INDUSTRIAL HOLOCAUST

What can I say about Industrial Holocaust? This band has the ability to take me back 15 years. It reminds me of being in my grandparent's house, staring at my shitty stereo speakers in disbelief as I was discovering bands like Sore Throat, Anal Cunt, Extreme Smoke for the first time. The intensity and brutality of their music is so overwhelming that it is nearly comical. Industrial Holocaust lays waste to everything and I truly admire this band. 

I am working on a book that will cover some of my favorite Brazilian grindcore and noisecore bands, and I look forward to interviewing these guys even more for the book. If you call yourself a grindcore fan in 2014, and have not checked this band out you are seriously fucking up. Hats off to Industrial Holocaust for turning this negative old man into a giddy, smiling teenager for just a few minutes. Cheers guys and keep the noisecore alive!

1) Industrial Holocaust launched an amazing EP in 2012, with the title "The Holocaust continues".  In my opinion, is an instant classic of grind, which brings me back memories of Sore throat, Extreme Smoike 57 and Napalm Death, at the same moment. Can you give me a history of Industrial Holocaust? Which bands influenced you to start a band grindcore ? How would you describe your sound?

1-Thank you very much for your words, we are happy for our sound remember these classic bands. We started playing with the MORBIDEATH in 1989, I (guitar), Rivelino (battery) and Jamil (low and vocal), a kind of deathgrindnoise at the beginning of band. At the end of 1991, we form the INDUSTRIAL HOLOCAUST and the only change was the entry of Edu in low leaving the Jamil only on vocals. With this training we recorded in 1992 the 7 ep split with the NOISE.

In 1994 Jamil and Edu came out, and Tertius took the low. Write several materials with this training.In 2012, after recording the 7 ep THE HOLOCAUST WHIPPED , Tertius was definitely living in Canada.

In 2013 entering the bassist Edoom Nuclear Winter (ex-Nuclear Frost) and the guitarist Sergio (Confusion).  But the Edoom is solving some personal problems the current training is Cassiano(i) low vocal, Rivelino (battery and vocal) and Sergio (guitar and vocal).

We were very influenced by the first two discs of NAPALM DEATH, FEAR OF GOD, E. N. T. , SORE THROAT , DOOM, NECROBUTCHER, DISCHARGE, SOUND POLLUTION, AGATHOCLES , PATARENI, HELLISH NOISE , EXTERMINIO BRUTAL , NUCTEMERON (Brazil) etc. between so many bands that we liked and that motivated us to touch grindnoisecore. It is very difficult to define, because we like and we have several influences in our sound and we try to always sounds so original and own. I think that we are a band of noisecore with much influence of H. C. and Crustpunk.

2) Can you tell me about the polical climate in the city where do you come from? How does it affect you personally and how it affects the song writing process for the band?

2-In Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, it reflects very well the social inequality in the country. We live in a democracy of the rich, i.e. rich ruling for the rich, we have very serious problems, such as the violence that is generated by social chasm between rich and poor, education, health and transport are neglected in favor of the private sector. There are no policies to reduce the cars on the streets and encourage the use of bike paths and bike, much on the contrary who runs this country are the multinational companies and car manufacturers. There is very little rail transport and has a dictatorship of oil that pushes you to buy car. Here it is all highway rotten and evil flagged. It is a true dictatorship of capital.As we are a libertarian band, protest and anticapitalista, our city and our country unfortunately is an infinite source of inspiration.

3) What does Brazilian grindcore mean to you?

3- It is an expression of hatred and indignation to everything that is wrong in the world. The man does not have a limit to destroy, the profit is in first place. The capitalism this ending with the planet, we need an urgent need for a new mode of production. The noise is the cry of protest against all this.

4) How is the scene in your city?

4-There are many concerts here of all the styles of the underground. It is a scene very good, but we have a connection with our great friends on the inside. There is a resistance to keep alive the Noisecore and the Underground. We are always finding and when possible doing shows together with old friends: NOISE, CONFUSION, ACADEMIC WORMS , NOISE AGAINST THE SYSTEM , PRIMITIVE NOISE, BIXERA, REVOLTING NOISE, ROT, NUCLEAR FROST etc.

5) What are some of your favorite memories of being in this band so far, and what can we expect from you in the near future?

