Endless
ENDLESS, Pittsburgh Old School Hardcore. These guys have been around since 1993, and they're still going strong. New cd "Decade of Obscurity" is out now on Da'Core Records, make sure to pick it up.
February 2004 Featured Band: Endless
Interview with vocalist Eric Corbin
Interview by DJ BUSHMADO
BUSHMADO: Could you give us a history of ENDLESS? You guys have been together since 1993 right?
E: Yep. Dan Krajewski (guitar) and Ken Seeman (bass) were jamming with our original drummer Ken Wolf in the fall/winter of 1993. I went out to see them a couple times, but didn’t join until early 1994. We were a lot thrashier back in the early days. As you can tell by the live tracks on the new CD. We’ve had several drummers over the years, but the core of the band has always been Dan, Ken and myself. Out last drummer Kurt Leibman had to quit last year due to health reasons. He was with us a about 5 years or so. We now have Todd Guerrieri back in the fold. Todd played drums on our first CD. He also played for This Tortured Soul and also currently plays for Dofka. Our 3rd CD “Decade of Obscurity” just came out on January 13th.
BUSHMADO: So how are things with ENDLESS? What's new? Care to talk about the new cd "Decade of Obscurity" ?
E: Things are good with us. The new CD is doing pretty well out of the box. It contains 4 new songs, a cover of Suicidal Tendencies’ “Subliminal” and two live tracks. It was recorded with Kurt on drums early last year a Eric Klinger’s (Pro-Pain/Built Upon Frustration) studio and was meant to for shopping purposes. Then Kurt started having health problems and couldn’t continue with the band. We didn’t want to go back into the studio with another drummer to finish a full length. We didn’t feel that would be fair to Kurt who helped us write the songs. So we put it out as an EP.
We also have tracks coming out on two tribute CDs through Cleopatra Records. Tributes to The Offspring and Green Day. We aren’t really into those bands, but they threw money at us to do them and it helps expose the band. We take their songs and make hardcore versions out of them. We did “Sessions” for the Offspring one. It is so fast I have a hard time singing it live. Both of those compilations will be out this spring sometime.
BUSHMADO: What is your favorite track off the new cd and why?
E: That’s really hard to say. I guess “Only Us” or “Step To It.” The new songs kind of have a theme to them. Sticking to your guns and not changing for anyone. We are an old school hardcore band that draws more people out of town than in our own home town of Pittsburgh and that sucks. Sorry we’re not going to become a “beat down” or Metal-core band because that’s what the flavor of the month is. There are enough good bands out there doing that. The world doesn’t need one more. We’ve been at this for 10 years. I’ve seen styles and trends come and go. We do what we do because we love it.
BUSHMADO: On the cd cover, who's fists are those?, and is the 1993 and the 2003 a tattoo, or was it added?
E: That’s Sammy the Butcher’s fists. Dirty fingernails and all. He has “Hardcore” tattooed across his knuckes. I added the 1993-2003 in Photoshop.
BUSHMADO: Who did the killer ENDLESS cartoon artwork on the back cd?
E: Felix LaFlamme in Quebec. He brother Hughes does the layouts for BW&BK magazine. I kept seeing these really cool cartoon renditions of bands in the magazine and they were always signed “LaFlamme” so I thought Hughes did them. I contacted him and he told me it was actually his brother Felix and he only spoke French. So Hughes did a lot of translation for us. The design was actually going to be for the cover. When it was finished it actually looked a little too much like Pro-Pain’s “Round 6” album cover. Being friends with those guys I sent it to them to see what they thought. They thought it was great and didn’t have a problem with us using. I was still apprehensive about using it. I didn’t want it to look like we were ripping off their idea or anything, so we put it on the back instead. I want to make a poster of it. At least for myself.
BUSHMADO: Who is currently playing drums in the band?
E: Todd Guerrieri. Awesomely solid drummer.
BUSHMADO: Have you played any shows lately? Any upcoming shows you'd like to plug?
E: We had our CD release party at The Smiling Moose on the South Side on December 20th with Built Upon Frustration and The Cheats. Then we played with our friends N.D.E. from Cleveland at the 31st St. Pub on January 9th. We have some out of town dates in early February. Erie and Toledo. We are supposed to play the Moose again with Submachine in late February or early March. There is no date for that show set yet. We are doing out of town weekends until the spring when we hope to go out for 7 to 10 days. We have an agent we’re working with now. So we’re hoping things will go a lot smoother.
BUSHMADO: I heard there was a ENDLESS music video, with the dude from Overkill in it? Care to talk about it? Will it ever surface? And do you think you'll make another video?
E: Videos are expensive. We did two videos off the first “s/t” CD. One for “Punk at Heart” and one for “Misunderstood.” A friend of mine, Larry Dawgiello and I used to do a video show on PCTV called The Gallow’s Pitt. Larry used to do videos for a lot of local bands back then. Section 315, Eviction, etc.
For “Misunderstood” we snuck into an abandoned factory in the strip district. “Punk at Heart” was a performance video with random people cut in screaming “Punk at Heart.” Bobby from Overkill, Freddy and Hoya from Madball, Lee from Cathedral, JC from Dog Eat Dog and my favorite Porn Star Teri Wiegal. Teri did it nude on a couch with her legs spread. It was awesome. Of course that is in the “uncensored” version. Maybe one day we’ll be able to release a DVD with all that cool stuff on it.
BUSHMADO: Out of all the shows ENDLESS has played, can you think of 2 that stand out as the best?
E: We try to have fun where ever we play. I remember playing with Hatebreed before they got signed to Victory in a small town in Hagarstown, MD. We were touring on our first CD and they were touring on that split 7 in. they did with Integrity. Cold As Life was supposed to play that show, but didn’t make it. That’s when I first met Jamey. We’ve been friends ever since. Then they signed to Victory like 3 months later and became huge.
