foodforanimals.wordpress.com

Hi, we're going to work on our myspace less (because myspace sucks) and focus more on this new FFA BLOG.  It's a mix of FoodForAnimals projects, other music-videos-etc, DJ mixes, writings on whatever-we're-into-today, etc. 

Check it out, its up already!

Ricky

We went to NYC this weekend to play shows.

It was all pretty wierd.

The first show was at a stripclub called "the PussyCat Lounge", with some great noise from bands on Load Records and CockRockDisco.  It got reviewed on Pitchforkmedia. 

Read on...

Food for Animals [Pussycat Lounge]




From Pitchfork:

"The showcase is chaos from the first minute, and probably best summed up by the put-upon soundman who, when asked for a little more bass on Food for Animals' second Macintosh, replies: "I don't know, is it supposed to sound like that?" It was: The beats this act's two MCs shout their way through keep shattering and screeching and flailing their way into pink noise. I ask three people if they noticed what the guys were actually saying: It's a "no" all around."

You can't understand what we're saying?  Isn't that what parents used to say when you listened to punk music in middleschool/highschool?  "How can you understand what they're saying?  They're just yelling".  Is that really a valid critique of music in 2006, especially at a noise/breakcore show? 

But we do appreciate the press...

Anyway. 

The next night was the HOSS records showcase.  Serious sets from WTZ Hearts and LeBlaze with Zano. 

But then, all the sudden TONS of people showed up.  We were excited and confused until we realized that The Slits and Erase Errata had hopped onto the show at last minute.  Cool idea, but eventually it was 3:00AM and we were still waiting for the Slits to finish so we could finally play...

Fun times.

Paper Rad

these guys did all those awesome Lightning Bolt videos

their website is awesome too

Food For Animals

rollin five deep (triple MC assualt)

but without ricky, because I'll be chillin in the mountains...

August 7th 2006

doors at 8:30

Warehouse Next Door

Washington DC

Wow.  I found this interview with us from 2004.  That seems like a long time ago.  The best part is when they ask "what does hip-hop mean to you?" and Dan answers "its rapping"...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food for Animals
10/30/04

Vulture Voltaire (VV)
Ricky Rabbit (RR)
Dr. Dan (DD)

E: What was the recording process for this album like? From our understanding it was a bit unconventional.

V: We had all of the gear to make it ourselves, like, you know, we could download stuff off the internet and we had like, My parents have a house in Pennsylvania- its actually where I grew up, so we went up there and recorded most of the tracks.

RR: Whenever people were not around we would record it, and that is pretty much it.
[laughs]

E: What is the inspiration for your lyrics and the beats? And how do you think your surroundings (i.e. Washington DC) influence this?

RR: Influences? I suppose a lot of, um? Well I didnt even really consider rap until I started working with this guy [motions towards VV]. But as far as living close to DC I dont feel that our music would have been that different in any particular city, especially when you live in the suburbs, its kind of the same no matter what city it is in. So

VV: Lyrics, I guess, more sort of, Jay Z and Wu Tang; De la Soul. Stuff like that. Just sort of a mish mash, and then the background, be as crazy as the ones Nik makes it is, it ended sounding different by virtue of the beats.

E: How did you formulate the beats for this record? Do you have a specific idea or sound in your head before you start the mixing/sampling process or is it more of whatever comes first type of deal?

VV: Yeah, its definitely a whatever comes first type of deal. Its usually just a mistake that I keep repeating over and over again that just starts to work and becomes a song.

E: What are some of the records you were listening to during the recording process that may have transferred over into your sound?

RR: Wow, what were we listening to then?

VV: I was listening to

RR: I was listening to a lot of tecno beat stuff, and I guess that didnt really translate, but uhhh

VV: I dont know I was listening to a lot of electronica and stuff, but it doesnt explain how the lyrics came about or anything like that. I dont know, I guess I was listening to a lot of different things, and I guess it is just a mix of everything.

E: Your album is obviously very political and with the elections coming up did you feel more pressure to take a more aggressive stance in your political ideals? Or was this just such a personal and important thing that it naturally transferred into your music?

