This article was automatically translated by AI.
NH3: The story of NH3 began in August 2002 in Pesaro. The individual band members were already very good friends before. The love and dedication to music over the years led to the current lineup of NH3. The shared attitude towards the term "Working Class," the ideals of solidarity, one for all, all for one, and the clear commitment to antifascism and antiracism have been the common ground among the band members since NH3's founding.
After a few years of finding their sound, the first punk songs were released under the name "Ammoniaka." Once the brass section was integrated into the band, the subsequent songs changed. The songs moved towards skacore but still left enough room for aggressive rhythms and engaged lyrics.
Through natural development and the stage experience gained throughout Italy, both on large and small stages, the first album was released in 2009. This album was produced by the band and ONE STEP RECORDS. It was titled "30 AGOSTO 2002."
2011 was an important year for the band. After a studio stay, the band was fresher than ever. The band grew even closer together, discovering a more combative and militant side.
The everyday life with its few good and many bad and exhausting moments led the band members to identify even more with the band. The decision to make a difference with the band was stronger than ever before.
Thus, the band "Ammoniaka" evolved into the band NH3!
With a clear reference to the chemical formula of ammonia and its effects, the sound of NH3 now unfolded with full force. The clear statements in the lyrics, combined with powerful ska-core sound, pushed the band further forward.
The second album "Eroi Senza Volto" brought the definitive breakthrough for the band. With this album in tow, NH3 managed to play on larger stages in Italy and establish contacts with antifascists from abroad. This resulted in the first tour through Europe! NH3 played in Austria, Croatia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
With the experiences from the tour through Europe, the support the band received, and the enthusiasm NH3 developed during this time, they went into the studio and recorded the third album.
The third album "Rise Up" saw the light of day in July 2013.
"Rise Up" is a diverse album. The record has combative and militant statements, paired with a hard and aggressive sound. On "Rise Up," influences from hardcore, ska, and 2Tone can also be heard.
"Rise Up" opened many important doors for the band.
For a whole year, the band was on the road in Europe to present the new album live.
The solidarity of the band has not diminished one bit since then. We are primarily friends; only then comes the band.
We have many different musical influences. We love punk, ska, hardcore, and we have been listening to bands like Rancid, Lagwagon, H2O, Los Fastidios, Banda Bassotti, The Clash, and many more for years.
Frank: Your style reminds me of BANDA BASSOTTI. How do you assess that?
NH3: BANDA BASSOTTI is a very important band. BANDA BASSOTTI has made history. Comparing us to this band is a great honor.
BANDA BASSOTTI is a prime example of the interplay between the working class and antifascist engagement. Both are not contradictory!
Frank: In 2014, you played your first concerts in Germany as the support for TALCO. How were the concerts for you?
NH3: Our first concert with TALCO was absolutely insane!
The first concert with TALCO was in Kiel. After that, we played in Nuremberg and several other concerts, including in Berlin.
The audience in Germany is fantastic.
Since the first weekend we spent with TALCO in Germany, NH3 and TALCO have become friends.
Frank: On your current album, there is the song "Fuck modern Football." What do you want to convey with this song?
NH3: In our opinion, modern football has nothing to do with sport. Modern football no longer respects the fans. Modern football only lives with and from sponsors and broadcasting rights.
Modern football is planned well in advance and is no longer played on the pitch.
Football players are mercenaries who sell themselves to the opposing team for a few extra euros.
Modern football is planned and controlled by political organizations.
Modern football is the football of seating, the football of control, the football of the militarization of the stadium. It is the football of prohibitions! Prohibitions on hanging up banners, prohibitions on hanging up flags, prohibitions on drums, prohibitions on megaphones.
They turn football stadiums into theaters.
Seating kills all enthusiasm. They are poison for the fans.
We are against modern football.
Football is, for us, football with passion. This football brings people together. This football connects. This football has space for the people who support it.
Real football is the football of the fans, of chants, of atmosphere, and of emotions.
Modern football is the football of club presidents. They do not see the fans as people with emotions but only as puppets that they can influence and control at will.
Modern football is the football of betting, which is a kick in the ass for all fans, especially for those who buy a season ticket. Match-fixing through betting and bribery cannot be the football of the fans.
Frank: Has politics in Italy changed after the financial crisis? What impact has the financial crisis had on the social situation in Italy?
NH3: Italy has been paying for years for a corrupt system with incompetent, empty politicians who have thrown all their ideals overboard.
The Italian people are heavily influenced by the media.
Alternative structures or alternative engagement in the fields of culture and education are hardly possible due to increasing budget cuts.
This lack of structures and the opinions of people, shaped by superficiality and half-knowledge, show how important it is to engage socially and politically.
Racism, homophobia, and populism are increasingly on the rise.
Fortunately, there are still people everywhere who want to do good and make a difference. People who convey knowledge understandably and engage culturally.
Frank: What is the situation of refugees in Italy, especially those from North Africa?
NH3: The number of boat refugees in Southern Italy remains constant. On one hand, there are many aid organizations that help and support the refugees. The local population is also willing to help the refugees. On the other hand, the government is almost non-existent.
Most Italians, at least according to public opinion, increasingly reject the refugees.
In summary, Italy is unable to cope with the large influx of refugees alone. The problem is also that the government must finally realize that by exporting weapons to North Africa, we are promoting wars, human rights violations, misery, and thus also the flow of refugees.
Europe promotes the refugee problem through its capitalist policies. We have long benefited from the so-called Third World. It is time to give something back to the so-called Third World.
We must help the people who come to Europe. We must give them a future.
For years, NH3 has been fighting against racism.
For years, we have been fighting for the equality of all people.
Frank: Why should someone come to your concerts?
NH3: We believe that our concerts are a mix of energy, sincerity, anger, enthusiasm, and fun. We are an old-school band, but one that looks forward and observes attentively what is happening around us. We always strive to avoid distance between us and the audience. We like to be in the audience and play our songs right there. The people who come to our concerts encourage us to keep going. We give people courage and strength because they think and feel just like we do. Come to our concerts; we look forward to seeing you!
