Interview - Freddy Cricien

Madball ist für mich eine ganz besondere Band. Es gibt wohl keine Platte die ich auch nur annähernd so oft gehört habe wie „SET IT OFF“. Dicht gefolgt von „Demonstrating My Style“. Madball Shows waren und sind immer ein Highlight und mit Platte zu Platte kommen mehr Hits dazu.

Madball ist eine Band die von Beginn an polarisiert. Zeitgleich ziehen sie die Massen an. Die Band ist authentisch und in den 90ern gab es immer wieder die wildesten Gerüchte um die Band und vor allem über den Sänger Freddy Cricien.

Ich hatte dann das große Glück auf der Madball / Rykers Tour 1999 als Drum-Tech für Ryker´s zu „arbeiten“ und konnte dabei die Jungs von Madball kennenlernen. 

Am letzten Abend dieser Tour führte ich ein längeres Gespräch mit Freddy. Dabei sagte er mir, dass er seinen Lebensstil ändern wird sobald er irgendwann einmal Kinder bekommen sollte.

Nun wurde Freddy vor ein paar Jahren Vater und mittlerweile macht er auf mich einen sehr ruhigen und angekommenen Eindruck.

Bei ihrer letzten Show in Stuttgart habe ich mit ihm gesprochen. Im Laufe des Gesprächs fragte ich ihn, wie sich sein Leben durch die Geburt seines Sohnes verändert hat. 

To make a long story short, ich habe ihn ein paar Fragen gestellt und er war so nett sie zu beantworten. 

1.    Hello Freddy, how are you? 

FC - I'm good thank you. Hope the same for you. 

2.    A long time ago you told me, that if you wanna be a dad your whole life and lifestyle will change. Now you are a dad. How, exactly, does becoming a father changed your life and your lifestyle?

FC - Well, luckily for me my lifestyle started to change when I met my wife - not entirely but…enough to keep me alive and out of jail, to an extent. She impacted me in a very positive way, on many levels. Got me focusing on music again and the more important things in life (I was on a slightly different path..to say the least) So, that gave me a head start because we didn't decide to have kids for some years. Since having my son, my life has changed immensely - just being a dad and taking on all the responsibilities that come with that - it’s humbling, it's hard too... Especially doing what we do for a living. But, it’s beautiful it's the best accomplishment of my life. 
 

3.    What is the best thing about being a dad? 

FC- Everything about it - it's an amazing learning experience for both him and I. The love you have for your kids is indescribable...only a parent can understand that.

4.    You are touring a lot and Madball is a full time job. What are you doing when you're at home?

FC- Hanging out with my family, of course! That's priority number 1 in general. Of course there's some business to tend to and I do try and stay on top of all my various endeavors. But, family is always the focal point. 

Freddy Madball with his son. Photo by: Jeff "Stress" Davis

5.    What are your favorite activities with your kid and your family?

FC - With my family, to be honest, just being home and doing as much fun stuff as we can.  We hang out watch movies, bike riding, cooking together, pretending to be pirates.. All that good stuff! 

6.    What is your favorite Spot in New York for hanging out without your kid?

FC - Auntie Liz's place that’s my sons favorite place! 

 

 7.    You have seen the whole world. What would you answer if your kid asks you: "Dad, what is the best place, you have ever been in the world and why?"

FC - I have not quite seen the "whole world" i'm missing some bits. But i've seen a lot, fortunately. Well, my answer would have to be the best place is home…with you.. thats what i'd say to my kids. Nothing really beats that - may sound corny to some who don't "get it".  May sound cliche to some, who knows..who cares?!  It’s sincerely the truth. I’ve never been to a more beautiful place then where my family resides… could be anywhere in the world if they're there thats the spot man. 

8.    What are your wishes for the future?

FC - What everyone hopes for - good health, security and prosperity for my families sake. Whatever i do its out of passion for „my craft" and for my fam. hopefully that translates into something very positive in the near future.