Rock Monsters Romania

The one-day mini-festival “Punk Apocalypse” will take over the stage at Quantic Club, featuring Grinder, Brainwasher, Pârnaie, Berzerk, and Scuzeerambeat. On February 9, we celebrate freedom of expression and the local punk culture alongside them!

We spoke with Pârnaie, a hardcore punk band with members from across Romania. With the release of Prima Abatere last September, they brought their raw energy and defiant attitude to the hardcore scene. Giving a voice to the unheard, they just might be the Romanian hardcore punk band of the moment.

To help the public get to know you, what is one thing people should know about you before reading this interview?

We are Parnaie, Pirnaie, Jail, Mititica, Casa Mare, and other such things, and we play punk. You should know that we don’t like fools, shit-talkers, and the so-called smart guys who didn’t even pass their high school exams.

“Punk” has had different definitions over the years. What does “punk” mean to you?

Look, first of all: punk is antifascist, nonconformist, and educated. I think we need to change that drunk punk stereotype with three neurons in his head. Wake up, guys—it’s 2025, they’re putting their boot on your neck, and you’re still reading with your finger under the sentence. We’re streetwise, we have fun, we do our thing—but we also open a book from time to time. And no, Book of Ra doesn’t count.

The scene you are part of seems to have a strong sense of community. What is it about this particular genre that makes the fan base so socially interconnected?

Personally, I don’t buy into this. I mean, there’s a good chance that’s how it looks from the outside. I won’t deny there’s a bit more cohesion compared to previous years, but we’re far from being a truly tight-knit community. Maybe this is just the beginning, and things will pick up.

In what way do you think musicians addressing political matters influence society? Should more artists do it? Why?

You want to make music without a political message? Good for you, Geani—go ahead. You want to do punk without a political message? Forget it, you’ve missed the point. Punk is political first and music second.

How do you see the Romanian Punk/Hardcore scene evolving in the future?

The punk scene isn’t going to evolve anywhere all by itself, just sitting pretty. There’s a big crowd of kids and young people who aren’t necessarily punk listeners, but they resonate with other nonconformist events. It’s important for different scenes to join forces and make something great—like that wrestling event happening at Expirat on February 20, where the mighty Martalogii are also playing.

You’re starting the year in full force! What other plans do you have for this year?

It’s serious—we’re dropping an album, and not the kind you listen to while putting on deodorant (which, by the way, you should do more often). A proper album—at least 10 tracks, angry, heavy, and everything else in that vein.

What advice would you give to young artists or bands looking to succeed in their careers?

Do whatever you want, dude. C’mon—it’s not like you’re gonna make a living off this. Have fun, meet people—that’s actually the best part about having a band.

Would you like to send a message to the people reading this interview?

You know who you are, and we love you, and we’re here for you. :*

Interview by Radu Mihai and Eduard Istrate