Matt Devine was sitting in the back of the Kill Hannah van while they were driving through the hills of Pennsylvania. I counted it up and we lost contact four times during the course of conversation. But he kept calling me back, that means he has me on permanent speed dial. That makes me officially cool.
In case you've been living under a rock Kill Hannah is one of the hottest "lifestyle" bands around right now. Originally from out of Chicago the band members were out there personally pressing flyers into people's hands even after they were signed by Atlantic Records. Stuff like that accounts for their growing popularity. Their latest album, For Never & Ever Kill, comes out October 14.
This was the first time that a major label band has pursued me to talk to them. Lead singer Matt Devine is a big SuicideGirls fan. I got a chance to talk with Matt about the Kennedys, growing up with the Ts and the hotness of Goth girls.
Check out Kill Hannah's website.
Daniel Robert Epstein: It's good to hear you're into SuicideGirls.
Matt Devine: Yeah I was the one who tried really hard to get our band associated with SuicideGirls. I think it's a perfect match.
DRE: What do you love about the site so much?
MD: I love the concept of it. The fact that's it's tailored to the underground a bit. To people with more unconventional tastes.
DRE: How did you first hear about it?
MD: I heard about it because I have the domain to Chicago Suicide Club. I use that as a side project for other endeavors. Someone told me about the Chicago SuicideGirls and that got me curious.
DRE: The press biography of the band on your website says that you're ready for the big time. What does that mean?
MD: That's an older bio which makes it even more comical. But right now things are exciting despite the fact that I'm laying down in the back of a beat up van right now sucking on exhaust. Today we just got added to 20 or 30 different radio stations and it charted at number two most added. We've been getting a lot of good press. We're scheduling some late night talk show appearances. I don't know if the big time is ready for us [laughs]. But we're definitely getting a pretty good swing at the bat.
DRE: What does the big time mean to you? More money, more fans, a nicer van?
MD: I think all those things. I think in the most fundamental sense it means more exposure. A chance to take what we've already accomplished on a local level in Chicago and blow it up internationally.
DRE: A lot of people compare your band to late-1980s, early-1990s college rock like The Cure, Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. You must like those bands.
MD: I grew up on them. I was fortunate enough to have an older sister who went through a New Wave/Goth phase when I was in grade school so I inherited her tape collection and those bands definitely meant a lot to me. They've had an obvious influence on the music I write.
DRE: You guys do appeal to the Goth crowd. Do you consider yourself that way?
MD: I don't. It's not a title that I like because I think its too one dimensional. We definitely welcome attention and support from the Goth community. I could definitely list a handful of Goth bands among my favorite but I think its too limiting of a label.
DRE: Is record company aware of that following? In keeping with that do they ask you do certain stuff or ask you to wear another leather jacket?
MD: [laughs] I think we were signed because are what some people refer to as a lifestyle band. When we play in Chicago and then the next week we play in North Carolina and the fans have a pretty consistent style it's a really great indication that your music is connecting with them in a deep way. that's the type of fans we truly value. They are the type of fans who stick by the bands that shape their lives. The label is definitely encouraging of that.
DRE: Even after you guys were signed you were still doing DIY stuff like handing out flyers. What you think it was necessary to keep doing that stuff?
MD: On one hand we work our asses off and we always have. We've seen too many bands of making the mistake of slacking once they get signed. I think there is a popular misconception that labels take care of everything. It's not that simple. We've only gotten to where we are by doing the hard work we've done. We're tireless, restless and as far as I know we're the hardest working band in Chicago and there is no reason that should stop because we got our deal. Everyday is another chance to turn on new people.
DRE: Are you still doing it?
MD: Definitely we do everything under budget. I just designed the CD artwork. On the road we stay at Super 8 motels. We used a friend of ours as the cover model for the CD. I do most of the photography and graphic design myself. But it's also a credit to the label that they respect that in us.
We have a pretty extensive merch line. That's a great way to get the band name out there. It's a turn on to see people in our shirts and it's a great to way to support ourselves on the road. We have a lot of expenses on the road like gas, crew and truck rentals.
