Here´s an interview with the fantastic poppunksters in 98 Mute, it is Justin(the drummer who have answered my questions  in the middle of june 2000)

History?

- 98 Mute started in 1994 when me and Jason(guitar) started jamming in my
 house. then Doug (bass) wanted to learn to play so Jason taught him . We were
 all friends in highschool a couple years before. We stared writing songs and
 i was singing and playing drums.  then we got Pat who we knew from high
 school to sing . We got some songs together and played parties. Then we put
 out our first album in 1996 on Theologian Records because we were friends
 with the owner, Marc.  Then we went on tours and then we recorded 'Class of
 98' in 1998. then we toured again and then got signed to Epitaph. Then we
 recorded 'slow motion riot'.

Please tell me a little about every member? 

-Justin is 29 and works as an accountant when not touring. Graduated from
college 5 years ago. he is the stressed out one in the band and pretty much does everything .
     Doug is 28 and is a substitute teacher part time.  graduated from
 college in 1995.  he has diabities and is the sober one in the band.
     Pat in 28 and is going to law school.  he doesnt drive on tour because he
 is a shitty driver so he pretty much does nothing but sing.
     Jason is 27 and hes going to college now . he is the hyper and grumpy one
 in the band.

What did get you to make this music and why the people which in the group right now?

- We pretty much grown up with punk rock . It is pretty much my life since
 1981.  we all knew eachother in highschool and we all liked the same music. 
we are all good friends of Pennywise (my brother started the band, Jason(our
 guitarist) used to live with Byron and im best friends with Fletcher).

 Which is the best and which is the worst of being in  band?

-The best is the process of creating a song and then recording it and then
 having people like .  also seeing people sing our songs when we play live. 
 The worst is the fighting that the band goes through because we all have
 different personalities and do things differently.

 Are you satisfied with your latest album Slow motion riot?

-This is the first album that we are all satisfied with.  We think this is
our best alby far.  Then playing is our best and the songs we really like.

What have you done except Class of 98 and Slow motion riot(it´s the two I have)

-Weve done some compilations and also our first album which is self-titled
 in 1996 is on Theologian.

How is the perfect record(length, how many songs and so on) Do you have any example on the perfect record?

-It's different for different kinds of music but for punk rock i think the
perfect length is 35 min. and about 14 songs.Personally i think the perfect record is the Pennywise  self titled album for personal reasons. I also think
ending with an anthem like "bro Hymn" is the perfect ending.

How is the punkscene in USA right now?

-There are a lot of different punk  scenes (hardcore, skate, pop, etc..) i
guess its good and I'm proud to be a part in it but i think is has lost its
 relevance. and a lot of it is over commercialized. Its hard to explain but
 what makes me mad is that the younger generations don't know the history of
 punk. I'm kinda of like a punk historian and have done many papers on punk
 rock etc... Ijust wish people would learn about the music and not just listen
 to it. I am kinda disillusioned with the scene nowadays because there are so
 many different factions and they give eachother a hard time and try to be
 punker that the next guy - who cares ? just be yourself. I can talk forever
 on this subject....

Any good bands?

- The bands that are around today that i like are very few.  I listen to
older stuff mostly. but some bands i like that are still around are Dwarves,
 AFI, Tool.
 

What do you know about Sweden?

- I have been to Sweden about 5 years ago when i went with Pennywise and i
 thought it was the best country we visited out of all of Europe.  I am not
just saying that either. Sweden is so clean and the people were so nice. Iwas
 doing merchindise for PW and it was hard with the money  and these people all
helped my out and were so nice.  Also ,not to sound sexist or anything , but
 the women over there were so beautiful.  We would go to Mcdonalds and see
 beautiful girls behind the counter . it was such a culture shock.  I've told
 people ever since that if there is one country that i want to go back to it
 is Sweden.

Have you heard any swedish bands worth to mention?

-There are alot of good swedish band We have toured with Millencolin and
 have hung out with No Fun At All. also the two cd's that i am listening to
 constantly is Refused and Intl Noise Conspiracy. Ithing those guys are
 geniuses.

How did you came in contact with Epitaph?

-We have always been friends with the people at Epitaph because of the PW
 connection. So they got to know us and liked us. 
 

Is it a good label?

-I think it is they have always been really cool to us even when we weren't
on the label.  Some people give it shit but i have nothing but good things to
 say.
 

How is a good concert with 98 Mute?

-We really feed of the crowds energy.  We have fun live and we screw
 around a lot . its just a good time between us and the crowd.

