Dec. 1-4, 2005
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Noise Conspiracy storms UT East Mall, Emo’s
By Austin Powell
Daily Texan Staff
Dance Dance Revolution. To some it’s a video game, for others it’s a way of life. Since their formation in 1998, The (International) Noise Conspiracy have created sweaty and sexy garage rock that not only shakes asses, but packs a political punch that calls for nothing short of anarchy.
Guided by a quote from songwriter Phil Ochs that proclaimed that “the perfect rock outfit would be a combination of Elvis and Che Guevera,” The (International) Noise Conspiracy will bring its music and their message to the UT campus as part the “Rally to End the Occupations” as well Emo’s later in the evening.
In preparation for the event, guitarist/vocalist Lars Strömberg spoke with The Daily Texan about the band’s latest album, Armed Love, working with famed producer Rick Rubin and theirthoughts on the soverignty of Palestine.
Daily Texan: Can we first just set the record straight on the band’s political ideology. There’s seems to be a lot of confusion as to whether than members of band are communists or anarchists or whatever else?
Lars Strömberg: We wouldn’t subscribe to any single political ideology. Obviously there are parts of ideologies like communist theory that we embrace. We have the privilege to look back at histories and study the history and formation of different political theories and movements and to analyze the effect that those things had. It’s like our music really. It’s a blend of everything that’s influenced but it’s still going to be something that’s progressive.
DT: That being said, how do you balance your personal ideologies with the means by which you attempt to spread it, which is essentially mass consumerism and capitalism?
LS: Basically, we started this band because we wanted to play music and use that platform as an opportunity to say and do something worthwhile. In the beginning we did a lot of things ourselves, but we wanted to take our message to the next level, and that was something we couldn’t do completely on our own. At that point it came down to making sure that the people you choose to work with know what you’re about. As far as the record label goes, that’s just mutual exploitation. They want to use us to make money, and we want them to use them to get our message out there. But what’s important to us is still being able to control how all of that happens.
DT: What was it like then bringing in such an esteemed producer like Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run DMC) to produce your latest album?
LS: It was actually really cool. Rick sought us out and asked if he could work with us. That just made for a great starting point and we obviously realized what an incredible opportunity that was. Rick is always really interested in not changing a band’s sound, but bringing out what makes them special.
DT: You’re now on the road to support that record, “Armed Love.” What does it mean to you to be touring so heavily and so vocally in the United States as a Swedish band critical of U.S. foreign policy?
LS: It means a lot us because we all feel like it’s pretty important to speak out and be critical. People here in the U.S. need some of that outside perspective, to hear that the rest of world is being affected by what’s being done by their government. The U.S. is the only remaining superpower still and the perspective we bring may not always be welcomed but it’s certainly necessary.
DT: As part of your stop in Austin you’re playing on the UT campus as part of a protest against occupations in Iraq and Israel. What does solidarity with the people of Palestine mean to you as a band?
LS: The same as it does for me as an individual. The situation puts innocent people in these wrong places that they don’t deserve to be. It’s flat out immoral and unlawful and something that I want to take every opportunity to oppose.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy will be performing on the East Mall at 12:30 p.m. and at Emo’s Thursday night with Danko Jones and Nightmare of You.
This event is being organized by the University of Texas Palestine Solidarity Committee in cooperation with the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), UT Watch, Campus Anti-War Movement to End the Occupation (CAMEO), International Socialist Organization, Austin Interfaith Community for Palestinian Right and the University of Texas chapter of Amnesty International.