VIOLENT SOCIETY
Interview by Peter MarulloFor the past 2 decades, VIOLENT SOCIETY has assaulted different parts of the globe with their onslaught of fast and angry brand of hardcore punk. While many bands have come and gone since VIOLENT SOCIETY’s inception, these Philly punk rockers have been able to stand the test of time. Their most recent release is titled We Don’t Believe (Creep Records) and is the band’s first studio recorded output since 1999′s Separation Is Killing Us (Blackout! Records). VIOLENT SOCIETY frontman Pat Leck gives us the scoop on the band’s new record and how VS have maintained their status as a staple of the Philly punk rock scene.
What can listeners expect from We Don’t Believe?
It’s generally in the same vein as the previous material. We’ve become better song writers and musicians now over the years, but it’s not like we’ve had a change of musical direction. We still listen to all that old punk and hardcore from the 70′s and 80′s and some other stuff along the way. I always hated when bands changed their musical style but used the same name. The material on We Don’t Believe is pretty aggressive and catchy. We all were very pleased with it.
How does VIOLENT SOCIETY differ from your other band CRANKED UP?
CRANKED UP! was a product of a different time in my life when some serious shit was going on. Jason and I wanted to play more catchy punk that we always listened to, but wouldn’t bring into VS. I totally loved CRANKED UP! because it brought out a lot of my influences like THE NEWTOWN NEUROTICS, THE OPPRESSED, THE ADVERTS and THE BLAGGERS whose music I admired, and their stance as well.
The scene had gotten really shitty with shady characters and we wanted to let the fence sitters know where we stood. I wasn’t about to sit and watch what was going on to go unnoticed. CRANKED UP! wasn’t a popularity contest and wasn’t started for any kind of success. I’ve never really cared what people think of my music, I do it for myself and not the masses. That’s what punk is to me.
Real punk is the underdog, not this mass media crap that we are exposed to now.
What is your favorite VIOLENT SOCIETY release?
It’s hard to say, as I’ve never been totally happy with any particular album on a whole. But I really like the 7″ we did on Creep, as it was a fresh line up when Jon and Jason joined. I really wish I would have started the band with them years ago as the three of us click so well. It’s funny cuz most releases I find hard to get thru all the way to the end as my attention span is so short. I thank BLACK FLAG and THE CIRCLE JERKS for giving me punk rock the blue print for the greatest under two minute songs in music. Cuz if not I would be bored outta my mind with mindless garbage.
What are your thoughts on the state of the current punk scene both locally and nationally?
The punk scene has always been great to me, but it’s changed. I think less and less people are pro-active in it. It reminds me more a musical style than a lifestyle or attitude anymore. Nationally punk is great, cuz there are bands everywhere… a lot of good ones and even way more horrible ones.
How do you think the scene has changed since the release of your last studio album, Separation is Killing Us (Blackout Records, 1999)?
It’s easy to be into punk now. You can get entire record collections online for free with out ever even seeing a band play live or even supporting them.
Going to shows used to have a dangerous element to it, now they are sponsored by beverage companies and other crap.
I have a lot of respect for the bands in the 90′s that are still going like THE CASUALTIES, THE UNSEEN, etc.
They started when punk was frowned upon. They started for the same reasons the UK82 bands did, out of love and passion for punk.
You guys re-united in the spring of 2007 to play the last few KILL YOUR IDOLS shows. What was that like?
We actually played a reunion show a few months before that I kinda got drug into doing. VS left a really bad taste in my mouth with how some stuff went down. But the KYI shows were a mandatory. Never in my life has a band like KYI meant so much to me and the guys. Besides being our friends, they are one of my favourite bands ever. I love those guys and was happy to be a part of those shows.
VIOLENT SOCIETY are regarded as a staple of the Philly punk rock scene. After you disbanded in 2003, what were you up too musically?
Jason and I did CRANKED UP!, Squid did a band called CRASH AND BURN CONSPIRACY and an acoustic punk band called TOP SOIL and Jon went a started a band called SUPER BUICK.
VIOLENT SOCIETY have done several recordings with Arik Victor at his Creep Records Studio. What was it like to work with Arik again for We Don’t Believe?
Arik knows us like no one else. We don’t have to spend countless hours in the studio with him trying to find some crazy sounds or mixes. We call him up say we wanna record, he does it and mixes it. I ask him what it sounds like and he says, “It sounds like an old punk record,” and we are happy. We really leave it in his hands.
We usually play live and do some overdubs. I can’t say enough about the guy. He’s top notch.
Do you guys have any upcoming touring plans?
None right now. We did some dates on the West Coast this past summer and hope to do some more. I really hate touring to be honest. But never say never.
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