The Hope Conspiracy

 Since their inception, The Hope Conspiracy has been a force to be reckoned with. It’s undeniable that this band has risen to the absolute pinnacle of the hardcore scene. If you don’t know who Hope Con is, then go to deathwishinc.com and educate yourself. What follows is an interview with bass player extraordinaire Jonas Feinburg.

Diatribe:    The Hope Conspiracy is one of the best band names I have ever heard. How did you come up with the name?

Jonas:   Uh, thanks...   myself I more prefer Bad Brains, Black Sabbath or even Godflesh.  The name is from a few places.   The initial concept was from the "Conspiracy of Hope" tour in the early 80's...and later on we found (while digging deep on Google one night) a story about the "Conspiracy of Hope"... it was an underground movement while Stalin was in power way back when.

Diatribe:   (Cliché interview question alert) When and how did the band form?

Jonas:   in the late 90's some of us played in a band together.  Said band broke up.  We formed a new band.  It was really a typical band forming, nothing crazy.  The pieces of the band that were missing we immediately found through the typical avenues-our friends... and BAM-we were born.

Diatribe:    What would you say the mission statement of The Hope Conspiracy is?

Jonas:   Throughout the years our mission statement has changed considerably. Years ago it may have been to reach as many people in as many places as possible. These days it is more realistic to say we are aiming to create music that is uncompromising in every way.

Diatribe:    For the benefit of our readers, what releases to do you have under your belt?

Jonas:   This is kind of hard to answer but let's try: three-song demo. CD/7" with three song demo and one bonus track... followed by our first full length "Cold Blue" in 2000. In 2001 Bridge Nine Records released a 6 song EP containing our demo CD, a Naked Raygun cover, and one new track. "Endnote" was released  on equal vision in 2002...  also our Black Flag cover from a Initial Records compilation was released on a split 7" with our friends in Burnt By The Sun.  Oh, and there is a Hope Con/Suicide File split 7" out there somewhere as well...  and now the important stuff: 2006 saw the release of the 'Hang Your Cross' 7"/cd ep and "Death Knows Your Name" of course.

Diatribe:    How does it feel to have the new album out after your four-year hiatus?

Jonas:   Having this record out is like having a weight lifted off our backs (to me anyway)... IF this turns out to be our last record I can live with that.  I feel like we finally got to a place we wanted to be for a long time, and put out the record we had in us this whole time.

Diatribe:    Would you say there is an overall theme with "Death Knows Your Name"? And if so, what is it?

Jonas:   Yes.  The world is a fucked up place and it's not getting any better.

Diatribe:    I can completely relate to the lyrical content of your songs, It's like I can almost gain insight into myself when I hear them. The message seems like disgust in the world around you. Do you think there is a "silver lining" imbedded in your message, or all we too far gone?

Jonas:   Kevin writes the lyrics but I will do my best to answer this: our message certainly is one of disgust.  Like I said, the world is a fucked up place.   We as a people have made it what it is right now. Chances are this will never slow down either.  I don't think there is any kind of silver lining in our music.  It is what it is.  The lyrics are straightforward as can be and if people are looking for a ray of light I suggest they listen to something else.

Diatribe:    How would you describe your music to someone that's never heard it?

Jonas:   Raw.

Diatribe:    What were some of the bands that inspired you to start a band, any particular influences? Also, what are you currently listening to?

Jonas:   When I was young I was fascinated with the LA hair metal scene. Mostly Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses.  They all displayed this attitude I had yet to see.  They had leathers, bikes, chicks and tattoos everywhere.  A few years later I discovered the Bad Brains and Minor Threat... that presented a pure aggression and took that old attitude and upped the rebellion factor about 100%.  From there I was gone.  Bad Brains have been my favorite band for longer than I can remember... currently, like right now I’m listening to Black Sabbath.

Diatribe:    Do you have any plans to tour behind this record?

Jonas:    Yes.  In January 2007 we will be doing a handful of shows in California, followed by a week in the UK, one show in Scandinavia, and topped off by a local show.

Diatribe:    I know you probably have more tour memories than you can shake a stick at, but are there any particularly crazy and/or interesting ones that come to mind right off the bat?

Jonas:   April 2004- a member of the band porked Leatherface and woke up the next morning in a white power satanist den.  Don’t worry, he's still alive. True story, I swear!!!

Diatribe:    Who are some of the bands that you were the most excited to tour with in the past?

Jonas:   Sick Of It All.   We toured with them in 2001 after already looking up to them for years and years.  That tour did nothing but reinforce that we felt the right way.  The fact that they have not slowed down since then, let alone for twenty years is mind blowing.  Anyone who disputes that bands greatness and legacy is a fucking pile of shit.

Diatribe:    This one's going to be rough: If you could pick one song that you were the most proud of writing, which one would it be and why?

Jonas:    Suicide Design.   It was a different song before it was recorded for 'Death Knows Your Name'... we had joked a bit about wanting to make an arena rock song-so we took what we had and souped it up.  Now it stands as a Hope Con meets AC/DC on steroids kind of ripper.  It has that bite, attitude and big chorus that we were looking for...

Diatribe:    Ok, thanks a lot for doing this. I've been a huge fan for quite awhile and I really enjoyed being able to get an interview with you. Any final words in closing?

Jonas:  Thanks for caring...we have always appreciated that people manage to find a place for us, and we will continue to do so...

Check out The Hope Conspiracy at www.thehopeconspiracy.net and www.deathwishinc.com. Their new album “Death Knows Your Name” is out now!