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The affable 29-year-old Dino Mifsud Lepre is closer to the sweet Neil rather than the uncouth punk Vivian in The Young Ones
Their gigs are becoming more renowned and are certainly one of the more enjoyable ways of how to spend an otherwise interminably lethargic weekends on this minute island. Lepre is not new to the local rock scene as he used to sing with Goth band Weeping Silence and is currently involved in no less than four other bands namely: The I SKAndal, Lithomancy, Deluge of Sorrow, Victims of Creation.
What does the name Xtruppaw mean?
Good question.
How would you describe the members of the band and how do you think that each one would describe you?
Well, I think that the rest of the band members can be described in no better way than real good friends. I guess what we have in common is the same sense of humour. They might describe me as the lunatic one of the whole group.
How did the idea of the band come about?
The band started with impromptu songs sung along to the strumming of Jeff’s guitar during barbecues on the beach with close friends. These seemed to like the songs and wanted more, so along the years the repertoire, though sketchy, continued to grow. However, it was only in March of 2005 that Xtruppaw, as we know it today was formalised to play live three months later at Festahwid VI.
You struck a chord with the punters at your gig immediately – do you think that it was due to your irreverent lyrics or the feel good factor that your music emits?
I think that it’s a bit of both, plus we make an effort to give a good show each time we perform.
The reputation of Xtruppaw has spread like wildfire, possibly because of the humorous content of your songs. Do you feel that some bands might be making too much of an effort to produce profound lyrics and failing miserably?
Xtruppaw is all about humour, and there’s no doubt that some people like us because of that. However no results are obtained without the required effort.
So were the girl’s underwear you were wearing on your heads at the Naasha gig a gift by groupies or was it a political statement against the constraints of girls having to wear underwear and clothes in general?
Actually, we just thought we looked cute in them.
Was it a conscious decision to sing in Maltese or was it the obvious choice?
It was a natural choice. There’s no better way to express yourself than in your own language.
Your lyrics seem to echo the popular sentiment of the younger generation, do you aim to be the spokespersons of a seemingly voiceless generation or are you simply voicing your own personal concerns?
After many scientifically proven methodical and statistical surveys and research we came up with a foolproof formula to write lyrics that steal the heart of the young generation and guarantee our fame and fortune. Well, not really! Our lyrics are simply the product of our thoughts and feelings.
Are you first and foremost a ‘political’ band?
Absolutely not. In fact only one of the ten songs has a short political reference, which in itself is just a satire about the Maltese culture in general.
So you don’t consider yourself to be a particularly political person?
Not really. I believe that we should learn to put politics aside and look at each other without political prejudice. And besides, politics is something that bores me to death!
The lyrics of the song Generazzjoni ta’ Meqrudin speak of the clichés and fallacies about drugs and sex often heard from the older generation, who supposedly lived through the cultural and sexual revolution of the sixties – aren’t these kind of comments proof that the 60s generation in Malta missed out on that?
Yes, I doubt that the sixties revolution had an impact on the Maltese culture as it perhaps had on other countries. Then again, I wasn’t born yet at the time, so maybe you should ask our parents.
Ok, so through your satirical song entitled Malta we know what bothers you about this country. Mention ten things about this country that makes you tick:
Ira Losco, Kinnie, pastizzi, the local musical scene, the history, Naasha bar, ocsoL arI, local wine, local beer, and my bands.
The satire and toilet humour used in your lyrics is quite typical of Maltese folk humour. Do you perceive the band to be a product of that?
We are, after all, Maltese and it has somewhat brushed onto our music and us. However we feel that our humour is also a result of several foreign influences, which our fans undoubtedly have spotted that now and again.
One of the things that really rub you the wrong way seems to be the Eurovision. Do you think that singers who take part can ever be considered to be serious musicians?
What bothers me is that many excellent Maltese musicians are never considered for Eurovision because their music is not of the ‘Eurovision’ kind. As regards the singers who take part I think quite the opposite – they are too serious musicians!
What would you say are your influences?
There are many influences and sources of inspiration all around us. The inspiration may come from something that we experienced when we were young or something that is currently happening in our lives, or simply something stupid, which we come up with when we’re together. The fact that all of us have been close friends for over a decade means that we have a lot of common experiences, which in turn makes it very easy for all of us to contribute to the humour of the songs. We cannot deny our humour has been affected by foreign acts such as South Park, Italian comedians, in particular Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo, Elio e le Storie Tese, English comedies like Black Adder, and so on and so forth.
Do you intend to record any of your songs?
Yes. We are currently working on it, and money permitting we should be launching our first CD some time next year.
It seems that the band is rather camera shy, in fact you use cartoons of yourselves instead of photos. If your fans wanted to pin-up your photos on their bedroom wall, how would they be able to obtain one?
Xtruppaw photos for Dummies: go to www.xtruppaw.com, Click on the ‘IMBARAZZ’ button, Click on the ‘FESTAHWID VI PHOTOS’ button – Enjoy! (PS. More photos to follow soon.) (PPS. You guys threatened me! Remember?)
Interview by Michaela Muscat
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