Freddy Madball Part 2: 1995 - 2026

Thu Apr 02 2026

We're back with the second half of our conversation with one of hardcore's all time greatest frontmen: Freddy Cricien AKA Freddy MADBALL. We discuss their hectic, but iconic performance at the legendary Dynamo Open Air 1995, the evolution of the karate mosh, the classic NYHC Documentary, Demonstrate my Style, Look My Way, Hold It Down, Madball initially breaking up in the early 2000s, New York Hardcore after 9/11, and so much more...

Transcript

Freddy Madball (0:00)

Something I've been saying for years. And I'll say to the new generation, I love the new music that's coming out. I love all these new bands. I love that they're all doing their own thing and there's so much freedom to do your own thing. But don't forget where this comes from. Don't forget the roots of the music and the bands like Agnostic Front, who literally pave the roads that we all walk on.

Interviewer 1 (0:52)

Hello, welcome. It's Hard Lore time. Welcome back to part two of this incredible two part special with the great Freddy Madball. If you haven't watched last week, go back and check it out. We get into fighting hardcore at 7 years old through Agnostic Front and his brother Roger. We talk about starting Mad Ball when he was 12. Ball of destruction, Dropping Many Suckers. And of course, the great debut LP set it off. Now this week, part two. We start right around 1995 when Madwal played the legendary Dynamo Open Air Fest. Enjoy.

Interviewer 2 (1:27)

March 6, 1995. Mad Ball plays Dynamo in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Big one certified Guinness Book biggest one Guinness Book largest crowd in the history of the world.

Freddy Madball (1:40)

Wow.

Interviewer 2 (1:41)

What was.

Freddy Madball (1:42)

That's crazy when you put it like that. It was a big crowd, I say.

Interviewer 2 (1:46)

I mean, I watched it last night because I wanted to make sure I got one thing right that I'm gonna ask you about that I've been wanting to talk to you specifically about for like 20 years.

Freddy Madball (1:55)

Sure.

Interviewer 2 (1:56)

First, before we get to that, like, what was that? Like, it is the biggest sea of people I've ever seen in my life.

Freddy Madball (2:03)

It was shocking, man, to be honest, because, like, we're just coming up, you know, like, we're just. We're a new band.

Interviewer 2 (2:10)

95.

Freddy Madball (2:11)

We're a new band. Like, we're like. Even though, like people think like, oh yeah, that's prime Mad Ball. I mean, we're just, we're like just figuring ourselves out still. Like we just dropped, set it off. Like, we're still figuring this out. I don't feel like I was like, as a front person. Where I'm at now is different. Like everything you know, like, like, you know, you grow, you evolve, you figure, you figure, you figure this thing out. We were green, man. We were green. We had never played a. I don't think we had ever played a festival, to be quite honest. Like, we had. I don't like, not only was it one of the bigger shows we had ever played up to that point as madball, but it was, it was massive.

Summary

HardLore Podcast Summary

Episode: Freddy Madball Part 2: 1995 – 2026
Release Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Colin Young and Bo Lueders (Knotfest)
Guest: Freddy Madball (Madball, New York Hardcore legend)

Episode Overview

Part two of the HardLore deep dive with Freddy Madball picks up in 1995 and stretches through Madball’s evolution into the 2000s and beyond. The conversation centers on the band's early years navigating massive festivals, Madball's role within the New York Hardcore legacy, the ever-changing face of hardcore, and Freddy’s personal journey through music, family, and the complexities of the hardcore scene. The episode is packed with firsthand accounts, scene lore, and candid reflections.

Key Topics and Insights

Dynamo Open Air 1995: Baptism by Fire

[01:27–09:35]
- Madball’s set at the legendary Dynamo Festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
- Freddy recalls being a "green" new band, unprepared for a Guinness Book world-record-sized crowd.
  - “We were just figuring ourselves out still. We were green, man. We had never played a festival… it was massive.” (Freddy, [02:10])
- Freddy was extremely sick, but the show’s energy was unforgettable, even if not their tightest performance.
- Iconic mishaps: a derailed song when fans took the mic ("Crucify") and the humor and reality of treating the massive fest just like a hardcore show.
  - “We treated it like just a hardcore show. How else are we gonna treat it?” (Freddy, [06:17])
- Contrast between Madball’s rough-around-the-edges presentation and the rising professionalism in festival setups.

The Evolution and Roots of Hardcore Moshing

[10:05–15:53]
- Moshing from 1980s to modern “karate mosh” styles.
- Freddy lists the NYC innovators—Minus, Saab, John Watson, Rap Bones, and more.
  - Discusses the evolution from circle and “creepy crawl” to spin kicks and windmills.
- “There were guys that were great at that. John Watson... was a standout guy from like the earlier period.” (Freddy, [11:20])

New York Hardcore Documentary and the 1990s Scene

[15:53–19:42]
- Reflections on the NYHC doc and Coney Island High show.
  - “...someone had the bright idea to document it, and it was great.” (Freddy, [16:43])
- Sudden spike from intimate shows to scene resurgence mid-90s, emergence of beatdown with Bulldoze.
- “We’re just Madball, bro. Like, just deal with it... We're not beat down. Beat down is Bulldoze.” (Freddy, [18:36])

Community, Loyalty, and Scene Shifts

[19:42–30:41]
- Narratives around central scene figures like Rick to Life, friendship, accountability, and how allegiances changed over time.
- Reflections on intergenerational respect, identity, and legacy.
  - “I will forever be a defender of the core and the culture, you know, and like protector.” (Freddy, [28:10])
- The passing of tradition—seeing Freddy’s daughter sing “It’s My Life” at Punk Rock Bowling, her organic connection to Agnostic Front’s “Victim in Pain.”

