Interviews
Interview with Freddie
Published in Vandalism News #24
Performed by Vengeance
Well, VENGEANCE back again, with the interview I have prepared for this issue, actually this interview was done earlier this year, but still has a lot of relevance. Anyway this time I’m very proud to bring you an interview with one of our older scene presences, former X-FACTOR member "FREDDIE", now a member of ATLANTIS, we can hopefully fill the next pages with some of his interests and views...
V)
As its normal in most interviews it's probably best if you could introduce yourself to our readers first....
F)
Hello! One and all! As you probably know I’m FREDDIE of ATLANTIS. My real name is ANDERS, I’m 18 years of age. My eye colour is green/blue and I’m about 180cm tall. I got to high school (final year). I like tennis, soccer, parties and listening to music. My favourite bands are AC/DC, ACCEPT, D:A:D, AEROSMITH and DIZZY MIZZ LIZZY. And I also spend some time on my C64.
V)
Well, you have given us quite an outlook about you, and obviously you’re quite an active person outside the scene, but let’s talk about the scene now, while I ask you to tell us a bit about your scene history, where it all started and how you got there?
F)
OH! Those old days... It all started back in 1985 when my brother brought himself a C16 (yes a Commodore 16!!). Three weeks later he got a C64, and so I lamed around playing games for a while. But in 1987 I started to program basic "games". At that time I thought of a computer magazine with reviews of cool games. But I got the idea to do it on disk!!! I released an issue of "COMPUTER GAMES" in 1987 but it was nothing but a simple basic screen with some text. I don't claim to be the first with the idea, in fact the mag was never spread and I didn't know anything about the scene back there. Then in 1988 I got some new games with those funny "pictures" in front (an intro that is!!!). Me and a friend of mine (HERCULES of ex-X-FACTOR) wrote to some scene dudes like DEXTER/X-FACTOR and DIAMOND/AKRAK and got replies from them both!! We built a group called "THE CRACKER DUO" (TCD),and became the sub group of AKRAK. Still I didn't really know what the scene was like, but in 1990 I started swapping. At Christmas '90 we changed our group name to HEARTBEAT and things really went fast afterwards. In 1991-1992 we had a really strong group with only 6-7 members. But things were changing, and one by one the members just slipped away. When I got the offer to join X-FACTOR I did. Well the old spirit wasn't gone in X-FACTOR but no one was active anymore. In January 1994 I decided to join VISION, which was a false move. We started by getting a lot of first releases, but first PEACEMAKER, DR.JONES and CURLIN left us. Then some others left the scene (RAY, SATAN...). The group was dying (or better say: dead!). I decided to look for another group. I got some offers, and joined ATLANTIS. Not because of the fact they were cracking like hell (like at the moment, hehe), no they hadn't made a crack for many weeks, but I’ve always admired AVANLANCHE/T'PAU for his great work in the demo "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE". So I joined and the releases have been rapidly increasing since then.
V)
Phew! Long and detailed description, But you didn't tell us how you came up with your handle, FREDDIE and by the way that was my handle before I really joined the scene. hehe...?
F)
So FREDDIE seems to be popular around here, ehh? Anyway, I played an old game called "FRANTIC FREDDY" but on my disk it says FRANTIC FREDDIE, so that's it. I used to have another handle back in 1987, namely "MR. PEPSI". Cool one.... NOT!!!
V)
Haha, okay Mr. Pepsi... Personally I have given you this interview, because of your past in legendary Danish group X-FACTOR, tell us of your times in the group, was it a friendship group or was it to keep the business pace?
F)
X-FACTOR, what to say... in my opinion was the best group ever in Denmark, because we all pulled together about other things than computers. Everyone was from Denmark (except some Americans and PARSON from Germany who was a member back 1991 or 1992). You could help each there against "the rest". At that time it was X-FACTOR against UNICESS and VISION. One
good thing about wars is that people stick together. Hmmm, seems to be the only one? anyway, no one really knows why we were in war, but some people really hate(d) all former X-FACTOR members, god knows why. X-FACTOR was parties, jokes, beer, friends and some scene-activity one in a while. X-FACTOR did a lot of cracks, and a couple of hard coded demos back then.
