Boston street punks, The Unseen have just released full length album, State Of Discontent on their new home Hellcat Records. The four-piece are gearing up for a hectic schedule of touring including a summer of fun on this year's Vans Warped Tour.
Check out the official website for The Unseen: www.unseenpunks.com.
BIANCA ROSE: Where in the world are you now and what's going on there?
MARK: Well I'm actually home in Boston. I have no fuckin' idea what's going on because I have been gone for 3 months. It's great to be home for a bit before we hit the road again for Warped tour.
BR: What's the biggest change you've seen in yourself and your fellow band mates since the Unseen first started to now?
M: The biggest change? I don't know that's tough. We have been together for ten years but, it seems like only a few years. I'd say the biggest change is the fact that people actually know who we are now. When we started nobody knew or cared.
BR: Did you approach the recording of your new album, State Of Discontent any differently to your last one, Explode?
M: Yeah a little different. With each album you want to get better and try and top the previous release. With State Of Discontent we were thinking 'fuck well we are on a new label and people are going expect something good'. We toyed with the idea of bringing a producer in to help. We thought about it for a bit and then we met up with Brett Gurewitz. He said 'you guys should have Ken Casey help you out'. I thought about it and was like 'yeah why not? It seems right'. Ken plays in the Dropkick Murphys. He has played gigs with us for years. He knows our style. He could give some great advice. He also lives very close to us and was real interested. So, we hit the studio with about fifteen songs, a lot of practice and Ken. We spent a lot more time on this album. I think it shows. We also had the chance to have the album mixed by Mr Brett. When we found out he was interested and wanted to help us we freaked out. We have all grown up as huge Bad Religion fans and also Brett is one of the best. He has done Rancid, Bad Religion, Bastards and a slew of other great albums. It also helps to get close with the man in charge (laughs)
BR: What fueled the writing and recording of this release?
M: Well, same shit as always general hatered of this fucking planet - the fact that people are all so full of shit. Well, the lyrics anyway (laughs) I don't know what fuels the music? On top of that, we really were psyched to work with Hellcat and try and make a great album and get it our to as many people as possible.
BR: You recorded at The Outpost for the new album, bands like, Roger Miret and Dropkicks have recorded there - can you tell me a bit more about the place? Do you think the vibe of the place you record in can add to the end products sound?
M: Yeah we recorded at The Outpost. I love that place aside from the bands you listed other bands are American Nightmare, Blood For Blood, Slapshot, The Ghouls... It's a great studio. Jim the guy who runs it is amazing. He knows how to make The Unseen sound good (laughs) As for vibes, I definitely think if you record in a place that makes you nervous or you hate the person running it your not gonna make a good album. You need to be able to communicate with the producer.
BR: Was your song writing process the same as it was for previous release? Did Mark and Tripp write most of the lyrics this time also? I read in an interview that Mark said on, Explode the lyrics 'tackled personal issues over politics' Listening to and reading the lyrics it seems there's a balance of personal and political again.
M: The way our past few albums have been are like this. Scott writes most of the music, with his music I write lyrics and decide how to fit them to his riffs. Tripp also writes lyrics and some music. Tripp is great with lyrics. We also have Pat our drummer, he has been with us since Explode. He fuckin' rules on the drums. With out him the songs would not be as good. If anyone cares to see who writes what it's listed in the album right under the song title.
BR: Your songs have brought some social and political issues to the forefront that many choose to ignore. Does that annoy you?
M: I don't know? I think some bands ignore issues because they don't want to press any buttons. What the fuck? I thought punk was all about pushing buttons! I'm not afraid to say whats on my mind. Listen to the intro on track 3 off our new album the song, The End Is Near. That intro is wishing death on the leaders of America. I do think that some bands jumped on the fuck Bush bandwagon to sell records. To me thats fucking lame. That annoys me more then anything.
BR: Was writing this album a cathartic experience for you?
M: This album to me, was very important - one of the most important things I have ever been involved in, in my life. To me making music is not a way to pay bills. I do it because I really fucking love to. I also think if I was not in a band I'd probably be locked up for murder (laughs) It's a great outlet for frustration for me. I'm already getting ready to make another album and this one came out a week ago.
BR: How long did it take for you guys to "find your voice", or at least be relatively comfortable on the mic?
