Youth crew 2018 is a 7″compilation with as the name states, youth crew bands from all over the world. It contains better known names like Berthold City and Bystander, but also featured quite some bands I was totally unaware of. One of them was Protein from Poland. I did an interview with them because I think more people should be familiar with this excellent band.
Protein is a band from Poland. I’m afraid I know nothing about polish hardcore besides “The pain principle”. And certainly nothing about the SXE scene over there. Can you tell a bit about the polish SXE scene
Krystian: Woah, so there is such a thing as the polish straight edge scene? Just kidding, but honestly it’s a bitter joke. Currently there are only 2 sxe bands in Poland – ViciousXReality and us. The thing is 2/4 of VxR is also playing in Protein, so basically 2 bands = 7 people. A few years ago there were amazing straight edge bands like Iron to Gold, Outbound and ThugxLife, but they are unfortunately done for now. It seems that straight edge isn’t cool anymore… 🙂
Robert: I guess like in many areas the 90’s in Poland were very blossoming in terms of ideas in the scene which included a lot of straight edge kids, bands, zines and so on. Currently it’s been pretty quiet indeed, but for the past year we’re noticing a lot of new youth coming to gigs and I mean kids under 20 actually which is really refreshing for the scene. A lot of these kids are straight edge, X’up at shows, mosh and seem to have a really good time. I’m rooting for them and really think they’ll be having their say sooner or later in the forms of zines or bands. So I’m looking forward to a new wave of polish straight edge just around the corner.
Can you introduce the band. Any other activities in hardcore we should keep an eye on. What do you do outside of hardcore. How would you describe Protein to a fellow hardcore kid.
K: Protein is Robert on vocal, Maciek on bass (also doing vox in Vicious Reality), Dawid on drums, Damian on guitar (also drummer in VxR) and me (Krystian) on the second guitar. Me and Damian are also playing in a heavier, 90’s hardcore band called Foresight (first EP soon), Maciek (along with our friend – Paweł) is also running a label called Youth2Youth which release new hardcore acts and the zine under the same name. Robert is the man behind xIdealnyMomentx (Perfect Moment) zine. If I had to describe Protein i’d say it’s meat free straight edge youth crew with some 90’s vibe in the riffs.
And if it comes to the part of “what I do outside of hardcore” – I’m working in the gaming industry so you can guess that I’m a game lover. 🙂
R: Keep an eye out for the PLHC cause in terms of bands I’d say there’s pretty much going on lately. Different music styles so everyone should find something for themselves – from 90’s hardcore to crust or even some grunge sounds. I’d like to see more zines though..
Outside of hardcore I’m an architect and work a typical 9 to 5 job currently – it’s ok. Besides that doing some sports, chilling with my dog – the rest I do would be probably hardcore related in some way. What is Protein? I’d like it to be straight, in your face message that makes you want to get up and just push forward, to try and see life through a positive lens despite all the shit around and not being afraid of being yourself. Animal Friendly Straight Edge.
I’ve got to know you via the Youth crew 2018 compilation. How did you end up on that compilation. How were the reactions on being on that compilation?
R: I think it’s mainly thanks to the tons of people in hardcore Maciek knows and Nikolay who is behind Ugly and Proud Records so a big shout out to him! I was siked when we got asked to be on this compilation next to other bands from around the world. I think the other tracks on this record are pretty sick so I’m really glad and thankful we’re on it and how it turned out.
K: I’m not a big fan of compilations in general, but this one is pretty solid!
Is Sxe a loaded subject in a country as conservative as Poland? How about vegetarianism? You touch upon this in the song Give it up.
K: As I said earlier – I think that sxe isn’t as “cool” as it used to be for the kids… at least in Poland. And if it comes to the vegetarianism or veganism it’s getting bigger and bigger here. You can see that it became some kind of mainstream thing, but hey – as long as it helps animals it can be as mainstream as possible. Maciek works in Open Cages which is currently the most active animal rights organisation in Poland – actually, it was created six years ago by a group of mostly straight edge kids who wanted to change the fate of farmed animals. The law in Poland isn’t really animal-friendly and there’s a lot of powerful lobby from the fur or meat industry groups, so it’s a struggle to face them. On the other hand, which other country has vegan hot-dogs at gas stations?
