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Band page - Brutal Truth
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Dan Lilker, bass and backing vocals.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
We are definitely a grindcore band, we have not try playing any other kind of music, however we have experimented by adding bits and pieces of other genres to our sound to keep it interesting.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
It's called "Evolution Through Revolution", and anyone who's familiar with our music and enjoys us should buy this record because it's our most intense one yet, not to mention the first one in over 10 years due to the fact that we actually disbanded for 8 years.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
We formed in 1990 as a 3-piece, I knew the guitarist 'cos he used to roadie for my previous band Nuclear Assault, and I knew the drummer locally from my neighborhood. We got a vocalist the next year who was someone I knew from going to metal shows.
High points were releasing our first record in '92, going to Japan in '93 and Australia in '96.
Low points were ending our relationship with our first label Earache, runnig out of money to eat on long tours where we weren't getting paid very much, and of course when the band broke up in '98 due to some personal issues between some members.
Crucial events? Just important things like signing to Relapse Records in the mid 90s that really helped the band at the time.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
No, not that I remember, we were a pioneering US grindcore band so pretty much right from the beginning we were pre-destined to "make it".
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Finishing the recording of our new album was a great moment last year. We put a lot of hard work into the writing and recording process so it was very satisfying to have it completed and get to hear the fruits of our labour.
Also, returning to Japan in the spring of '07 was another favorite moment. We were very well received and it was very inspiring.
How is the writing process in the band?
Our guitarist Erik and I (the only BT members that live near each other) would meet up at his place, have some bong hits, grab some guitars and a cold beer and exchange riff ideas until we have built the basic skeletons of a few songs. Then our drummer Rich would come up from Philly (we are in Rochester, NY) roughly once a month, we'd go to the rehearsal room of Erik's other band SULACO and we'd jam the shit we wrote loud and proud, Rich would chime in with his opinions on the riffs and arrangements and speed everything up ridiculously and the songs would be done. We'd record them on a 16-track portable digital recorder and send them to our vocalist Kevin, who would then write the lyrics.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
It seems I was destined to be a musician, I started playing piano when I was 5, and I have perfect pitch, which means that when I hear a musical note out of the blue, I can tell which note it is (like C, F#, etc.). I have never taken any other paths, I do not have any college degrees, I have just followed my instincts so far.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
When I was younger I idolized my favorite bassists like Steve Harris from Iron Maiden and Lemmy from Motorhead, but that was years ago, and I can't think of anyone today I look up to that much.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
I have a very slight regret regarding the lyrical content on the S.O.D. album "Speak English Or Die". Although we were joking, a lot of people didn't realize it and got kind of offended. It's certain that we wanted to offend people to a certain point of course, but we might have gone a little over the line. Oh well.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
It is getting a little tiring and repetitive playing "Walking Corpse" from our first record, that song will be 20 years old next year! But we always play it because people always scream for it live.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
The lyrics are quite important for us and have always been, but for me the music has been the main driving force, but this makes sense since I write a lot of music but no lyrics. I trust our vocalist to write intelligent lyrics so I leave that to him.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
If you mean the business side like labels and managers etc., well I guess labels have been suffering between the economy tanking and people downloading music from torrent sites these days. Managers are the same sharks they've always been, haha.
Otherwise it's the same shit I remember from my youth, trying to get on good tours and festivals, working with your label, etc.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I think it's impossible, it's something we have to deal with and hope that your die-hard fans still buy your album anyway. Even if you changed the whole method of purchasing music to an internet-related technique like iTunes or whatever, people will find a way around it and take shit for free.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
I have never pondered this but I suppose it would be along the lines of "Do what you want regardless of how it's perceived or whether it's liked by the masses." But I guess this philosophy is closely related to my musical career.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
If I'm home- ever since I got laid off (like everyone else) from my job at a party-supply store here back in January, I just hang out at home while my wife is at work.
If I'm on tour- driving all day and hanging out at a venue waiting to go onstage.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I like to mess around with graphic and 3D programs on my Mac.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
A brutal road accident we saw back in '96. A car drove into the back of a big truck, got stuck, and a dude flew out of the car. 10 seconds later we saw him get run over by another truck.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Beethoven's 9th Symphony
Darkthrone- A Blaze In The Northern Sky
Dead Can Dance- Spleen and Ideal
Airplane
Dawn Of The Dead
Lord Of The Rings trilogy
Clockwork Orange
Isaac Asimov's I Robot Series
The Shining
What is your favourite joke?
(For the second part of this joke, the joke teller must spread his arms out very wide) "Why was Jesus so popular with the ladies? Because he was hung like THIS!"
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
Just a bunch of touring to support our new album which is out in mid-April worldwide.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
I would like to thank all the grindcore supporters for welcoming Brutal Truth back to the scene with such rabid enthusiasm. Enjoy our new album and we'll see ya out there. Cheers!
Added by Steen - 4/17/2009
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