Punktuation-What is the name of your band?
Shutdown
P-What is the story behind naming it that?
S-When we started 6 years ago, there weren’t a lot of places to play, and we felt like club owners, and promoters SHUT us DOWN from having shows, and having a strong scene.
S-How long have you guys been together?
S-6 years
P-Who is in the band?
S-Mark sings, Dion plays bass, Jimmy is the drummer, and I (Steve) play guitar.
P-Please give a brief description of your guys' history:
S-Everyone in the band is from Brooklyn. In fact we all went to the same high school, except for Dion. Our original bass player went to school with us, but we knew Dion from a previous band he played in. The band was started because we wanted to play a style of hardcore that was more like the original style, faster and more energetic.
P-Where are you guys from? Is it a rough place?
S-Some parts of Brooklyn are rough, but for the most part it’s all middle-class working people.
P-Are a lot of people amazed when they see you guys get up on stage, being so young and all?
S-Yeah, they think we’re just kids who can’t play, but we try to put on good energetic shows, and impress everyone.
P-What is your discography?
S-First was the “No Way Out” demo, then the "Back to Basics" split 7”, then the “Decide” 7”, “Signs of Change” 7”, “Turning the Tide” EP on SFT, then our Victory Records recordings: “Against All Odds”, “Something to Prove”, and “Few and Far Between”.
P-What has the overall reaction been to your latest release 'Few and Far Between'?
S-Very good. We’ve gotten nothing but great reviews for it, which makes us feel good because we really put a lot of work into it.
P-If you guys could relate your sound to one sea creature what might that be? Why?
S-A shark, because it runs up out of nowhere and bites you on the ass.
P-How does it feel having been titled 'the future of hardcore' from the late Ray Beez?
S-It was an honor. He really looked out for us, and thought we could do a lot. Now we’re just trying to be all that he thought we could.
P-Who are your guys biggest influences?
S-Our biggest influences are Minor Threat, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Warzone, Bad Religion, Sick of it All, but also Earth Crisis, Madball, Obituary, and other heavier bands.
P-What keeps you guys motivated to play in this band?
S-Just knowing that we can influence people into having fun, and being themselves. There’s nothing like travelling all over the world and playing your music in front of people.
P-What's the feeling like seeing kids going off at your shows?
S-Amazing. It feels like people are relating to what we felt when we wrote the music and lyrics.
P-Who writes the lyrics and what do they typically deal with?
S-Mark writes most of the lyrics, but I help out as much as I can. They mostly have to do with our past experiences with touring, past relationships, and some topics in the world like kids being influenced by MTV instead of thinking for themselves.
P-Who are your guys favorite sports teams?
S-It’s funny because Mark and I like the N.Y. METS, but Jimmy and Dion like the Yankees. Mark and I like the JETS, but Jimmy likes the Giants, and Dion likes the Falcons. Then we like the Knicks, and Mark likes the Nets.
P-In a battle, who would win: The Calgary Flames or the New York Islanders and/or Rangers? Why?
S-Most likely the Flames because you Canadians are too good at hockey. Of course the Devils did win last year HAHA!!
P-What up and coming bands do you guys think people should check out?
S-Sworn Enemy, On the Rise, I Against I, River City Rebels, Catch 22.
P-What is one of the most memorable experiences while playing at a show and while being on tour?
S-Playing the Raybeez benefit in N.Y. with great bands like Sick Of It All, a Gorilla Biscuits reunion, and the Bouncing Souls, all in one show.
P-What do you guys do in your free time?
S-We all like sports, so we try to go to different games, hang out with our friends, some of us like videos games and movies. Usual stuff for the most part.
P-Do you guys have any special rituals which you do or any traditions while playing or practicing?
S-We always stretch before we play. It’s a ritual, but at the same time it helps us with jumping around like maniacs.
P-If you could say one thing about punk and hardcore, what would that be?
S-There’s no other music like it. It’s totally straight from the heart, and full of energy. It’s never about making money, or being famous.
P-If you could play one show with any five bands who might they be?
S-Thankfully, we’ve been fortunate enough to play with just about every great hardcore band, but for one show it would be cool to play with: Minor Threat, NOFX, Bad Religion, Sick of it All, and Agnostic Front.
P-If you could play any one city in the world, where might that be?
S-New York City. There’s no place like it.
P-Is hardcore on it's way up? Why or why not?
S-The scene is always growing. Even if there are some slow spots when clubs are closing down, or there is too much violence, the scene always regenerates. More and more people are learning about it everyday.
P-Any final words for the kids, or special quotes?
S-Thanks for doing the interview, and everyone go out and get the new album “Few and Far Between”. We put a lot of work into it, and we’re really proud of it. Thanks, take care.