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| Abstrass' singer (Erich) is also a vegetarian. Abstrass started playing way back in 1979 when Erich's stage antics made sure punk stood out from other rock genres in Malta. The band started jamming at Erich's home, but complaints from neighbours led the band to search for an alternative place to rehearse...so they ended up at Tigne' Fortress in Sliema, which also became a gathering place for local bands. Abstrass had several line-up changes during the years, except for Erich, who was ever present until today. In the summer of 1986, Ray (Bahri), who also plays with Subculture, and Ray (Hamiemu) joined Erich for what was to become a permanent line-up. There only remained a permanent bassist, and the band had to do with several session musicians until in 2001, James (Nemlu) came along. On the 6th June, 2005, Abstrass recorded their long-time crowd favourite, "Make Love not War" as a single CD, and their debut album CD entitled "Hard to Understand" was launched at Signals on Saturday 16th July, 2005. Abstrass – Hard to Understand (CD review). Finally, after more than 26 years, we have a CD from one of the first Maltese punk bands to add to our collection. And “Hard to Understand” was worth the wait. With a late 70s/early 80s raw style, cleverly placed radio news samples between songs, and straight in your face lyrics, the Abstrass debut album is a must-have for all who like the sound of raw punk and believe that punk is not only about music, or another re-invented fashion, but mostly about spreading a revolutionary message of true justice and peace. The musical style is a blend of 80’s punk genres, but a unique Abstrass sound is discernable throughout the album, complete with choruses you will want to sing or rather shout out. The lyrics to the first track, “Wish I never be existed” sounds nihilistic at first look, but who has never uttered that phrase after listening to the news hearing of innocent people dying in wars and people living in fear and desperation? This track is followed by “I’m under pressure”, which follows the same theme of injustice, corruption, wasted youth, class division, alienation, peer pressure to conform to a plastic life, and the hopelessness of it all. But this song is also a message of hope, telling you unequivocally that “you’re not a failure…don’t be a failure”. “Alcoholic” is a double meaning track. At first look it could be taken as an alcoholic’s anthem (which should be perfect for a night out drinking and partying), but on listening carefully, it is also a warning against alcohol addiction, telling you that the alcoholic cannot do anything without his daily dose of alcohol. It also has a clear anti-heroin message, a drug substance with anti-revolutionary effects, making you a total waste and a puppet in the hands of drug dealers. “The bastard’s lies” is all about the lies of the corporate media, presenting a picture of the world where all we are is consumers buying products which we are made to need just for fashion and conformity's sake and not presenting to the world the truth about the real and important issues, some of which are literally questions of life or death. “Going underground” is a little escapist, telling about escape from society and forming subcultures with like-minded people to escape from the hypocricy and plasticity of a constructed corporate consumerist world where all that matters is looking good and making money. But going underground is an eye-opener. “I’ve got hope, I’ve got faith, ‘cause I’ve seen the light”, which only happens by sharing ideas and truths. “Pope” mixes serious issues with utterly hilarious lines, a clever mix with the desired effect of keeping the listener with ears wide open to understand what this Erich, and this Abstrass are really all about. With serious lines such as “Rome’s expansion is the Vatican, the imposing site of the Catholic church…playing love and hate” and outright hilarious pieces such as “the pope was rolling a joint…is the pope a lemon joint, with a rouche in it…is the pope alive?”, “Pope” made sure it remained a favourite with Abstrass’ followers since 1979. “Malta’s burning” is all about broken promises and denial of a financial disaster Malta is in today due to a single issue (EU) party in government. It’s about the local economy going “down the drain” with the resulting job losses and people living on the brink of poverty. It’s about our “Democratic dictatorship”, where corporate power has ensured that the state is controlled by corporations, which fund political parties and in the process make politicians their puppets for them to control. It’s about a promise of a heaven on earth once we join the European Union, a promise which has obviously not materialized. It’s about Malta burning…and who lit the fuse? “Make love not war”, another all time favourite, mixes a blend of religious questioning, atheism, and pacifism. It compares religion with dictatorship, by keeping people in ignorance and not letting them think for themselves. On the political side, it is a call for anarchist pacifism, shouting out to us to “make love not war”. Finally, “Generation terrorists” is all about a “new age of fear” with suicide bombers killing for ideology or religion, but it is also about state terrorism, and Bush and puppet Blair’s so called “war on terror”, which contrary to its declared intentions, fuels more terrorism. Bush and Blair’s reply to terrorism? – send soldiers to die, and don’t worry…call civilian deaths “collateral damage” and it will be all ok! “Arab fundamentalist embarked on holy wars” while the US and its puppets want a unilateral world where everyone should follow the US model or die! “Protesters say ‘there’s something wrong’, the price is high, civilians die", but what do politicians care! Abstrass do, and hopefully after listening to this CD, you will too. Abstrass is composed of Erich (vocals), Bahri (guitar/backing vocals), Nemlu (bass/backing vocals) and Hamiemu (drums). |
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| A band which shares our animal rights views is Abstrass, a band which could be considered as the "father" of Maltese punk. Two members of Abstrass (Il-Bahri and Il-Hamiemu) also form part of Subculture, a band which plays animal rights songs. |
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