Hi Scott, first, can you remember a bit your time in Fountainhead ?
I can remember the whole time. We played some cool shows, there were a lot of fights at shows back then, our first show there was a big fight between nazi skinheads and straight edge kids. We were the first band to play the first more than music festival in ohio, i met so many people at that show that i am still friends with today. The record is cool, we were way broken up when it came out. There is a few songs up on myspace.
How did you end up in the hardcore scene ?
I found hardcore through skateboarding and a friend's older brother, but I found out about the Misfits, Suicidal Tendencies, Adolescents, then Minor Threat, Bad Brains. But then an older skater friend said hey there are bands like the Cro-Mags, Agnostic Front and Youth of Today that play at CBGB, so we started going to shows at CB's and all the other spots as far as we could get.
Let's continue with Texas is the Reason. What were your biggest influences when you started this band ?
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We were into a lot of different stuff : early rock'n roll, Dischord Records, Creation Records bands, other bands in NYC that we were friends with...Texas is the Reason's biggest influence was Chris Daly's amazing parents and the east village of NYC.
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Why did you choose Revelation for a label ?
We talked to a few labels and we thought Revelation was the label that would be best for us at the time. I think we were right.
Did you feel a connection with the other Rev bands at that time ?
I think we felt a connection because we knew exactly what Revelation was, we all were such big fans of the early records they put out.
Did you feel part of an emo scene or a whatever scene ?
There was no "emo scene", there were friends who were friends with in NYC from other bands we were in, friends we had in the neighbourhood, people we worked with, etc...I guess I felt like a part of something, the East Village then and coming from the hardcore scene and my work at the time, I felt like everything was part of a community of some sort.
What was the best thing during the Sense Field / Texas is the Reason tour ?
Getting to see Scott McPherson play drums every night.
Do you feel comfortable about being remembered as an emo band ?
I love it.
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Do you consider Texas is the Reason as a hardcore band in some way ?
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Besides the mosh parts in our songs, no we never said we were a hardcore band.
What is your favorite Texas is the Reason song ?
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Honestly, they all are.
How do you feel about the reunion show in 2006 ?
It was shocking and beautiful.
Can you talk a bit about this label you created "grapeOS" ?
GrapeOS was a label my friend David and I did, we put out a few cds, mostly singles of our friend's bands, I really like the stuff we put out. The Sergio Vega EP was so fun to make as was the first New Rising Sons EP. Too bad we never got to the Greyhouse discography, I guess it's coming out.
How did you make the connection with Jonah Matranga for New End Original since he didn't really come from the hardcore scene ?
Jonah was friend with Norman and Charlie, I met him when he was in Far but never knew him really.
What was it like to play in New End Original ?
The shows were fun, everything else was a headache.
What about House and Parish ?
I love H+P, we are all best friends. That's funny, we always talk about playing and when we try, we play for 10 minutes and hang out and talk for the rest. Last time we just met at the practice space we didn't even play. Maybe when we get some more time?
Do you have a musical project right now ?
I always like to think I have a musical project happening, I am always playing music. A band? There is always talk of a band.
What is the most important band you played in for you ?
I learned so much from every musical situation I have been a part of. I wish some of the projects came more to fruition but I feel honored to be able to play with some of the musicians I have played with.
I would like to go on with more personnal ones. What hardcore meant for you besides a particular music style ?
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When I went to a show, I knew I would be around friends and I knew I would be with people that were into for the most part similar things, there was an open invitation to speak your mind and be yourself. It was a great agent to expose some people to some things they would never think about. I am glad I learned what I learned from it.
What playing music means to you ?
The energy music brings out in me can't be described, it's the happiest and the saddest, the most satisfying and frustrating thing I ever been a part of.
Were you straight-edge and what is your view on it ?
Yes I was straight-edge. My view on it ? I never really thought about it. I wasn't a part of the militant world, I never even put X's on my hands. I don't get the whole obsession with the time period it came from and became most popular. Overall it is one of the greatest things I did for myself. I fully believe in a clean healthy lifestyle.
Are you still excited about music today ?
When I hear something I like, I get just as excited, I'll tell you that most of the stuff I thought was great then is not so good now. Althought i do still love some old stuff.
Do you still feel out of step with world today ?
Not according to the lyrics of the Minor Threat's song, but yes.
How about 9/11 tragedy ?
I am lucky to not lose any close family or friends to 9-11, I also am lucky to not be in New-York when it happened or I might have a lot of different feelings.
What do you think of your new president Obama ?
Let's get into some change. Hopefully, he will keep his promises but I really don't trust politicians.
How about France ?
I love Europe, I haven't spent much time in France but really loved it when I was there.
