TRAVØLTA - You're The One That I Mosh ! (Belgium - Fastcore/Powerviolence - Interview with Rik).

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
TravØlta was formed in 2015 by the original guitarist and drummer. They soon found a bassist and vocalist from the same area (Dutch part of Belgium) to complete the line-up. We started writing powerviolence songs with influences ranging from crust, d-beat and a bit of grindcore. I guess our main influences were Extortion and Disgust but we were still looking for a sound fitting to us.
This line-up remained unchanged until the COVID pandemic shook the foundations of the band and our guitarist stepped out of the band. Shortly afterwards, a friend joined us on guitar, and this is still our current line-up. Our sound changed/matured as well: there's less d-beat and more hardcore/punk in the mix. In a way, we sound more powerviolence than before, and our songs have become faster.
The members of TravØlta had previously played in various hardcore, punk, crust and metal bands, including King Terror, Outrage, Dissguy (our current guitarist), Grumpf and Reller.
We started the band because there weren't many local acts around anymore, and we felt there was a need for a new politically charged and outspoken band.

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
You could probably categorize our band as powerviolence or fastcore. We don't really write choruses, except for the occasional song, so I guess that fits the genre pretty well. Some songs follow the classic start/stop formula, while others begin with a slow intro before exploding into a blast beat to finish things off. Sounds a bit like Crossed Out, doesn't it?
I also think we sound a bit more melodic than most bands in the powerviolence or fastcore scene. Because of that, our songs might be a little easier to remember. Sometimes you'll see an amazing PV band play 30 songs in 20 minutes, and the whole set is absolutely on fire. Afterwards, you're blown away by the intensity, passion and speed, but do you actually remember any specific riffs or song parts? Not always, and that's sometimes a shame. I'd like to think some of our songs stick with people a bit more—not necessarily because they're better, just because they're a little more recognizable.
Another advantage is that we fit in almost anywhere. We can play a grindcore show, a crust gig in a squat, or a hardcore punk show at a youth centre, and it all feels natural.So there's something for everyone... unless you're into reggae. We don't play reggae.

 

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ?
Before we come up with actual song titles, we usually give our songs working titles based on other bands. For instance, "It's Shovelin' Time" was originally called "That Charles Bronson Song." It wasn't until we added an intro inspired by "It's Clobberin' Time" that we came up with the final title. So here we also have the connection between oldschool HC and fastcore!
I guess we're mainly influenced by older powerviolence and fastcore, by bands that helped shape the genre. During rehearsals, bands like Charles Bronson, Crossed Out, Fuck on the Beach and Spazz definitely inspired us. Our song "We're All Sisterhood", which actually has a chorus (are we selling out?), is a proper youth crew anthem with a strong Ten Yard Fight/Better Than a Thousand influence.
But all these "big" bands we mention aren't what keeps this scene alive. The smaller bands, labels and promoters are just as important—maybe even more important! So please support European powerviolence and grindcore. Check out bands like False, Jodie Faster, Teigne, Gets Worse, Endless Swarm, Assur, Warfuck, Parasite Circus, Failure, Verpest, We Sleep, TFB, LMDA and Double Me. Really, we could keep this list going forever! And last but not least, don't forget all the labels and promoters who invest their own money in releasing records and organizing shows without making a profit. Those are the people keeping this scene alive, not the bigger bands you see at festivals every weekend.
In a way, our biggest influence isn't a band at all—it's the passion of the DIY community. Without it, we simply wouldn't be able to play. For us—and hopefully for you too—this isn't a hobby you do once or twice a week. It's a passion. It's what keeps us sane in this crazy world. Writing this makes me think of our song "Everyday Grind Fever":
"Grind fever, everyday grind fever.Not just Saturdays, we support all days!"
Speaking of lyrics, almost everything we write is politically charged. We love Horrified by Repulsion, but you won't get any zombie lyrics from us. Our singer Nico writes all the lyrics, dealing with the ecological, political and social problems of modern society. He addresses serious issues, but usually with sarcasm and humour rather than the more straightforward approach that's common in this scene.
We also like to speak between songs during our live shows. Some people hate it, others love it. But if you're only there for the music... then maybe Travolta isn't the band for you.

About the band's discography... Imagine someone who doesn't know your band at all and wants to get interested in.. Which release would you recommend to start with, and why?
That’s a tricky question, a band always says you have to check their latest album while the true fan only wants the demo. So my suggestion would be Discoviolence Up Yours and our split with the German band We Sleep. I think those releases represent us the best as a band. Those albums are more cohesive.