In fact my own mag "INTERNEWS" was under the X-FACTOR label as the one and only magazine ever! (ED - really? I haven't got that mag please send me ever issue... serious!!).About INTERNEWS about 10 issues came out over a period of 4 years, delays or what?
V)
Sure thing man, delays... But, X-F the best group from Denmark is a hard one, BONZAI were really cool and I named my dog after them :) they gotta stack a mention !!, but however X-FACTOR produced many talented people, please name the guys you think were responsible for the fame of the crew?
F)
Gee, to name just a few I’d say DEXTER and SPIDERMAN. They weren't the leaders in X-FACTOR (there wasn't any leaders at all), but the organisers. Maybe some of you remember SPIDERMAN under the handle NEUROMANCER which he had before 1990. But also THE COMPANY (HIC, ACE and WRATH) really showed what it takes to make a group something special.
V)
Why did X-FACTOR just tumble? one day it was there and the next it was dead, no warning...what happened?
F)
Well, in fact X-FACTOR died in two steps. First in the end of 1992. After the SAMSO-PARTY in June'92 (where X-FACTOR, DOMINATORS, VISION, and HEARTBEAT were at a special balcony above the rest, hehe), X-FACTOR released their last demo "LESSONS IN LUST". The group was dead for half a year, but then in 1993 the guys were back and I joined them then. EXULANS did 2-3 cracks, but the only active guys were me, HERCULES, and SPIDERMAN. But after a while THE COMPANY finished a very cool crack of "WRATH OF THE DEMON" which beat the other cracks by 300 blocks or so!! I released "INTERNEWS" and rumours said that a demo was about to be finished, but already then some guys joined CAMELOT as a second group like X-FACTOR, maybe old fashioned not to have double membership, but still I’ve never tried that (and will not!!). (ED - Well, I did and that’s the exact reason I’m in only 1 group again). As SPIDERMAN said to me in the beginning of '94: "most of us are not 16-20 years anymore. Many dudes are studying at the university or on the pc," or in other words : "those
days are over. X-FACTOR is dead. FOREVER!!" sad but certainly true.
V)
Very unfortunate that as well, we'll lets steer away from the past now and get on to the future as well, what can we expect from you and ATLANTIS through the coming months and years?
F)
ATLANTIS has a lot of talented members and they will soon show what they can do. What about legal projects you ask. IMMORTAL FLASH will be released again and AVALANCHE is doing one hell of a job coding the outfit, while DOC is organising the staff. Things look quite bright about IMMORTAL FLASH. A demo and 3-4 more projects are 20-99% finished
by now, but better don't expect 10 disks with legal stuff tomorrow, we need a few more days....
V)
Aside from legal goings on, ATLANTIS seems to have cemented itself a nice place in the cracker scene, and it’s taken a bit of hard work, so who are responsible for that?
F)
First of all, I want to thank ROBOCOP for organising the illegal section in a very fine way. Also DARKNESS is helping him doing the spreading. About the crackers: KIRBY and DIDI are doing a great job. DOC and BACKLASH crack some games to. TUC is about to do some cool cracks to. All in all the cracker section may be the strongest, or at least one of the strongest
on this ruling 8-bit breadbox!!
V)
Well, one of the stronger groups yes, I think you just need to lay your hands on some more 1st releases to take a strong hold on the scene, speaking of a strong hold in your opinion which is the best cracker group nowadays? and who shows promise to take over at the top ?
F)
Shit, the best cracker group? I really don't know but both AVANTGARDE and AFL'70 have very talented guys (JACK ALIEN , IGNORANCE). One small step behind them we find SCS+TRC,F4CG, HARDCORE and ONSLAUGHT. In my opinion these 5 groups are top of the cracking scene right at the moment (I don't mention ATL, as that wouldn't be fair, hehe). I don't really know many of the groups from Poland, Hungary, or Australia, but AMNESIA, TRIAD, and EXCESS don't seem to be that active anymore. Too many people think that 1st releases are the only thing that counts in cracking, I just released 3 previews under the X-FACTOR label, that’s all!!
V)
And what about magazines? with so many magazines nowadays it must be hard to choose a favourite mag, so I won't ask you to, but what I want to know however is which magazine do you think is the most objective, fun to read, and of course brings the best text to the peoples screens nowadays?