5- Many things have already happened. I am since 1989 ringing, many concerts with bands of great friends, but the recording of the first split 7 ep UN with our brethren of the NOISE, the show that we did at the festival of Limeira in 1992 with NOISE, EXTERMINIO BRUTAL, G. O. P. , PUTRID VOMITS, DE DISCORDIA H. C. , the two gigs that were recorded and who left tapes Noise core compilation I and II were just too much.

For the future, we want to continue recording sounds new and touching live in all the places that is possible and keep the noisecore alive.

6) What albums of Brazilian bands influenced you to want to make music? Who are some bands of Brazilian grind that you think may have been overlooked over the years ?

6-We like many Brazilian bands and there are albums that without a doubt have influenced us to want to fit a band, as SARCOFAGO(IMRI), HOLOCAUST (FIELD OF EXTERMINIO), DRY EYE, TAKEN POSSESSOR (TOXIN DIFFUSION), BRIGADE OF ODIO, GENOCIDE(EP),'s SWOON ATTACK LUNATIC etc. Without doubt are bands that deserveattention by that contributed by Grindnoise in Brazil. The release of the album of NECROBUTCHER, for example, was a well deserved recognition. NUCTEMERON its DT Industrial Pollution that came on cd is a demo.. I think that the MAYHEM DECAY CUDGEL is a band that deserved more attention throughout his dedication to Noisecore.

7) What do you think about the World Cup coming to Brazil?

7-Look I have nothing against the football as sports practice, moreover, is very good and healthy, but this modern football is a capitalist slag, is something depressing and disgusting. We detest all this. The world Cup is a dump. We want all selections if fodam!!! Hate flags, nationalism. and borders. We are internationalists, without a homeland and without boss!!!!!!Thank you for the support friend, and hugs!

CHULO

Mike Golen has been one of my closest friends for nearly a decade. We have collaborated on music and traveled together, and is someone I can call brother. We spent many years working together in Winters in Osaka, and in Paucities. Paucities was conceived on a very drunken day, after numerous chats we had about starting a band that sounded like Agathocles, Unholy Grave, and Unseen Terror. Paucities is continuing on with me being a part time collaborator from now on, and I am very proud of music Mike and I (and Omar and Adam T) wrote together. Since 2010, Paucities was able to do some split albums with some very talented up and coming international bands such as England's Atomck and Jonathan Ross, Russia's SRAM, and Colombia's Chulo.

The Chulo side of the split we did with them is a kick in the ass of modern day powerviolence/grind, and I expect many more kids to be paying attention to what is going on in Colombia because of these guys. "GA Mince", the opening track on the split is an instant headbanging, polka beat mince classic. There's alot of bands claiming to be mince right now, and this song alone crushes what is coming out. Holy shit! After your neck and fists have recovered from the powerful opening track, you are treated to another few minutes of raging fury. Duel low and high vocals, west coast influenced riffs and time changes that bring to mind In Disgust, killer blast beats..this whole thing just reeks of awesome. Original while also giving a nod to the old school classics of powerviolence and grind. Oh yeah, there's also an Assuck cover.

Much respect to Chulo, one of my favorite newcomers to the scene. I look forward to hearing more from these guys, and hopefully seeing them live.

D.E.R.

It's only fitting that I follow up the Test interview with another band from Brazil that is also killing the game right now. My band got to play before D.E.R(who also share the same drummer of Test), at Obscene Extreme Mexico, and they destroyed the rain drenched crowd for over a half hour with their brand of crushing hardcore and punk influenced grindcore.

If you have not yet taken the time to look into the insanely talented group of bands coming out of today's Brazilian scene, do yourself a favor and check out D.E.R., Test, NYAB as well as other wonderful bands like Academic Worms, Expurgo, Hutt, Subcut... These are all bands that are changing the game of fast music in 2014. Thanks for reading! Grind is protest.

 I have a been a huge fan of D.E.R. for a while now, and I was very happy to have our bands play together at OEF Mexico last year! Can you give me a history of D.E.R. When did the band form? Any lineup changes? What bands influenced you to start a grindcore band? How would you describe your sound?

Yeah, thanks man. Was realy good to play there in mexico, and we where happy to see you guys playing too.