M: That's a good question. Let's see. I have been on the following albums singing in this order: Unseen - Lower Class, A Global Threat - What The Fuck Will Change, Unseen - So This Is Freedom, A Global Threat - Until We Die, Unseen - Anger And The Truth, Self Destruct - Violent Affair, Unseen Explode, Unseen - State Of Discontent. I'd remember starting to think I knew what I was going for on Anger And The Truth but, it was the Self Destruct - Violent Affair EP that I actually was like 'wow this is my style!' Self Destruct was a side thing me and Scott did. After that I started using that style of vocals for The Unseen. It shows a lot on Explode. Aside from the State Of Discontent album the Self Destruct EP is my favorite stuff I have ever written and sang on.
BR: What's keeps it interesting for you?
M: We have three people in The Unseen that all write songs so that helps. Some bands are one man shows. One person over and over can get tough you run out of ideas sometimes. If Tripp makes up a great riff then I'm like 'fuck yeah'. I get all psyched and it fuels me to come up with ideas. As for keeping it interesting, I don't know what keeps me interested? I think it's just my determination to top my last effort and my general passion for music.
BR: Having been a part of the punk scene for so long, do you ever feel disconnected from it? Recently interviewing a local young street punk band in my hometown their singer commented 'the best way to describe 'the scene' is just your family, your friends' would you agree?
M: I have been part of the scene for like thirteen years. Sometimes I feel disconnected because I'll be at a show and I realise I'm twelve years older then some of the kids. We also travel so much. Sometimes I go to shows and next time I come back it's all new faces. There is however times when I go and see all my old friends - that's a great feeling. It's like 'yes I feel like I belong here' (laughs) As far as it being family well, I agree to an extent. There are people involved with us that I'm so close to that I do consider them family.
BR: Lars Frederiksen guests on the album as well as Dicky Barrett, Bill Brown and Ken Casey... how did they come to be on the album?
M: I've bumped into Lars many times over the past eleven years. I gave him a Unseen demo at a show when, Let's Go came out. We did Warped with Rancid so we talked a few times. We just called him and said 'hey The Bastards are playing a gig right near our studio will you come sing on the new album?' He was like 'fuck yeah I'll do it'. It was real easy. It also helped that Ken knows him. Lars did a great job. As for Ken I explained that earlier. Bill Brown has been our buddy for years. He sings on, So This Is Freedom our second album. Dicky was the odd situation. I met him a few times because The Unseen toured with The Bosstones. We were in California mixing the album and decided we needed another voice on, Paint It Black. Ken called him and he just showed up the next day. It was awesome. A lot of people don't like The Bosstones but, to The Unseen, Dicky is a huge figure. He was a kid that helped shape Boston hardcore in the early 80's. He was around before hardcore was called hardcore. In Boston The Bosstones are legendary. Dicky was so fucking cool. I'd love to work with him again.
BR: What was it like working with Ken in the producer's seat? Are you happy with what he did with your sound? Was there times in the studio where you didn't see eye to eye with him?
M: Yeah, we didn't see eye to eye on a few things but, that's why we wanted him. We needed someone to say 'That idea sucks' (laughs) Ken was great, he came up with some awesome ideas. There was a few suggestions he gave that I didn't use but overall he was a key figure in making this record what it is.
BR: What attracted you to being on the Hellcat label? How did you decide to make the break from BYO?
M: BYO is fucking awesome! We were with them for about 5 years. We just thought we needed to try something new. We mainly were looking for better distro especially in places like Japan and Europe. Hellcat offered that. We also just thought it would be a great place for us. A lot of great people work at the label and we felt it would help us out.
BR: You guys tour so incredibly much which must be very taxing on you all, is it hard to adjust back into home life when you come back from the road?
M: We just got home from a 3 month tour. When I get home I'll be psyched for about 4 days then I get board. I'm already itching to go out on Warped tour - I just got home. It is tough to adjust half the time I don't even unpack my bag because I know I'm leaving again soon.
BR: Do you see yourself writing music for the rest of your life or will you move on to something else eventually?
M: This is it. I'm going do this forever.
BR: Last question, what five things would make you really happy right now?
M: A pizza, a quite room, a TV, a serial killer Inside the Mind of" marathon and something to drink.
