Interview
Handle: GENE (although some refer to me as God, hehe)
How did you come up with your alias ?
There were so many stupid handles around, and after trying out terrible names like Mr. Key, Ricky and Zid, I figured GENE (which is my name) was better than anything.
City / Country:
Oslo/Norway
Born year:
1973
What was your first computer, and when did you get it?
First I got some stupid console with ten internal, terrible sportgames. I figured that was no place to stay so I got a 64 for christmas in 85 (I think).
How did you get into the scene and what groups have you been a member of ?
I met a guy (Firkin) who knew a little cracking - and he knew some guys in Royal Norwegian Crackers (RNC). At that time, I was working in a computer shop and got some originals. RNC formed Jazzcat Cracking Team with some other guys. Jazzcat did, as some of you know, become one of the most famous cracking groups in the 64s childhood. They gave us originals a day after they had cracked them and addresses to all the famous guys on the scene. Firkin and I formed The Guardians Inc in late 86 or early 87, sent the games to everybody on the addresslist, and got replies from people/groups like Fantasy (FCS), Danish Gold, Plutonium Crackers, Hein/Fac, Twb, Radwar, New Stars (former Newlook and Stars) and Jazzcat quit, and the only competition in Norway was Deadly Friends. The ball really started rolling.. And we ended up trading with every elite eurogroup. Then we joined Ace, later we joined Bros.. Both Firkin and I quit. We joined Illusion. Firkin quit.. And I was in DOM, Deadline and then finally back where i belonged - ILLUSION.
What was the proudest moment in your career ?
Hehe.. I was very proud when the above mentioned groups actually wanted to trade. And when I was ruling both the most liked and most hated Euro-ranks in Shock.
For what specific reason(s) do you think that you are remembered ?
On the older scene, probably for bothering my best contacts several times a week by calling them up asking if they had obtained any of the originals we were currently working on. And after the comeback, for being a bigheaded asshole with a giant ego who started ragging on people for no reason whatsoever. On the other hand - I really think I deserved to act like a bigheaded asshole! I earned my ego at least! (Hey, maybe I still have some of it left? hehe).
What would you like to be remembered for ?
Well, for my loyality towards my friends (despite leaving ILS and joining again) and that I was not afraid to make unpopular decissions. And for the above mentioned!
What made you stop the scene activity ? (and do you remember when?)
In May 1993 the cops busted like eight phreakers in Norway. Me being one of them. They accused me of abusing ATT callingcards (who? me? hehe). It seems as if they were a bit too quick, I have not heard from the police after the first interigation (I refused to talk about phreaking). Hopefully things will turn out ok!
Thinking back on the good old days, is there anything you regret?
Yes, first of all leaving Illusion. Secondly, one little incident: I got home some night drunk as hell and called Wild Warez (XDS at that time). I started ragging on every-fucking-body. When I called back I was at war with NEC/NEI, Talent, TBB (US), Dom, Censor, Legend (ah well, I was always in war with Legend) and God (Hey, that´s me!) knows who else. The entire war-sub had circled (I think it took 24 messages!?), so I did not even get to see all the replies to me. I was just sitting there reading the posts wondering if it was time to join the Amiga-scene under another handle. At that moment I really regret having such a big ego. But it was one hell of a chalølenge, and after some days I managed to spread the wars to different boards, and most of the above-mentioned groups were not that good at ragging. I managed to beat most of them, some got bored. The war with the Legend guys and TBB went on, but they were as bigheaded as me, just ragging for the hell of it, so it was just fun (ah, and Duke, but he was a sitting duck - I do admire him though - the guys in Dom did not lift a hand to help him and he still tried his best. Not even after I broke into their HQs privat DOM sub and buffered all the crying about me "You must help me - please!" - and put up the legendary "Dukes mailtrading vmb"). Damn, it was great fun.
What was your favorite
GAME(S)
Microprose Soccer (indoor) and Hattrick.
DEMO(S)
The Think Twice series by The Judges and ofcourse the co-op demos by 1001 and USA-team.
CRACKER(S) (OR CRACKING GROUP(S))
Ikari (Pal, Nik, Just Ice and Tri-Dos!) and SCG for their speed. Triad for quality. Mitch who had the US-scene in his hands for so many years, and Pudwerx for just being a very nice cracker.
Importers
(in no order): Exodus, Epic, FBR, Mayhem, Instinct (of PE and Conquest) RAD and TWB. Ok Dave, I guess if I do not mention you, you will stop sending me fan-mail, hehe, so of course INC!
Contacts/Friends
(still in the order they come to mind, which means the most recent scene first): The ILS-core, Ninja, Cure, Pyle, Cyberpunk, Gotcha, Skater, Slamhound, Executioner, Warewolf, Sidearms, Villain (Problem Child), Pudwerx, Prodigy, Nightwriter, Predator (Atc), Motley, Newscopy, Butcher (Nei), Kilroy, Hawk, Ouija, Lucifer, Candyman, Parson, Shadow, Tristan, Youngking, Weasel, Thor, Spitfire, Radar, Instinct, Nik, Just Ice, Tri-Dos, Hercules, Duran, Mr. Pinge, Gollum, Elric, Surfer, Accept (BB), Lennart of TPI, Coco, Paco, Zerocat, Firkin, Martin, Pathfinder, Gazoo, Andy (DCS), Jason/Jct, Smash, Speedcracker, Cyborg, Pol Pot, Crumbsucker.. Damn, I am forgetting a lot of guys - probably some who were very good friends of mine.. I would also like to extend a greeting to the Legend guys. I think all of us had a lot of fun! And to the guys I talk to on #c-64.
DRINK ?
Beer
What are you doing nowadays ?
I was working as an editor of a Norwegian newspaper until recently. Now it is time to do some serious studying.
What are you doing on your spare time?
Drink beer, fuck chicks, sleep.. Playing soccer.. Staying cool etc..
Is there anything you'd like to say to the public (read: admires)
Yeah, if you have not made it into the historybooks of the 64 by now, you will simply never become elite. Go buy yourself a vic-20 and see if you can take the heat there, you little low-life piece of rookie-asslicking-shit!
What is the meaning of life?
To be SOMEBODY while being happy! (nopes, semi-elite on 64 does not count, sorry DM and CZ0! hehe).