So, We started in 1998, we where (and still are) heavily influenced by early brazilian punk bands from the 1980's.  we used to hang out with some punk gangs to drink beer and cheap wine and to see other punk bands from são paulo, later we wanted to start a band as well, but we didnt know how to play anything, we learned together to start the band. in the next years we started to understand more about music, and began to listen more hardcore, fastcore and grindcore, and naturally we began to play faster. 

We started to understand the politics inside punk rock as well and that's why we changed the line up sometimes, political divergences. With two members out of the band, at this time, the line up was only me, Thiago and Renato (guitar). Latter on Feliz join us playing bass and in 2002 Barata started to play drumm for the band. When Barata joined us was when we became a grindcore band. We never saw him playing but he lived in our neighborhood, that's why we invited him. In the first pratice with Barata we realized we could play faster and we mixed the anger and urgency of the 80's brazilian punk bands with the grindcore bands that we liked, like Napalm Death, ROT, Parental Advisory, Assuck, No Violence, Larm, Infest... The last change in the line up was in 2009, when Maurício replaced (this time not for political divergences) Feliz on bass. Maurício played bass for other bands like La Revancha and I Shot Cyrus, and was a perfect mix for us.Today I think we have a particular way to play grindcore. Sometimes we want to sound a little more death metal but we're not that good on our instruments and too punk rock for it hahahaha

Barata is the only one who always says for us to stay only in grindcore. I think we should kick him out of the band hahahahaThis mixture ends up in a sound like old Napalm Death with the urgency of punk rock. I think interesting, in a world of a lot of triggers and polished sound, technical musicians and hundreds of cymbals, we sound very simple and oldschool.

What makes Brazilian grindcore so unique in your opinion? What are some of your favorite bands, past and present?

I think it's the urgency and our political influences. The grindcore in Brazil always been much more close to punk/anarchopunk and the bands keeped this raw punk thing and add other elements from death metal. My favorite bands from the past are ROT, Parental Advisory, Brigada do Ódio, Plague Rages, Subcut, Desecration, No Sense, Subtera, Are You God?, No Violence, Abuso Sonoro... From the present, we have a lot of new bands like Obitto, TEST, NOIA, Lepra, Narayama, Baixo Calão and others that are playing for some years already like Facada, Desalmado, Expurgo, Social Chaos, Meant to Suffer and Hutt.

Can you tell me what albums from Brazilian bands have influenced you to want to make music?

Many albums but few grindcore albums hahahah. Ratos de Porão is a very important band to us. We listened to Cruscificados pelo Sistema and Descanse em Paz and we wanted to sound like this records. Sepultura's Bestial Devastation, Arase and Chaos AD, Sarfocago's INRI, etc...

Racionais MC's is a hip hop band from São Paulo that we consider a liberation on the politic field. This group is responsible for educate a lot of people from the suburbs. We came from the same neighborhood as they are and we are heavily influenced by them

 I have done a few interviews already, and I see a trend in everyone's answers mentioning how the political climate in Brazil has really influenced them to want to start a grindcore band. Can you tell me about how things are where you are from, and how does it affect you personally and how does it influence the song writing in the band.

Grindcore for us was something that comes out naturally, we knew how crushing the life is and grindcore was the style that fits us. I remember the feel when I started to do guttural vocals and the lyrics passing by my mind and then from a suffocant feeling I start to fell more relieved.

The band started in on of the poorest and violent neighborhood of são paulo, in the begining we only have contact with punk gangs but we thought that was not very smart and could not feed what we fell at the time

Tell me about the city where D.E.R. is from..Is there a huge scene right now? What are your local show like?

We are from São Paulo, capital of the state of... São Paulo hahaha. Our scene is not that big, we have small gigs at small bars and clubs almost every weekend. Sometimes one of two gigs during the week. In the past the gigs during the week was always empty but nowadays the people are going and thats a real good thing. It's hard to have a gig with only grindcore bands, we mix other styles and the result is a line up very interesting. 

Do you feel there are any Brazilian grind bands that were overlooked by fans of extreme music in Europe or North America?

