Intervjuer - Coalition Records (HOL)

When was Coalition Records established?  

We are using the name Coalition since 1997 but were working under the names: Kaal and Left Wing records before using Coalition. We started together with both labels on May 1, 1994. Our first record was a Larm Live 7".  

Who are the boys/girls behind Coalition Rec.?

 It's Jeroen and me (Marcel). We are both unemployed but work on Coalition full time. Jeroen does mainly the shit-work, like sending out packages, dealing with distros. I do the artwork, contact with bands … and the traveling.  

You seem to be releasing records already released by other labels (His hero is Gone -"fool's gold", also released on great american steak religion). Is there some sort of licensing going on? If so, what are your reasons for releasing licensed records?  

We did a few Euro re-presses. In the case of HHIG it was to support their tour (only we got their plates weeks after the tour). Most of the time doing a license is to support a band on their European tour. With the Charles Bronson 10" it was because the Charles Bronson recording was supposed to be used for the MK Ultra / Charles Bronson split 10".Which later became the MK Ultra / Seein'Red split LP because Charles Bronson broke up.  

Do you feel that you have given the punk-scene something special, something that only you could have done?

 We never set out to do something special. We never had the intention to do a label at all, really. We just wanted to do one record and would see what would happen after that. I wanted to include the Larm record with a fanzine I did (Kaal 'zine). But the 'zine never came about. So no I don't think we do something special.

 What kind of feedback do you recieve on your work? Hatemail, loveletters...?

  We get lot's of positive feedback but once in awhile we get some hate mail off course. But that only spices things up, I would say. I guess it's like most other labels. There's even a boycott campaign against us. All I can say is that we aren't perfect, we can't please everyone. And even in hardcore there is a lot of jealousy involved. We can only laugh about bullshit like that.  

Has Coalition given you something that has changed you as an individual/person? What does Coalition Records mean to you? 

Doing records for me, was an excuse to make sleeves, do design. For Jeroen I guess it was NOT to become a teacher German. But Coalition hasn't really changed anything profoundly. Not in the two of us, I think. It holds us off the streets, ha, ha. But because of the label we are more involved with the punk scene. The idea that there is this whole network of friendship called punk is inspiring.  

What had you been doing right now if you hadn't been involved with Coalition Rec?

 Probably finished my school (Art-school) and working at some advertisement agency. Or better yet, not working at all and collecting dole, ha, ha.

 What norms must a band have to be able to release a record on Coalition Rec?  

The only norm we have is that we must like the band. We know most bands personally, that is important to us too. Those are the best records to do as well.  

Give me your opinions on: 

His Hero is Gone - Great band. What spoiled it for me is/was the hype around them.

Fanzines - The spine and glue of our scene. Way underrated. Although I think there are too little good 'zines. But that goes for records as well.

Vinyl - I prefer CD's. For a lazy person like me they are perfect. I love 7"s because of their size too but  I definitely dislike LP's. 

Emo - Punk is emo, but EMO is not punk.

 What band would you most of all want to release on your label?  

That's a tough one. Right now I love Demon System 13! They rule! Also E-150, but they've broken up.

 What does the future look like for Coalition Rec?  

We have "too" many things coming up. First a Point of Few 7" (great Dutch band, in the vein of Seein'Red and old school), Devoid of Faith / Voorhees split LP, Charm 7" they are from Japan (the most raging shit I've ever heard), What Happens Next / Life's Halt split LP and lot's of re-presses.  

What's your connection with Ebullition? 

Kent and Lisa do our distribution in the States. It's mainly a "business deal", they are both so cool and do tons of work for us there. Without Ebullition we wouldn't be where we are now. And besides that they are both really friendly and fun people to hang out with.  

How and when did you get involved in the punk-scene?  

I got involved with the punk scene in 1984. When a group of punks did squat an old church in my hometown. There I met the guys from Larm and saw many great bands like Negazione, Kaaos, Pandemonium etc. But I bought my first punk record: Dead Kennedy's - California uber alles years before that. It was out of curiosity because I heard a live-set on the radio. It was the most exciting thing that I've heard in a time when I listened to The Jacksons exclusively.  

Is the layout of a record/zine equally important as the contents?  

As a graphic buff, I would say that the layout is important. I personally buy a lot of records because I like the sleeve, hoping that the music will be as equally good. A 'zine that looks shitty I won't even read. But I see a trend that style is becoming more important than content. They should be equally important.

 What motivates you to continue with Coalition Rec?  

The friendships you make. Being able to meet so many people. Being able to do layouts and stuff. Also we are going to do some benefit projects. Tape projects in Mexico and Indonesia procedures of these projects will go to local grassroots organizations. We are also working on a project called Counter Culture. It's a benefit compilation record series with bands from all over the world. These projects are really important to me. I think that the label should not only be about selling records. That's something I would really like to strive for. That hardcore is not only music but that it also is able to activate people and support people who are.

 I guess these are my answers. Thanks for doing this interview.