Latvia is a white spot for me when we talk about punkmusic but Have No Heroes have given me hopes because Have no heroes is one of the better punkbands I have heard in a long time. September-2022

Please tell me a little history of the group, members and what you do when you don´t play music, what do you work and which ages are you in?

-Well the Lead singer, Konstantins, and the drummer, Oleg, used to play for a band Freelancers here in Riga, after that band split up, they decided they wanted to continue to make music and started to search for bandmates. They recruited a bass player Viesturs and the other guitar player Kristians and then Have no Heroes were made. After we found each other, we had this crazy idea that dropping an album out of nowhere would be crazy, so that's what we did.

Have it been the same members all the time,?

-For the most part the band has stayed with the same four people as mentioned above. But recently we replaced our bass player with a new guy called Rolands. We are really looking forward to working with him and creating something new and lasting.

Have no Heroes is the name, where did it came from and you wasn´t afraid that some other group would be named so?

-We did our research of course, but yeah the name seemed unique and has so many meanings, we really hoped that fans could associate the name with something they believe in, for us it was equality and justice.

What´s best with playing live ? Have you been start playing after covid-times? Where is best to play, which country, town, place?

-We have been playing locally mostly, but of course we had some tours to Russia and Belarus, before the world went crazy. We had the most amazing show in Bryansk, crowd surfing and alternate lead singers, we had a blast, people seemed really great, it’s a shame everything has turned out as it has.

Is it important to give out the record as physical releases do you think? Would it feel like you have released a record if you only release it digital?

-Collecting music is our passion and we love things we can touch, we really think that bands that produce physical records deserve their cds to be bought and listened to. It even feels a bit romantic to say.

Do you play any covers when you play live? If you do, which then?

-When we started out we really relied on covers to fill in our act, because the songs were not very long. For the songs we covered live, we played You by Bad Religion and 100 proof by 88 Fingers Louie, those were our favorites. 

Please tell me a little about following songs a) No regrets b) Land of the paradoxa c) Zandra beres

-Well “No Regrets” is an attempt to reflect on the subject of why playing punk rock is important for us and maybe an attempt to answer the question why we are doing this.

“Land of the Paradox” is more of a metaphor comparing our country to a young lady that is going through some struggles of a shitty parenting and unfair, unproductive childhood. 

“Žanra Bēres” is more of an anthem to celebrate the unity and nonconformism of the punk-rock scene.

Is it important to get out your opinions in your music, and is it a good way to get out frustration too? You have really short lyrics or haven´t you?

-As for the length of the lyrics, we have improved. I really think we have evolved in this aspect, but, you know, short messages have clearer meanings. I guess you could say that singing about something that troubles you lets you imprint your feelings into the words you use and make it more meaningful.

Do you think that your lyrics can have effect on other people who listens to them…any example on it? Have you changed anyones mind?

-I think people can associate with our band. I once had a talk with a US army guy on Reddit and he told me that some of the songs make him remember his youth and the time he wasted not being with his family. I felt really touched. I really hope people listen to the lyrics. Yes, they are full of different messages, but everyone has to discover them on their own.

How is it to play this sort of music in Latvia and which type of bands are you having concerts with? Which is the most peculiar band you have been playing together with?

-People come to shows, they do, but the attendance is sometimes low. Local shows are not that big and we feel grateful for every single person that shows up. Skate / Hardcore Punk is not the most popular genre, we realize that, we even made a song about it. The most memorable band for me was Wanted One Armed Bandits, they play Hardcore Ska, it was weird in a good way, melodic brass and hardcore riffs, let me tell you man - it’s something you don’t hear every day!

Have you been one of all these bands which have made livestreams now during the covid-19 time or how is it?

-We did participate in an online festival where we made acoustic records and they were played, but no, the restrictions in our country made it difficult for us to rehearse, so we met rarely and getting back into shape took us a while, but we did great. We even started our album Letters to Nowhere, just before covid started. Four songs in we had to put it on pause untill late 2021, when we actually were allowed to return to the studio and finish it, man it was tough as hell, but hey - we did not fall that day! We came prepared and did it!

I like beer and also make beer.. If Have no Heroes would do a beer , what would it be named and which sort of beer would it be? Or maybe you´re straightedge?

-Hey, don't sell us short, we used to gather at this local pub after we rehearsed and beer is a nationwide passion. I think it would be really hard to name a beer, but the song title Trying to Find My Way, would be accurate enough for a beer label. You gotta find your brand. 