Yeah, for sure. It's very rare to see somebody talking about a band from South America. Of course, there are exceptions but I think this is a cultural problem not only for music. We have this problem too, we only know very few bands from the other countries from south america. Bands from USA when go to europe they are treated different and vice-versa. But thats ok, we're alive since the beginning of the 80's when Brigada do Ódio did blastbeats before Napalm Death hahahah

TEST

What can I say about Test? This band is one of the most original bands currently decimating my ear drums on a regular basis. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with them at OEF Mexico and this summer they will be sharing a van with my band Disrotted for a week as we tour the Midwest. Hands down my favorite 2 piece (and there's plenty of them out there). If you are not familiar with these guys, do yourself a favor and check them out. 

1) Hi Joao, thank you for agreeing to this interview! I want to say first that I am a big fan of the band Test. While there are the elements of grindcore there, you two are able to throw in elements of sludge, black metal, hardcore, thrash and everything else into 2-3 minute songs. I love the originality of the band! Can you tell me what your influences are for Test, and what is the writing process like for your band?

João - Thank you, man!

You're right, our influences are averything you said. The classics death metal bands and grindcore, are my biggest influencies. 

Barata - I begun with punk rock and then some classic grindcore bands. Nowadays i'm very influenced by some rock n roll from the 70's.

João - We're not a band that practice a lot, most of the times I came with some riffs and the structure of the song in mind, show to Barata and he puts the drums. In one practice session the song is already done.

2) Since your style isnt as traditional grindcore, do you find it hard for Test to fit in on shows? Or is there no big difference really? I saw that you opened for Mayhem recently, can you tell me how that was?

 João - Actually it's easier, we play in all different scenes, punk, hardcore, metal, grind, crust, harshnoise and even in the experimental scene. For us it's normal to play in a punk festival  with Rattus and in the other day to play with experimental noise, such as Kevin Drum. 

About the show with Mayhem was awesome. After the show the guys went to talk with us said they really liked us, for us was an honor. You can see this entire show on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slNot17LfhU

3) Now I am sure you have been asked this many many times, but can you tell me how the idea originated for Test to start playing these guerrilla type shows outside? There are countless videos of you guys online setting up generators in the middle of the street and playing to big crowds. Can you explain to me the process of picking where to play? What are some crazy stories you can share about playing these type of shows?

João - Here, just like the rest of the world, not so many people go to small shows, but the heavy metal shows, with bands from other countries are aways sold out, so I had this idea of playing ouside the venues before or after the shows. There always a lot of people outside! 

The people like that we bring everything and the risk of being caught by the police and support us 100%. This made Test well known in the whole country because  in these shows, a lot of metal fans come from other parts of Brazil to São Paulo, where this big bands always play. Our dream is to do this in other countries.

4) How old are you guys and how long have you been in the extreme metal and punk scene? What bands influenced you growing up to want to play in a band?

João - I have 34 yers old, I begun in the sao paulo grindcore scene in 96. The biggest influence of my life was Sepultura, right after them Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Carcass, among others. I think it will be very difficult any new band to overcome these masters.

Barata - I'm 32 and I joined my first grindcore band, D.E.R., in 2002. I started playing drums in 1996 because of the Ramones, and they're my biggest influence in everything. In extreme metal and punk, my influences are Napalm Death, Terrorizer, Brutal Truth, Repulsion, Yacopsae. 

5) What I love about Brazilian extreme music is that you have bands like Test, Subcut, New York Against the Belzebu, Academic Worms etc etc and they all sound different and unique in their own way. What are some of your favorite current bands that you play with that people who dont live in Brazil should know about? What does Brazilian grindcore mean to you, and what makes Brazil unique and different than the bands in say Sweden or England?

João - The Death/Grind scene in Brazil is fucking awesome! We have Rot, Facada, D.E.R., Hutt, Subcut, Infamous Glory among other. It's a shame these bands don't tour much...

Barata - Also Baixo Calão, O Cúmplice, Cruel Face, Terror Revolucionário, Unfit Scum.

The people who are into grindcore in Brazil, they trully love grindcore and even if they live in one of the poorest and forgotten parts of the country they will love to receive any band in their houses, give you the best food they have and make sure you're havin fun. One of the reasons why I love brazilian grindcore scene.

I think what makes us different is that we have some serious shitty equipment hahahah

6) What is the scene like in your city?