DRE: Are you in total control of everything?
MD: Well we hire friends to do our lights at shows. We actually spend a lot of money on the production of the lives shows.
DRE: Where does it all come from for you?
MD: I think it all comes from the fact that music has always meant so much to me and all of us. From a really early time the affect it had on us was then when I started playing instruments and writing songs, I wanted to make songs I wanted to listen to.
DRE: Even the bands you liked weren't getting to you as much as you can.
MD: There is a difference. Although I can't underestimate the importance of my favorite bands but when you pick up an instrument during those early years you want to be a part of that. I like to know that our songs are being played by kids out there who are driving fast in their cars at night, making out with girls for the first time and stuff like that. I want it to matter to them the same way other band's songs mattered to me.
DRE: How long ago did you break up with Hannah?
MD: Eight years ago [laughs].
DRE: Did you ever expect this name to stick?
MD: I did want it to when we did it. I've second guessed it since then but at the time it was the biggest decision I ever made. I was so fucking traumatized by that relationship that I was vengeful so I wanted a world full of people wearing shirts and saying the band name to drive her insane. I had no idea it would take eight years to get to this point. Maybe I would have chosen a different name. At the time it was a real honest expression. I've always had crushes on Goth girls.
DRE: It's a really punk thing to put the word kill in the name of your band.
MD: Yeah and it also closes some doors to us. But I think it's worth it in the end.
DRE: You'll probably never play prisons.
MD: Nor church halls.
DRE: What did happen with Hannah?
MD: It was just the normal bad breakup. But at the time it was my first relationship and I felt like I was the only one in the universe that felt that way.
DRE: I read she's in Europe now.
MD: Yeah and writing erotic literature. She's engaged to some nobility in Switzerland.
DRE: Do you think she'll come out to a show?
MD: Eventually. We drop each other an email once a year. She's a fascinating person. I was in a tiny town and she was the only with any sense of style. In 1992 she was 16 with purple hair, there nose rings, into Wicca and thrift store clothes. She was bizarre and gorgeous.
DRE: Did she turn you cool?
MD: No. when she met me I was the only one in town wearing cardigan sweaters and I had huge messed up hair. We were a perfect match but I didn't realize how fucking insane she was.
DRE: All girls are insane. I was surprised to hear that someone passed away from your band a few years ago. Who was that?
MD: It was many years ago and it was Dan Wenberg. Just by virtue of the fact that they band has been around so long, there is going to be personnel changes. Not everyone can sacrifice everything for a decade for an unsigned band. It takes a real strong daring and stupid person to do that. It got really aggravating to explain to people over the years why you are sacrificing security, physical health and happiness for a local band.
DRE: The lineup you had when you got signed. Was that the one that just clicked?
MD: Yeah and we knew it right away. That was over three years ago and it's been consistent since then.
DRE: What is it like when it all comes together like that?
MD: It's really satisfying. For me it's a dream come true.
DRE: Have you met many of your rabid fans?
MD: Every night. After every show we don't go home until we meet every single person that wants to meet us.
DRE: Are the people that were into you before you got signed to Atlantic will be really cool?
MD: That's inescapable as you start to gain more fans you also lose a few. In every decision we make we try to stay true to the ethics of what we started. From our choice of producers to our song selection we try to stay the course. I don't expect that being with Atlantic should make any difference to the people who believe in us for the right reasons.
DRE: Were you really jealous of the Kennedys at a young age or something?
MD: [laughs] Am I angry that my parents aren't going to leave me an estate? Yes. But it's not the Kennedys specifically. I've just always been attracted to their allure of romance and tragedy of that family.
DRE: Is your song part of the Kennedy curse?
MD: Oh dude we're afraid of the Kill Hannah curse.
DRE: What's that?
MD: I don't know if I should talk about it.
DRE: I've got to hear about it now.
MD: We have the material for a Behind the Music already. We're total survivors and now we're incredible problem solvers. Thousands of bands have quit from experiencing much less than we have. From huge shows suddenly canceling day of to showcases with labels planned for 9/11 to dying drummers. Every month we're faced with another catastrophe but it makes us stronger.
