Mike D'Antonio

Straight out of Beantown (Boston) Killswitch Engage is probably the hardest band to date INLEWD.COM has sat down with for an in-depth interview.

Hardcore Music's leading publication's only have intense, all be it, nice things to say about Killswitch Engage:

PA HARDCORE.com -- ***** stars -- ...a twisting grinding metal experience from hell."

CMJ New Music Report, Issue: 683 -- "Aaarrrggghhh! A barrage of primal screams mark the debut clusterfuck by the immortal Killswitch Engage, a band able to serve as both metal for the hardcore kids and hardcore for the metal heads.", Amy Sciarretto.

Rockpile Magazine -- 4.5 out of 5 -- "Killswitch Engage could very well plot Ferret on the hardcore/metal map."

Killswitch Engage was recently signed by Roadrunner Records which also has hardcore legends Fear Factory and Slip Knot on their label. Killswitch is poised to make their hardcore assault on the free world!

Joel Stroetzel  - Guitar
Jesse Leach     - Vocals
Adam Dutkiewitz - Drums
Mike D'Antonio  - Bass

(This interview was conducted with Bass Guitarist Mike D'Antonio)

CJ: I understand you are pro-wrestling fans, in fact, on your web page there is a section entitled "RAW is KSE" and includes super-imposed heads of band members on photo's of pro-wrestlers wrestling in matches. Would you ever be interested in performing on any pro-wrestling related telecasts?

MD: Hell Yeah. The photos are of ECW wrestlers. I have (had) been a huge supporter of ECW. I was very sad when they called it quits. I am a huge wrestling fan (thanks in part by John Dudeck at EDISON RECORDINGS). Now that ECW is back I am excited for wrestling again... for a while it was a bit stale.... I see great potential if the current WWF/WCW/ECW angles are done correctly.

CJ: I can agree on that, and so far all I have to say about the direction of the company (WWFE) is WOW! This is a great time to be a wrestling fan. However; it is also a great time to be a hardcore music fan because I've got it under good authority you have recently been signed to a record contract with Roadrunner Records! This label also has hardcore legends such as Fear Factory and Slip Knot on their roster, how cool was it to finally get signed?

MD: It feels great. KSE started out as a small project that Adam (drums) and I (Mike-bass) were trying to get together for quite sometime. In the beginning we really never intended this band to be anything but a fun thing to do on the side. But, low and behold, ever since our 1st LP came out on FERRET last July, we have had a bunch of labels beating down our doors with interest. Given the struggles all our previous bands had to endure just to make a dent in the HARDCORE scene, we feel very lucky and at the same time dumbfounded at this strange twist of fate.

CJ: One of the reason's why I am so excited for your opportunity is I've listened to your lyrics! And they involve an intense message. Do you have anything to do with the actual writing of the lyrics?

MD: Fortunately I don't write the lyrics for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.... feeling obligated to write 80% of OVERCAST's lyrics got on my nerves after awhile.... I am glad this is no longer my job... sorry I cant answer that one.

CJ: I can understand that. How about influences? What has influenced the way you present your music overall?

MD: OVERCAST lasted 7 years and we worked VERY hard. I feel like I have had enough practice at being in a band at this point to know what works and what doesn't in my music. So I guess experience is a main factor in influencing me. I also blame the music I listen to... bands like: CRO-MAGS, AT THE GATES, SLAYER, CARCASS, NEUROSIS, BAD BRAINS, THE CURE, old METALLICA, SABBATH, ENTOMBED, STARKWEATHER, ONLY LIVING WITNESS... stuff like that.

CJ: And what exactly would the message be that you wish to send to your listeners? There are many significant problems with today's culture, and probably way too many to list right now. But what is the biggest problem facing today's culture as you see it, and what would you do to solve it (if you could)?

MD: Hhhmmmm, the biggest problem today? Maybe the fact that we are pissing away all the planets natural resources. How would I personally solve this? Partial or full on mass destruction of the human race.

CJ: That would certainly be a unique way to solve the problem, no human's, no more problem. I understand some of the band members in Killswitch were also in the legendary band OVERCAST? Did OVERCAST help Killswitch evolve?

MD: Actually I am the only member of OVERCAST presently in KSE, so it didn't actually evolve at all. There was a year or 2 gap between KSE formation and OVERCAST's demise... in the time between the 2 bands I had plenty of time to reflect on OVERCAST and the song structures of the band. I was able to see what needed to be improved and what was working essentially. As I look back now, it seems like EVERYTHING in OVERCAST was a lesson, and it taught me a lot about myself and what I find attractive about the music industry in general. I learned that when done properly, repetitiveness can be a powerful tool to bring a point across. I learned that shorter songs can work well for short attention spans... Lastly I learned that one person CAN'T do everything in a band... it must be a combined effort made by the whole group in order to succeed.

CJ: The effort so far with Killswitch Engage has seen your music branded as "FAST PACED BRUTALITY." The music tells the listeners a story. Do you have any set arrangement on how you play various songs to pump up the crowd through the telling of the stories (songs)?

MD: We try our best to "stir up" the pit live.... set lists vary from show to show... but here is an interesting KSE song fact: None of us (except Jesse) pay attention to any of the "song titles", in fact our set lists consist of #s instead of names.... We actually call out songs but the # order in which they were written. here is an example of a KSE set list: (intro) / 1, 4, 6, 1b, 2b, 5, 7

CJ: Can you give us any updates on THE WERS "Nasty Habits" LIVE CD comp which is currently in the works?

MD: I have been told the CD will be available this coming November and will be distributed by HYDRA HEAD records.

CJ: And the band is planning a national tour coming off this CD?

MD: Yes most definitely... no clue who with just yet.

CJ: And we can obtain updates on all of the happenings and news pertaining to the band by going to your web page?

MD: Visit the web site for all updates and happenings for KSE at KillSwitchEngage.com.

CJ: Can you give us a general idea on what music means to you as an individual?

MD: Music in general is a great outlet for many things (frustration, anger, relaxation, excitement, etc). Our music to us is not taken very seriously... I mean we like what we are playing, but in the end we are just out to have fun... if we can make a living out of it, so be it.

CJ: Also music is an outlet to accomplish goals. Do you have any goals which you personally would like to accomplish in the music industry??

MD: to be able to survive using KSE as a full time job.

CJ: And in ten years you hope to be?

MD: Hhhhmmmm, I'd like to personally be happy with myself and musically at peace.

CJ: What does the band believe in?

MD: Having a good time, making music we enjoy, living life to the fullest.

CJ: And finally. DO you have any closing words you would like to tell all of our readers?

MD: Visit our site, come see us on tour!