True Colors – Consider it Done

19jan11

22-05-2010 went down in history as the day one of Belgium’s, if not the, most prominent hardcore bands bade us farewell. But not without turning the venue (JH Tydeeh – Mol) into a whirlpool of sweaty bodies one last time, lashing their fans with a hyperkinetic vibe, positive lyrics and fast old school guitar riffs, dousing us in nostalgia, making us reminiscent of the good old days. I’m talking about the almighty True Colors, founded in 2005 and fronted by Olivier Packolet. We sat down with Packo and these are the very words he uttered just minutes before hitting the stage for the last time.

Today is the last time you’ll mount the stage as True Colors. The final curtain call will be in a couple of minutes. What are your feelings on it all?

Packo: Well, it’s definitely something special. It has taken a long time for this day to arrive. But it’s finally here and I’m glad about that. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t have minded for it to have taken a little longer. But hey, we’ve made this decision together and I’m still entirely supportive of it. It’s been an amazing experience. We’ve accomplished a lot. I hope the show will be amazing as well. I’m really looking forward to it.

What’s your most beautiful recollection of True Colors?

Packo: Absolutely everything, I think. When we started the band, I already knew a couple of members, but basically we were all new to each other. We just wanted to play the music we like and record a demo tape. So we did. The demo tape wasn’t even of high quality or anything. But that’s how it all started.

We’ve always done our own thing. We’ve played a lot of lousy shows, or small shows where only five to ten people turned up or where nobody was interested in our music. But we just continued playing because it clicked really well. It’s almost inconceivable that all of this came from it. And recording those seven inches, let alone a full-length, was something we never even dreamt of. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

So yeah, everything we’ve done with True Colors is dear to me. Earlier today we met up in Antwerp to hang out and it was then I realised none of us ever had a falling out with any of us. Well, of course everything wasn’t always a bed of roses, because we were together all the time. But there have never been any big arguments.

There is such a vast amount of great recollections. Our American tour, to name one.  But if I have to narrow it all down to one, to my very best recollection, it would probably be our last trip together. We went to Russia to play a couple of shows. And I think it’s safe to say that to me, to True Colors, to everyone, that’s our most beautiful memory. It was so unique.

What was so unique about it?

Packo: Playing shows in Europe, or in America for that matter, seems to be a little self-evident. Don’t get me wrong though. The fact that people showed up at a True Colors show thinking: “I really like this, I’m going to sing along to this and I’m going to go completely mental to this”, was already something we never expected or didn’t dare dream about. That was already special on its own. But by self-evident I mean that attending shows over here is a bit of a triviality. Over here you can attend shows on a weekly basis. And whether we go completely mental or not, it doesn’t even matter.

But playing shows in Russia was absolutely fantastic. We played two shows over there and the turn-out was huge. It was even completely absurd at times. Sometimes people wanted to touch us as if we were rock stars. But aside from that, those people really appreciated what we were doing. They knew all our lyrics. We really meant something positive to them. And that was a feeling we had never experienced before. Those people from Russia were so grateful. That’s something I’ll never forget. But as I said, there is such a vast amount of great memories. But that trip to Russia exceeds all of them. But maybe that’s because it’s still fresh in my mind.

The key question is of course: why are you calling it quits?

Packo: We play a genre that tires rather quickly, even to play it. We’ve recorded two full-lengths, three seven inches, a demo tape and a couple of separate songs. That’s pretty much. And I’ve become a father in the meantime. That’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me of course.

We were still playing good shows, but it was all becoming a little too much to be playing shows every weekend. I mean, we were really playing a lot. So at one point everyone was like: “This suffices. We’ve done everything and we’ve seen everything. We’ve accomplished more than we ever dreamt of. The time has come to give it a rest.” And from the moment we had made that decision, we started playing our best shows. We were all like: “It’s over. So from now on, let’s enjoy every show we have left to the fullest!” I really hope that after tonight we can all look back in joy on the experience True Colors has been. But I think that won’t be a problem. It’s been an amazing experience for the past five to six years. And that’s a lot.

Does age perhaps have something to do with it?