João - A lot of goodwill, a lot of bands, a lot of places to play, and a lot of people only complaining. It's a very active scene.

7) What can we expect next from Test?

João - We will release a split EP with D.E.R. (Barata also plays in D.E.R.). On this split, Test and D.E.R. share the same drum track in different songs. You have to listen each channel (L and R) separately to listen to each band. You can listen the first two songs in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDpXPWPzVdQ 

Besides that we are doing shows with special guests and this will result in a "Test Big Band", with the release of a record and some special shows with more them 15 people on stage.

 

Barata - And next mounth we will release two songs in a flexi disc. We have a vídeo of the first song on youtube, check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1XajmAqrhw

8) I remember being in high school and spending every hour of every day after school dubbing tapes, writing letters and going to the post office. What is the tape trading scene like right now in Brazil? I notice here more kids would rather download music and pay for the download than buy a physical copy of music. Is it the same there?

João - Here the tape trading scene is praticaly over, the old friends still send cds or tapes to each other but thsi is not what moves the scene. Happily there is a growth on cds, and mainly on, vinyl sales of underground bands.

Barata - Here I don't know any kid who paid for download music. Some friends paid to listen music on streaming on Rdio, but there are really few underground bands there.

9) How do you feel about the World Cup coming to Brazil? 

João - Everybody is talking about the Wold Cup here because there is so much inequality in Brazil, a lot of people don't have food, house, or school and the government spending billion to make everything looking perfect for this cup. 

A lot of people are very angry about this and will be a lot of demonstrations during the World Cup. But I'm sure, if Brazil win the cup, people will forget about everything and be happy about it.

NEW YORK AGAINST THE BELZEBU

Nelson is a member of NYAB and one hell of a nice guy! I am happy to be in contact with him as NYAB was one of the first noisecore bands I heard many years ago. They are continuing their assault in 2014 and have no indication of slowing down anytime soon. Enjoy!

Can you give me a little history lesson about NYAB. How long has the band been around? What lineup changes have there been throughout the years? What are some of the band's influences when recording?

Nelson: We started in June 1994 and still grinding. Only me is from the original line-up. We have some changes of members, not a lot if you think we are in 2014 now. But I always invited friends to play in NYAB, so, we had a lot of different people from varied styles playing in NYAB since 1994.   Its makes NYAB sounds great.

Our influences are very varied, but we tried not to be influenced when recording. This way is necessary to not sounds as another band.  Lyrics influences are our day-to-day life. 

But we like noie core and grind core in general… and metal and other styles also…   Some influences us to goodness, some influences us to hate…

What city does NYAB live in? Can you tell me about the scene there? How were things when NYAB first started, and how is it now?

Nelson:  We live in São Paulo, Brazil.  Now the scene here is almost dead, but in 90s scene was very active with a lot of bands and gigs. There´s just a few  bands from that time still grinding….   nothing compared to golden 90´s. When we started, scene was in ebullition, we born in the middle of storm. I was already in scene with my zine Rotthenness since 1990.

Over the many years, what are some essential Brazilian bands and releases that people should check out? Of course, there are famous bands like Rot, but what are some bands that people might have missed out on.

Nelson and Adilson: Well, talking only in noise/grind bands, there´s a lot of interesting bands as POLLUTIO SONAX, SCARRHOUS, SONIC TORMENT, T.D.N., PUTREFAÇÃO HUMANA, FECALOID, BAPHORIZATION, EXTREMA AFLIÇÃO CRUEL, SCOURGE SYSTEM, DISHARMONIC NOISE, MUSICAL ENEMIES, EREBO, just to mention a few underground Brazilian bands…Most of releases of these bands are tapes in limited copies. I couldn´t mention name of releases, sorry.  

 Do you have any favorite venues that NYAB has played? What shows have you played or seen that stick out in your mind?

Nelson: We open a show to DORSAL ATLANTICA in Rio de Janeiro back in 98. re  For irony, I was sick and a friend of mine used to play drums. We open a show to KRISIUN back in 1997 or 2000 (I don´t remember now – I need to check the flyer show).  Our show in a Festival in Portuguesa Stadium in 1999 was very good also, 10 minutes of show, but people asking for songs, its unforgettable to me.     

