OFFSIDES
Interview by Guest Contributor

Pastepunk contributor Charles Chaussinand took a few moments to interview Danielle Allen of the Connecticut hardcore band OFFSIDES. Charles recently found himself to be a new member of the band (on guitar), and decided to release their new EP It's A Struggle To Communicate on his quality hardcore label, Get Outta Town Records. Despite the seemingly incestuous nature of press coverage for his own band and label, I green-lighted this interview because I genuinely enjoy the band's EP and everything that they stand for. Give 'em a listen here. The interview was conducted via email in June 2008. - Jordan

Pastepunk: The hardcore scene is looked at as a place of inclusion for those who feel unaccepted and can't relate to society around them. As a majority male scene, do you think this statement can be true for women involved in hardcore?

Danielle: I think it all depends on how women get involved and the bands and people they are influenced by. There are times in hardcore when I feel completely accepted and know there is no other place I can imagine being. Certain bands and people really make me feel that way. Certain bands and people also make me feel the complete opposite with their actions and words towards women, and they cause the negative effects so evident in the lack of females in the scene. I consider myself lucky to have found punk and hardcore, and to be able to be as involved as I am. A lot of girls don't think they can do bands or think the only involvement they can have is being a girlfriend or getting around. Hardcore has its flaws and one of them is the perception of women and the roles they can have by both the males and females in the scene.

Pastepunk: Being a girl fronted band, do you ever get frustrated getting placed as the main focus of attention, even more so than the music?

Danielle: I certainly do. It gets extremely frustrating that the band we are always compared to is FAST TIMES (guilty as charged - Ed.), not because our sound is similar, but because both singers happen to be female. I understand why it happens, it is just disappointing to put so much effort and love into a band that is looked at not for the quality of the music, but as kind of just a gimmick. My only hope is that when people check us out just cause we are a girl fronted band, they will realize we are so much more.

- Editor's note: As someone fortunate enough to see FAST TIMES on more than a few occasions when they were around, I wouldn't be too upset with the comparison. Ali and company were a refreshing breath of air in hardcore, and the fact that Ali was such an awesome singer allowed them to make a mark. Sure, the catalog of references to choose from is slim when the genre is female-fronted old-school hardcore, but a reference to FAST TIMES isn't necessarily a back-handed compliment or the produce of lazy journalism. - Jordan

Pastepunk: Offsides has self-released a demo and then later a 7" split with RIPSHIT on Spicy Soup Productions. What are the differences between the band's mind set for these two releases versus the new EP It's A Struggle to Communicate coming out on Get Outta Town Records?

Danielle: We really changed our sound a lot. There was a lot of member changing in the past year and you can really tell, we have gotten to a sound that represents us all and is not just thrown together. The EP really represents a lot of what I always wanted to do with this band. I am so proud of it.

Pastepunk: Many of the more notable Connecticut based bands play more of a "tougher" style of hardcore. Is it difficult to move forward in a scene like this, or do you feel you are embraced just the same?

Danielle: We have never really focused on moving forward in the CT scene. We are trying to create our own nook in it, considering we don't really relate to a lot of what goes on. Our goal is to play out as much as possible, and CT when it happens.

Pastepunk: A lot of what I look at as the founding values of the hardcore scene no longer seem as relevant. Bands used to champion causes and have literature for a variety of different social problems they wanted to bring light to. What are some issues that Offsides stands for?

Danielle: We are not an outspoken band by any means. With my lyrics I prefer to put something out there, but not tell you you have to do anything with it. The EP touches on topics like the refugee crisis, specifically in reference to Darfur and the atrocities that are being committed not only in villages, but in the refugee camps in and outside the country. For me personally Human Rights are a cause I think more people need to open their eyes to. We also all believe in animal rights and are vegetarian or vegan. Other topics we are passionate about range from labor rights to womens' rights.

Pastepunk: What are the plans for the band once the It's A Struggle To Communicate CDEP comes out? (late July 2008)

Danielle: We want to tour as much as possible and just have a blast. Hopefully over the winter or spring we will get a chance to record something new. Basically, just carry on this band and hope gas prices don't rise so much we can't afford to tour.