F)
I don't get that many magazines regularly by my 3 favourite are (in random order): RELAX, VANDALISM and SKYHIGH. To be a good magazine you need the objectivity or you just get some crap no one wants to read. As a matter a fact I don't have much time to read the different magazines so I may have skipped some ruling articles here and there, but then again life is more important than a computer (even if that computer is a c64).
V)
And what about the past, any other legendary mags you'd like to see brought back?
F)
The best mag ever was the FATAL NEWS, I still have the 3rd issue. Really a great style, something new. MAMBA was ruling a few years back, I miss it... sniff... ROCK'N'ROLE was the first thing I got from the scene and this may be the reason why I find it so cool.
V)
That’s right, it certainly is... now, people keep putting so called time limits on the scene, and how long do you the scene will last personally and what will be the death of it?
F)
Let me give you an example of those stupid time limits: 1992 LARRY/EFFECT wrote an article about the scene would not survive one more year. To compare to 1989 and 1995 scene-wise is utopia, but we haven't had that many demos for along time. Look at ALBION, CHORUS, TENDANCE, FATUM and even more groups just released something great that not many people expected. That’s a sign of life that shows us that there still is more to come. Talking about the time limits: if you tell someone outside the scene about the story of this scene they mostly can't believe it. This scene is unrealistic.(ED - that’s what makes it tick!!!). But still kicking!! why should the scene stay alive until 2005 or so? maybe the C64 will be like old cars are today. This sounds silly, crazy and stupid right? good, so it may come true one day!! people who have been complaining about having "only" 64 Kbyte, 1 MHz and 8-bits should buy a PC, join the PC scene and have fun (??).
V)
Will the demo scene survive longer than the cracker scene or vice versa?
F)
I don't think any of the 2 scenes will die, but the demo scene may still be the strongest. Still new software companies are coming in eastern Europe, but the demo scene is unbelievable strong at this very moment.
V)
I knew an exchange student from DENMARK once, he sort of made it sound like you guys really party over there... what do you do in your spare time?
F)
Yeah, Denmark has the world record in drinking the most alcohol (ED - really, I thought HOMEBOY had that:)). and everything is much more relaxed than in e.g. Germany or The Netherlands. Last year I visited Hungary to see another school system that was tuff! anyway, partying is fun, and I can only advise you to visit Denmark to taste 10 bottles of our culture, hehe!!
V)
I'd like to taste, a lot more than 10 bottles I can assure you, but seriously now, what's your honest opinion of VANDALISM NEWS?
F)
VANDALISM NEWS always offers you a lot of interesting text to read and I like the outfit. Its hard to point out what makes it so cool but the news chapter always offer you an excellent quality of text. To list the news in group-wise and to write about so many groups (not just 4-5) is really great, keep it up!!
V)
We for sure will, how could we make any improvements to the magazine?
F)
I just read anything goes and I must say the idea of a paper-mag is extremely cool! maybe a music chapter or chapter with the latest demos may be an idea. I know there are many mags with a music chapter but maybe you could do one without techno-rave-house-trance-what-so-ever e.g. heavy metal (yeah!!), blues, death metal, funk, rock'n'roll, or heavy rock. That’s all I can think of right now.
V)
We will take it to consideration, but I don't like the idea of non-scene related chapters in a magazine really, now it’s almost time for the end of this interview so we better get you to pass some last words and greetings to your friends, anyone you'd like to mention?
F)
Oh, the end is coming and I better think of my contacts list (gone?). I wanna thank AVALANCHE for letting me join this cool group for being a great contact and friend, Robocop for talking about ice hockey, JERRY of TRIAD for being my first contact ever. That’s not all here they are:- ZAPOTEK, MARC, CALYPSO, SPLATTERHEAD, TORTURE, MEATBALL, JERRY, PHAROAH, BINO, IBANEZ, ARGOS, GAXAR MAC GYVER, ACIDCHILD, BORDEAUX, STARLIGHT, VEGA, RIDDLER, GIGABYTE, AUTHENTIC, VENGEANCE, DRAZ, HAPPYMAKER, SHOCKER, BRISCO, all in ATLANTIS and the staff of VANDALISM NEWS!!!
V)
Thank you for your time and the great interview FREDDIE, I’ll catch you in my mail box...