We also played with Nonpoint down in Ft. Lauderdale, FL while touring on that CD. They were on a small indie label called Jugular. We were actually going to sign with them as well, but the label when under before anything was finalized. Just our luck. Now Nonpoint is on MCA or something with videos on MTV. Those two shows stand out to me because those bands became huge. But I’m not bitter. lol
BUSHMADO: So how are things with your label "Da' Core Records"? Will there be a Steel City Agression 6 cd?
E: Yep Steel City Aggression Vol. 6 is being worked on now. Bands can go to the Da’ Core website for more information (www.da-core.com). Right now the song deadline is set for March 31st. I’m trying to have it out this summer.
BUSHMADO: Will Da' Core Magazine ever put out another issue? I personally miss reading the mag.
E: A lot of people are missing it. One of my writers, Cheyenne” started her own zine about a year ago called “Metalheads,” but only put out one issue. I just don’t have time to do it anymore. I work at Inside Out Music America full time, but do Da’ Core, plus the band, plus I’m remoldeling my house right now. I’m lucky I have time to sleep.
BUSHMADO: What exactly is "Inside Out Music"?
E: Inside Out is a Progressive Rock and Metal label. The main office is in Germany, but the US office is based here in Pittsburgh. The US division is run by Jim Pitulski who is originally from here. He worked at Combat, Polygram, Columbia and managed bands like Dream Theater. On the metal side we have bands like Symphony X, Evergrey and Devin Townsend from Strapping Young Lad’s solo stuff. Evergrey has a video on Headbanger’s Ball right now. The rock side of things is a little more traditional prog with bands like The Flower Kings, Enchant and Spock’s Beard. We also put out Steve Hackett from Genesis’ solo albums, Steve Howe from Yes’ solo albums, the guys from Kansas, Trey Gunn from King Crimson, etc. The label has been based in Pittsburgh for about 4 years and has over 100 releases in the US.
BUSHMADO: What are your thoughts on the Pittsburgh Heavy Music Scene?
E: Oh man, were should I start! I am sick and tire of all the shit talking that goes on around here. Pittsburgh’s scene is way too small for that shit. Band’s need to help each other and stick together not put each other down. I’ve been saying that for years, but no one seems to listen. Until that day comes the bands are going to be stuck playing shit holes for 30-50 people instead of the nicer clubs for 200 people. Its as simple as that. We don’t play Pittsburgh that often and that’s why.
BUSHMADO: What are your thoughts on Pittsburgh in general? What do you like most about the city, and what do you hate most?
E: Right now I’m hating the winter. Its so fucking cold. It’s a tough city to be a heavy musician in because of what we were just talking about. Plus the fact that the guy to girl ratio in Pittsburgh is like 8 to 2. Plus that fact that we are taxed beyond belief and they keep trying to raise them. Plus all our politicians are crooks. We only have a couple places to play. The PA Liquor board makes it extremely difficult for clubs to do all ages shows. When a city has to take out ads on TV asking people not to leave you know its fucked up. The Pirates and Steelers sucked this year. The Penguins are sucking now. I’m in a bad mood because is been so cold for so long. lol
BUSHMADO: Favorite TV show(s)?
E: Chapelle's Show, Insomniac, Sopranos if it every comes back on, South Park
BUSHMADO: Favorite Movie(s)?
E: The Lord of the Ring trilogy blew my mind. Friday and Oh Brother Where Art Thou are the two funniest movies I’ve ever seen.
BUSHMADO: Favorite Website(s)?
E: www.da-core.com , www.suicidegirls.com
BUSHMADO: Favorite Magazine(s)?
E: Full Contact, LCF, Under The Volcano, Caustic Truths, FUG, MAG, Chord, Sucker, While You were Sleeping, Lollipop, High Wire, Transcending The Mundane, Dirt Culture, Revolver… just to name a few.
BUSHMADO: Top 5 All Time Favorite Bands?
E: Sick of it All, Dropkick Murphys, Agnostic Front, Blood For Blood & Discipline
BUSHMADO: Top 5 All Time Favorite Albums?
E: Oh I don’t know anything from the above.
BUSHMADO: What is your current playlist?
E: I actually got bored with a lot of newer stuff. Right now I’m spinning the new Science Fiction Idols which I love, The Distillers, old Rancid, old Murphy’s Law because I found them used for a buck. The new Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly CDs were in my player for a while. I was listening to the Best of Judas Priest on the way to work this morning.
BUSHMADO: What are your thoughts on the world in it's current state? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
E: How do you know President Bush is lying? His lips move. That fucker needs to go. He’s a puppet. I am tired of big business running this country. We went over to Iraq clearly for to appease the big oil companies and gas prices are still outrageous. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. Next time can we have a little lube before you fuck us in ass please? I am tired of people losing their jobs to foreign trade. We’ve all but lost our steel industry to Japan. We need to fence up our boarders and look to ourselves again. Go back to growing our own foods, producing our own cars and electronics. Put people to work. Do you see where the President wants to offer illegal aliens 3 year passes to work and stay in the US as long as they “promise” to leave after their 3 years is up? What the fuck is that? I have no problem with someone wanted to come to this country legally to work and make a better life for themselves, but there is definitely something fishy going on there.
BUSHMADO: What can we expect from ENDLESS in 2004?
E: Play as many different cities as possible. Hopefully do a small tour in early summer and start working on a new full length.
BUSHMADO: Anything you'd like to add or close with?
E: Thanks for the interview and supporting Pittsburgh local music scene. It is greatly appreciated. Check out Da’ Core Records at www.da-core.com and pick up the new Endless CD.
LINKS:
Da'Core Records
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