108 Feature for Impose Magazine

108

by: Stephen Kane

In recent years, a plethora of bands from hardcore’s past have gotten back together. Some appearing to “cash in” on the current popularity of hardcore, others for charity and in the case of 108, the answer is unknown, even to the band. However, after speaking with guitarist Vic Dicara, it seems the overwhelming reason for their reunion is the desire to play and connect with listeners again.

“We don’t really know what put the spark into us (to reunite). Sometimes things click for no apparent reason, maybe it’s destiny or it’s the stars or maybe it’s just chance,” said Dicara. Roughly a decade after their last show, seminal New York hardcore band 108 met up again to play Hellfest 2005 in Trenton, New Jersey. The festival was plagued with legal problems and cancelled before doors even opened, but the seed of rebirth had been planted and the demand for another 108 show was in the air. Last minute preparations were made and the band played two sold out shows in Philadelphia, one being a duel reunion with old friends and New Jersey hardcore/punk icons, Lifetime. The shows lit a fire beneath the band to forge ahead and resurrect the corpse of 108 completely. “Both shows were so cool for us as people that we were like, “this is dumb, we can’t stop doing this.” So, we decided to start writing new music because we didn’t just want to be opening up a coffin and exhuming bodies.”


The initial result of their return was a ten-song demo featuring seven new tracks, a 1995 demo of “Blood’ from the Threefold Misery sessions, a Black Flag cover of “The Bars” and a cover of Bad Brains “Coptic Times.” With these songs in tow, the foundation was laid for what would become the fourth full length in their 15-year history. Some time past, the band played some shows and toured Europe and in February 2007 they entered Kurt Ballou’s God City studio to record a new LP entitled A New Beat from a Dead Heart for their new label, Deathwish Inc. Ballou was a natural fit to spearhead the project. His background in noisy hardcore and engineering prowess was exactly what the band was looking for. “We’re not really a fan of the newer production of hardcore which is really thick and super moshy and heavy. We wanted it to sound fucked up and cracked and broken and weird with a lot of strange noises going on.” Ballou captured the spirit of the band and created the most powerful sounding 108 record to date. “He’s a great engineer and a great co-producer,” said Dicara. “We really killed the guy and made him bend over backwards and jump through hoops and he was more than gracious about doing it every time.”

A New Beat from a Dead Heart is an emotionally turbulent 13-song journey of spirituality, hope and redemption. Just as the band wanted, it sounds dark and fragile, broken and unstable, always feeling like the next song might be the last before the emotional weight is too much to bear. Songs like “Our Kind,” “American Dream” are a bold commentary on the United States as it relates to consumerism and the pursuit of happiness through unfulfilling means. Other tracks such as “Martyr Complex,” “The Sad Truth” and “Guilt” are a direct reflection of the bands personal experiences and what time has done to them. Of course the concept of faith and spirituality are always present, but Dicara says none of the songs are specifically about religion or Hare Krishna. “108 was never a band about religion. We never tried to get people to be a particular religion. Even 10 years ago people didn’t believe us when we said that.” At this point in time Dicara and vocalist Rob Fish no longer subscribe to the organized Krishna doctrine they used to, but the songs and the individuals creating them are as in tune with their own spirituality as ever. “I think every song on the record is spiritual, to me every step that I take is spiritual and I don’t see the point in doing anything in my life that’s not spiritual.”

Things have changed for the members of 108 since their first time around. Now in their mid 30’s, families and responsibilities have taken precedence over a life on the road, but touring is still a priority said Dicara. “The record comes out June 27h and the very next day we have three shows in America to celebrate. The day after those we leave for Europe and we’re doing three weeks there, then we get back and play the Sound & Fury Fest in California. After that we’re doing some dates with Converge.” As far as US touring is concerned the band will organize some 4-day weekend trips periodically, but nothing that will keep them away from home for too long.


“Some people think teenagers are more appropriate for punk rock, but it seems that my level of frustration and confusion about life has only gotten more serious as time goes on,” Dicara said. It’s that toggle of emotion that fuels 108 to create and reinvent their craft, channeling past regrets, triumphs and tragedies into the band they’ve become. And while the sewing circles of hardcore are on the sidelines debating whether or not the bands return is genuine and the members are still Krishna or straight edge, Vic and 108 will be doing what they love: sharing music and experiences with anyone willing to listen.

