Earth Crisis interview

Yes, we are headlining the Maryland Metalfest on January 27th.

Every band and their mom's band.

Well we've had plenty of Freya and Path shows in Syracuse and Earth Crisis played a lot of shows in Syracuse when we were going, of course. I think Maryland is a really good place to have a show because kids can come up from the South, down from the North, and in from the Midwest, it's a prime location overall. Scott (Crouse, guitar) I think hooked it up for that very reason. As for the reason, we've been getting offers for tours and fests in the U.S. and Europe pretty much since Earth Crisis broke up at Hellfest '01 there have been plenty of opportunities. I think that between 2001 and now, our other bands have gotten out all over the world, through records and shows, with the Path, Isolated, Freya and Ragmen but we realized that a lot of kids that might have been younger, like middle school or high school who grew up in a sense with EC but never had a chance to see us, it just seems like the right time for those kids and everyone else whose been with EC throughout the years. Before Freya heads out on the road with Since The Flood and possibly 25TaLife and Damnation AD, EC will be able to practice and get a set list going and it'll work out well.

I would say that the hardcore that's around today is not the kind of hardcore we play. I mean when compared to what's big now, for the most part, that's not something we are a part of. Our kind of hardcore is bands like Merauder, Candiria, Skarhead, Hatebreed, which was the scene we operated in. We're going to play for the kids, everyone in bands now who grew up watching us, help keep them motivated. I also want to mention that all these bands coming back now, especially the older straight edge ones, they all sold out, gave up vegetarianism/veganism and quit hardcore. So many never toured again or started new bands, they just gave up on the scene. It's just ridiculous to me. Obviously for us, we've always stayed true to hardcore, to the vegan straight edge and our friendships with each other.

Really, we are so busy with the Path and Freya and that's all we are focused on right now.

That's such a great idea. That's something I'd love to do. I really, really would...

I've actually told Clint over at Victory, why don't we re-record "All Out War" and "Firestorm" on one disc, call it "All Out Firestorm" and then re-record "Destroy The Machines" and "Gomorrah's Season Ends," again, all on one disc and call it "Destroy Gomarrah's Season." I think everyone needs to send Clint an email and tell him that's a good idea. Thanks for suggesting that.

"Destroy the Machines" is the real me, straight to the core. I love that record, the music, the lyrics, it's the one I'm most nostalgic about it.

You know we haven't talked about that much, but that's a really good idea too.

(both laughing)

I don't know. That would be cool but I'd prefer to re-record those tracks, like we talked about earlier. A lot of those early demos are really poor in quality because that was the way things were then but some of those songs would be great to hear redone.

At the time, and a lot of people who weren't around then and therefore might not realize it, combining elements of metal and hardcore like we were doing was to a never before seen extent and a lot of people's mind weren't open to that. Some who were more open to diversity didn't always accept or appreciate us, but at least gave our band a chance. I think there was a lot more diversity in the scene around that time than there is now.

As far as our situation on a lyrical level, I mean we were just young skater kids from Syracuse and were absolutely astonished that people cared that much about what we wrote, one way or the other, it was incredible. Then and now, we've always stood up for what we believe in and played hardcore. It hasn't changed for us since we started playing in DJ's garage to make our friends mosh around and stage dive off washing machines into each others arms…(laughs)…. its amazing how far it went. Touring, records, all that. I think it's often gone unnoted but I remember when we would do a show with like 4, 5 other bands that'd get maybe fifty or sixty of their friends together to come out and support and EC would draw 400-600 people. I think people were a little envious and maybe that caused some of the negativity. Which is weird to me because when we would headline a tour, we would take out band that we liked, not based on how many records they sold or how big they were. I've always found there to be karma in that, since groups like The Misfits, Skinlab and Sepultura took us out on the road, so it all worked out I suppose.

This is what I will say: Earth Crisis succeeded because we stuck to our beliefs, we put everything into this band and never gave up. We made tons of lasting friendships and above all, we were honest. We ended up touring the world and seeing/doing more than most bands ever did or will. Those are all experiences and accomplishments we won't forget or take for granted. I think that legacy will stand the test of time. There are lots of bands and people that try to pull stunts, that leech off another name and that's just the wrong approach and that doesn't stand up to the test of time. That's nothing I'd want to be remembered for, some squabble I had with another person when I was in my late teens or early teens, and if that defines what a band or a person is about then I think that's a waste. I don't feel hardcore should be Rosie O'Donnell vs. Donald Trump or whatever. None of this grocery store magazine pettiness, not then, not now; it's just not worth it.

I think we have. I mean when Jamey Jasta says that Hatebreed wouldn't have existed without Earth Crisis or Jorge Merauder tells me the intensity and insanity of the pit at an Earth Crisis rivals Slayer, that's pretty much all I need.

(both laughing)

Just a couple more questions... I was thinking, whenever you get bummed out or down in life, worrying kids are going to forget about EC, does it make you feel better knowing that you always be able to one up other bands and most people by being able to point out that your band was influential enough that a dude from Denmark has the EC logo tattooed on his face? I mean that's got to be the ultimate trump card. Plenty of bands can claim fans with respective artwork, but the face, that's just pure devotion.

(both laughing)

Yeah, it always amazes me to see kids with artwork of our albums or logos, that's something we never thought would happen to our band. It means a lot… totally incredible.

No doubt that he definitely is. I remember on one of our tours we slept on his floor and he let his rabbits out that night and one of them started trying to eat my hair...

(both laughing)