Published in Vandalism News #24
Performed by Vengeance
Well, VENGEANCE back again, with the interview I have prepared for this issue, actually this interview was done earlier this year, but still has a lot of relevance. Anyway this time I’m very proud to bring you an interview with one of our older scene presences, former X-FACTOR member "FREDDIE", now a member of ATLANTIS, we can hopefully fill the next pages with some of his interests and views...
V)
As its normal in most interviews it's probably best if you could introduce yourself to our readers first....
F)
Hello! One and all! As you probably know I’m FREDDIE of ATLANTIS. My real name is ANDERS, I’m 18 years of age. My eye colour is green/blue and I’m about 180cm tall. I got to high school (final year). I like tennis, soccer, parties and listening to music. My favourite bands are AC/DC, ACCEPT, D:A:D, AEROSMITH and DIZZY MIZZ LIZZY. And I also spend some time on my C64.
V)
Well, you have given us quite an outlook about you, and obviously you’re quite an active person outside the scene, but let’s talk about the scene now, while I ask you to tell us a bit about your scene history, where it all started and how you got there?
F)
OH! Those old days... It all started back in 1985 when my brother brought himself a C16 (yes a Commodore 16!!). Three weeks later he got a C64, and so I lamed around playing games for a while. But in 1987 I started to program basic "games". At that time I thought of a computer magazine with reviews of cool games. But I got the idea to do it on disk!!! I released an issue of "COMPUTER GAMES" in 1987 but it was nothing but a simple basic screen with some text. I don't claim to be the first with the idea, in fact the mag was never spread and I didn't know anything about the scene back there. Then in 1988 I got some new games with those funny "pictures" in front (an intro that is!!!). Me and a friend of mine (HERCULES of ex-X-FACTOR) wrote to some scene dudes like DEXTER/X-FACTOR and DIAMOND/AKRAK and got replies from them both!! We built a group called "THE CRACKER DUO" (TCD),and became the sub group of AKRAK. Still I didn't really know what the scene was like, but in 1990 I started swapping. At Christmas '90 we changed our group name to HEARTBEAT and things really went fast afterwards. In 1991-1992 we had a really strong group with only 6-7 members. But things were changing, and one by one the members just slipped away. When I got the offer to join X-FACTOR I did. Well the old spirit wasn't gone in X-FACTOR but no one was active anymore. In January 1994 I decided to join VISION, which was a false move. We started by getting a lot of first releases, but first PEACEMAKER, DR.JONES and CURLIN left us. Then some others left the scene (RAY, SATAN...). The group was dying (or better say: dead!). I decided to look for another group. I got some offers, and joined ATLANTIS. Not because of the fact they were cracking like hell (like at the moment, hehe), no they hadn't made a crack for many weeks, but I’ve always admired AVANLANCHE/T'PAU for his great work in the demo "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE". So I joined and the releases have been rapidly increasing since then.
V)
Phew! Long and detailed description, But you didn't tell us how you came up with your handle, FREDDIE and by the way that was my handle before I really joined the scene. hehe...?
F)
So FREDDIE seems to be popular around here, ehh? Anyway, I played an old game called "FRANTIC FREDDY" but on my disk it says FRANTIC FREDDIE, so that's it. I used to have another handle back in 1987, namely "MR. PEPSI". Cool one.... NOT!!!
V)
Haha, okay Mr. Pepsi... Personally I have given you this interview, because of your past in legendary Danish group X-FACTOR, tell us of your times in the group, was it a friendship group or was it to keep the business pace?
F)
X-FACTOR, what to say... in my opinion was the best group ever in Denmark, because we all pulled together about other things than computers. Everyone was from Denmark (except some Americans and PARSON from Germany who was a member back 1991 or 1992). You could help each there against "the rest". At that time it was X-FACTOR against UNICESS and VISION. One
good thing about wars is that people stick together. Hmmm, seems to be the only one? anyway, no one really knows why we were in war, but some people really hate(d) all former X-FACTOR members, god knows why. X-FACTOR was parties, jokes, beer, friends and some scene-activity one in a while. X-FACTOR did a lot of cracks, and a couple of hard coded demos back then.
