Honesta is an international hardcore band with members coming from Paris and Belgrade. The band has its roots i Onesta, a name most of you might be familiar with, but because of line-up issues they changed their name in recent times. Musically, it’s similar NYHC influenced vibe, but they kind of added a strong socio-political theme to their lyrics. One of the things that caught my attention about them is their commitment to the issue of homelessness, with one of the members being a volunteer for Paris Red Cross Association. Anyway, check out the interview for more info about this!.
Honesta is an international hardcore band with members coming from Paris and Belgrade. The band has its roots i Onesta, a name most of you might be familiar with, but because of line-up issues they changed their name in recent times. Musically, it’s similar NYHC influenced vibe, but they kind of added a strong socio-political theme to their lyrics. One of the things that caught my attention about them is their commitment to the issue of homelessness, with one of the members being a volunteer for Paris Red Cross Association. Anyway, check out the interview for more info about this!
What’s the story behind the name change from Onesta to Honesty? It’s kind of unusual move, was it triggered by any change in lineup or musical style?
They were two reasons for the name change, in first place i remain the last member of the original line up, we wanted to give a new breath to the project. The second reason was the fact that most of people didn't understood the meaning of the word "onesta" so we just anglicized the name, into Honesty.
So, what’s been happening with the band lately?
We recorded 3 songs demo this year, there will be a new video clip for the title "tiger released" and a featuring by Pelbu Knuckledust on the title "wasted youth". We will be touring in Poland in november, having couple of shows in europe, and should be on tour again in Asia in 2014.
Fool and it’s been on bandcamp for couple of months already. Is there any full length in plans?
We are working on new songs and should record a new album during 2014.
I read you’re involved in project for homeless people in Paris. Can you expand on this?
I have been volounteering for 3 years in the Paris Red Cross Association, during that period i had in charge a social team which was involved in street action. In fact we were going through streets and meeting homeless people, providing food, information for centers, administrations for papers - visas, food points, shower points, all the things you may need when you're coming into a foreign country.
But most of all, they needed friendly talk.
How big is the problem in Paris right now?
The problem is bigger and bigger every year. There are lot of homeless people in the streets of Paris, it is a real shame, in a rich country like that, we have lot of empty buildings, the politicians are collecting money but they prefer to give it to army and crime than to provide something respectful to people in need. We have lot of people coming from Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo.
In fact Nato and U.N screwed it once again in ex-Yougoslavia, against all the human rights they gave power to the albanian racist mafia who expeled lot of immigrants, gypsies who are now lost here and there in Europe, and when they come to France, the french criminal gouvernement is evicting them back to the east where they oftenly don't have any place to go to. I have no more words.
What’s the common misconception people have about the problem of homelessness?
We can hear sometimes that homeless people are just lazy people that doesn't want to work. It is rarely true.
Most of the time, we run into people who got seriously ill, who didn't had solutions after a divorce, family loss, after army injuries.
There are many kinds of tragedies, it is easy to judge from the outside but if you have the courage to look inside
you know you have to do something for those people, i mean helping each other should be one of the principal aim of life.
At least if you consider yourself being part of a scene such as hardcore scene. And there are lot of people totally inconscious
in the french hardcore one, it sucks.
If anyone would like to get involved in volunteering for this cause, what would you suggest to them?
First of all, if you have homeless people in your town, try to talk with them, then if you have associations look which one could be more centred with your ideas. If there are not, you can create one by yourself, it is not that hard, but you have to find people involved and that could be harder, it depends on the culture of your country and what politicians are ready to do for people in need.
And you can always write to Rico and Hardcore Help Foundation, they have lot great ideas and amazing actions.
We have been in a action with them in Philippines during our tour there in 2012, we collected money for typhoon victims,
it was an unforgettable experience.
Any last words for the people?
We would like to thank David and Coretex, Edward Goodlife, Anis and all the OVC guys in Asia, and all people who are supporting us from the beginning. Jakub and polish friends, can't wait to see you again.
More about the band here.