Key Madball Records: Sound, Style & Roadrunner Years

[35:29–44:00, 57:53–67:05]
- Demonstrating My Style (1996):
  - “We kind of have our own sound going by this point... more defined and refined.” (Freddy, [35:42])
- Look My Way (1998):
  - A darker, more hands-on production process, lineup changes, and the decline of Roadrunner’s direct support as the label shifted mainstream.
- Hold It Down (2000, Epitaph):
  - Marked a new era, with Freddy the most comfortable with his vocals and Madball’s identity: “I always felt...if I had to pick a record...it would probably be Hold It Down.” (Freddy, [74:02])
- Ongoing importance of European audiences and festivals to the band's growth and longevity.
  - “Having the opportunity to play those festivals just extends your life...” (Freddy, [44:46])

Hardships, Hiatus, and Personal Growth

[80:02–88:54]
- Madball’s “breakup” in the early 2000s, internal issues, legal troubles, and Freddy’s personal struggles.
- The impact of 9/11: poignant family memories (photo on Brooklyn rooftop), support networks in the scene, and how tragedy temporarily softened New York.
  - “It gave people that dose of like, humility and also humanity... some camaraderie with the people of New York.” (Freddy, [87:30])

The 2004 Return, Legacy, and Modern Era

[89:02–121:13]
- Family becoming a grounding influence; Madball reforms shortly after Freddy’s wife and family see him perform at CBGB's for the first time.
- Legacy and new records (like Legacy, Infiltrate the System) showing Madball could create lasting new material decades in.
- Culture of authenticity: “It always feels good when you see a band that gets it and delivers it... love when I see those bands that get it.” (Freddy, [96:46])
- The value of European hardcore’s loyalty versus American scene trendiness.

Later Years, Influence, and the State of Hardcore

[121:13–139:22]
- Madball in the 2010s: managing line-up changes, balancing family and music, and adapting to aging as a touring band.
- For the Cause (2018), working with Tim Armstrong, and keeping the music fresh yet still true to Madball.
- The Tompkins Square Park show after the pandemic—a proud moment in standing up for hardcore’s communal spirit despite controversy.
  - “It was one of my proudest moments doing Mad Ball. For the statement that we made doing it.” (Freddy, [126:38])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Don’t forget where this comes from. Don’t forget the roots of the music and the bands like Agnostic Front, who literally paved the roads that we all walk on.” — Freddy, [00:00 & 140:12]
“We knew nothing else. Chords were flying out of speakers. We didn’t have long enough cords... we were wild, man.” — Freddy, on Dynamo 1995, [08:40]
“We’re just Madball, bro. Like, just deal with it, you know... we're not beat down. Beat down is Bulldoze.” — Freddy, [18:36]
“Once you got [Europe], I mean, you know, but that keeps you honest, right? Because it’s not just hype driven.” — Freddy, [99:05]
“Hardcore’s so weird. Now. There you go.” — Freddy, reflecting on band reunions and scene cycles, [92:42]
“It’s repetition, man. It's just because I’ve been doing it as long as I’ve been doing it... That’s part of it; if I can’t do it on a certain level... that would probably factor into me not doing [Madball] anymore.” — Freddy, on stamina and longevity, [118:22]
(On future) “I see positive things. I see upwards movement. ...especially with the state of hardcore now. It's never been better.” — Freddy, [121:13]
“Cheers, guys.” (sign-off, [141:49])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Dynamo Festival stories: [01:27–09:35]
Moshing & NYC Innovators: [10:05–15:53]
NYHC Documentary & Venue history: [15:53–19:42]
Category debates: Beatdown/Tough Guy: [18:06–19:42]
Scene figures and drama: [19:42–28:41]
Family legacy—Freddy’s daughter and roots: [30:28–34:12]
Demonstrating My Style & Look My Way albums: [35:29–67:05]
Reunion, touring, and changing times: [80:02–99:41]
European vs. US hardcore cultures: [99:41–105:24]
Games & quick-associations (“name a word”): [105:55–108:39]
Later years, maintaining the band, touring, & food: [110:43–136:41]
New album (Not Your Kingdom) preview: [129:12–131:36]
Favorite hardcore records: [137:16–138:43]
Final words on legacy, roots, and respect: [140:12–141:48]

Additional Highlights

On Turnstile Winning a Grammy:
“God bless them. Good for them, man...as long as they don’t forget where they come from, they never will, then it’s all good.” ([104:21])
On the future of Madball:
“I don’t see an end in the very near future... we all feel good. I got a great group of guys.” ([117:08])
On new record (Not Your Kingdom):
“It’s a very throwback vibe... but it’s also current. It’s by far the most diverse Mad Ball album.” ([129:12])
Top 4 Hardcore Records:
“Victim in Pain, Brightside, Sheer Terror’s Thanks for Nothing, Negative Approach’s Total Recall.” ([137:16])

Tone & Style

The conversation is loose, animated, and filled with camaraderie and reverence for hardcore’s roots. Freddy’s tone is candid and no-nonsense but warm, especially when discussing family, lineage, and the legacy of the scene (“I will forever be a defender of the core and the culture...”). Hosts Colin and Bo keep the dialogue lively, peppering in deep-dive questions, scene trivia, and genuine appreciation for Madball’s iconic role. Frequent humor, scene references, and heartfelt nostalgia permeate the episode—an essential listen for hardcore fans and scene observers alike.