The only band still carrying the torch of the crunchy and chaotic Cleveland early 90's sound, Ringworm's two albums The Promise and Birth Is Pain comprise a flawless discography that eclipses the multiple-release catalogs of many renowned hardcore bands who have gone stale with the years. Ringworm's upcoming album Justice Replaced By Revenge will finally see the band drop some new music when their international fanbase is at its hungriest and real hardcore at its most visible. I got into Ringworm on their comeback demo Madness Of War and became obsessed with them after witnessing them live numerous times. Human Furnace's vocals and lyrics are unparalleled, as is his dedication to the band, fifteen years in. I recently spoke with him about what's been happening in his world. -2005

-First off, congrats on finally getting a third album together, Justice Replaced By Revenge, it was on top of my most anticipated releases even before being recorded. Discuss the recording process in detail for me; how long did it take, any insane studio stories, who/where recorded?

Well, the recording process for us was pretty retarded. It's actually taken us over a year from start to finish to get the record completed. We were kind of at the mercy of the engineer, as far as studio availablity, so we had to be there whenever the studio was available. We had a somewhat limited budget, so our engineer (Ben Shiegel, Spider Studio), who's really blowing up, was working with bigger money bands. We had to take what studio time we could get. The majority of all the tracks were laid down in one day, vocals and mixing were done months later. Besides all the usual studio bullshit (arguing and bickering over drum sounds and guitar things) this recording actually went really smooth. Most likely due to the fact that, after the initial recording, I was the only person involved in mixing, mastering, and sequencing. Although, I was drunk as shit a couple times for vocals.

-Did Ringworm intend to wait four years before writing a new album, the first since 2001's timeless Birth Is Pain, or was it just a matter of circumstances coming in the way?

It wasn't our intention to wait this long before a new album. We spent a lot of time, touring and shit to promote "Birth". "Justice" actually came together quite quickly once we got down to the writing process. The vocals weren't written for a long time after the songs were originally tracked. Some were written the day before they were recorded, haha. Actually, the rest of the band never heard a majority of the songs with lyrics until they were done. I like to work under pressure.



-It used to be that people heard only good things about Victory, then towards the late 90's it was a mixture of good and bad, and now it seems only bad. But for some reason, their cash cow pop/emo/punk roster aside, the label is still somewhat interested in releasing metal albums that they have no intention in supporting; All Out War comes to mind. What was your experience with Victory at first, and where is the relationship in 2005?

Our relationship with Victory is such - "NONE". We hardly ever talk to them, and the only thing they do for us is the act of printing CD jackets, pressing the CD itself, shrink wrapping it and sending it to a few stores. Maybe, running a couple ads for it, for the first month or so. That's about it. It's really a shame too. Bands like All Out War and Hoods and ourselves never really get the exposure that is deserved, we seem to be more a tax write-off if nothing else. And it's particularly frustrating, when you work hard for all these years and you don't get your just deserves, becuase you don't wear eyeliner and girls pants. The older you get, the harder it is to sacrifice time and money to tour and devote a great deal of your time to music, especially when you can't make a living off of it. I think sometimes people don't understand just how hard it is. We have jobs, businesses, mortgages, relationships, children, bills. With no support from labels, it makes it that much harder. And most of the time the really "good" bands can't afford to do it anymore. And what happens is labels will say "Oh, you guys don't sell records, or tour non-stop, why should we go out of our way and spend $ on you". In truth, help and suport from your label, a lot of times, makes it worth while and helps keep your band alive. I can go on but, I won't. I think you got the point.

-If not Victory, who do you forsee releasing this album? How did you manage to sever ties with Victory and what is your new label home; are you happy thus far?

No comment as of yet.

-On the new songs, your vocals sound more dynamic and less one-dimensional... of course your old style is one of the prime things making Ringworm so loved, but why do they sound different this time around? How do you find your voice holds up live, after much touring, drinking, and smoking? Easier or tougher than when you were younger? Some hardcore frontmen claim it gets easier with time.



Well I hope that that's a good thing, haha. I dunno, with this record we worked with a different studio. I had a little more options as far as vocals go. I've always wanted to expand to my somewhat limited range, I guess you could say. I also think that the music demanded a little more on my part. The songs are a little more involved. Plus, I just kinda just sang what sounded good to me. What felt right. After 4 years, I had alot of ideas for things I wanted to do for the next record as far as vocals were concerned. And it never fails, like clockwork, when its time for us to record a record, shit in my life gets extraordinary, insane. This time was no exception. But, it gives you a good inspiration.

Live, its holds up fine. The more you use it the better it gets to a certain extent. Obviously, there's gonna be those nights when your shit is wasted. That's usually the time when I just drink a few shots of whiskey, and not give a shit, and just scream my ass off. The type of shit that I do, isn't the best thing for your vocal chords. Usually after it gets blown out it's better. It does kinda get easier, the more you do it the better you get to know your own voice what your pipes can take.

-Are you still heavily involved with the Cleveland hardcore and metal scenes? Either way, do you think the scene's healthy around there? What bands do you respect who are still plugging away, or are new, and what bands could you not give two shits about anymore?