Do you have good contact with your fans you think?

- I think we have really good contact with people . we are just like them
. We are fans ourselves.  We dont say "fans" we always say "friends". because
thats what they are We always talk to them and email them

What do you think of the new way to communicate with email and internet and that stuff?

-I think is easier but i am really not good at it . i am not a good typer.

Do you have an own homesite?

- If you have who do it? yes our site is www.98MUTE.com    our friend Shane Rodack does it. He  also does Pennywise and Zeke.

Do you have any favourite sites by yourself?

-I don't really surf the internet but the funniest site is www.Mulletsgalore.com

Which is the best and which is the worst thing with internet?

-Its good because people can communicate easier and people can get info on
anything. But i think its bad because there are a lot of sick people out in
 the world and there a very sick sites out there and kids see to much stuff
 and all that sick kiddie porn stuff. I personally think it is more bad that
 good but its progress i guess???????

Is it many interviews? Is it boring?

-No, we don't do that many interview  but a lot of them are boring . People
in Europe ask better questions. You guys ask a lot of different kinds of
 questions so its fun doing your interviews.

Is it mainly fanzines who does it? Do you have any favourites on the zinefront?

-Some of them are fanzines, but not most of them.  I don't really know of
many fanzines today.  There are not many around the USA today.

How is to live in USA nowadays?

-I feel very fortunate to live where i live . but as with anyplace there
are bad points and goods points. but all in all i think is is for the best
but there are a lot of things wrong too many guns, too many jobless too much
hatred. all you can do is be the best person you can be and try to make it a
better world for everybody.

How is the political climat?

 -The political climate is a joke  like it has been for about the last 30
 years. everybody is bought out and all they try to do is get re-elected. they
 do what is popular not what is always right.

What do you think of the following things?  Bill Clinton, Racism, American food, Ramones, Iggy Pop?

-Clinton is good compared to all the rest , I guess. he has helped our economy but he is so fake. Racism is bad in this country . this country was built on racism and so it will never go away. All you can do is try to educate people .  It is too big of a problem for any individual to cure . I just try to treat people with respect no matter what race they are. But once they disrespect me then "fuck 'em".   I love amercan food .  the Ramones
 were punk before  the Sex Pistols made it popular . They play such simple
 music but it is fucking ingenious and they rule!  Iggy is insane and a
 pioneer.

What does love mean for you?

-Love means wanting to do anything for that person and trying to help.
Accepting faults want to grow old with that person.

What does punk mean for you?

- What does punk mean? i could write an essay on that.  i can tell you what
 its not-its NOTwhat type of music you play , what kind of clothes you wear,
 how you wear your hair , how many tattoos you got  , etc... Punk is just
 being yourself and doing something for yourself . it is standing up for
 yourself and not begging for handouts. it is about creating your own life and
 doing something you like. it is an attitude and nothing else.

Is the word punk more important for you nowadays and what did punk meant for you in the past?

-Punk meant more to me when i was young because i think it meant more in
general.  Punk used to be a lot more rebellous and a lot more relevent than
it is today. But that's just my opinion . things always seem better "back in
old days" but it doesn't mean they were.

Five records you can´t be without?

-Good question-1. Bad Brains-Rock for Light.  2.Pennywise-s/t  3.
Minutemen- Double Nickels On The Dime.  4. Neil Young- Decade.  5.The
Clash-London Calling.

The last record you bought? And the first one?

- A Perfect Circle-Mer de Noms.   first one- either Black Flag- Nervous
Breakdown(single) or Rodney on the Roq vol. 1 with Adolescents, Black Flag,
Agent Orange, Circle Jerks, etc...

Have you bought any really expensive record?

-When i was in 8th grade i bought the original Dead Kennedys "In God We
Trust"   LP  for $22 dollars which was a lot for me at the time.

Future plans for the band?

-Hopefully people will like the album and were going on a US tour with
Guttermouth in July for a couple weeks and then maybe a tour with Murphy's
Law in August . . we really want to go to Europe this year we are trying to
see if anybody will take us.

Future plans for you?

-Just have fun with the band and don't take it too seriously and work for
my dad in the off time . and building a recording studio in my garage with
the help of Fletcher.

Wisdomword?

-Who am i to give people wisdom . I'm making mistakes and learning about
life just like everybody else.

Something more to add?

-These were really interesting questions . If the interview makes your
zine could you send it to Epitaph.  thanks for the support and i hope you
like the album . Drop me a line and give me a HONEST review . Don't worry !