June 15, 2010

Interview

Interview with SOCIAL HARDCORE (new zine from Australia). Should be out within a few weeks' time, contains much Aussie content and an interview with URBAN BLIGHT. No idea how or where to purchase. Figure it out.



Alright, let’s get all the Jerry’s Kids related questions out of the way first because it has to be done. Favorite recordings? Why? Is there an 80’s record with a better drumming performance seen on ‘Is This My World?’ And this might be me over-analyzing but is the front cover of ‘Proper Execute’ a homage to the aforementioned classic?


(Ben) "Is This My World?" is probably the definitive Boston hardcore record, even more so than "This is Boston..." depending on your perspective. I guess there aren't too many drum performances from that era that mated so well with the music, it is the one of the most exhilarating pioneering USHC LP's. One of those records I don't even need to listen to anymore its so embedded in my ears. As for the artwork, we had a few ideas hashed out, but Ryan from Raw Nerve offered us the photograph design that became the cover, something that seems to blend into the sea of B/W in the 7” bins yet still seems to hold it's own. It is a very ambiguous photo and fits the mood pretty well if you ask me. No real intentional nod beyond the strength in it's simplicity.

I have scarce amounts of information regarding Much Worse so the only solid reference point I have is the 7”. You’ve produced a record consisting of high quality hardcore; it seems like an orchestrated effort. I’m interested to know if the band members have done time in other projects? If so, how did these lead to the conception of Much Worse?

(Ben) Without embellishment, Much Worse is the sum of it's parts. Our drummer and bass player played in bands that provided much exposure and continue to play in other projects. Steven especially has been playing hard-hitting punk rock since the 90's and his intuition adds a ton to my riffs. Neither Max or I had done anything notable, I had been playing fast punk and hardcore with other drummers and shit for years just dialing in the songwriting and as Max was constantly present, even before taking over vocals, was able to easily translate the energy when he put himself in the position to.

Max, can you talk a little about what your lyrics are about? I’m not getting any clear themes from reading the record insert. Are any of them a product of where you live? Minneapolis seems quite in-land, does this fuck with you? I say this because the majority of people in Australia live by the coast.
(Max) The majority of the lyrics are things Ben has written. I took it upon myself to take some of this content and present it in an energetic and convincing fashion. The content across Proper Execute hinges on no common theme, these are just experiences expressed in short concise efforts. As to our location, having not lived in any other region for a significant amount of time, we're not really sure. The winters can be long and punishing if you're not acclimated to it and can leave one feeling isolated. This does offer plenty of time for practicing and working on music though.

Do you have any aspirations (studying/careers etc) outside of recording good music or has hardcore ruined you life?

(Ben) Right now all of us are working full-time, minus Logan who, for the time being, is happily and gainfully unemployed. I'm personally trying to delay college as long as possible, amassing debt just to start working a job making the same salary I'm making now seems like a scam. I'd rather have decent work experience and as long as I get to gig and make records it seems worth it.

What do your parents think of you playing loud abrasive music on the weekend?

(Max) All of our parents are open minded enough to appreciate the band for what it is, some more than others. I think as long as I'm not making porno or addicted to heroin, they're seemingly proud.

Matt from Condominium recorded your EP. Were you generally happy with the outcome? To me, I’m getting a similar vibe to the sound of your more obvious influences (Jerry’s Kids/Poison Idea) but it has a darkness to it that a lot of modern bands seem to have. Was this intentional?

(Ben) Matt did a terrific job engineering the recording and we are nothing but pleased with the results. As for the impressions of a darkness that you mention... I would like to think that because hardcore is just a traditional form of music that is supposed to be a demented reflection of our culture, the more absurd and bleak said culture is, the more "darkness" will be inherent in the music. None of it's intentional on our part, we just fucking play.

What’s next for the band? I see you’re on the No Way Fest 2010 lineup, playing alongside Chronic Sick would have to be pretty special I assume.

(Max) I am getting work done on a Midwest/East coast U.S. tour for August. No Way fest in November will be a new experience for us and we look forward to it. Repress will happen before the August tour from Pass Judgement and No Way. We will have another 7" recorded and hopefully out around the end of the year.