How would you describe your music in three words to anyone who never have heard you?

-Fast, aggressive, loud!

Which is your own favoritesong among your own songs? And which song is the people choice?

-Huh, the people's choice definitely was Trying to Find My Way, but here in Latvia people really liked What's Wrong With Us. I guess it was obvious because the song is in Latvian as well. It is really hard to name favorite songs, but we all do have one, they're all favorite. First of all we make songs that we like. After this statement an old quote from James Hetfield comes to mind, that “If they like our music, it's a win-win situation”.

What´s the biggest difference when you plays live nowadays if you compare when you first started to play in a band?

-The experience varies, some of the members played stadiums even during festivals etc. Some band members did not have stage experience. All in all it's a great experience for everyone, and the biggest change that comes with every show is confidence.

And have you opinion about punk changed through the years? What do punk mean to you, only a musicstyle or a lifestyle?

-I guess when I was younger Punk was all about bright mohawks, piercings and leather clothing, nowadays you'll see a guy on the street and nothing will scream punk about him only this mindset that we have - give it all, be the best you can be, do everything that is necessary to accomplish it. What I wanted to say is that it's really hard to define punk nowadays, because everyone sees the world differently.

What do you know about Sweden? What is typical Swedish?

-Sweden is home to many great bands and even more awesome songs from folk to pop to rock and metal. We are big fans of your punk rock scene and hope to visit someday to try surstromming and go on fika after every third song. Also we’d like to stack up on snus.

Have you ever been here? Any good bands from Sweden that you like?

-Yeah we have been in Sweden but only as tourists. Well Sweden definitely has produced many great bands and musicians. Drummer Oleg is a huge fan of No Fun At All, we all love Satanic Surfers and In Flames, the list could go on and on and on.

Your audience when you play live, which type of people comes, age?

-Audience is mostly 27 + years of age, but lately younger generations are making a comeback and punk rock is getting popular with them, so it's only for us to see what will happen.

What´s the best of playing live?

-I guess the best feeling when you play live is seeing the emotions of people who join you in the journey and feel your support

Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during a livegig with your band?

-Depends on what you find funny, but one time everything went as bad as it could, cables stopped working, then a string popped… It was a decent show, but really hectic.

Is there any good bands in Latvia today? New bands which is good? Old bands which is still good?

-If we look at the current scene, one of the old bands - PND is still active, but new bands are showing up and we see the new zoomer bands show their presence.

Which is the record that you always must have in the tourbus?

-We usually listen to an array of records from Bad Religion to Pennywise; it would be hard to tell which one dominates the CD Recorder.

Do you buy much records, or is it only Spotify and those type of things to listen to music?

-We receive records as gifts and also buy our favorites when we get the chance. But usually we use Bandcamp or Spotify to listen to our favorites.

How is it to live in Latvia overall, covid, racists and politics overall?

-In a post-Soviet country politics always feel one sided, social injustice has a strong impact on average people’s lives, that's also why our songs have the political/social background and we address them with passion. Racism has a strong presence as well, although not everyone will admit it. But if we look at our society as a whole, people in Latvia are mostly kind and caring, and it really shows in big gatherings.

Do you care about reviews? Which is the most peculiar you ever had, with this band or any other band you have been to?

-We love reviews, because they show diversity in opinions about our music, we read them all and take them all into account when making new material. We once had a local review and this journalist called us pop-punk, we thought “huh ok…”. But when we released our second album and the review also stated “pop-punk” it drove our drummer mad. Funny and sad at the same time.

If you could choose five bands from the past and the history and nowadays and both dead and living bands to have a concert together with your band. Which five have you been chosen?

-Playing with Bad Religion, and Pennywise would be awesome, also bands like Adrenalized, Propagandhi, Mute, No Fun At All, Satanic Surfers and every other band that had an impact on our current scene. We consider ourselves very diverse when enjoying music. We take inspiration in every genre we listen to.

Furureplans for the band?

-We are currently planning to hit Europe in mid November, we can give you a sneak peak that we will visit Poland, Netherlands, Romania, Czechia and some other countries. We will announce it soon! Also some great surprises along the way, you’ll see.

Wisdomword?

-Go check the live shows, nothing drives emotions like live shows, they make you feel alive!

Anything more to add to the interview?

-We appreciate these interviews although it's never easy to say good things about yourself, we wish you success!