VV: I have definitely always leaned to the left. I was raised in a pretty liberal home and stuff. But making the album definitely made me more outspokenly political. Even in personal discussion with people. I had felt it [political] a little before the album but I didnt necessarily have the strong views I have now. Making an album you have to make sure that you come off correctly and like have something to say, rather than just talk about personal stuff not many people can really relate to.

RR: [laughs] Yeah and knowing that your friends will be listening to it and being like, hm, thats weird.

VV: Yeah thats so true, like, just sitting in the basement with all of your buddies and them being like whats with all of this personal stuff? I would be like OKAY, no! But I mean, I kind of dont like that so called emo-rap or stuff like that where its all like depressing and I cant talk about stuff like, being sad about girls or something when there are like Niks beats behind it. It might come off as reallywackand awkward. I find myself I was raised pretty leftist but on a personal level, making the album has definitely made me more

E: What effect do you think the currents administration has had on the DC music scene? Do you feel more bands have a more direct political agenda?

RR: I think living in the area and the current state of things was bound to translate into the things that everyone makes.

VV: It also has to do with like, a few years ago the big bands that were from around here, like, Fugazi was always very political or whatever, but it was like, everybody sort of switched it seemed; you know what I mean? With like abstract stuff, like the newer Q and Not U album. DC has a history of being somewhat obtuse or whatever with lyrics, like rock bands decided maybe this is a good time to create awareness. But it is always done tastefully I guess you can say, not like the ridiculous ads now like, what is it? Vote or die, or whatever that like, tell you to vote but never have anything to back it up or tell you who to vote for.

RR: Yeah, I think that politics it is definitely a key issue right now, more so than before, with this election particularly

VV: Yeah and it is kind of weird that they dont EVER have an opinion. Theyre just like VOTE

[laughs]

VV: No but like seriously, we heard Fabolous on the radio last night and hes like Vote because they dont think you will and I was just like Sweet, [claps]. Because you could tell that they were George Bush and Company.

RR: Yeah well just the other day my friend was listening to the radio with headphones and he just throws them down out of nowhere and is like Nas just told everyone not to vote and he was just so enraged about this and I was just like

VV: Yeah Nas did tell people not to vote.

RR: Ehh, thats kind of.thats interesting to me.

E: Yeah

VV: Yeah that is interesting.

RR: I mean uh, I think people put so much effort into voting because its the one thing they kind of give us, but it doesnt really change things aaaall that much.

VV: Yeah

RR: So its kind of like they will give us that one little concession and then thats supposed to be all we get. And now you have all of these celebrities being like Oh, you should vote, its gonna be so important! Youre gonna be making a difference, and

VV: BUT, they never say anything about who. Like, You should vote. Its like the big hidden prize thing just so that they dont lose their ad space. So that people dont drop theyre ads from certain TV shows. Its just like vote, and its like they wanna do a little wink like, Kerry.Kerry...Please vote for Kerry. P Diddy is just like Vote or diebecause George Bush will kill you.

ALL: [laughs]

RR: Yeah, but I think thats okay because I mean, if you are talking to Hispanic and black voters, and trying to get those people in, itsI mean in general its going to be positive. The more people you get voting it is probably going to better for everyone/thing.

VV: Yeah, thats true, thats true.

E: What effects do you think the results of the upcoming elections will have on your music and/ or that of others in the local scene as well, like if Bush does win. [gags]

VV: Oh, wow, I dont know, just like, depressed. I dont know it just like, it sound kind of cheesy but I have been just trying to write lyrics for new songs and its just like, four more years if this happens, like

E: What artists have had the strongest influence in aiding the formation of your current political views? What in their presentation made them so successful in doing so?

V: I mean, it just seems like all of the music I have been listening to since I was born. I mean, my dad listened to Talking Head and stuff like that, and Elvis Costello. I mean, there has always been like, influences like that, even for nurture I mean like, I was definitely raised leftist and there is nothing I regret about being raised that way right now at all. But yeah, I mean, I guess, just from birth. My parents were always, I mean, I voted for George Bush senior when I was 5 on the absentee ballot in our kindergarten class, and when I came home and my parents were like, real pissed about it.

That was sort of like, the beginning of any political notion. .They were sort of like No, you shouldwhat did you do?!?! and I was just like Mom! He had the name I could pronounce. So its like, I mean, which is scary because maybe that works otherwise too but yeah. Artists in general, just any artist that kind of made me think. There were many.