Blacklisted interview

I was cleaning out my myspace inbox and I found this interview with George from Blacklisted dated Nov 24, 2004. Obviously, much has happened with the band since this was conducted, but I thought I’d post it for anyone interested. Enjoy.

Although you guys are a fairly new band, you've made a lot happen for yourselves; Tell me a bit about how Blacklisted got started and what happened to your old band No Rights.

One day we were sitting in Jay Pepito's (our old guitar player) room and we decided we wanted to be just a heavier NYHC influenced band, more on the lines of the music that we really liked. No Rights was more for fun and Blacklisted was a little more serious. So, instead of keeping the same name we just started a new band, with me, Tim Jay and Zach. Robby, the bass player from No Rights went on to be a chef or something.

How did you get hooked up with Stillborn Records? What was it about Stillborn that made you pick them over any other label that was interested in you?

Jay Reason approached us to do a record, he worked things out with Bobb Macc and we were signed. We kind of just went for Stillborn once they showed interest. We really didn’t think things through.

One thing i really like about your band is that even though you play heavy NYHC influenced hardcore, your lyrics are more personal and varied than a lot of bands of a similar style... when you write, what is the thought process like? Do you take pieces from journals and fit them for specific songs?

Well, for our EP, a lot of things were happening to me on a personal level with someone I cared a lot about, so a lot of the songs are (as cheesy as it sounds) me venting about a specific person. I wish I would’ve written more about stuff that matters, cause wasting your time on one person or one thing is just hurtful in the long run. Our LP will be more understandable lyrically, but still have a little of the same feel… not my just experience with one specific person, cause that is kind of lame. At the same time it is something that everyone goes through, so hopefully someone will be able to take something from it and feel like at least there is one person out there that understands.

What influences Blacklisted outside of hardcore and outside of music?

Music is pretty much our every day lives, I’d say. If not my life, it’s one of the only things I care about. The same could be said for hardcore. I mean, anywhere I go or whatever I do in life, when I wake up I’m gonna be me and those two things play a HUGE role.

What is one of your favorite records of all time? What about it makes it better to you than tons of others?

Supertouch - The Earth is Flat, is a big one. That record is so heavy, but not in like a heavy metal or hardcore sense. It is just heavy when listened to. It’s deep and it just has a feeling to it I can’t explain. This is just one of many records I love, without giving the obvious answer of Age of Quarrel.

To you, what are the elements of a really great song? A great record?

I think it all has to do with how everything fits musically and lyrics are a big thing. You have to be able to feel what is being said and maybe adapt it to your life. I love a lot of old punk records and stuff, but a lot of things they talk about i.e drinking, politics and stuff of that nature, I can’t relate to. So, I’m into it on a different level than I am with some other music. You gotta be able to feel it I guess.


Why do you think so many hardcore bands fall into the problem of putting out a great EP, but a mediocre LP?

I think when bands put out their EP, it is fresh and when the LP comes out your used to the sound, so things might sound repetitive; so you write it off sooner then you would if it were a new band with only a six song record out.

Philadelphia has a rich history of being home to great bands(ink & dagger, shark attack, kid dynamite, conviction, turmoil etc); What is it about Philly that seems to spark something in people? What Philly bands (past or present) do you think never got their due?

Philly sucks.

When was the last time you felt truly afraid and what was the situation that caused it?

I was in an abandoned mental institution and there was a person chillin’ in there just staring at my friend and I when we put our flashlights on him. I ran away.

If you could play with any four bands from any time period of any genre, who would they be and why?

Killing Time, Sheer Terror, Cro-Mags, Merauder.

What is one reason you wake up every day?

I mean, I just try to be at peace with myself. I’ve learned you gotta do what you want to do and live or your gonna be miserable. Once you come to terms with who you are, life seems like it might be much easier to live. So, I’m just trying to do that; find my place in society, where do I fit in, keep my head above water and just keep moving on. I hope to just be happy and have a positive influence on someone, so with that thought, I have a reason to wake up everyday.

What is in the horizon for Blacklisted?

Touring, Touring, TOURING, write an LP and tour some more.


Image taken from: http://www.myspace.com/blacklisted

Death Before Dishonor interview in the May issue of AMP Magazine

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR by: Steve Kane

Since the release of 2004’s Friends, Family, Forever, Boston’s Death Before Dishonor have been touring relentlessly in preparation for the next chapter of their history. Now, five years after their inception, the band is releasing their first LP and most accomplished record to date entitled, Count Me In. Here is what Vocalist Bryan Harris had to say about hardcore, touring and their new album.


