KILLING TIME INTERVIEW: Anthony Drago (Breakdown, Raw Deal, Killing Time)
By Hutch13
Well. Here it is. This was definitely the coolest that I have been a part of in awhile. Thanks go out Anthony Drago, for being patient and cool and generous; Brian Rocha for hooking this up and keeping an open dialogue and being a cool dude. Thanks to Dead City and John for hooking me up with this, too. More to come come from that guy….
Go buy the new album “Three Steps Back”. It is classic, straight-up NYHC. It has been put out on Dead City records. Buy shirts, catch a show. Support these true blue, old-school New York guys. Think of all the time you have spent listening to their music over the years and getting pumped off of it. Give back.
What have the members of Killing Time been doing since "The Method"?
After the release of The Method we all decided to take a break from the band for a while. Carl and Rich went on to record and tour with other bands. Anthony and I concentrated more on our careers. The reunion shows in Brooklyn really woke us up to the fact that this band is a huge part of each of us and something that was worth continuing.
Why a new LP? Why 2010? Was one of you more of the propelling force? Did someone say, "Hey, I have 15 riffs? Let's make an album"?
My favorite part of being in this band is the songwriting process and recording. Playing live is an all together different kind of thrill. Writing and recording is an incredible outlet for me and one that doesn’t come around as often as I’d like. So when Carl and Chris started discussing it while on tour in Japan, I was all over it. We decided to start working on it as soon as we got back. Carl and Chris came prepared to that first practice in the garage with the beginnings of “Inheritance” and “Mingus”. I had already started working on some ideas for lyrics.
Did you guys have a certain sound in mind going into this?
Not really. Between the five of us there are a lot of influences. Everybody brought something to the table. Over 10 years of pent-up hardcore aggression made its way onto this thing. We’re really happy with how the record turned out. I think each of the songs are unique however they all sound like they belong on the same album. It’s a real raw and powerful recording. Simple and honest, like hardcore ought to be.
One cannot deny the pre-dominant lyrics of NYHC when "Brightside" emerged amongst it. How are the lyrics of "Three Steps Back"? How has 20 years molded the band members' perspective?
I think we have a broader look on life at this stage. The glass is still half empty though. We had the opportunity to say a lot of things that have been on our minds for the last ten years. I personally got to share a lot of myself through the lyrics on this album. Our lyrics have always been very personal. We’ve never discussed politics or social causes. I think there’s a place for that in music, but not in this band.
Not really. Between the five of us there are a lot of influences. Everybody brought something to the table. Over 10 years of pent-up hardcore aggression made its way onto this thing. We’re really happy with how the record turned out. I think each of the songs are unique however they all sound like they belong on the same album. It’s a real raw and powerful recording. Simple and honest, like hardcore ought to be.
One cannot deny the pre-dominant lyrics of NYHC when "Brightside" emerged amongst it. How are the lyrics of "Three Steps Back"? How has 20 years molded the band members' perspective?
I think we have a broader look on life at this stage. The glass is still half empty though. We had the opportunity to say a lot of things that have been on our minds for the last ten years. I personally got to share a lot of myself through the lyrics on this album. Our lyrics have always been very personal. We’ve never discussed politics or social causes. I think there’s a place for that in music, but not in this band.
Any significance to the title "Three Steps Back"?
Rich actually came up with the “Three Steps Back” concept. It really just means a return to our roots, our return to the old garage and to the music that has kept us together all these years.
Rich actually came up with the “Three Steps Back” concept. It really just means a return to our roots, our return to the old garage and to the music that has kept us together all these years.
Do you guys hate questions about the '88 era?
No. I’ll share as much as I can remember with whoever is interested. A lot of younger bands we play with hit us up with questions. Usually Anthony will do the talking. He’s got the best stories. It’s fun to hear him talk to the kids. They really look up to him. They’re all interested in what he has to say. I imagine that they look and sound just like me when I first met him.
No. I’ll share as much as I can remember with whoever is interested. A lot of younger bands we play with hit us up with questions. Usually Anthony will do the talking. He’s got the best stories. It’s fun to hear him talk to the kids. They really look up to him. They’re all interested in what he has to say. I imagine that they look and sound just like me when I first met him.