What makes Brazilian grindcore and noisecore unique and different than anywhere else in the world? What make you want to keep playing noisecore after all these years?

Nelson: I think that all difficulties in Brazil to do anything influences the bands to be angry most of others in the world. I mean difficulties in musical equipment, political corruption etc.. all of this makes us  angry a lot !!!!   I think I still making noise because it´s on my heart…  It’s running in my veins together with my blood.  Today morning, for example, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. thinking in a NYAB new release idea.  Its moving my life and helps me to forget the useless meaning of our boring life in this world.  I want to think in NYAB in bad moments in my life… it helps me in my every day life. 

Rotthenness zine has been around since the 90s. Can you tell me about the zine? Is it paper or online? How many issues have there been? Where can fans get a copy of this?

Nelson - I started the zine back in 1987 and stopped in 1991. It was 4 issues. In that time all was paper, never online.. Rottthenness zine dealed more with metal thing than punk/hc stuff.   First and second issues was xerocopied and other issues was made in official graphic.  Unfortunately its is available since years…   I have just the original “master”, not any copies….

Are there any record stores in Sao Paulo right now where fans can easily get copies of grindcore tapes and records? Or do people still rely on tape trading right now? With postage prices being so damn expensive, I imagine it is hard to get import albums most of the time.

Nelson -  There are so record stores as EXTREME NOISE where you can find this stuff, but tapes and tape trading now is very rare….  Brazil is not producing tapes anymore.  Shipping price always was expensive, but now is increased a lot. But who want the stuff, must pay and get the stuff. We are into this for the feeling, not for money.  If its expensive, let´s work more and buy… its what I think…

 Is there a problem with police and punk shows in Sao Paulo? Do police ever shut down shows or cause violence at shows? 

Nelson: In nowadays, not….   But in the 80´s and 90´s there were a lot of violence at the shows.   But now ther´s just some shows here and there….   In 80´s a lot of people came to the shows. Nowadays I think the scene is very down…  But we are here and we will put scene active again !!!

What can we expect from NYAB in the next year?

Nelson: Well, we intend to make 20 releases this year, to celebrate the 20 years of NYAB.  You can expect, for shure, NYAB/Deche Charge split EP, NYAB/Oral Protection split tape, NYAB/Psycho Sin split EP, NYAB – tribute to Kenny G, NYAB/Sposa in Alto Mare split cd and NYAB – a new cd, called BOM DIA BRASIL.  All this stuff is 100% sure you will get..   

  

CEPHALIC CARNAGE "LUCID INTERVAL"

2013 is wrapping up, and I have spent alot of time this year thinking back to the wonderful time that was 2002. As previously stated, I was living at home and running a tape label at the time. Dial up internet at my parents house was extremely slow, but I made the best of it. In 2002, I spent alot of time buying magazines - Maximum Rock N Roll, Metal Maniacs, Terrorizer, SOD and trading tapes for zines. Another source for discovering new music was a local radio show, run by some former members of Chicago gothic doom band November's Doom. I thank that radio show for introducing me to some fine black metal and stoner rock. The other source was the Razorback Records message board. For anyone that remembers it, will agree that it was a fine source for meeting others interested in noisecore, Impetigo, horror movies, harsh noise, Impetigo and well...Impetigo. Myspace eventually ruined everything, but that's another story.

One album that was constantly praised not only on the Razorback board, but pretty much everywhere at this time was Cephalic Carnage's "Lucid Interval" album. Thankfully during this time I was able to see CC play Chicago pretty much everytime they came through. The band had their now famous classic lineup, and they were on top of their game. Touring relentlessly, they were able to open shows here for Destruction and Kreator, Mastodon and Dysrythmia, while the following month being able to play next to bands like Kungfu Rick, Mortician and Deeds of Flesh. I will always remember their shows during this era and seeing them play these songs while throwing themselves around the stage like deranged lunatics. Lenzig's guttural belching, Jawsh, Zac and Steve's guitar acrobatics and the relentless jazz infused blast beats of John..The brutality these guys showed is yet to be matched at times. This was like watching Exit 13 and Mr. Bungle attempt to play grindcore songs, but their musical ADHD and love for Naked City taking over them. For a bunch of stoned dudes, I don't know how they had this much energy. Sadly, lineup changes and bad musical decisions ruined this band shortly after.