In fact my own mag "INTERNEWS" was under the X-FACTOR label as the one and only magazine ever! (ED - really? I haven't got that mag please send me ever issue... serious!!).About INTERNEWS about 10 issues came out over a period of 4 years, delays or what?
V)
Sure thing man, delays... But, X-F the best group from Denmark is a hard one, BONZAI were really cool and I named my dog after them :) they gotta stack a mention !!, but however X-FACTOR produced many talented people, please name the guys you think were responsible for the fame of the crew?
F)
Gee, to name just a few I’d say DEXTER and SPIDERMAN. They weren't the leaders in X-FACTOR (there wasn't any leaders at all), but the organisers. Maybe some of you remember SPIDERMAN under the handle NEUROMANCER which he had before 1990. But also THE COMPANY (HIC, ACE and WRATH) really showed what it takes to make a group something special.
V)
Why did X-FACTOR just tumble? one day it was there and the next it was dead, no warning...what happened?
F)
Well, in fact X-FACTOR died in two steps. First in the end of 1992. After the SAMSO-PARTY in June'92 (where X-FACTOR, DOMINATORS, VISION, and HEARTBEAT were at a special balcony above the rest, hehe), X-FACTOR released their last demo "LESSONS IN LUST". The group was dead for half a year, but then in 1993 the guys were back and I joined them then. EXULANS did 2-3 cracks, but the only active guys were me, HERCULES, and SPIDERMAN. But after a while THE COMPANY finished a very cool crack of "WRATH OF THE DEMON" which beat the other cracks by 300 blocks or so!! I released "INTERNEWS" and rumours said that a demo was about to be finished, but already then some guys joined CAMELOT as a second group like X-FACTOR, maybe old fashioned not to have double membership, but still I’ve never tried that (and will not!!). (ED - Well, I did and that’s the exact reason I’m in only 1 group again). As SPIDERMAN said to me in the beginning of '94: "most of us are not 16-20 years anymore. Many dudes are studying at the university or on the pc," or in other words : "those
days are over. X-FACTOR is dead. FOREVER!!" sad but certainly true.
V)
Very unfortunate that as well, we'll lets steer away from the past now and get on to the future as well, what can we expect from you and ATLANTIS through the coming months and years?
F)
ATLANTIS has a lot of talented members and they will soon show what they can do. What about legal projects you ask. IMMORTAL FLASH will be released again and AVALANCHE is doing one hell of a job coding the outfit, while DOC is organising the staff. Things look quite bright about IMMORTAL FLASH. A demo and 3-4 more projects are 20-99% finished
by now, but better don't expect 10 disks with legal stuff tomorrow, we need a few more days....
V)
Aside from legal goings on, ATLANTIS seems to have cemented itself a nice place in the cracker scene, and it’s taken a bit of hard work, so who are responsible for that?
F)
First of all, I want to thank ROBOCOP for organising the illegal section in a very fine way. Also DARKNESS is helping him doing the spreading. About the crackers: KIRBY and DIDI are doing a great job. DOC and BACKLASH crack some games to. TUC is about to do some cool cracks to. All in all the cracker section may be the strongest, or at least one of the strongest
on this ruling 8-bit breadbox!!
V)
Well, one of the stronger groups yes, I think you just need to lay your hands on some more 1st releases to take a strong hold on the scene, speaking of a strong hold in your opinion which is the best cracker group nowadays? and who shows promise to take over at the top ?
F)
Shit, the best cracker group? I really don't know but both AVANTGARDE and AFL'70 have very talented guys (JACK ALIEN , IGNORANCE). One small step behind them we find SCS+TRC,F4CG, HARDCORE and ONSLAUGHT. In my opinion these 5 groups are top of the cracking scene right at the moment (I don't mention ATL, as that wouldn't be fair, hehe). I don't really know many of the groups from Poland, Hungary, or Australia, but AMNESIA, TRIAD, and EXCESS don't seem to be that active anymore. Too many people think that 1st releases are the only thing that counts in cracking, I just released 3 previews under the X-FACTOR label, that’s all!!
V)
And what about magazines? with so many magazines nowadays it must be hard to choose a favourite mag, so I won't ask you to, but what I want to know however is which magazine do you think is the most objective, fun to read, and of course brings the best text to the peoples screens nowadays?