E: There are many "political bands/musicians/artists" out there right now trying to send out similar if not the same messages as you guys. Do you find it ironic that some of these bands are on such major labels and being sponsored by large corporations hypocritical?
- one band has commented on this issue and said that in order to change the system you have to be apart of the system. Do you agree with this statement? Why? Or why not?

VV: Its kind of like a double edged sword. I mean, one of the things that bothers me politically in America, even more than George Bush is all of this sort of false corporate anti culture that has formed. Like you have all of these artists who look at it as a product that sells. I mean, you have people like Good Charlotte saying all of this political crap and its like, all of these kids are gonna dress like you in school and they are going to become weak minded because of it. I mean, there are plenty of band son majors that I listen to, but I do think there is a difference there in as far as whether or not they their message is substantial or not.

I think Food for Animals is on the side of it that looks at the cultural problems along with the issues revolving around George Bush in office. I mean, sure George Bush or Kerry, Democrat or Republican, there are still going to be people screwing things up all over the world

E: Uh Oh, I think you just pissed some body off with your comment about Good Charlotte. I think Theyre offended

[laughs]
VV: Oh well. Thats your problem dogg!

RR: [laughs] What is that what they said in an IM

E: Yeah

VV: Yo, thats your problem! Whoever just IMd us and is listening, that is your problem. Its your bad that youre listening to that. Check yourself.

All: Laughs

VV: If I offended you, whatever. I got a headache, stop. I dont care.

RR: Hammer Time

VV: [laughs] yeah, Hammer time. Buy a Food For animals CD instead of the Good Charlotte CD.

E: Before we cut to some more tunes lets talk about this quote of your we found in which you say, We like existing outside of the US money machine as much as we can. I mean, culture is so f*-d right now, and adhering to one set of standards or George Bushs moral center is going to bury us all. We want to explore, to take what we think is great and use it to create new things. Vulture Voltaire
- What advice would you give to those who are still unsure of who to vote for this coming Nov.2?

VV: There is no question about it, you know? Its like, dont vote for George Bush. The advice is, dont vote for the dumbest dude you have ever seen on TV, like, the biggest lunatic.

RR: I mean thats just the bottom of the barrel.

VV: Yeah its the bottom of the barrel for other reasons too, like for instance, he says he talks to god and makes decisions based on that. Like he actually says things like this and people dont think its crazy. Like, he made decisions for Iraq based on what Jesus told him in his sleep, like, NO! This is not gonna work!

I read this article in the Nation or something, someone showed it to me at work and its like, he has these meeting set up, in like, his whole cabinet, not like cabinet but like his whole staff, they are not allowed to say anything because he will like, yell at them and not allow them to be in the next meeting. And like, its just stuff like that, that he can be like, Listen, God told me to do this, and were gonna do this, and they are all like, But, but, but, Sir that doesnt like, you know, when you have this policy in which there is just, no questioning anything and if that article was at all true in the slightest then its screwed

E: Yes, but thats the republican tradition, you know, this whole follow the leader mentality.

VV: Yo, they are crazy. Egh.

E: Aiighty, we have the edited version of Cut & Paste that we are gonna play for you now and then some other tunes specially chosen for you by food for animals so stay tuned for more and enjoy.


E: How do you feel about using the existing technology? (pro tools) Do you feel this technology inhibits creativity or ignites it?

RR: I think that it is great, I mean, I dont have anything like, really impressive equipment that id make my beats with but I think it does provide another outlet for creativity to be explored and for us it worked.

E: Do you ever feel hard pressed with material to come up with lyrics or beats? (i.e. writers block) what activities seem to get your creative juices flowing?

VV: Um I have actually had a writers block like a mother right now. And basically it sort of along the lines of just coming together and what is going on at the times. Like last winter we did Cut & Paste and things just happen in spurts. But like if I really have writers block I just dont write. Like, I just dont.

