QUICK AND DIRTY
Mother Natures Revenge
Whittier
From Issue 1.6, July/August 2005
It is already past 10 p.m. when Guy, singer for Whittier band Mother Natures Revenge, walks off the stage and then out of the front entrance of The Anarchy Library in Downey. He passes small groups of people outside and politely says “thanks” to someone who stops him to say “good set.”
The helicopter, blood and other major remnants of any sort of accident scene, got cleared away about 45 minutes earlier.
Police and firemen had the entire right lane blocked off just past the intersection of Foster and Woodruff for most of that evening, just a few steps from the Anarchy Library. Guy mentions the incident as he looks towards the remaining police flares that still block the right lane and continues to walk towards the back alley where the bands usually have their cars parked to load and unload their gear.
Surprisingly, Mother Natures Revenge, the band that wowed the crowd earlier that evening, had only played a few other shows before that.
This is because the band is relatively new. With a recently released seven inch put out by Basement Records, the band that sounds a lot like an amped up cross between a Black Flag “Damaged” album and The Germs or Adolescents, is thankfully, nothing like what gets radio play today. Instead, their format is an obvious throw back to the hardcore scene that emerged in the late 70s and early 80s.
“We’re doing stuff that’s already been done. It’s just that, no one’s been doing it lately,” said guitarist Tony of the music he and his bandmates play.
Instead, when discussing what makes their band unique, the members of Mother Natures Revenge (which also includes bassist Dave and drummer Vince) like joking about their weight, favorite places to eat or inconsistent practice schedules.
Perhaps, this is why they chose to focus on discussing the need for a 24-hour Pho 88 restaurant (a Vietnamese fast food place in Fullerton) or Guy’s liking for Lee’s Sandwiches (also in Fullerton).
“We eat a lot,” Dave replied when questioned about what makes Mother Natures Revenge unique.
“Yeah, we have a combined weight of about 3,000 pounds,” added Vince.
And when pressed further to discuss where they would like to see themselves five years from now, Guy was quick to respond, “A lot of Lee’s Sandwiches” as someone muttered back to him “no, she means the band.”
And after a few seconds passed, Dave decisively said they would be happy with just putting out a few cool records and doing fun shows.
Formed in September of last year, the band’s name refers to their belief that nature is stronger than man or war.
Aside from the meaning, the actual name came from Guy’s former band, The Fly Swatters who had “Mother Natures Revenge” as one of their potential band names, which, according to Tito of the Fly Swatters, was something they were trying to get rid of for a long time.
Instead of saying they are a hardcore band, they would much prefer the label of “fatcore.” Instead of practicing like a pack of maniacs, they may practice twice a week and then may suddenly stop for about three months. Instead of taking dramatic gobs of time coming up with some deep meaning song for people to analyze, their song-writing can “be really quick, or it could take 20 minutes,” said Vince shrugging his shoulders. “So, between two and 20 minutes,” he concluded laughing.
“We have a very relaxed schedule,” said Tony.
And instead of using music as means of spreading some sort of cause, the band maintains they are not a political band nor do they seek to change the world.
Amidst all the laughs and talks of being a “shitty awesome” band, there is a point why they managed to keep a crowd at the Anarchy Library that Saturday night, or why their seven inch is worth listening to.
The song “Off to the Glue Factory,” is a good example of that. The song refers to how once people age, they are treated like children and put into nursing homes despite their relative wisdom. Much of that track’s point is based on Tony’s experience watching his grandmother die. Guy wrote the lyrics on that song and Tony wrote the title.
“I’m trying to write something that’s not too funny,” said Guy. “It’s kind of like tongue-in-cheek stuff.”
And then just for balance, Dave wondered aloud, “Are these the songs we play, or is this your solo shit?”
Just to prove the point even further, Tony commented, “To anyone with a cause, I say, ‘fuck your cause!’ I’ve got to work for a living; I have to pay taxes. I don’t like the system, but I have to live with it.”
And part of that system would consist of dealing with not being a part of the “mainstream” music industry and instead, giving people loud, obnoxious and over the top sets at places like the Anarchy Library or downtown Whittier’s PennyLane (which they played the day following this interview) that keep audiences hooked.
“I don’t think everyone wants to be spoonfed through normal venues like MTV,” said Tony, “and those are the kids that I want to appeal to.”
Hardcore, by this band’s definition is “being fucking annoying and loud.”
“To leave an impression,” said Dave, “whether it’s the worst or not.
Yet, it is not just noise or short sets.
“Short sets is a part of it,” said Guy. “It’s that old saying of leaving your audience wanting more.”
“It’s not giving them enough time to not like us,” said Dave. “Even if they want less; it’s good to be short.”
This was seen during the Anarchy set as the band played their songs and then Guy wondered allowed into the mike that they still had 15 more minutes and yet, no more songs to play (they didn’t walk off early though by the way.)
As for why kids should come and see them play, Tony suggested, “it’ll totally piss off their parents.”
“We’ll show’em how to dress,” offered Guy (who had just discussed the faults of Hot Topic and “punk” fashion. (This is a jeans and T-shirt kind of band by the way).
“We’ll show them what not to do,” added Dave. “This could happen to you if you don’t eat right.”
And Tony managed to interject, “All that and we’re fast.” Indeed.