Napalm Death @ Download 2007

United Kingdom | by Ross Baker | 18 June 2007

Virtual Festivals: How did you find your performance?
Mark ‘Barney’ Greenway:  “It was a good one for us, even better then the last time.  I mean Maiden play similar music to us which is generally different from what’s around, it’s more hardcore.  The kids seemed to have liked it; its fresh man.”

VF: How are you finding this year’s Download compared to previous events here?

Barney: “We’ve done it once before and it was fucking brilliant but this one has perhaps been better.  It’s been really really enjoyable, we got half an hour and we really went for it.  It was pretty good.”

VF: Your set draws to an end with some of your older tunes such as ‘Kill’.  How does it feel still playing these tracks after some 26 years?

Barney: “They still stand up man.  With good music it should be timeless and I think those songs are.  Its part of Napalm Death, who are a 27 year old band and [the music] is going through the different aspects of who we are.  Even Napalm’s newer stuff, yeah it’s got a few new odder elements, but it really now that far emerged from the older songs.”

VF: Do you keep up with the new bands?

Barney: “I’ve heard of some but Napalm’s so busy I don’t have the time to listen and I don’t have the mind-space to devote to them.  But it’s all well and good; it’s more power to the elbow.  Some of the stuff is a little less punky or whatever but it’s a way of moving the music on.”

VF: You’re hardcore, how do you think the kids that come to watch your shows are reacting? Do you think they’re enjoying it?

Barney: “I think they are.  It doesn’t matter how bad you are, it doesn’t mean you should stop trying.  I think there’s a necessity to it; I like to think, without sounding pretentious, Napalm is about creating that thing of ‘you are what you are’ you don’t have to justify yourself.  Make yourself happy first and that radiates from you.  Things would be better if people stopped trying to please others, do it for yourself man.”

VF: Apart from Maiden is there anyone else you want to try and check out today?

Barney: “I want to try and catch Dream Theater, they’re old friends of mine so I’m going to try and see them.  I missed Mastodon earlier, but I’m open to anything.”

VF:  Your music has always been very grassroots and it reaches out to people. Do you think they are getting the message?

Barney: “I hope they take something from it but I’m in a band and I have been for 27 years of my life, I’m just trying to enjoy myself.  When I’m with the band I’m just trying to be me.”

VF: Do you find playing such aggressive music makes a better gig?

Barney: “No not necessarily, I always try to think of it as hit and hope.  The music and the love of the band just drive you.  I try to play every gig as if it’s my last.”