DRE: Is it tough to keep it real when the Chicago Sun Times calls you the cutest band in Chicago?
MD: Did you just say "keep it real"? [laughs] But that didn't change things except that half the city started hating us.
DRE: Are you psyched for the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans?
MD: Yeah definitely. I'm just looking forward to watching 50 Cent. We've had good times in New Orleans before and by good times I mean having no memory whatsoever of the night. We try to piece it together by looking at the photos.
DRE: What's the drug of choice?
MD: We have it under control. We work too hard to lose our wits too much but in our down time we've been doing a lot of these Irish car bombs lately.
DRE: What else do you guys do?
MD: I do a lot of things. I went to art school so I've always made a mess of my apartment.
DRE: Where did you go to school?
MD: I graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago but I had two years at Idaho State University.
DRE: Where did you grow up?
MD: I was born in Westport Connecticut but I grew up in Norwalk.
DRE: Those are fancy neighborhoods. Did you grow up with money?
MD: I think we were upper middle class. I didn't get a car on 16th birthday or anything. But when we moved to the suburbs of Chicago it was even nicer than those places. It was actually in the suburb where Mr. T was.
DRE: Did you ever hang out with Mr. T?
MD: I hung out with his daughter a lot.
DRE: Is she hot?
MD: She was young but she did wear some of his necklaces.
DRE: What's the nuttiest thing someone has thrown onstage at you?
MD: These girls started throwing these Marmaduke stuffed animals onstage. I have no idea why. I think it means something to them but I don't grasp it.
DRE: Did you ever throw anything back?
MD: Some girl threw underwear onstage with a note stapled to it. I didn't throw it back but she came to me after the show and asked for it. I said, this is rock and roll not show and tell.
DRE: What's your favorite pornography?
MD: I'm not a connoisseur or anything but I'll tell you what I can't stand. That's the shit that's shot on video with bright lights and girls with bruises with no respect for the craft of acting. I guess high budget shit is my favorite. I like when the girl is enjoying what she's doing and doesn't look terrified.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
In case you've been living under a rock Kill Hannah is one of the hottest "lifestyle" bands around right now. Originally from out of Chicago the band members were out there personally pressing flyers into people's hands even after they were signed by Atlantic Records. Stuff like that accounts for their growing popularity. Their latest album, For Never & Ever Kill, comes out October 14.
This was the first time that a major label band has pursued me to talk to them. Lead singer Matt Devine is a big SuicideGirls fan. I got a chance to talk with Matt about the Kennedys, growing up with the Ts and the hotness of Goth girls.
Check out Kill Hannah's website.
Daniel Robert Epstein: It's good to hear you're into SuicideGirls.
Matt Devine: Yeah I was the one who tried really hard to get our band associated with SuicideGirls. I think it's a perfect match.
DRE: What do you love about the site so much?
MD: I love the concept of it. The fact that's it's tailored to the underground a bit. To people with more unconventional tastes.
DRE: How did you first hear about it?
MD: I heard about it because I have the domain to Chicago Suicide Club. I use that as a side project for other endeavors. Someone told me about the Chicago SuicideGirls and that got me curious.
DRE: The press biography of the band on your website says that you're ready for the big time. What does that mean?
MD: That's an older bio which makes it even more comical. But right now things are exciting despite the fact that I'm laying down in the back of a beat up van right now sucking on exhaust. Today we just got added to 20 or 30 different radio stations and it charted at number two most added. We've been getting a lot of good press. We're scheduling some late night talk show appearances. I don't know if the big time is ready for us [laughs]. But we're definitely getting a pretty good swing at the bat.
DRE: What does the big time mean to you? More money, more fans, a nicer van?
MD: I think all those things. I think in the most fundamental sense it means more exposure. A chance to take what we've already accomplished on a local level in Chicago and blow it up internationally.
DRE: A lot of people compare your band to late-1980s, early-1990s college rock like The Cure, Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. You must like those bands.