Do you look back fondly to those days?
Of course. They were great times. Being on the road with the band, making new friends everywhere we went. I didn’t like to go back home.
How did you get into hardcore and punk in the first place? How did it grow into forming a band?
I grew up in Westchester and I used to hang around a small mom & pop record store in Hartsdale called the Record Stop. One of the owners, Tony Pradlik, turned me onto so many great bands. Tony was also the guy who told me about a group of guys from Yonkers who were starting a hardcore band and needed a drummer. I met Carl shortly after in my parent’s garage, where they auditioned me for Breakdown. Less than a year later, I was 16 and we were playing CBGB’s.
Of course. They were great times. Being on the road with the band, making new friends everywhere we went. I didn’t like to go back home.
How did you get into hardcore and punk in the first place? How did it grow into forming a band?
I grew up in Westchester and I used to hang around a small mom & pop record store in Hartsdale called the Record Stop. One of the owners, Tony Pradlik, turned me onto so many great bands. Tony was also the guy who told me about a group of guys from Yonkers who were starting a hardcore band and needed a drummer. I met Carl shortly after in my parent’s garage, where they auditioned me for Breakdown. Less than a year later, I was 16 and we were playing CBGB’s.
Where were all you guys from (parts of NY)? If you guys lived in, say Wichita or Idaho, do you think you would have found some outlet? Art, music; punk, hardcore?
Anthony grew up in Astoria, Queens. Carl, Rich and Chris are all Yonkers natives and I grew up in White Plains which is a little north of Yonkers. I think that I would have fell in love with art, music and literature anywhere, especially the subversive type.
Anthony grew up in Astoria, Queens. Carl, Rich and Chris are all Yonkers natives and I grew up in White Plains which is a little north of Yonkers. I think that I would have fell in love with art, music and literature anywhere, especially the subversive type.
When reading your website's BIO page, it credits Breakdown as being the first 'tough guy' band. Was that intentional when writing that music? Unavoidable? (like "My Reason") Did you guys welcome or shun that title to BD/KT at the time?
I didn’t feel tough at the time but I think that statement is pretty accurate. Jeff was writing some real tough guy lyrics. I always enjoyed screaming “Coward, Faggot, Pussy, Dick”, but I wanted to write lyrics myself. The break from Breakdown offered me that opportunity. I think the lyrics on “Brightside” are a little more mature than the Breakdown stuff. I think they’re more introspective. I would never shun being considered a “tough guy”.
I didn’t feel tough at the time but I think that statement is pretty accurate. Jeff was writing some real tough guy lyrics. I always enjoyed screaming “Coward, Faggot, Pussy, Dick”, but I wanted to write lyrics myself. The break from Breakdown offered me that opportunity. I think the lyrics on “Brightside” are a little more mature than the Breakdown stuff. I think they’re more introspective. I would never shun being considered a “tough guy”.
What was your relationships to In Effect, Blackout!, Victory, Revelation?
In Effect was an exciting time. I was only 18 years old. We pissed them off fairly quickly with the recording expenses and the running time of the album. It had to be specially priced because it didn’t run long enough. We proceeded to piss them off when Anthony decided to go back to school and screw over any tour to actually promote “Brightside”. We met a great bunch of people there though and they were actually pretty understanding of the situation. Bill Wilson of Blackout! is one of our oldest friends and we had quite an easy relationship while putting out “The Method”. A great record in the band’s opinion but maybe not what the fans were looking for at the time. Victory and Revelation were strictly business. Not much to report there.
Can you describe the release of "Brightside" and how it affected your lives? In the BIO page, says you did one show in Cali; so - did you get to do outside NY area shows? Outside US? How did you guys like it? How were you received?
We didn’t tour on “Brightside” because of Anthony’s return to college. There was nothing at the time that any of us could do to deter him from that goal. The rest of us were all pretty bummed. It was cool to have a great record out that was getting awesome reviews but it didn’t mean much listening to it on my parent’s stereo. We did take a trip to California for one show. It was a good time but over all too quickly. We did play on weekends around the east coast but never made it further south than Virginia. We did a European tour without Anthony in 1993. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life. We didn’t take it seriously so of course no one took us seriously.
