James: When you mentioned you were bringing Wardance back at the show the other day it didn’t immediately resonate with me. I think at the time I was just so excited by what was going on at the moment. (We were in the midst of enjoying the Bad Trip, GO, Inflatable Children reunion at ABC No Rio) I wasn’t able to process any more excitement.  What was behind the decision and why now?

James: How many years has it been since you were doing Wardance?

Freddy: I did my last release in '94. I put out 8.5 records in total, I say .5 because the Rorschach "Protestant" Lp was a split label release with

Gern Blandsten records for the 1st. pressing. All subsequent pressings are on GB. The main thread running through my releases (then & now) is that I got to put out some incredible records by some people that are still close friends to this day.

James: Everyone has a master list when they start a project. Will the blueprint for War Dance have the same approach in the past?

Freddy: I have to say that the original catalyst behind the label's resurgence was the online re-release of an old project of mine (New Breed tape) a year & a half ago. The overwhelming response by old-timers & younger fans made me revisit other old projects of mine, Wardance being the other significant one. The timing for this feels right, I will try my hardest to stay from the cheezy flogging a dead horse factor. I hope I can do justice to something that matters a lot to me & by the looks of it, a few other people out there.

James: I can only guess what you’re up to. Give me an idea what you have in store  for us.

Freddy: Well, I have two projects in the works, the first being a band made up of HC veterans (ex-Life's Blood/Our Gang/Garden Variety & tons of others) called, drum-roll please.. MY RIFLE. I've known these guys going on 20 years-plus. We probably all should know better considering our ages & jobs/families/mortgages; but, what the heck? It's gonna be a killer, no-holds barred release. I don't want to jinx myself by giving an exact release date. Trust me, you'll hear about it when it does come out. Look for their debut gig opening up for AF in October @Santos (NYC). We're planning a cool release package that both honors & updates the stuff we all grew up on.

The other project I’m working on is top secret at the moment. But I can tell you this. It’s long overdue and when it comes out it will be very special.

James: We can guess what projects are in the works but I think there's one that needs a proper release. That being the New Breed compilation. Just think of all the bands and people involved. I'm sitting here imagining the images, anecdotes and and amazing liner notes. (not as much a question as a demand.)

Freddy: I would love for the New Breed comp to get a proper release, since we've done just about everything but that, i.e. website/shirts/FB page. The main deterrent is Chaka's refusal to give his go-ahead for it. He's cited various reasons, main one being the lack of a proper system in place for all the bands to get a fair cut of any profits from it, his experience of being on record labels has soured him on the whole getting properly reciprocated for one's music. I've told him several times that various labels have expressed interest on doing it & we could do it justice, but he's still against the idea & I have to respect his wishes. I've heard rumours through the grapevine that there might be a Bootleg vinyl version in the works; if that's the case, I'm gonna approach him again with this info in the hopes of changing his mind. I figure we might as well do it now, with the proper background info, before someone beats us to the punch.

I envision a beautiful gatefold 2XLP version if I do it, with cool pics/flyers/recollections from the people involved in the comp. Chaka's an old dear friend, but he can be pretty stubborn! So, if any of you that are reading this & are in touch with him, please get the campaign going on behalf of the comp...

James: What formats are you planning on going with?

Freddy: Well ideally, since the whole way of putting out music has changed & the "business" is irrevocably altered. I envision a vinyl version to be made available for purchase alongside a full free download of the record. I would love to work on another fanzine-related project that incorporates a cool print & media package.

James: What about the pitfalls of doing a label when so many are going out of business?

Freddy: I have no illusions about making any money or breaking even in this enterprise. a cursory look at vinyl pressing prices shows them to be ridiculously expensive. Vinyl definitely has a built-in audience, especially with what I'm putting out. My business model is one of investing as much as needed for the releases, with no expectations of getting all or some of it back. I will be pleasantly surprised if this does happen.

James: Wardance only released 8.5 (laughs) records yet all can easily be considered classics. Choosing must have been a very careful process. How did you go about choosing back then and do you think you'll be taking a similar path in the future?

Freddy: Thank you for the kind words old friend! I've always considered them classics & its heartening to hear others agree. I think what I discussed before, as far as putting out friends bands, has always been the guiding principle. Of course I have to like them. I've never particularly cared for stylistic restrictions within such a self-contained genre as HC. As someone said, there's only 2 kinds of music: Good & Bad. If the vibe is right & something moves me, I'll be more than eager to get involved in any way. The Flame still burns man! The last dying embers will be documented.

Freddy: My incredibly beautiful (& understanding) wife Heidi, is very supportive of this old "hobby" of mine, she understands that things that happened 20 years ago still resonate deep within my core & make me the person I am today. God bless her for tolerating these youthful infatuations!

Interview and images James Damion

Wardance Records Facebook Page

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