RR: Weed

ALL: [Laughs]

VV: Yo, I just like go to work and writers block will end because I will think of something random and it could be the most like, doodoo idea and I will just start writing it down and get some decent stuff. The notebook I actually have with like, raps in it is like, full of like utter garbage and like, lines here and there that I could pick for other songs later. I mean theres so much bad stuff in there and like, thats what I do, just write a bunch of bad stuff and I might get a few good lines and just move them to other songs.

DD: Small steps

VV: Thats right; baby stepstowards, noisy political rap songs.

E: What other artistic outlets do you guys have or jobs.

VV: Well Niks in architecture school and I mean I would say for sure that all of us are definitely interested in visual art as well.

E: What was it about hip-hop and its form of expression that attracted you? What does hop-hop mean to you? And what is it about rap of the early 90s that intrigues you so much?

VV: To me? I dont know, I think we should ask Dan

DD: Oh wow, I dont know. Hip hop to me is basically about some rappin

VV: Thats a good way to put it [laughs]

DD: Yeah I mean, to me, yeah, its about some rappin. Probably, I mean, it is about some rappin I mean I personally think that there is too much hip hop where the music just doesntlike some of Eminems stuff like the beats are just kind of silly, but there is definitely, I mean, I dont know where Im goin with this but um, yeah, hip-hop is just some rappin, I guess.

ALL: [laughs]

VV: I mean, I guess you know, there is the rap element to is and everything else is just kind of up for grabs, and that kind of like, you know, not to say that we chose hip-hop music to make based on anything but like actually enjoying making it, but its like, hip-hop is in such a state in where you can do so much with it in terms of like hip-hop; in terms of like song structures and like, the beats you have, like what is considered a beat and what is considered the background music, the rapping, like, its been around for like 25 years.

When you listen to rap of the early 90s and like, they key to it is when the beat goes on for a little while, and then the beat cuts out and hes like ya papapapapa, and then its like [beat boxes] and he comes back in, that al one is just like, my favorite thing.

I mean, mid-90s rap is different than modern rap for sure, I mean like, modern rap these days, i like the Neptunes, I like Timberland and stuff like that, but modern rap these days definitely has a lean for [beat boxes comparison]. And I mean, I like anything, I like change. We dont have any songs that sound like [beat boxes early 90s beats] but like the first stuff I got into, like, with my buddies and like, we used to watch skate videos and it used to have stuff like that in it; like when I was in like 8th grade, 7th grade, for me.

I like the new Jay Z a lot and like, the old Jay Z is good too

RR: I just dont want to be taken asI mean, its not like it was in the 80s. But at the same time I hate it when people get nostalgic about the past when the music around now is kind of sweet too.

VV: Yeah, its like, I was 12. There is certainly no really nostalgia for it, so much as I mean, thats just like, when I first started getting into and like, listening to music more than gradually and what was established. But I mean, thats just some of my favorites, but not necessarily all of my favorites or something like that.

E: Cool, thats chillwell unfortunately we are out of time but you can catch the transcript on our site and hear more from Food for Animals on theirs at www.Foodforanimals.com. Thanks again for coming out guysany last words?

RR: Take it to the streets on Tuesday

VV: For real

RR: Were either gonna be partying in the streets or theres gonna be fighting in the streets

E: Time will tell.

VV: Thank you guys, bye.

Food For Animals 

Villette Sonique Festival in Paris

I arrived at the park (Villette) and immediately recognized it from some architecture professors rants on deconstructivism/post-modernism.  In the 1980's Bernard Tschumi had transformed a decaying meat-packing district into a post-modern park.  Breaking up the open green spaces are a series of "event buildings", each deformed and painted  a distinctive red.  Its a neat park, fun to be in, but is it really situationist theory rendered in architecture as some would claim about Tschumi?

Either way, we were pretty excited to play in front of a massive silver geodesic globe.  It made sounds, little beeps and blurps, periodically. 

Anyway.  Marcuse was traveling with us, acting as our French translator.  Whatever we would say to the audience in-between songs, he would yell in broken French.  Just before the performance began, Marcuse shows up with an ice-cold bottle of Absolute that he had somehow procurred from the VIP bar.  The park was packed (wait until the end to see how big the audience is), the sun was bright, and there were little kids playing everywhere.  But that didn't stop us from partying...

FOOD FOR ANIMALS
EUROPEAN TOUR
JUNE 2006