By BiancaRose
Check out the official website for The Unseen: www.unseenpunks.com.
BIANCA ROSE: Where in the world are you now and what's going on there?
MARK: Well I'm actually home in Boston. I have no fuckin' idea what's going on because I have been gone for 3 months. It's great to be home for a bit before we hit the road again for Warped tour.
BR: What's the biggest change you've seen in yourself and your fellow band mates since the Unseen first started to now?
M: The biggest change? I don't know that's tough. We have been together for ten years but, it seems like only a few years. I'd say the biggest change is the fact that people actually know who we are now. When we started nobody knew or cared.
BR: Did you approach the recording of your new album, State Of Discontent any differently to your last one, Explode?
M: Yeah a little different. With each album you want to get better and try and top the previous release. With State Of Discontent we were thinking 'fuck well we are on a new label and people are going expect something good'. We toyed with the idea of bringing a producer in to help. We thought about it for a bit and then we met up with Brett Gurewitz. He said 'you guys should have Ken Casey help you out'. I thought about it and was like 'yeah why not? It seems right'. Ken plays in the Dropkick Murphys. He has played gigs with us for years. He knows our style. He could give some great advice. He also lives very close to us and was real interested. So, we hit the studio with about fifteen songs, a lot of practice and Ken. We spent a lot more time on this album. I think it shows. We also had the chance to have the album mixed by Mr Brett. When we found out he was interested and wanted to help us we freaked out. We have all grown up as huge Bad Religion fans and also Brett is one of the best. He has done Rancid, Bad Religion, Bastards and a slew of other great albums. It also helps to get close with the man in charge (laughs)
BR: What fueled the writing and recording of this release?
M: Well, same shit as always general hatered of this fucking planet - the fact that people are all so full of shit. Well, the lyrics anyway (laughs) I don't know what fuels the music? On top of that, we really were psyched to work with Hellcat and try and make a great album and get it our to as many people as possible.
BR: You recorded at The Outpost for the new album, bands like, Roger Miret and Dropkicks have recorded there - can you tell me a bit more about the place? Do you think the vibe of the place you record in can add to the end products sound?
M: Yeah we recorded at The Outpost. I love that place aside from the bands you listed other bands are American Nightmare, Blood For Blood, Slapshot, The Ghouls... It's a great studio. Jim the guy who runs it is amazing. He knows how to make The Unseen sound good (laughs) As for vibes, I definitely think if you record in a place that makes you nervous or you hate the person running it your not gonna make a good album. You need to be able to communicate with the producer.
BR: Was your song writing process the same as it was for previous release? Did Mark and Tripp write most of the lyrics this time also? I read in an interview that Mark said on, Explode the lyrics 'tackled personal issues over politics' Listening to and reading the lyrics it seems there's a balance of personal and political again.
M: The way our past few albums have been are like this. Scott writes most of the music, with his music I write lyrics and decide how to fit them to his riffs. Tripp also writes lyrics and some music. Tripp is great with lyrics. We also have Pat our drummer, he has been with us since Explode. He fuckin' rules on the drums. With out him the songs would not be as good. If anyone cares to see who writes what it's listed in the album right under the song title.
BR: Your songs have brought some social and political issues to the forefront that many choose to ignore. Does that annoy you?
M: I don't know? I think some bands ignore issues because they don't want to press any buttons. What the fuck? I thought punk was all about pushing buttons! I'm not afraid to say whats on my mind. Listen to the intro on track 3 off our new album the song, The End Is Near. That intro is wishing death on the leaders of America. I do think that some bands jumped on the fuck Bush bandwagon to sell records. To me thats fucking lame. That annoys me more then anything.
BR: Was writing this album a cathartic experience for you?
M: This album to me, was very important - one of the most important things I have ever been involved in, in my life. To me making music is not a way to pay bills. I do it because I really fucking love to. I also think if I was not in a band I'd probably be locked up for murder (laughs) It's a great outlet for frustration for me. I'm already getting ready to make another album and this one came out a week ago.
BR: How long did it take for you guys to "find your voice", or at least be relatively comfortable on the mic?