MD: I grew up on them. I was fortunate enough to have an older sister who went through a New Wave/Goth phase when I was in grade school so I inherited her tape collection and those bands definitely meant a lot to me. They've had an obvious influence on the music I write.
DRE: You guys do appeal to the Goth crowd. Do you consider yourself that way?
MD: I don't. It's not a title that I like because I think its too one dimensional. We definitely welcome attention and support from the Goth community. I could definitely list a handful of Goth bands among my favorite but I think its too limiting of a label.
DRE: Is record company aware of that following? In keeping with that do they ask you do certain stuff or ask you to wear another leather jacket?
MD: [laughs] I think we were signed because are what some people refer to as a lifestyle band. When we play in Chicago and then the next week we play in North Carolina and the fans have a pretty consistent style it's a really great indication that your music is connecting with them in a deep way. that's the type of fans we truly value. They are the type of fans who stick by the bands that shape their lives. The label is definitely encouraging of that.
DRE: Even after you guys were signed you were still doing DIY stuff like handing out flyers. What you think it was necessary to keep doing that stuff?
MD: On one hand we work our asses off and we always have. We've seen too many bands of making the mistake of slacking once they get signed. I think there is a popular misconception that labels take care of everything. It's not that simple. We've only gotten to where we are by doing the hard work we've done. We're tireless, restless and as far as I know we're the hardest working band in Chicago and there is no reason that should stop because we got our deal. Everyday is another chance to turn on new people.
DRE: Are you still doing it?
MD: Definitely we do everything under budget. I just designed the CD artwork. On the road we stay at Super 8 motels. We used a friend of ours as the cover model for the CD. I do most of the photography and graphic design myself. But it's also a credit to the label that they respect that in us.
We have a pretty extensive merch line. That's a great way to get the band name out there. It's a turn on to see people in our shirts and it's a great to way to support ourselves on the road. We have a lot of expenses on the road like gas, crew and truck rentals.
DRE: Are you in total control of everything?
MD: Well we hire friends to do our lights at shows. We actually spend a lot of money on the production of the lives shows.
DRE: Where does it all come from for you?
MD: I think it all comes from the fact that music has always meant so much to me and all of us. From a really early time the affect it had on us was then when I started playing instruments and writing songs, I wanted to make songs I wanted to listen to.
DRE: Even the bands you liked weren't getting to you as much as you can.
MD: There is a difference. Although I can't underestimate the importance of my favorite bands but when you pick up an instrument during those early years you want to be a part of that. I like to know that our songs are being played by kids out there who are driving fast in their cars at night, making out with girls for the first time and stuff like that. I want it to matter to them the same way other band's songs mattered to me.
DRE: How long ago did you break up with Hannah?
MD: Eight years ago [laughs].
DRE: Did you ever expect this name to stick?
MD: I did want it to when we did it. I've second guessed it since then but at the time it was the biggest decision I ever made. I was so fucking traumatized by that relationship that I was vengeful so I wanted a world full of people wearing shirts and saying the band name to drive her insane. I had no idea it would take eight years to get to this point. Maybe I would have chosen a different name. At the time it was a real honest expression. I've always had crushes on Goth girls.
DRE: It's a really punk thing to put the word kill in the name of your band.
MD: Yeah and it also closes some doors to us. But I think it's worth it in the end.
DRE: You'll probably never play prisons.
MD: Nor church halls.
DRE: What did happen with Hannah?
MD: It was just the normal bad breakup. But at the time it was my first relationship and I felt like I was the only one in the universe that felt that way.
DRE: I read she's in Europe now.
MD: Yeah and writing erotic literature. She's engaged to some nobility in Switzerland.
DRE: Do you think she'll come out to a show?
MD: Eventually. We drop each other an email once a year. She's a fascinating person. I was in a tiny town and she was the only with any sense of style. In 1992 she was 16 with purple hair, there nose rings, into Wicca and thrift store clothes. She was bizarre and gorgeous.
DRE: Did she turn you cool?