After two EP's and five years together, you are finally releasing your first full length for Bridge 9. Was it a conscious decision to wait on writing a full length?

No, not at all. After the first EP, Friends Family Forever came out on Bridge 9, we hit the road pretty much non-stop and when you're on the road that much, before you know it a year and a half go by and you're like, "damn, we need to write a new record." As much as it would’ve been nice to release a new full-length last year, we got to grow as a band. All that time on the road helped us become a lot tighter and it shows on the new record.


Now that it's all done, how do you feel Count Me In differs from Friends Family Forever and True Til Death?

I know every band probably says this, but I think it’s a step up from our last recordings. With every record we do, we grow a little and it shows on Count Me In. We have a 2nd guitarist now and that alone helped our sound overall and added more to our song writing. All the songs are catchier vocally and musically and in our opinion it is the best Death Before Dishonor record we have done.

What was it like working with Jim Siegel and recording at The Outpost?

It was great. We have worked with Jim a few times in the past, but with this full-length we were able to spend more time in the studio with him. Jim always seems to capture the way hardcore should sound and knowing that makes it easy to record with him.

In your eyes, what is the greatest thing the band has done to date? What do you want to accomplish this year?

Being able to go out and tour a lot of the world is an accomplishment. We have been fortunate enough to play places I never thought I would ever travel to. We were also fortunate enough to tour with Agnostic Front for a few months and for me growing up they were one of the most influential bands I listened to. As for this year, touring Japan and Australia would make 2007 for us.

Hardcore is big enough at this point where certain bands can make a living off it. Do you think making a career off hardcore takes something away from the spirit or the community aspect?

I don’t think so. As long as the bands are staying true to themselves and don’t forget where they come from I don’t think it takes anything away. Who doesn’t want to be able to pay their bills playing the music they love? Look at Hatebreed. They have been a band for over 10 years and they went from selling demos at basement shows to playing the main stage at Ozzfest and yet they never forgot where they came from. Jamey is always helping hardcore bands whether it's putting out a record, taking a smaller band on tour, putting on shows, or just going to hardcore shows.

If Death Before Dishonor could tour with four bands of any genre from any time period, who would it be and why?

Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Sick Of It All and Blood for Blood because those are four of my favorite bands and what hardcore kid wouldn’t want to see that lineup?

In the past few years violence in hardcore has escalated to new heights, even resulting in deaths at shows. At what point do you feel it's a bands responsibility to step in and say something?

Hardcore has always had a violent side, I'm not saying it is right or wrong, but its always been there and nowadays its hurting hardcore more than ever with less places wanting to do hardcore shows and more kids scared of what might happen at a show. With that said, I think a band always has some level of responsibility as does everyone involved in a show. Whether it’s a promoter, security, bands, or just hardcore kids that go to the shows, everyone needs to make a conscious effort to keep things under control.

At any given point people in hardcore will complain about how "it's not like it used to be." What keeps you excited about hardcore after all these years? What current bands are you psyched about?

Every generation is going to say “it’s not how it used to be” and I even find myself saying that sometimes. In the end it just shows that times change and it’s part of life. No matter how much hardcore has changed, it’s not always for the worse, I play and go to plenty of shows and see a lot of kids that still have love for hardcore and their beliefs are no different than people that went to shows in the mid 90's. There are plenty of great hardcore bands out there that keep hardcore alive and are at the top of the game such as Terror, Blacklisted, Death Threat, and there are a lot of newer bands like Colin Of Arabia, Shipwreck, Energy, and legendary bands like Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, and Madball out there and that’s just naming a few.

You tour a lot so I'm sure you have some great stories to tell. Anything you'd like to share?

We were on tour in Europe with Agnostic Front. We get to some club in Germany early and there is a piano in the back room. Our bass player Frankie starts playing it and starts playing AF songs. Roger gets the idea to bring the piano on stage and have Frankie play piano for AF. So it happens, Frankie on piano and Roger singing. Who would ever think they would hear AF playing “Gotta Gotta Go” as a piano ballad?

Anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for taking the time to interview us. Our new record Count Me In will be out May 22nd and we will be on the road all summer so check us out.

Image taken from: http://www.myspace.com/deathbeforedishonorbhc