M: That's a good question. Let's see. I have been on the following albums singing in this order: Unseen - Lower Class, A Global Threat - What The Fuck Will Change, Unseen - So This Is Freedom, A Global Threat - Until We Die, Unseen - Anger And The Truth, Self Destruct - Violent Affair, Unseen Explode, Unseen - State Of Discontent. I'd remember starting to think I knew what I was going for on Anger And The Truth but, it was the Self Destruct - Violent Affair EP that I actually was like 'wow this is my style!' Self Destruct was a side thing me and Scott did. After that I started using that style of vocals for The Unseen. It shows a lot on Explode. Aside from the State Of Discontent album the Self Destruct EP is my favorite stuff I have ever written and sang on.
BR: What's keeps it interesting for you?
M: We have three people in The Unseen that all write songs so that helps. Some bands are one man shows. One person over and over can get tough you run out of ideas sometimes. If Tripp makes up a great riff then I'm like 'fuck yeah'. I get all psyched and it fuels me to come up with ideas. As for keeping it interesting, I don't know what keeps me interested? I think it's just my determination to top my last effort and my general passion for music.
BR: Having been a part of the punk scene for so long, do you ever feel disconnected from it? Recently interviewing a local young street punk band in my hometown their singer commented 'the best way to describe 'the scene' is just your family, your friends' would you agree?
M: I have been part of the scene for like thirteen years. Sometimes I feel disconnected because I'll be at a show and I realise I'm twelve years older then some of the kids. We also travel so much. Sometimes I go to shows and next time I come back it's all new faces. There is however times when I go and see all my old friends - that's a great feeling. It's like 'yes I feel like I belong here' (laughs) As far as it being family well, I agree to an extent. There are people involved with us that I'm so close to that I do consider them family.
BR: Lars Frederiksen guests on the album as well as Dicky Barrett, Bill Brown and Ken Casey... how did they come to be on the album?
M: I've bumped into Lars many times over the past eleven years. I gave him a Unseen demo at a show when, Let's Go came out. We did Warped with Rancid so we talked a few times. We just called him and said 'hey The Bastards are playing a gig right near our studio will you come sing on the new album?' He was like 'fuck yeah I'll do it'. It was real easy. It also helped that Ken knows him. Lars did a great job. As for Ken I explained that earlier. Bill Brown has been our buddy for years. He sings on, So This Is Freedom our second album. Dicky was the odd situation. I met him a few times because The Unseen toured with The Bosstones. We were in California mixing the album and decided we needed another voice on, Paint It Black. Ken called him and he just showed up the next day. It was awesome. A lot of people don't like The Bosstones but, to The Unseen, Dicky is a huge figure. He was a kid that helped shape Boston hardcore in the early 80's. He was around before hardcore was called hardcore. In Boston The Bosstones are legendary. Dicky was so fucking cool. I'd love to work with him again.
BR: What was it like working with Ken in the producer's seat? Are you happy with what he did with your sound? Was there times in the studio where you didn't see eye to eye with him?
M: Yeah, we didn't see eye to eye on a few things but, that's why we wanted him. We needed someone to say 'That idea sucks' (laughs) Ken was great, he came up with some awesome ideas. There was a few suggestions he gave that I didn't use but overall he was a key figure in making this record what it is.
BR: What attracted you to being on the Hellcat label? How did you decide to make the break from BYO?
M: BYO is fucking awesome! We were with them for about 5 years. We just thought we needed to try something new. We mainly were looking for better distro especially in places like Japan and Europe. Hellcat offered that. We also just thought it would be a great place for us. A lot of great people work at the label and we felt it would help us out.
BR: You guys tour so incredibly much which must be very taxing on you all, is it hard to adjust back into home life when you come back from the road?
M: We just got home from a 3 month tour. When I get home I'll be psyched for about 4 days then I get board. I'm already itching to go out on Warped tour - I just got home. It is tough to adjust half the time I don't even unpack my bag because I know I'm leaving again soon.
BR: Do you see yourself writing music for the rest of your life or will you move on to something else eventually?
M: This is it. I'm going do this forever.
BR: Last question, what five things would make you really happy right now?
M: A pizza, a quite room, a TV, a serial killer Inside the Mind of" marathon and something to drink.
By BiancaRose
VIEW 13 of 13 COMMENTS
sureality:
These guys are great!
tomverge:
Fuck yeah unseen