DISRUPT
BETTER THAN THE REST
By: Ned Wells
Hailing from Lynn, MA, DISRUPT was one of the pioneers of the grinding crust punk sound in the United States. Their bludgeoning music and use of 2 brutal singers, coupled with scathing social /political lyrics, has influenced countless numbers of bands to this day. Relapse is currently reissuing the entire DISRUPT discography. Here are some words with vocalist Pete Kamarinos.
RESOUND: There were a lot of great bands pushing HC punk into faster, crustier, and more metallic territory on an international level in the late eighties. What
were some of DISPRUPT’s musical influences?
Pete Kamarinos: “I’d have to say our biggest influence was DISCHARGE. Their Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing LP is a classic album. We were into a ton of bands from Finland, Sweden, U.K., and Japan. Some other bands that influenced us were GISM, MOB 47, RATTUS, CRUDE SS, DISORDER, CHAOS UK, VARUKERS, GAUZE, and EXTREME NOISE TERROR.”
RESOUND: From a lyrical standpoint, DISRUPT covered a lot of anti-authoritarian social/political issues, with a special focus on animal rights. Who wrote the lyrics? Did DISRUPT ever get criticism for having pictures of flayed animals/war torn human remains on your record covers?
Kamarinos: “Jay Stiles (second vocalist) wrote the lyrics. No, we never got any criticism for the pictures on our record covers. We were really into the type of artwork that DISCHARGE used on their early releases.”
RESOUND: Do you think politics has a place in hardcore punk anymore, or is it
’preaching to the converted’?
Kamarinos: “Yes, I think politics still has a place in hardcore punk. Of course, the older punk rockers have heard the same views expressed over and over again. I believe it makes a difference to the young kids who are just starting to get into hardcore punk.”
RESOUND: DISRUPT’s recordings had a fierce, burly sound. What was it like recording with Bill T. Miller for several of your releases?
Kamarinos: “It was really cool working with Bill T. Miller back in the day. He was into the whole DIY scene. He always captured the sound that we wanted. The split 7”s with DISDAIN, RESIST, TUOMIOPAIVAN LAPSET, and TASTE OF FEAR were recorded at Headroom studios on eight track live to 1/4” tape. No overdubs. We recorded the Unrest album at One World studios on 24 tracks. The songs on the splits with SAUNA and WARCOLLAPSE were recorded at The Lanes on 16 tracks.”
RESOUND: Alyssa Murray’s vocals on the Unrest record are some of the most
brutal/angry female vocals ever recorded. Did she go on to sing in other bands? Did DISRUPT play many shows with three singers?
Kamarinos: “I’m not sure if she sang in any other bands after Disrupt. We never kept in touch with her. We played three shows with three singers: New York City, Albany, NY and Boston in 1992.”
RESOUND: What are your favorite releases of the band from a lyrical/musical
standpoint?
Kamarinos: “My favorite releases are the Unrest LP and the split LP with SAUNA.”
RESOUND: What was it like touring Europe as a DIY punk band in the early nineties?
Kamarinos: “We had a great time. We toured for about six weeks and played in six countries. The majority of the shows were in Germany. Two of the better shows were in Ieper, Belgium and Rome, Italy.”
RESOUND: Any final thoughts?
Kamarinos: “Cheers for the interview. Check out the official DISRUPT MySpace page at www.myspace.com/officialdisrupt.”
|
|
|