About your latest release ? 
Our latest releases were a split 12" with We Sleep and a live split 12" with Slut Bomb.
The live album is an unpolished recording that captures the chaos of our live shows and brings it straight to your record player. It's definitely not for everyone because it's pretty raw, but for us it's a great reminder of some amazing times we had. Besides, I own plenty of live albums by Agathocles and Unholy Grave, so I like it raw... haha. 😊
The previous studio release was our split with We Sleep. We once played a show organised by their drummer and ended up sleeping at his place. The next morning we came up with the idea of doing a split record together. I'm still really glad we did! I'm especially fond of this record because I have great memories of writing these songs.
Our previous full-length, Discoviolence Up Yours!, came together in a very fragmented way because of COVID. We started with drum and bass recordings, then added the guitars later. We wrote songs at home and sent files back and forth, so the whole process didn't feel very organic. The We Sleep split was different: most of the songs were written during rehearsals, which made the process feel much more natural. This time the foundation was guitar and drums, and the final result sounds much more like a proper powerviolence record.
The entire record was recorded DIY by our bassist. At the time he was working at a recording studio, so we were lucky enough to get some free studio time. The artwork is a combination of both bands' influences. On one hand you have Vince Vega, while on the other there are references to They Live, which has been a big influence on We Sleep.
The record was released on vinyl through Loner Cult Records, Flowerviolence Records, Rotten to the Core Records and Give Praise Records. A cassette version was released by Manuel from Shove Records in Italy.
At the moment we're mixing our next split 12" with our Dutch friends in I Scream Protest (featuring ex-members of FUBAR). We actually recorded it over a year ago, but because of some miscommunication it took ages before we finally got the files, which was pretty frustrating. The record contains lots of samples in true powerviolence style and some of the fastest songs we've ever written. We're really siked about it, and we hope you will be too!
If everything goes according to plan, we'll also record new songs for a short split with False, the keepers of fast hardcore punk violence from France! We already have some cool ideas together with Julien—the man, the myth, the legend behind False and Sylvester Staline.
Besides that split, we also have plans for another one... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

Future plans ?
We’re going to build a time machine and kill baby Hitler. Talking about babies, our guitarist is becoming a father so I guess the following months he’ll have other priorities than playing live. (Oh, all my best wishes for happiness to the happy parents :-) ! Ed.)
  
Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
Obscene Extreme for the 2nd time! We have some great memories playing there in 2023. It would be awesome to do it again. I guess for me a tour in another continent - Asia for instance - would be awesome.


 
Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ?
Our last European tour took us to Bologna and Milan. In Belgium, people usually just stand there, but those Italian stallions were absolutely crazy. While we were sweating, dying of thirst and blasting away, they were moshing, crowd surfing, crashing into the drum kit and hugging us afterwards with the biggest smiles on their faces.
Playing Obscene Extreme made a huge impression on us, but those smaller DIY shows—with a tiny stage or just a floor show—are usually even more intense. I remember playing a show in Palencia, Spain, a few years ago in a small industrial space. It was a weekday show and the first band had cancelled, so we ended up being the only band playing. Apparently nobody had to work the next day because people just kept asking for more songs. We even ended up doing a little improvised jam with the organizer on vocals. At one point our drummer had to stage dive, and we were basically "forced" to keep playing.
Another unforgettable show was on our first tour. We played in a tiny village somewhere in the French countryside. It was a scorching hot day and we arrived pretty early. We thought we were opening, but it turned out we were headlining. It was a very long day with a mixed bill, and by the time we finally played—around one or two in the morning—it was inside a barn on a farm. There was something magical about the place: a few strings of light bulbs hanging from the ceiling gave just enough light, and the crowd was standing all around us, even behind the band.
As for shitty shows... we hate rock stars, and unfortunately some bands really act like them. It's always disappointing when bands—big or small—turn out to be a bunch of douchebags. Being unfriendly, borrowing your gear without asking, acting like they're above everyone else... In private I'll gladly tell you which bands I'm talking about, but not here. 😉 Luckily, most bands are genuinely friendly and easy to get along with.
We once played a show with Trap Them in Belgium. The venue changed once or twice before the show, so everything was a bit chaotic. When we arrived, the venue owner didn't even know we were on the bill, and the organizer was nowhere to be found. We had to start playing before the venue officially opened, so saying it wasn't crowded would be an understatement. The atmosphere between the bands was pretty awkward as well, and no lasting friendships were made that day.
Another funny one: we once played at a friend's birthday party somewhere in Belgium. Most of the bands were hardcore, and we were definitely the weird fast band on the bill. When we started playing, only five people stayed inside while everyone else was outside practicing their mosh moves. That felt... a bit strange.
Luckily, the good shows far outnumber the bad ones. We're really grateful for every opportunity we've had to play.

Next live-appearance(s) ?
We are playing in a forest in Hamburg in August. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? It’s called Weakend Waste and bands like Scup Com and Yacopsea are also playing.