Packo: No, certainly not. If you’re looking for such a reason, I think my girlfriend and especially my daughter come to mind. I have known my girlfriend since before I started fronting True Colors. She underwent it all without ever complaining. But still…

We recently went to America for three weeks. That’s three weeks you leave your girlfriend behind, on her own, in charge of everything. We have recently bought a house as well. So I left her with all that business. Maybe that was also something that played a part in my decision to give it a rest, an emerging feeling of guilt. I felt a bit like I wasn’t doing too well, leaving her with all that work while I was painting the town red. But age? That’s not too bad. (laughs)

You have just mentioned that you’ve brought out a lot of releases in a rather short period of time. You’ve released a record nearly yearly. What’s your favourite?

Packo: It might sound a bit as a cliché, but our latest one I think. Well no, my favourite release is definitely Focus on the Light. There are a couple of songs on that record that evoked reactions I never expected. But our best release is our latest one (Consider it Done). In my opinion there are some real great songs on there, especially lyrics-wise. You might have noticed when I had to say something in English on stage that English wasn’t my best school subject. Sometimes it’s really hard for me to express myself in English. But the writing process leading up to the Consider it Done seven inch went a lot smoother.

I may have become a bit more personal on that record as well. Evidently, calling it quits brings forth a lot of emotions. I mean, Consider it Done, writing that song was… It just says it all.

You brought out the Get’em demo tape completely on your own. After that, Powered Records took you under their wing. Does bringing out something on your own differ greatly from being signed to a label?

Packo: Being signed to Powered Records, whatever is said about those guys, has been an amazing experience. Not that we’ve earned any money off of it nor was it the greatest deal of our lives, that was never even of any significance because we already knew those guys prior to signing up with them. It was more something like: Okay, we’re too lazy to arrange everything ourselves, they do it all for us, they offer us the chance to release our records and that was all that really mattered to us. And if they benefited from selling our records, we benefited from it as well, because Powered would continue to exist. To me, that’s what a hardcore label is all about. The thing with record labels is that if you don’t agree on something or if you feel like you’re being ripped off, just take matters into your own hands and do everything yourself. Or search for a new label and try to work out a better deal.

But to me, being signed to Powered Records was simply of the greatest ease. Booking tours for instance. I would basically ring up Filip and say: “Hey man, I’m on leave from then till then and we’d like to tour.” Filip would plainly respond by asking who we’d like to tour with. “It’s all the same to me, but I rather like that band or that band.” And that was it. A few weeks later he would present us with a booklet containing all the details of the tour through Europe we’d embark on with one of the bands I suggested. They would have worked everything out in detail. That’s incredible. We never even had to pay a dime for the effort they put in. And the coolest thing about Powered Records was that we were simply among friends.

If I would force you to choose, what would you choose as your favourite True Colors song?

Packo: That’s a hard question. It would probably be a song you can find on our latest seven inch. I think I would go with Consider it Done. We’ve never had the chance to play it live before, but tonight we’re going to do so.  It will probably break a bit with the rest of the set, but I really don’t care, I’m so proud of that song. Consider it Done really is a song that moves me.

And now that we’re getting personal, I really like the songs My Heartbeat and The Way to Myself as well. We never even intended on playing The Way to Myself live. When I wrote it, I really meant it to be a personal song and that was something I had never done before. But if I’m obliged to choose, I would go with Consider it Done. There you have it. Otherwise it would take ages for me to pick one. (laughs)

As a Belgian band, were you always received equally enthusiastic on your farewell tour?

Packo: In Russia, we were definitely received enthusiastically, I’ll tell you that! But on the matter of being received well: we played a lot of great shows while being on tour. America was definitely surprising. The cool thing about going to America is that you start out as a small band again. You can make people experience your music and your live show for the first time again. You don’t really have to prove yourself anew. That’s not really the case. But it’s fun to be a less-known band again. The people that attended our shows in America reacted quite enthusiastic as well. Having people come up to us and say things like “I have never seen you or heard of you before, but your show was something else!” That’s just awesome.

We have played a couple of huge shows in America as well. United Blood Fest and React Fest, those are shows kids from all over the country come down to. Those shows were incredible. I’m so pleased for ever getting the chance to experience all of that.

So, to answer your question, we were received very well, wherever we went. That’s the cool thing about hardcore: even if only five people turn up to attend the show, there’s always someone providing you with food and a place to sleep.

So there was no place you absolutely didn’t like playing?