I guess I'm still involved in the scene slightly, half of my friends are in bands, and there's always a show that I usually hit up every couple of weeks. Around town there's some bands I'm into, Keelhaul, Soulless, Apt. 213, maybe a couple of others. Outta state, there's a lot of bands still raging, Merauder, for starters. great dudes, great band. Really glad to see those guys still goin. They still blow away shits that's goin' on out there today, Death Before Dishonor, is another. Shit, there's a lot of bands out there that I respect to the utmost, too many to name.



What I hate, hmmm. that's tricky. I hate more than I like. A lot of fashion crap, for sure. I can't wait for that shit to go away. Might be awhile though. It'll take a few years to weed itself out. It gives me something to make fun of, and get pissed off and say "so this is what happened to hardcore, huh?" Usually, I really hate 3rd generation generic bands. Usually there's one or two bands that do something original. Then there's a bunch of bands that copy them. Sometimes those bands are good, ocassionally better, but that's rare. Then there's the 3rd gen bands that are trying to do what the 2nd gen bands were doing and sucking. They pick out whatever the "novelties" of the bands are and that's all there is to them. They're not adding anything, they suck the life's blood out of it. Dime a dozen. Well, they sell more records, get more pussy, and make more money, so they must be good, "right?"

-Don't you run a tattoo shop? Where is it, tell me about how much you love or hate your job, and can any of your artwork from the studio be seen online?

Yeah me and my partner own 3 tattoo shops in the Cleveland area, I love it. Basically I draw pictures on people for a living. All the business aspects of it can be a real drag, but whatever, I don't complain. The only thing I've been doin' longer than tattooing is playing hardcore, and not by much. A long time. You can go to www.252tattoo.com. Our crew up there is amazing.

-Being from Cleveland, do you have anything to say about the Alrosa slaughter of Dimebag Darrell and the other innocent victims in Columbus? Why did this happen in Ohio, is it one of America's human troughs? How did the killing impact on you personally?

Just when you think that nothing can shock you about the downfall of human society, something like this happens. Terrible, uneccessary, pointless, enraging, sad, are just some of the words that come to mind. I was with my friends Hatebreed in Florida, when the word came in. No one could believe it. It seemed unreal. I personally had never meet Dime, but Hatebreed and their crew knew him quite well, so it hit them real hard. Everyone was glad that we were around good friends at the time. It helped. But it affects,everybody on a lot of different levels. Mainly, security at shows; although, people forget things quickly, unfortunately. That guy should NEVER have had a gun in that club. The sad thing is that, everybody knows how easy it would be to get into a lot of clubs with shit like knives and guns. Here's a guy who just wanted to play music and have a good time, that's all. And some fuck kills him. It's a terrible loss, and a terrible shame. This could happen anywhere.

-With Frank now in Terror full-time, who wrote the bulk of Justice Replaced By Revenge? Does Frank still write and play with you guys and does he intend to in the future? Is Slumlords Dom still in the band? What is the lineup? Since Terror has gotten so big, have you received a royalty cheque for your vocal spot on Lowest Of The Low?

Well, we all contributed to this record. Frank wrote about 5 songs, Matt, who wrote one song on the last record, wrote about 6 songs, Danny wrote one, our friend CJ wrote a couple, and I wrote one. Frank still writes, and will play a show if it works out. Terror does really well, Frank has a son to provide for so he has to do what is best for him. He loves to play hardcore, and to do it for a living. Ringworm is nearly impossible to make a living from. Plus Terror is great band and a hard opportunity to pass up. Well let's see, Matt on guitar, Steve on bass, Danny on drums, and Aaron a more or less permanent fill-in on guitar.

Dom filled-in for us on some Canadian dates we did last year, had a good time. He's always on our speed-dial of hired guns, when it's necessary. Haha, no I havent got any royalty checks, you think I should call my lawyer? I could use some cash.



-What bands or groups, any style or era, have you been rocking recently? Any new metal or hardcore bands that are coming up which you feel worthy of a plug?

I listen to a lot of different shit. Lately Trouble, Deep Purple, Mighty Sphincter, Frank Sinatra, hell I dunno. Tons of shit.

-In April, Ringworm will be playing live with Last Season, Danny from Godbelow's band. I loved their demo when I got it years ago... why has that band been so inactive? What's Danny up to? Have you heard the new Last Season stuff not to mention Danny's new band with JD from The Promise? What do you think?

Yeah I'm into his new group too. They're probably another brilliant dysfunctional band like so many great bands. The metal stuff he's doing is awesome too, he's one of my favorite singers out there. There's absolutely nothing wrong with trying different things, musically. I'm a firm believer of that, I'm of the opinion, if you wanna do a metal band, do a metal band, if you wanna rock, do a rock band.

-Do you have an opinion on Ozzy in 2005... sober, facelift, no new Sabbath album, Osbournes? Or do you still love him for the legend he is?

I think Ozzy should just be cloned, so every generation can enjoy him. Ozzy is Ozzy, he's out of his mind.

-Any good books taking up your leisure time these days, if so which ones?

Nah no books, I've been painting quite a bit, though.

-Final words?

Watch out for the new album. Guaranteed to blow your face off. STAY SICK.-HF