 

Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ?
We have many great bands in Belgium and the neighbouring countries. But for this question, I will give you some of our favourite active Belgium artists.I’m not going to talk about bigger Belgian bands, here’s a list of noteworthy ‘smaller’ bands.Assur: One-man grindcore for fans of Mortician. Love the guitar sound! 
Plague Thirteen: Neo crust, imagine Tragedy making a lovebaby with Neurosis. Their new record called Eroded is so hard! 
Hetze: Great HC/punk/PV band 
Raw Peace: Bringing the Japanese D-beat style. On their new record To Dust they are switching things up with different songwriting. 
xINVICTUSx: Awesome dudes playing At The Gates kinda stuff! 
Parasite Circus: Modern Grind meets hc. Such a heavy sound! 
The End Of Ernie: Punks from our town. Still getting better and better after 30 years. Verpest: Sounds like Mayhems Deathcrush but in a crusty way. 
Dögmën: Stompin’ hc punk with an occasional blastbeat. 
Skull Cock: These 2 guys are still in their teens and they are really the future of our grindcore scene. 
Days Of Desolation: Technical and fast crusty grindcore 
Head Of The Baptist: Inspired by early Entombed with that crusty feel! 
Bezette Stad: Raging HC punk with a good political message. 
Headshrinker: Kinda 90’s hardcore but still accepted in a crusty squat. xINCLUSIONx: Straight Edge youth crew
Van Rossum: Organising shows and doing this goregrind/PV thing, we like it! Colère: Fast HC/punk with incredible female vocals. So energetic live! Röt Stewart: These hc/punk guys are here for the fun. The smiles on their faces when playing live is what we want!
This list could be much longer and I’m forgetting many good bands.  

What’s the question you’ve always dreamed of answering but have never been asked? Just a heads-up: I’m also waiting for the answer that goes with it...
What’s the best Wu-Tang Clan side project?
I’d probably go for GZA’s Liquid Swords, Gravediggaz’ 6 Feet Deep, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, and ODB’s Return to the 36 Chambers.
But a more Travolta-related question would be: what’s your favourite sample used in a Travolta song?
The sample in “Modern Day Witch Hunt” is a combination of a clip from Monty Pythons The Holy Grail and a quote from Travolta in Grease. Combined they fit together like pepper and salt.
In “Jesus Crost Soccer Punch”, the singer from Jesus Crost (a football-themed grindcore/powerviolence band) provides football commentary for a fictional match. It’s funny because in that same song we sing: “The only good thing about football is fucking Jesus Crost.”
Lyrics:
"That confusing time of the year again, When separatists become the new nationalists, All as one behind the team, Does that really fit your Flemish Nazi dream?
The only good thing about football is fucking JESUS CROST – Soccer Punch
I’d rather grind my bike through the woods Than grind a concrete skatepark!"

Last word is yours..
Show your support for more than just the bigger bands.
Don't get me wrong—Napalm Death and Wormrot are incredible bands, and I truly believe they've played a huge role in shaping this scene. But every time they play a sold-out show in Belgium, I can't help but feel frustrated. Not because they don't deserve it—they absolutely do—but because there are countless other amazing bands that deserve that same kind of support and they aren’t getting it.
Go to your average grindcore or powerviolence show and you'll see what I mean. More often than not, attendance is painfully low. Shows with only 20 paying people—or even fewer—are unfortunately a reality, especially in this scene. So where are all the people I saw at the Napalm Death show? Are these smaller bands not cool enough? Are you only willing to support the bigger names while complaining that nobody buys merch from your own band? Maybe this scene isn't really for you.
Again, I'm not taking a shot at Napalm Death or Wormrot. I genuinely love and respect both bands. But here's the thing: I saw Wormrot on their very first European tour, back when they were just another small grindcore band. Unsurprisingly, that show wasn't sold out. But I was there. Where were you?
My final words go out to everyone who's part of this beautiful scene.
Extra shout-outs to:
Mario Zumpe and Noëlle (Grind The Nazi Scum/Krachfest…): Thanks for what you two are doing for this scene, whether it’s playing in bands, doing shows or just showing up!
Isaac Roelens (Verpest): Thank you for your endless passion. Keep playing in bands, going to shows, and organizing them. People like you keep this scene alive.
Brame Wolters (Assur / Vleesklak): You're the true gatekeeper of grindcore and powerviolence. Always humble, yet carrying the knowledge of an encyclopedia.
Mirco Desolei (Double Me / Here And Now Records): European powerviolence simply wouldn't be the same without you.Hey, I know I’m forgetting some people but I have to end this list somewhere… 😊
And finally, much love to all the European labels keeping this scene alive: Loner Cult records ; Here And Now records ; Lixiviat Records ; Coxhina Records ; RSR records....