In Effect was an exciting time. I was only 18 years old. We pissed them off fairly quickly with the recording expenses and the running time of the album. It had to be specially priced because it didn’t run long enough. We proceeded to piss them off when Anthony decided to go back to school and screw over any tour to actually promote “Brightside”. We met a great bunch of people there though and they were actually pretty understanding of the situation. Bill Wilson of Blackout! is one of our oldest friends and we had quite an easy relationship while putting out “The Method”. A great record in the band’s opinion but maybe not what the fans were looking for at the time. Victory and Revelation were strictly business. Not much to report there.
Can you describe the release of "Brightside" and how it affected your lives? In the BIO page, says you did one show in Cali; so - did you get to do outside NY area shows? Outside US? How did you guys like it? How were you received?
We didn’t tour on “Brightside” because of Anthony’s return to college. There was nothing at the time that any of us could do to deter him from that goal. The rest of us were all pretty bummed. It was cool to have a great record out that was getting awesome reviews but it didn’t mean much listening to it on my parent’s stereo. We did take a trip to California for one show. It was a good time but over all too quickly. We did play on weekends around the east coast but never made it further south than Virginia. We did a European tour without Anthony in 1993. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life. We didn’t take it seriously so of course no one took us seriously.
Being from the Boston scene, I grew up on Slapshot. I loved hearing Roger on AF: "Last Warning" give Choke a shout out. And I rock the KT shirt where the Slapshot shirt is clearly seen. How did you guys fit into the whole Boston/NYC beef thing? Well, I guess the beef was early '80s and in the late '80s, the beef was Slapshot vs. YOT/Bold/etc.?
We never had any beef with Boston at all; in fact it was a home away from home. We played with Slapshot, Wrecking Crew and Eye for an Eye frequently. Met some awesome people up there. Wrecking Crew was a real crazy group of guys to be around.
We never had any beef with Boston at all; in fact it was a home away from home. We played with Slapshot, Wrecking Crew and Eye for an Eye frequently. Met some awesome people up there. Wrecking Crew was a real crazy group of guys to be around.
Why still make music? Why still make hardcore?
Like I said before, writing music is a great outlet for me. I would assume the same for the other members. When I am deprived of that release, I’m a pretty morbid asshole. When I’m dormant I think too much. I create trouble for myself. We play hardcore because that’s what we do well. That’s all we want to do well. I don’t think there’s any greater scene for self-expression.
Is this more to put out an album of music (like, for 'art's' sake) or to put out a punk album to vent the frustration of the world? a.k.a. - are you guys 'musicians' and you will always make music - or are you hardcore dudes who can play, and wanted to put out a hc album?
I would say we’re a bit of both. Putting out a punk album is art to me.
Like I said before, writing music is a great outlet for me. I would assume the same for the other members. When I am deprived of that release, I’m a pretty morbid asshole. When I’m dormant I think too much. I create trouble for myself. We play hardcore because that’s what we do well. That’s all we want to do well. I don’t think there’s any greater scene for self-expression.
Is this more to put out an album of music (like, for 'art's' sake) or to put out a punk album to vent the frustration of the world? a.k.a. - are you guys 'musicians' and you will always make music - or are you hardcore dudes who can play, and wanted to put out a hc album?
I would say we’re a bit of both. Putting out a punk album is art to me.
What do you want to get out of it?
We already got what we wanted out of it. We set out to make a great album and I think we did just that. The idea was simple. The music was raw and untamed and we said a great deal of what we wanted to get across. The fact that it has been received so well is just a bonus.
What do you the listener/crowd to get out of it?
I just hope that they think the new songs kick ass and they want us to make more.
How do you feel about Dead City?
Dead City has been awesome. John Franko is an old friend of the band who was really excited about putting this album out for us. The label has really just been an extension of the band.
Touring plans?
We plan on playing as much as possible to promote its release. Upcoming shows are always posted on our web site. We will keep you posted.
Local shows?
We just played the record release show in Brooklyn on Feb. 27th. It was a great night and great turn out. We’re playing with the Cro-Mags in Baltimore in March and we will soon be in Philly and Boston.
How has it been, the last few years, playing as Killing Time on the old material? How does it feel to be Killing Time with a new album?
