DREGS: Taking Up Space to be Seen and Heard

DREGS is a hardcore punk band based in Vienna, Austria. The four-piece have released two great EPs through Refuse Records, full of fast riffs and heavy mosh parts with lyrics endorsing a drug free, feminist, queer-positive and revolutionary mindset. All this makes DREGS among my favorites of the current crop of European straight edge bands.

The following interview with singer Julie Hill was featured in our special straight edge zine that came out in October 2021 along with our tenth compilation tape.

Let’s get to the basics. Who are DREGS and what was the initial reason to form the band? Did you have any sort of a blueprint for how you wanted to run things?

Right now DREGS are David on bass, Dom on guitar, Julie on vocals, and Markus plays drums.

We had two changes since we started the band. Initially we met up, cause I really wanted to form a band, where I can do vocals in. Since I was like 13 years old I was impressed by vocalists and wanted to do it on my own. I think there is no blueprint at all, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. A common goal we all have is to show that woman and queer people have a place in hardcore punk.

You have a lot of influences, ranging from ‘90s metallic hardcore stuff like Strife and Morning Again to fast, blistering hardcore punk and powerviolence, and even a touch of post-punk and goth aesthetics? Musically and aesthetically, how would you describe your band?

We can’t even describe it ourselves, haha! We love reading reviews and getting feedback from live shows, because it varies so much. Sometimes we wonder how people can compare us to some bands, because we don’t hear the similarities at all.

But I like that aspect! Of course we have some influences from bands, but we never said we want to sound like X or Y. I really can’t stand that way of thinking. Music is art and so it is fluid, it should be thought about outside of the box. In general, I have the feeling that hardcore is really limiting itself. Which is a bummer. So I really respect bands who take a step further. We all love different bands and genres, and those also change from time to time, so that’s a huge influence in our writing process as well. We try to compromise and write what sounds and feels good to all of us.

You have only a few short releases out through Refuse Records. Do you have a full-length record in the works and how would it differ from the couple of EPs released so far? Let’s talk about the lyrics, ideas and the message you’re trying to spread across with DREGS?

In DREGS I tried to focus on politics as feminism & anarchistic ideas with an empowering message. I consider myself a strong individual with a fighter mindset. So, I wanted to get these intentions in my lyrics. “Taking up space to be seen and heard.” Especially to women and queer people.

The other aspect was writing about mental health and my own journey through dark times. I had the urge to write it down. The Watch Out EP is focused more on feminism and its struggles both mentally and in society. Built to Rot is more about living in a capitalist system, which exploits not just humans but also animals and nature, and what impact all of this has on us.

Right now we don’t really write new stuff, as we all have different projects going on. Just to name a few: David is playing in Better Run, Disclone, Echelons, and many more. Dom has a pop-punk project called Out of Bricks, plays bass in Witch Ghetto and does guitar in Disclone.

I am currently working on my solo-metal-band project Requiem, together with producer Powernerd, where I write about mental health and spirituality. So if you are interested in other music than hardcore you should definitely check these out.

Do you all share queer identities as a band? Is it something that you put in an explicitly political context?

Dom is going by they/them pronouns, they are a queer & disabled activist. We do think that the venues and the hardcore “scene” should be more accessible for people with disabilities. Many DIY venues have staircases which makes them impossible for some people to reach. So this is definitely something that should be thought of when booking a show. The scene should not also be inclusive to women & queer people but we should also care about all disabled folx.

Also, if you were lucky to grow tall enough not to struggle to see the stage, maybe take a look around you, you might be blocking somebody’s view, or, if you are moshing, which is fun, take care of all human beings around you and be responsible!

How important is straight edge for each of the band’s members? Is DREGS a straight edge band, or a hardcore punk band with straight edge members?

As a band, we define ourselves as straight edge. But each member has their own story behind its meaning. For example, I never identified as straight edge, even now. I also never put the X’s on my hand. Others in the band do, which is totally fine.

I think straight edge should be thought of in a new way. The ’80s & ’90s ended a long time ago. Sticking to something which is outdated is limiting what it could be. Back then, and even now, straight edge is a white-cis-boys club, which is annoying. So, I think it is necessary to have critical thinking. I always like to recommend the zines Anarchy & Alcohol by CrimethInc. and Towards a less fucked up world by Nick Riotfag. Both of them have an anarchist and inclusive view on the topic.

Why I, personally, never liked the straight edge movement is because I felt judged when I was still drinking. I struggled with my mental illness and had an issue with alcohol & drugs. Not just that I felt that way, but a lot of straight edge people made sick comments about people struggling with it. Choosing to be sober doesn’t make you a better person than anyone else.

How important is it to talk about class and social equality for you? Do you think that a lot of straight edge bands lack a leftist background?

It’s ambivalent. For me, it is part of my values. So, I like to discuss politics and situations which happen in our society. I get emotional when I see the news and that’s what most of my lyrics are about. It can also be tiring to always talk to people who already agree on the same things. So rather go out and talk to your colleagues, families and friends about the current situations, or call them out on their abusive behaviour. Which has probably more impact?

But it is up to the bands, who am I to judge? They should be authentic and reflective, which is way more effective.

How’s the underground music and radical political scene in Austria going? What was the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the punk scene and shifting the country’s political landscape so far?

Well, the DIY places have stayed closed since the pandemic started. There are shows happening, with local bands in public venues. With strict restrictions which are: vaccinated, tested or recovered. I am very glad there are people who try to organize gigs and not just let the cultural scene die. They do the best they can. Our government sucks. It is very conservative and right wing.

What are some great new bands, zines and projects that you would like to recommend checking out?

I would recommend Boys Club Only zine which second issue will be released soon. Bands I really dig right now are: Spirit Box, Dying Wish, Nervosa, and Vexed.

Thanks for the questions, and having us involved!

Source: diyconspiracy.net