Bad punk unit from Malaysia. EXCUSED features members of Dizguzted, Influenzia and Singular. For your information, the following interview was originally proposed to DIZGUZTED. Even so, the respondents suggested that this discussion be directed to EXCUSED with slight changes to some of the questions asked, for certain reasons that were stated in the answers given. The conversation below has become better, focused and informative, made with the founder Mr. Mashi Mierul.
- Interviewed by Atandistorted (September 8, 2022)
1: First and utmost, please introduce the band. Tell us the history of Excused and what ideas do you bring to this band?
Excused is hardcore punk band located in a heart of Kuantan city. Excused started back in 2019 among all of my solo projects prior such as Singular, Piet Onthel, Dizguzted, Star Order (a.k.a Far Harad), Quarter Life to name a few. The intention I started for this band is no more than love the hardcore punk style of music and ideas, yet I’m try to injecting a different element to this band such as chorus/flanger type of guitar sounding into it. Tell you, since Dizguzted is also a same members of Excused and kinda sharing (if not same) the hardcore punk of music, I could answers for both bands if related.
2: If I’m not mistaken, this band started as a solo-project but later completed with 4 members. Correct me if I’m wrong. Who is in the Excused lineup at the moment?
Yes, you are right. Lately, I keep started a solo projects, then find a suitable members to transformed it to band that can performs live shows. Apparently, started on year 2016 and onward I really love doing solo project then seek a members afterward, I think the reason is I really don’t have time to rehearsal in studio and such, so it felt easier for me to finish all the songs by myself, and let the members I choose to be in band with re-create/play the songs together with me. Well, I already have members for my band Dizguzted prior, so I pick the same guys to be in Excused which are Asrul (vocal), Farouk (guitar), Zul (Bass) and I play the drum.
3: Can you please describe Excused d musically and lyrically? Who and/or what hugely influenced you?
Excused is a straight forward hardcore punk maybe taken from U.S style of hc punk. Aiming for this band to differentiate from other is I try to create the guitar sounded more to chorus/flanger sounding. I’m not putting any big influence while I’m writing for Excused, accept I listened a lot to Glue, Rud, Gag, Electric Chair etc at the moment.
4: As far as I know, “Cekik” EP is the most recent release from Dizguzted released on the last February 2022, am I right? Share something about this EP regarding the songwriting process, recording session, final production, etc?
I’m probably think Dizguzted and Excused is a same band now while I’m trying to fuse Dizguzted into Excused since we are sharing the same members for both band but yeah, Cekik is most recent EP by Dizguzted and I have some other plans for this EP. I might to cancelled this EP and send all the tracks to Excused for upcoming EP release (this year, hopefully) but of course, I’m gonna stamping all the tracks from Dizguzted to the Excused with it’s style of sound. Afterall, Excused playing a lot of Dizguzted songs when performing live, so its not a problem for us tho.
5: How do you interpret Excused has evolved in upcoming new EP compared to previous materials?
Still sounding the same of Chorus style on guitar, but a little aggressive approach on the music. I’m thinking maybe like you put Hoax, Gag and Exit Order into the same box. Nevertheless, I’m really hoping it turn out good. Hehe!
6: Can you list past Excused releases, and give a brief description of each of them?
We only have one S/T demo back in 2019. It’s a straight forward U.S style of hardcore punk with excessive chorus/flanger thing on guitar.
7: Tell us about the gigs and tours that Excused has done and do you think that live shows are one of the priorities behind the band’s existence?
We are not on any tour yet for now (but there is some planning a while ago about it). Yeah, there’s a bunch of gig we were played all around Malaysia and in home turf along with great bands for the past 2,3 years. More than 10 shows if I recall and it’s a quite a lot for a band that did not really focusing for playing live since all the members is kinda busy for their own each bands, works and stuff. To answer you second question, I’m really not aiming to perform live show of all the solo project I made since I did that just for my fun and passion but if do found a suitable members to make the band goes live, I’m okay with that and go for it.
8: As we know, Excused is one of numerous other bands/projects setup and run by Mashi Mierul. How do you manage all this and be able to put diversity of talent and creativity in its place? What factors motivate you?
I don’t manage it at all if the solo projects is not made for live show. So if one of the project was finished, I just sit tight enjoying what I did (eventhough peoples don’t like or listen to it) it just make me enjoy for what I do. But if it turn out the solo project founds members to playing live, the shit and mess started to begin, like to rehearse, organised and travel to playing gigs in between for all those bands I’m in. I’m listening to lot of music, from all genres so its kinda down if I’m not letting my flow of ideas into my self created music. I also do feel psyched and pumped whenever new music I’m stumble upon and that is where I’m started to create a solo project. I’m easily feel excited to convert my ideas to my music since I’m not a kind guy that like to waiting.
9: What are the upcoming releases from Excused and how do you see the future of this band?
There is new upcoming EP hopefully it gonna see the day by this year or early 2023 at least. I don’t see or put any future for this band, as long I keep having an ideas musically to give this band a continuously new music its enough to make me enjoy for this band. Maybe a tour here and there sound sweet.
10: Last but not least, your final messages for local and international hardcore punk scenesters? Thank you for answering.
Enjoy what you do. Thanks Atan of Viva La Punk Zine for interviewing me. Hope we can meet and hang out soon. Stay Safe.