It’s always a fun time playing the old material but we really needed to make this new record to keep it interesting. To tell you the truth it feels fucking amazing to be Killing Time with a new album.
If you're fathers, what do your kids listen to? What do they think of their dads? Are wives into hardcore? Do they make fun of you for putting out a 'punk' album at your age? What were you thinking?
I’ve got two kids. My son Luke is closing in on 5 years old and my daughter Mia is 15 months. Luke digs the fact that his dad plays drums in a band. He loves to watch videos of us playing live and he was pretty bummed that my wife and I wouldn’t take him to the record release show. He asks me once in a while to put on the music “with your friend screaming”. He also digs the fact that I wrote the song “Lookout” about me and him. He’ll request it once in a while when were in the car. But I know that I would lose hands down to the likes of Laurie Berkner, The Backyardigans or Dan Zanes, if you asked him his favorite. Anthony’s got three kids. His oldest Christopher sang along with him when he was practicing at home for the record. He told me that Chris loves “24” and knows a lot of the lyrics. It’s pretty funny because I think Chris is only about 7 years old. Anthony and I were joking around saying that we should let Chris and Luke re-record “24” as a duet.
No there is not. But sometimes if you search hard enough you’ll find a less shitty side.
************
The Philly show is a Hardcore Festival happening in August. We are already slated to play but I don’t have the exact date yet. Boston is still up in the air, but we definitely want to be there this summer.
http://www.killingtimenyhc.com/
http://www.deadcityny.com/
http://www.fresnomediausa.com
http://www.myspace.com/killingtimenyhc
http://www.myspace.com/deadcityny
We already got what we wanted out of it. We set out to make a great album and I think we did just that. The idea was simple. The music was raw and untamed and we said a great deal of what we wanted to get across. The fact that it has been received so well is just a bonus.
What do you the listener/crowd to get out of it?
I just hope that they think the new songs kick ass and they want us to make more.
How do you feel about Dead City?
Dead City has been awesome. John Franko is an old friend of the band who was really excited about putting this album out for us. The label has really just been an extension of the band.
Touring plans?
We plan on playing as much as possible to promote its release. Upcoming shows are always posted on our web site. We will keep you posted.
Local shows?
We just played the record release show in Brooklyn on Feb. 27th. It was a great night and great turn out. We’re playing with the Cro-Mags in Baltimore in March and we will soon be in Philly and Boston.
How has it been, the last few years, playing as Killing Time on the old material? How does it feel to be Killing Time with a new album?
It’s always a fun time playing the old material but we really needed to make this new record to keep it interesting. To tell you the truth it feels fucking amazing to be Killing Time with a new album.
If you're fathers, what do your kids listen to? What do they think of their dads? Are wives into hardcore? Do they make fun of you for putting out a 'punk' album at your age? What were you thinking?
I’ve got two kids. My son Luke is closing in on 5 years old and my daughter Mia is 15 months. Luke digs the fact that his dad plays drums in a band. He loves to watch videos of us playing live and he was pretty bummed that my wife and I wouldn’t take him to the record release show. He asks me once in a while to put on the music “with your friend screaming”. He also digs the fact that I wrote the song “Lookout” about me and him. He’ll request it once in a while when were in the car. But I know that I would lose hands down to the likes of Laurie Berkner, The Backyardigans or Dan Zanes, if you asked him his favorite. Anthony’s got three kids. His oldest Christopher sang along with him when he was practicing at home for the record. He told me that Chris loves “24” and knows a lot of the lyrics. It’s pretty funny because I think Chris is only about 7 years old. Anthony and I were joking around saying that we should let Chris and Luke re-record “24” as a duet.
Lastly, of course, I got to ask - after 20plus years, is there a "Brightside'?
No there is not. But sometimes if you search hard enough you’ll find a less shitty side.
************
The Philly show is a Hardcore Festival happening in August. We are already slated to play but I don’t have the exact date yet. Boston is still up in the air, but we definitely want to be there this summer.
http://www.killingtimenyhc.com/
http://www.deadcityny.com/
http://www.fresnomediausa.com
http://www.myspace.com/killingtimenyhc
http://www.myspace.com/deadcityny
killing time needs to conme to cincinnati!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Killing Time is an amazing band!
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