F)
I don't get that many magazines regularly by my 3 favourite are (in random order): RELAX, VANDALISM and SKYHIGH. To be a good magazine you need the objectivity or you just get some crap no one wants to read. As a matter a fact I don't have much time to read the different magazines so I may have skipped some ruling articles here and there, but then again life is more important than a computer (even if that computer is a c64).
V)
And what about the past, any other legendary mags you'd like to see brought back?
F)
The best mag ever was the FATAL NEWS, I still have the 3rd issue. Really a great style, something new. MAMBA was ruling a few years back, I miss it... sniff... ROCK'N'ROLE was the first thing I got from the scene and this may be the reason why I find it so cool.
V)
That’s right, it certainly is... now, people keep putting so called time limits on the scene, and how long do you the scene will last personally and what will be the death of it?
F)
Let me give you an example of those stupid time limits: 1992 LARRY/EFFECT wrote an article about the scene would not survive one more year. To compare to 1989 and 1995 scene-wise is utopia, but we haven't had that many demos for along time. Look at ALBION, CHORUS, TENDANCE, FATUM and even more groups just released something great that not many people expected. That’s a sign of life that shows us that there still is more to come. Talking about the time limits: if you tell someone outside the scene about the story of this scene they mostly can't believe it. This scene is unrealistic.(ED - that’s what makes it tick!!!). But still kicking!! why should the scene stay alive until 2005 or so? maybe the C64 will be like old cars are today. This sounds silly, crazy and stupid right? good, so it may come true one day!! people who have been complaining about having "only" 64 Kbyte, 1 MHz and 8-bits should buy a PC, join the PC scene and have fun (??).
V)
Will the demo scene survive longer than the cracker scene or vice versa?
F)
I don't think any of the 2 scenes will die, but the demo scene may still be the strongest. Still new software companies are coming in eastern Europe, but the demo scene is unbelievable strong at this very moment.
V)
I knew an exchange student from DENMARK once, he sort of made it sound like you guys really party over there... what do you do in your spare time?
F)
Yeah, Denmark has the world record in drinking the most alcohol (ED - really, I thought HOMEBOY had that:)). and everything is much more relaxed than in e.g. Germany or The Netherlands. Last year I visited Hungary to see another school system that was tuff! anyway, partying is fun, and I can only advise you to visit Denmark to taste 10 bottles of our culture, hehe!!
V)
I'd like to taste, a lot more than 10 bottles I can assure you, but seriously now, what's your honest opinion of VANDALISM NEWS?
F)
VANDALISM NEWS always offers you a lot of interesting text to read and I like the outfit. Its hard to point out what makes it so cool but the news chapter always offer you an excellent quality of text. To list the news in group-wise and to write about so many groups (not just 4-5) is really great, keep it up!!
V)
We for sure will, how could we make any improvements to the magazine?
F)
I just read anything goes and I must say the idea of a paper-mag is extremely cool! maybe a music chapter or chapter with the latest demos may be an idea. I know there are many mags with a music chapter but maybe you could do one without techno-rave-house-trance-what-so-ever e.g. heavy metal (yeah!!), blues, death metal, funk, rock'n'roll, or heavy rock. That’s all I can think of right now.
V)
We will take it to consideration, but I don't like the idea of non-scene related chapters in a magazine really, now it’s almost time for the end of this interview so we better get you to pass some last words and greetings to your friends, anyone you'd like to mention?
F)
Oh, the end is coming and I better think of my contacts list (gone?). I wanna thank AVALANCHE for letting me join this cool group for being a great contact and friend, Robocop for talking about ice hockey, JERRY of TRIAD for being my first contact ever. That’s not all here they are:- ZAPOTEK, MARC, CALYPSO, SPLATTERHEAD, TORTURE, MEATBALL, JERRY, PHAROAH, BINO, IBANEZ, ARGOS, GAXAR MAC GYVER, ACIDCHILD, BORDEAUX, STARLIGHT, VEGA, RIDDLER, GIGABYTE, AUTHENTIC, VENGEANCE, DRAZ, HAPPYMAKER, SHOCKER, BRISCO, all in ATLANTIS and the staff of VANDALISM NEWS!!!
V)
Thank you for your time and the great interview FREDDIE, I’ll catch you in my mail box...