Originally published in ‘zine issue #31, 2005
Majority Rule was a band of gents from the Greater Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, one that should be unknown to not many people who pay attention to punk and hardcore and indie rock from there. For those who are unfamiliar, Matt, one of the singers and guitarists for that band, very generally describes a typical “Majority Rule part” as “smooshing melodic stuff against abrasive stuff.” The band was brilliant, really, going through a metamorphosis throughout its existence from a typical hardcore band to one that stood head and shoulders above most of the music in its genre that was out there before and since.
After many U.S. and European tours and releases, the demise of the band was an upsetting subject to I’m sure a large amount of people from that music scene. Making his first appearance in these pages since issue 27, Matt begins here to talk about what happened. He once said, “I just think we all have some pretty different ideas on why the band had to end and when the band really ended.”
He later expands on this. “For me, the band ended when I was at the beach with my family last summer. I realized the point wasn’t to keep something going that we had worked so hard on, forever. The point was to keep making music and being a band, with my friends, that everyone wanted. It’s when I realized that I had no control over how the other guys feel about it. If they were not into it, better to just stay friends than keep on going.”
“The people that gave me shit were usually the obvious ‘deep down we don’t like brown people’ types.”
One thing Majority Rule had in abundance was not only intelligent lyrics but intelligent and strong political stances. They put their money where their mouths were, although for one reason or another, only some of their audience responded to what the band was doing.
“I feel like lots of people never even knew our specific political beliefs. Mostly because the lyrics are usually pretty vague, and we never talked that much at shows. I would like to think that people took the time to read into the lyrics since you can’t really understand what we’re saying … I’m guessing more people responded to the music than the message.”
Majority Rule did get some shit from listeners because of what the band stated and what the band put its name behind in support. However, “Surprisingly, not that much. I got into it with people about Palestine often, but that happens anywhere. Usually punk kids are pretty curious about that conflict rather than confrontational. The people that gave me shit were usually the obvious ‘down deep we don’t like brown people’ types.”
Given what the band has been through, then, in the wake of its breakup, Matt has some advice for other bands who come to a crossroads, where they have to decide on replacing a band member, breaking up, or some other unpleasant situation.
“I would just encourage people to be honest and direct. If you aren’t into something and don’t want it continuing in your absence, say that. Then you can have a diologue. It’s just like any relationship. Being in a band, for me, is sooo similar to being in a serious physical [or] emotional relationship it’s ridiculous.”
One can still go to www.majrule.com to find past releases, other merchandise and more. ■
