OEF: ND is constantly moving forward, with new material and always pushing the limits of music. How do you manage to keep that energy and that desire to move on?
Barney: It’s just something natural - not always easy to explain. The important thing is hopefully that we don’t lose the spontaneity and chaotic edge to our sound. If we can maintain that kind of foundation, we can try a few different things on top and the band hopefully won’t lose its edge. If things did start to feel stale, I don’t think any of us in the band would be satisfied. Although I feel our music is very natural and organic, we still don’t settle for anything that doesn’t feel 100%.
OEF: You always have an important concept behind every album and “Utilitarian” is not the exception. Tell us about what is to be “Utilitarian” . Do you feel that your message has reached far beyond your audience?
Barney: I don’t know whether I am a Utilitarian or not. I was mainly using that concept as word association – using the philosophical concept of Utilitarianism (the basic principle being the achievement of total happiness) to think about ‘ethical living’ where the process of making ethical choices in everyday life would theoretically achieve a wider happiness. Taking it on from there – and as somebody who tries to live ethically – I then wanted to address the doubt that you go through where you wonder if you’re actually making any kind of difference. The conclusion, quite simply, is that you should persevere, as not doing so perpetuates exploitation and therefore contributes toward continuing levels of inequality.
Generally, all I try to do is put my ideas out there. I don’t know whether those thoughts have reached beyond people who are into Napalm, and that’s not something that’s easy to achieve anyway. If it opens people’s minds even slightly, then that’s really the achievement. That’s all I ever ask – that people think and assess things for themselves. It’s not required that they hang on my every thought specifically.
OEF: Influence of ND in music is unquestionable and there are thousands of NDs covers and tributes by grind bands. How do you feel when you generate such influence and respect?
Barney: It’s really flattering, but we are mindful that we’ll have another album to do sooner or later and we hope that it might have the same kind of impact. Part of the longevity of the band hopefully comes from the fact that we kept our feet on the ground as a band, so we try not to let things go to our heads – even the nice stuff ha ha. And anyway, any band, influential or not, is stronger when it has a vibrant scene around it for support.
OEF: ND has crossed path with one of the great musicians of our times, John ZORN. Who proposed this great collaboration? How was to work with ZORN?
Barney: Ah, it was Shane who suggested it. We were just sitting around listening to the tracks during the last album recording and Shane mentioned he could just hearZORN’s sax in his head on ‘Everyday Pox’. Zorn has had an association with Napalm and former members for some time – although not recently – so Shane just took a chance and emailed him. Thankfully, John responded and was really into it and a couple of days later we got the raw tracks via the internet. It was all totally manic and freeform – just the way we like it. John ZORN is not somebody who needs any kind of direction ha ha.
OEF: You’ve got a split with CONVERGE and is coming out one with MELVINS! What we can expect for ND in the future? You have new splits to come?
Barney: Nothing else planned at the moment in terms of splits, but we’re dreaming someday of a split with SWANS and / or… GAUZE from Japan or something. Something of that nature i.e. classic!
We do have all kinds of gigs coming up though, including an art exhibition where a sculptor is going to build clay around the PA speakers which will explode out when we play. It’s meant to portray the crumbling apartment blocks around Birmingham where we live. Interesting stuff.
OEF: ND has experience OEF madness, and now you will headline the first OEF America in Mexico. What expectations do you have for this release?
Barney: I’m totally open-minded about most situations, and I’m sure it will be a great time. OEF in the Czech Republic has a great feeling of independence and friendship, and I’m sure the promoter Curby will want to replicate that in Mexico. Most of the bands are friends of ours, so it’ll be like one big reunion.
I think it’s important to mention that there has been some doubt from people that the festival will happen due to past cancellations of other unrelated things in the past. But all I can say is that it is happening. We have our flight tickets and we are coming for sure. I think it’s probably fair to say that this kind of more extreme festival is more likely to happen than not – these kind of bands tend to be quite persistent, resilient and willing. So, see ya there.
OEF: You Suffer?
Barney: But I try not to.
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