Who is John Norman Collins?
John Norman Collins is a crazy serial killer that owned our town for a few years there. It was an original, controversial, yet eloquent name for our band. We didn't want to name ourself "Bleeding Asshole" or something stupid like that.
Who are the band members, and what do they play?
Al Mercer: Voice
David Garvin: Axe
Leo Smith: Low End
Whitney (The Hillbilly) Passino: Bashing
How did this group form?
Hillbilly (Whit) and Dave have been playing for more than ten years together on and off. Al Mercer, an aquaintance of Dave's, told him one day that he listened to death metal. Dave had been looking for a hardcore vocalist to form a band with. Al turned out to have natural talent and became an excellent lead man. Jerry Brzys (bass) was an original member but a difference in musical style eventually led Jerry to part ways amicably. Leo Smith, Classicly trained on violin, replaced him on bass and joined this melee.
How do you guys go about writing songs?
Dave generally writes the main structure of the songs. The intangibles, the subtleties that make a band special and unique, come from the other band member's contributions. It is a really genuine cohesiveness.
What are some influences in your style?
Al likes death metal and noize bands. He's into Brutal Truth, Melvins, and some real extreme shit no one has ever heard of.
Dave as a guitarist has been influenced by Randy Rhoads, Slayer, Metallica, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, J.S. Bach (His favorite), and 80's homo shredders. They can play sick guitar which is important..but he doesn't put that much weight into it.
Leo likes more electronica style music and death metal. He has a real apprecitation for a lot of shit.
Whitney listens to Hair Metal and Death Metal. We found a La Bouche CD in his library and he was beaten for that.
What is your favorite venue?
Blind Pig treated us with respect and we drew a large crowd. Soundman listened to our vision and created the right sound. People complain about him sometimes but they don't bother to work with him to create their desired sound with him. Many people walk in with these crazy egos and expect to get their ass kissed. That usually doesn't work.
Harpo's was dream come true in many ways...we had been going to that place to see the best bands in hardcore metal, and to play on that stage was a real stepping stone. That stage and venue is huge and that sound system is the best in the Midwest. Too bad the good shows are pay to play. It's not necessarily the best band, but whoever is gullible or egotistical or rich enough to put up the cash. And we are talking in the thousand range!
What is the shittiest venue?
Cross Street Station is notorious for very rude staff (cough...marcie....cough) and this egotism is surprising considering how much that place blows. We packed that place and they refused to give us another show. They didn't give a shit. They are poor businessmen. We'd bring a hundred drunks to that rathole and they won't let us play, when they have pussy ass wigger bands in high school play that shit for nobody.
What about the hate mail? What about your image?
There is no image. There is a dark past to certain members but it is just that; a past. The entity of JNC is the vision of reality. We aren't hippie posers or depressed poets. We expose reality for what it is: a paradox of sadness and ecstacy. Our goddamn drummer has been in jail alomst as much as he's been around to practice!!! It is hard but people that play this kind of music have a certain "anti-victim" stance and this attitude can lead to problems. As for the hatemail, we ignore it.
Some of your lyrics come across as being racist. What is your response to this?
Dave: I have no sympathy for certain members of our society relying on freebies and intimidating the very people (taxpayers) that feed them every night. I refuse to go around fearing black people like most whites do...I suppose this comes out in our music. At the same time, I have friends of every color and sexuality. I suppose I am not a racist, but through simple observation, it appears that many black people really are assholes. I don't know if this is a response to supposed "oppression", and I don't give a fuck to be honest. You fuck with me, you get fried...white or black.
What are your future plans?
We are trying to get signed by Metal Blade, Relapse/Nuclear Blast USA, or Roadrunner. They like our stuff but getting signed is probably a different story. That's why we all have real careers. Our music is what we fall back on
Self-aggrandizing statement here:
We put on a professional, exciting show both musically and physically. And to be non-self aggrandizing, I wanted to say thanks to the bands who have played and drawn with us, and fuck you to the bands that have ripped down our flyers and try to hate us. Just fuck off.