Packo: No, in fact not. Sometimes the turn-out was very low, a bit disappointing even. And then I thought to myself: what am I doing here? But on the other hand, you’re there with your friends, painting the town red. And touring definitely is the most unique adventure you can embark on as a band. So indeed, we very much enjoyed playing every show.

Is there something you’re annoyed by in Belgium’s contemporary hardcore scene?

Packo: Well, I’ve reached an age where I don’t get worked up easily. Everyone does his own thing. I’m really not going to lose any sleep over things other people say or do. But what really bothers me… Well, bothers, the thing about the hardcore scene I could never understand, and I’m talking about from way back up to now, is that people always have to gossip or whine about a band that they really don’t like them or that they come over as being conceited. Simply listen to another band then. Not everything can be your cup of tea, but the least you can do is show some respect to the bands that are playing. For instance, the bands that we’re sharing the stage with tonight, I’m not equally fond of them. However, that doesn’t mean I have to run them down or talk badly of them behind their backs. That’s something I can’t even begin to comprehend.

If I don’t like something, either I don’t buy it and buy something I do like, or I decide to give it another chance, buy it, listen to it and if I still don’t like it, I put away and never listen to it again. That’s where it ends, full stop. But to me, that’ll never give cause to get personal or anything.

That’s what hardcore isn’t about in any way. Hardcore is about following your heart, making your own choices and doing your own thing. But in fact it’s just one big Teen Vogue Magazine movement. To a lot of people this is nothing more than a competition. Whether you dress the coolest, whether you know all the lyrics to all the songs of every band or whether you know everything about anything hardcore-related: I really don’t care. Focus on the light: it’s a simple message, but apparently it’s something a lot of people will never understand.

That’s why playing shows in Russia was so fantastic. Those people were full of enthusiasm, from the bottom of their hearts. They did the weirdest moves I have ever witnessed in my entire life. But it all came straight from their hearts. That’s why hardcore is so appealing to me. And that’s what’s missing a bit here in Belgium or Europe.

Before you started out with True Colors, you fronted a band called Building. Back then you already presented yourselves as a Straight Edge band, though a lot more militant.

Packo: Yeah, we were a lot younger back then. Big talk comes with youthfulness. (laughs)

So, how important is Straight Edge still?

Packo: Straight Edge will always be something important. But it doesn’t occupy my mind on a daily basis anymore. Thoughts like “Oh fuck, I can’t drink any beer or smoke a fag today” don’t cross my mind. Straight Edge has become something natural. In fact, Straight Edge is something natural. Back in the days I thought I could change the world with it and I was indeed a bit more outspoken. I still have my beliefs that are a bit more… Well, you can’t call them conservative. But they are more on the militant side. I still think Straight Edge is something positive and I will always X up at shows or when it springs to mind. So, I think it will always be something important in my life. Well, you never know of course, but the way things are going, I don’t think I’ll ever smoke or drink. Straight Edge has made me the person I am today.

Now that you’re done with True Colors, a flood of time becomes available. How will you fill up all that spare time?

Packo: By starting a new band of course.

Yes?

Packo: I guess so. Well, I’m going to occupy myself a lot more with our daughter. Don’t get me wrong, of course I was already occupied with her upbringing. But I’m going to try and do that even more. Given that newly available flood of time, I’m going to take things a bit slower and enjoy life even more. But I’m definitely starting a new band (Not Afraid). I’m going to keep it small-scaled though and I’m not planning on touring a lot anymore.

Will any other projects sprout from True Colors?

Packo: I think so. The group we hang out with, the Dead Stop guys and the Justice members, almost entirely consists of musicians. New bands will always arise from that pool. And we’ll see if I can be a part of it again.

Something a lot of people have been wondering: Den Beerschot or Antwerp F.C.?

Packo: (laughs) Well, I originate from ‘t Kiel, so I’m evidently a Beerschot supporter. I grew up with Den Beerschot. When I was younger, that really occupied my mind. Antwerp F.C. really was the enemy! But I don’t really care anymore. To me, Antwerp F.C. isn’t even a proper football team. (laughs) So, to answer your question, Den Beerschot it is!

Any last words?

Packo: Thanks for everything you all did for us over the years. It has been an amazing experience. But the time has come to put this to a rest. And, hopefully, we’ll see you soon.

Jelle Laurijssen

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