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Interview
by SashaS
4-4-2003
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More on: Killswitch Engage
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| Killswitch Engage mean self-revolution |
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Manic cure
Killswitch Engage’s graphic debate
Ten months ago, when the Killswitch Engage’s second album ‘Alive Or Just Breathing’ was released, a statement of intent was issued by the band’s singer, Jesse Leech, summing up that he wanted “people to feel the urgency and desperation I feel; I want people to stop and think about what’s going on instead of walking through life. Hence, the title: are you alive or are you just taking in the air?” Critical acclaim and forming of a small army of fans were the reaction to this thunderous and potent offering.
But then, with the album a month only on display, the band received an e-mail from their singer, who was at home visiting his family, informing them he was quitting. What would be the answer to his own question of now-former singer Leech? The man bailed out to be replaced by Howard Jones. We hook up with the band’s founder/bassist Mike D’Antonio to discuss a number of topics.
Switch of a vocalist so early in your career is not a very positive move; what caused his departure?
“We started touring in May but soon afterwards Jesse decided to quit. He could not handle the amount of touring we were doing and he was always running out of voice and after four days would need to rest… He got married, looked to the future and realised that he’d need to make records and tour them and his heart wasn’t into it. It was just a bunch of things…”
“We had to come off touring and look for another vocalist and we auditioned a lot of people who could imitate Jesse’s style but bring nothing else to the band’s sound. Howard called me, I’d known him from his previous band, Blood Has Been Shed, and knew that he was the best in our area. As soon as he got with us, it was clear that he could sing, had a great attitude and we could hang out with him. And, he really digs the songs, he can identify with what Jesse wrote and said that it could have been the lyrics he had written. He has settled in completely.”
Nocturnal tryouts
The band came together out of personnel from different bands playing around Massachusetts: guitarist Joel Stroezel and drummer (now guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz from Aftershock, D’Antonio from Overcast. (The fifth member is drummer Tom Gomes.) Killswitch Engage self-titled debut release appeared in 2000 on independent label (Ferret Records) and early last year they began writing ‘Alive Or…’; Dutkiewicz – also known for his production work with underground groups such as From Autumn To Ashes and Unearth – was asked to helm the production duty.
You’ve been touring the album for a while; how has it survived the road challenge?
“The songs from the album haven’t changed much by our touring aside speeding up tempo here and there, with things being a bit more emotionally charged on stage, but we pretty much stick to the recorded versions. It just proves that we are very proud of the record. There is never any discussion about changing anything on it… Well, having our member produce the album, it was really relaxed, no tension, no stress, he’s an easygoing guy and would never push you to do something if it is not going. He’d tell you to comeback another day… But, it’s also been the longest I’ve spent in a studio working on one record, five and a half months!”
No surprise the album earned the band accolades and hailing as one of ‘The Hottest New Bands of 2002’; do you feel you have lived up to the billing?
“We are only trying to do the best we can and it is really great if people think that way. I’m glad that we are able to do this, I’ve been at it for 16 years, I started at the age of 13… But, you know, what I see as the most important thing for music to do is to empower people rather than bring them down with depressing lyrics, it is so boring. I hope it sends people message, we are trying.”
Ínsurrection of one
Killswitch Engage’s music is aimed at encouragement of self-discovery and enjoying every moment, not wasting it moping in a corner or living via a cathode-ray tube. All-affecting through a medium of voluminous beauty, brutal rhythms, melodious desperation and urgent riffing. But, to get to that place, we need to walk through the mall of the consumer enlightenment and learn to laugh off hype.
D’Antonio is a graphic designer by profession – responsible for all of the band’s artwork and T-shirts – and works on other projects when the band duty allows him.
“Yeah, I work on tour as well, just bring my laptop along and I’m set up. I work for Clear Channel, one of the biggest booking agencies in the US and have done billboards for a lot of acts, some really big ones, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Jane’s Addiction, Janet Jackson, Weezer…”
So, you don’t have time to really rest when the band is inactive?
“No, and I’d wish I had a little more time off to hang out with my cats a bit. I’m not complaining, I love what I’m doing, with a band or designing.”
You tour during a wartime…
“We don’t need the war, we can surely do without it! What I’d like to see is the Iraqi war NOT happening.”
Tour dates:
04 April – Cockpit, Leeds
05 April – Garage, Glasgow
06 April – Academy 2, Manchester
07 April – Academy 2, Birmingham
08 April – Fire Station, Bristol
09 April – Mean Fiddler, London
10 April – Concorde 2, Brighton
11 April – Kerrang! Weekender, Camber Sands
SashaS
4-4-2003
Killswitch Engage album ‘Alive Or Just Breathing’ is available now on Roadrunner
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