music it will keep evolving . new music is being made all over the world by kids who get pissed off with authority figures, etc or they just want to create something .Or new bands forming , so it just keeps evolving.

Asmita - Can you recommend us some good bands from your place for our readers?

Vicious Circle - Okay these are bands from AUSTRALIA some PUNK, HARDCORE, DEATH METAL, THRASH, GRIND,STREET PUNK, etc  100 YEARS WAR,BLUNT SHOVEL, BIRDCAGE,DARKHORSE,RUST,BLOWHOLE, PERDITION,MAGGOT BATH,ABRASIVE ACTION, UNBOUND,DESECRATOR,KMART WARRIORS,COFFIN,HARD ONS,ENZYME,BLOOD DUSTER,MINDSNARE,TOE TO TOE,STRAIGHT TO A TOMB,ROCKS,ANXIETY NATION,I HATE PEOPLE, ALREADY DEAD,PROTOSPASM,STITCHED UP,PLAN OF ATTACK,DEAD ROOT,EXTORTION,SHATTER BRAIN,HIDDEN INTENT,ALKIRA,PISSCHRIST,SHOT POINT BLANK,SAMSARA.BATTLETRUK,IRON MIND,DEPRESSION,TEARGAS,REAPER,AGAINST,COLD GROUND,CIVIL DISSIDENT,BORED,SUBVERSION,GASH,CURSED EARTH,A.V.O,H BLOCK 101,THE DEAD WALK,DROPSAW.

Asmita - Do you remember the feeling of your first show with Vicious Circle? and how did the crowd reacted to your first show?

Vicious Circle - That was a long time ago but l was very nervous and trying to remember the words to the songs, then it just went by like the blink of an eye,  l thought it was terrible, however people came up afterwards and said they enjoyed it. I think that shocked me.I was just a kid and glad no one threw anything at me.To this day l always get nervous before a gig. l think when l don't I'll know it's time to give it up, l need to feed of that adrenaline,  it was at a venue in Melbourne called the Seaview Ballroom, which has long since closed. VICIOUS CIRCLE played that venue many times in the 80s and saw some iconic shows, a lot of punk bands played that venue in the 70s l saw the DEAD KENNEDYS, IGGY POP, PIL, SICK THINGS, DEPRESSION,THE SAINTS,ROSE TATTOO, THE ZORROS, Z CARS, RESIDENTS, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVY, LA FEMME ,NEW CHRISTS, CORPSE GRINDERS,END RESULT,CIVIL DISSIDENT,ARM THE INSANE,etc 

Asmita - What do you hate in current underground scene?

Vicious Circle - I don't hate anything ,no point really would be a waste of  time. People are always going to have different opinions or likes, that's just the way things are .Achieves nothing getting hung up about it. 

Asmita - Support Underground Metal, how much you agree with this quote?

Vicious Circle - I think it's important  support underground music as a whole , punk, metal,[other forms of independent music] bands, people ,labels,studios, venues,clubs,radio,mags webzines, photographers, individuals who put their heart  into creating something from nothing independently through their own means.

Asmita - Any thoughts about touring or playing shows in Nepal and India?

Vicious Circle - NEPAL and INDIA currently we have no plans but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen,you never know.

Asmita - Lastly, a space for you anything EUMSN have forgotten to ask you can tell us here?

Vicious Circle - Thanks for the interview l will send links so people can go to bandcamp or youtube and listen to albums or songs for free. Be well

*** Eumsn book shows for bands, organizes gigs, manages tours etc. Contact us at our facebook page or email us                                                 at eumsn696@gmail.com or railahsiv@gmail.com ***