R: Straight edge isn’t so big right now in our scene. On the other hand in such an alcohol driven country as Poland you don’t have to be sxe to see that getting hammered so often – whether it being alcohol or drugs – simply wastes your time and can ruin your life and the life of the ones around you as well. Alcohol is very much rooted in the polish society, but it’s good to see that some people don’t give in to that. About going meat-free – a more aware diet has really gone quite big in Poland lately. Usually it’s rather about being healthy, being “eco”, going organic and what not and less times this is motivated out of compassion for animals I think but still – many people (at least in larger cities) are really getting it to veganism and thinking how and what they eat. Even if this means having one vegan meal a week, while eating flesh for the rest of it – I think it’s something. Lots of this is probably a hype which might calm down a bit in a while but for sure things have and hopefully will be still changing for the better, for the animals and for the planet.
Can you explain the meaning behind the song The Seeker?
K: Seeker’s lyrics were written by me and Robert with some of Macieks twists, so I guess it means something else for everyone. If it comes to me this text is about two things. First is that the hardcore scene is the place that I was seeking for my entire childhood where, for the first time in my life, I felt like I’m home. That’s why I dedicated myself to it getting a lot in return from the people I met there. Second meaning is about the words which Wilku from ThugxLife said few years back during their gig – “Hardcore isn’t an absolute”. These words stuck in my head so much! So even if you are here try to find more and more things that will keep you going and let you find your inner peace.
R: I guess I’m only gonna add that we all have one life and it would be a pity to waste it doing hardly nothing or standing still. Be proud of what you do and who you are, but at some point think about discovering something new, going new places and just challenging yourself.
I really liked the lyrics to the song Spark. It really oozes love for hardcore. And the same feeling can be found in What’s the point. Why do you love hardcore so much, and what is it that keeps bringing you back to it?
K: Hardcore can’t change the whole world but it definitely changed mine for better and that’s enough to keep me there.
R: I got into this just a bit over 10 years ago and I feel I’m only getting more and more into it as the years pass by. I can only wonder what I’d be without hardcore, but I guess it’s pointless by now and I really don’t care.
I saw you recently did a UK weekend tour. How did this go? Any good stories?
R: It was a blast – eventually only 2 shows, cause one didn’t turn out but we are super thankful for this opportunity. It was a great weekend with some time for hanging out, eating some kick-ass food and just being together. The show in London was pretty dope, but Brighton was just amazing. Thank you for everyone involved. I guess I don’t have any super special stories to share – everything went pretty smooth, but one of the highlights for sure was Temple Of Seitan in Camden, London. Fuck! This place is a must if you are in the area. Say high to Gijs and Ana if you’ll ever head there!
I’m kinda curious what June’17 is about. The first sentences seem to point to a specific incident.
K: June’17 was the moment when I ended up my college and that’s the moment when – I guess – most of us fell into an everyday routine – find a job, earn shitloads of money, start a family and all the things that society’s standards want us to do. I always wanted to avoid that kind of life so every step I took at that time was related with the changes I was facing. And that’s exactly what this song is about.
What is in the future for Protein?
K: We have two tours booked this year so far. The first one is in March with Vicious x Reality. We are heading to northern part of the Europe – Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Second one is in July with Brazilians finest – Time & Distance. Moreover we will also work on the fresh EP later this year… I hope it will be out in 2019. 🙂
R: After what we’ve done and what we received in return I think the five us are pretty pumped and hope to do more – we all of other stuff going around of course, but I believe you should be hearing some new shit from us this year still.
Any last words?
K: First: fuck the hunters, second: check out other PLHC acts – Embitter, Bright Light and Heavy Runner. Peace!
R: Consider an animal-free diet. it’s a win-win. support your hardcore scene and the people involved – let’s keep this shit going! thanks a lot for having us!
Prophecy 