MD: No. when she met me I was the only one in town wearing cardigan sweaters and I had huge messed up hair. We were a perfect match but I didn't realize how fucking insane she was.
DRE: All girls are insane. I was surprised to hear that someone passed away from your band a few years ago. Who was that?
MD: It was many years ago and it was Dan Wenberg. Just by virtue of the fact that they band has been around so long, there is going to be personnel changes. Not everyone can sacrifice everything for a decade for an unsigned band. It takes a real strong daring and stupid person to do that. It got really aggravating to explain to people over the years why you are sacrificing security, physical health and happiness for a local band.
DRE: The lineup you had when you got signed. Was that the one that just clicked?
MD: Yeah and we knew it right away. That was over three years ago and it's been consistent since then.
DRE: What is it like when it all comes together like that?
MD: It's really satisfying. For me it's a dream come true.
DRE: Have you met many of your rabid fans?
MD: Every night. After every show we don't go home until we meet every single person that wants to meet us.
DRE: Are the people that were into you before you got signed to Atlantic will be really cool?
MD: That's inescapable as you start to gain more fans you also lose a few. In every decision we make we try to stay true to the ethics of what we started. From our choice of producers to our song selection we try to stay the course. I don't expect that being with Atlantic should make any difference to the people who believe in us for the right reasons.
DRE: Were you really jealous of the Kennedys at a young age or something?
MD: [laughs] Am I angry that my parents aren't going to leave me an estate? Yes. But it's not the Kennedys specifically. I've just always been attracted to their allure of romance and tragedy of that family.
DRE: Is your song part of the Kennedy curse?
MD: Oh dude we're afraid of the Kill Hannah curse.
DRE: What's that?
MD: I don't know if I should talk about it.
DRE: I've got to hear about it now.
MD: We have the material for a Behind the Music already. We're total survivors and now we're incredible problem solvers. Thousands of bands have quit from experiencing much less than we have. From huge shows suddenly canceling day of to showcases with labels planned for 9/11 to dying drummers. Every month we're faced with another catastrophe but it makes us stronger.
DRE: Is it tough to keep it real when the Chicago Sun Times calls you the cutest band in Chicago?
MD: Did you just say "keep it real"? [laughs] But that didn't change things except that half the city started hating us.
DRE: Are you psyched for the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans?
MD: Yeah definitely. I'm just looking forward to watching 50 Cent. We've had good times in New Orleans before and by good times I mean having no memory whatsoever of the night. We try to piece it together by looking at the photos.
DRE: What's the drug of choice?
MD: We have it under control. We work too hard to lose our wits too much but in our down time we've been doing a lot of these Irish car bombs lately.
DRE: What else do you guys do?
MD: I do a lot of things. I went to art school so I've always made a mess of my apartment.
DRE: Where did you go to school?
MD: I graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago but I had two years at Idaho State University.
DRE: Where did you grow up?
MD: I was born in Westport Connecticut but I grew up in Norwalk.
DRE: Those are fancy neighborhoods. Did you grow up with money?
MD: I think we were upper middle class. I didn't get a car on 16th birthday or anything. But when we moved to the suburbs of Chicago it was even nicer than those places. It was actually in the suburb where Mr. T was.
DRE: Did you ever hang out with Mr. T?
MD: I hung out with his daughter a lot.
DRE: Is she hot?
MD: She was young but she did wear some of his necklaces.
DRE: What's the nuttiest thing someone has thrown onstage at you?
MD: These girls started throwing these Marmaduke stuffed animals onstage. I have no idea why. I think it means something to them but I don't grasp it.
DRE: Did you ever throw anything back?
MD: Some girl threw underwear onstage with a note stapled to it. I didn't throw it back but she came to me after the show and asked for it. I said, this is rock and roll not show and tell.
DRE: What's your favorite pornography?
MD: I'm not a connoisseur or anything but I'll tell you what I can't stand. That's the shit that's shot on video with bright lights and girls with bruises with no respect for the craft of acting. I guess high budget shit is my favorite. I like when the girl is enjoying what she's doing and doesn't look terrified.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
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