This album is for any fan of grindcore, yet isn't turned off when a band tries something new - like throw in a stoner rock song in the middle of the album, or have ambient and acoustic sections throw in. Even if that sounds like a turn off, I recommend this album for anyone into Exit 13, Naked City, and all in all well performed deathgrind that is extremely tight. This is the last testament to a band that was innovative and at their creative peak, on a label that was exiting it's own golden age.

HAUNTED HOTEL RECORDS

Ralph has been running Haunted Hotel Records for quite some time now, and if you love grindcore then you know and respect this label. It was only natural to want to interview him for this blog then. A man who is dedicated to the scene and the genre, and someone I have had the pleasure to call friend for some years now. Enjoy!

1) So man, let's start out by giving a little history lesson about HHR. When did it start exactly and what led you to want to start a label?''

Haunted hotel started in late 2001 with our first release coming out february 2002. The inception happened late one night just hanging out with my friend carlos, drinking beers and spinning records. We were watching the vinyl turn and just really admiring the actual record and thought to ourselves "man it would be dope to make our own".....I contacted the 2 bands I was listening to the most at the time (agathocles and godstomper) and they agreed to do a split. I'm still in touch with these bands (even past members).Alot of people don't know that HHR used to be run by 2 guys (myself and Carlos) but Carlos left NY after our 2nd release and the long distance partnership wasn't gonna work, so I carried the torch solo since 2003.Prior to HHR I ran a cassette label with some friends called EPICAC RECORDS (spelled wrong because we are stupid). We had the name long before mike Patton. We put out a few very short run tapes, basically in the vein of wheelchair full of old men, all stupid stuff, all inside jokes , really terrible. Some locals love that stuff but they get the jokes.

2) Postage rates continue to climb and by doing so destroy small record labels that are bedroom run. That, on top of more people downloading off of bandcamp or ripping albums from youtube, how do you continue to run a label and why? From personal experience, releases don't always break even, and for someone who has a family, have you ever wanted to just say fuck it?
The postage rates are a joke. They have tripled since i started the label. Total scam. I miss surface mail (for overseas) so much. I think considering the EXTREME postage increases, I havnt raised my prices too much. Im trying here. The day the post office gets rid of media mail, i will officially quit the label.
As far as breaking even, I've had to be a little more critical with trades, but my attitude has always been that i dont care if it takes me 10 years to break even....as long as i don;t lose majorly.
The bullshit attitudes and elitism makes me want to quit doing the label. I find myself saying FUCK IT more and more these days. Its really become a thankless job. I know that doesnt go for everyone. Alot of people think money grows on trees, bands and "fans". And I really hate that a releases literally cannot be out for a day without people wanting to download it for free. Its almost like they feel entitled to it. People should really consider that NO ONE is really MAKING any money here. Its just an effort to recoup. We do it for the passion.

3) Have you lived in Yonkers your whole life? Is there a scene there, or are the bands mostly in NYC?

I havn't lived in Yonkers for 12 years. The Haunted Hotel PO BOX is still located there though. I grew up on the Yonkers/Woodlawn/Bronx border (literally the border,Mclean ave/E.238th st). I moved to the Morris Park section of the Bronx for a few years, and recently I moved to the Pelham/New Rochelle area (right outside the Bronx, near Orchard Beach).
Yonkers never really had a scene. In the early to mid 90's there was a great record store called ROCKIN' REX. They would do free shows almost every weekend, even got out of town bands to play. AFI even played there. The store is still sorely missed. In 1998, 3 friends and myself owned and operated a DIY venue called THE SMOKEY TOOTH. It didnt last very long because one of the guys involved was a herion junkie and he literally robbed us down to the last penny. Stole all money and all equipment. We had no choice but to can it. Prior to the tooth (1996-1998)my crew booked shows at VFW'S, bars, church halls, basically anyplace that would let us book shows. We still book shows on occasion in yonkers , but not too often just because we're all old and very busy with daily life stuff (work , kids etc). One thing that drives me nuts is that people think yonkers is so far away from everything, and alot of people wont leave the city to attend a show in yonkers, even though the subway will take you here.
As far as yonkers having a scene.......not really. Yonkers is definatly more known for death metal (mortician,malignancy, and immolation all from here) and its also known for rap (dmx,the lox,d-block,cuban linx and big puns widow live in my moms building ), A few NYHC bands are also from YO (breakdown,killing time, paul from sheer terror lived here,and now abject!) Im sure im forgetting some crucual HC bands.....


4) Past and present, what are some NY grind/hardcore bands people should know that have gone unnoticed? And then, what are some bands in general that should have gotten/should be getting more attention from the grind community?

That list is endless. Esp when talking HC/PUNK. One of my favorite bands of all time is AWKWARD THOUGHT. They put out 3 cd's , 1 lp , 2 7 inches and 2 tapes. Just really perfectly executed negative hardcore with some of the most distinct vocals ever. Another blip on the radar was a short lived band called EVACUATE. Fast as hell with clean vox. Really great. THE MALAJUSTED were also great! As far as grind, I always felt DISASSOCIATE were very overlooked. Also felt that (now reunited) ASSTROLAND were also overlooked / under rated. THE COMMUNION really kept what little grind scene we had alive when it was at an all time dead, and they deserve alot of credit for that. ABJECT are the hardest working band on the NYHC scene and are getting some attention now and for good reason.

5) What is next up for HHR?

I finally released EMBALMING THEATRE - "UNAMUSED RANCID FLESH" on vinyl after so many delays and bullshit. It came out great. BIRDFLESH/PLF split LP/CD/CASS is at the plant, CRIPPLE BASTARDS - "LIVE TO HATE PEOPLE" is also at the plant. After that you can expect AMPUTEE / TRIAC split 5" , BEAST IN HEAT - "ROCKY ROAD TO EUPHORIA" CD , THE KILL/ANTIGAMA/NOISEAR 7 inch box set , VIOLENT GORGE TAPEOGRAPHY CD , SOIL OF IGNORANCE / ENDLESS DEMISE split 7" , plus lots more shit. No signs of slowing down what so ever.

6) Im going to name some hip hop artists and tell me what comes to mind..ready?
- Wu Tang Clan
-Mos Def
-Jay Z
- Atmosphere

Ok brother, now you have struck a nerve. Most people I know (who are my age and into grind,hc etc) grew up listening to metal. I did not. From 1986-1994 I was a militant hip hop fanatic! I still am , but during that era this was 90% of my listening. Yes, even as a little kid (i was 8 years old in 86) I was listening to rap. My Dad had the first 2 RUN DMC records and i was obsessed with them (esp king of rock). When I was old enough to figure out how the radio worked, i would always listen to it. I'd sneak out of bed, put on headphones and listen to DJ RED ALERT, CHUCK CHILLOUT,MARLY MARL etc etc, I'd make alot of tapes recorded off the radio. I still have alot of those tapes. Anyways, flash forward to 1992. I would listen to CRUCIAL CHAOS on 89.1 fm (WNYU) on thursday nights (GOT ME INTO SO MUCH COOL HC/PUNK ETC!!!) After Crucual Chaos, the hip hop show would come on from 10.30 - 1.00 am. I listened religiously. DJ MARTIN M was the host. Its never really talked about , but DJ MARTIN M broke WU TANG. He started playing "PROTECT YA NECK" , people were calling up BUGGING THE FUCK OUT. "YO WHAT WAS THAT, WHO DID YOU JUST PLAY....PLAY IT AGAIN" etc, so after like 6 weeks of playing them non stop, he actually got them to come in and he interviewed them. (snippets from that interview were featured on the first wu tang album). That night they played the whole 12" (protect ya neck/after the laughter (called tearz on the album)) and then the song "method man" and one other song (cant remember).......I taped this and people knew i had it. I started lending it out. It came back to me autographed by all sorts of graf writers of the time. It went all over the place. Im surprised i even got it back. Literally over 100 people made a copy of my radio tape. Point being, people, including myself were going absolutley ape shit over the wu tang stuff in 1992 before they even had anything out, just a few songs taped off an underground hip hop show. Mos Def, jay z and atmosphere - blah.
I could talk about the "golden age" of hip hop forever. If there was a game show or trivia contest for it, i'd win.