- ผม Jimmy ครับ, ตีกลอง มี Steve เล่นกีตาร์, Mark ร้องนำ และ Dion เล่นเบส เรารู้จักกันสมัยเรียน High school ก็มี Mark, Steve กับผมที่เรียนที่เดียวกัน ส่วน Dion นี่เจอเขาที่งานคอนเสริ์ต พวกเราฟอร์มวงกันช่วงเดือนธันวาคม ปี 94
2.รู้สึกว่าดนตรีของ SHUTDOWN จะเปลี่ยนแปลงไปมาก ถ้าเทียบตั้งแต่อัลบั้ม “ Turning The Tide ” ( สังกัด SFT Records ) จนถึงอัลบั้มที่ 3 ที่เป็นงานล่าสุด “ Few and Far Between ” ที่ออกกับสังกัด Victory คงเป็นเพราะพวกคุณเป็นผู้ใหญ่ขึ้น รวมทั้งมีประสบการณ์และฝีมือมากขึ้นจนเป็นที่ยอมรับ ผมเลยมีคำถาม 2 ข้อที่อยากจะถาม : คุณเปลี่ยนได้ยังไง ? และคุณจะคงความเป็นตัวเองเหมือนตอนเริ่มแรกได้อย่างไร ? - เรากลายเป็นวงดนตรีที่เล่นได้แน่นขึ้น จากที่เราผ่านการทัวร์คอนเสริต์มาหลายต่อหลายงาน มันทำให้เราได้ไอเดียอะไรดี ๆ เก็บอยู่ในหัวเยอะแยะกว่าแต่ก่อน แต่พวกเราก็ยังคงชอบที่จะสนุกเมามันกับการแสดง และยังยึดมั่นในอุดมการณ์เดิมเหมือนตอนเริ่มแรก เราต้องการให้ทุก
11.คุณรู้ไหมว่าวงการ Hardcore ใน South East Asia นี่มีกลุ่มใหญ่มาก ? ทั้งใน Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia และมันกำลังเติบโตที่นี่ ในประเทศไทย
1.First of all, who is SHUTDOWN? Who plays what? We know you are all from Brooklyn, but where did you all meet each other? And when did you form the band ?
- I'm Jimmy and I play drums, Steve plays guitar, Mark sings, and Dion plays bass. We met each other in high school. Mark, Steve, and myself went to the same high school, and we met Dion at shows. We formed the band in December of 94.
2.SHUTDOWN has changed a lot since “ Turning The Tide ” (SFT Records) and your third and latest release on Victory, “ Few and Far Between. ” Obviously, you’re older and have had a lot more experience and practice and achieved a fair amount of recognition. So I have two questions: How have you changed ? And how are you the same as when you first started ?
- We have become tighter players through touring a lot, and we have better ideas in our heads than we used to. We still like to have fun while playing, and we still have the same message as when we started, for everyone to be themselves and to have fun at a Shutdown show.
3.Victory Records is a very popular label with the kids here in Thailand. But in some of the neighboring countries, a lot of kids don’t support Victory. Some kids in Asia are militantly DIY and see signing to Victory ( and the other bigger hardcore labels ) as selling out. What do you have to say to this? What does selling out mean to you ? And what are your feelings about Victory and your decision to sign with them ?
- I think it's the issue of having a closed mind. I think if someone likes a band for their music, what label that band is on shouldn't matter. Victory is a great label, they have really looked out for us , and we are very happy that we signed to them.
4.Is SHUTDOWN a straightedge band ? Was SHUTDOWN a straightedge band when you began ? There seems to be some confusion about that here.
- No, Shutdown is not a straightedge band. All the members used to be straightedge when we were younger so I guess we received that label. Two of us are still straight edge though.
5.For those reading this that have not heard SHUTDOWN before, what kinds of things do you sing about ? What topics and issues are important to you as a band ?
- We sing about what goes on in our lives in NY and when we tour. We basically sing about never giving up, whatever you do, and achieving whatever you want to in life.
6.On all Victory releases, there is the tribute to Raybeez on the back cover. Many kids in Thailand don’t know a lot about the history of hardcore and therefore don’t know Raybeez or WARZONE. On your first Victory release “ Against All Odds ” you have a song dedicated to Raybeez. On “ Few and Far Between ” you cover the WARZONE song “ Don’t Forget the Struggle, Don’t Forget The Streets. Can you say a little bit about Raybeez, Warzone and why you chose to cover “ Don’t Forget the Struggle ” ?
- Raybeez was a great friend to us. He always hooked us up with shows, and he is the one who was responsible for getting us on Victory. We chose to cover a Warzone song so every kid that is new to hardcore knows who Raybeez was, and what he stood for. We will never forget him.
7.You have a bunch of guest singers on the new record. Can you tell us a little about that ?
- Two of Mark's brothers sing on it to represent family, and because they have great voices, and Freddy of MADBALL and Sal of SWORN ENEMY represent the new and old bands of the NYHC scene.
8.SHUTDOWN definitely has an old school, NY sound. What bands have been the most influential to SHUTDOWN? Who are your favorite all time bands ? And who are your favorite bands that are still playing now ? Who would you recommend to Thai kids who are just getting into hardcore ?
- Bands like Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, and Madball have really influenced us. Theyare my all time favorite bands. I love punk like NOFX, Good Riddance, AFI, and bands like SOIA, Earth Crisis.... I would recommend all the bands I just mentioned.
9.You guys have toured a lot. Where have you played ? What’s your favorite place to play ? What bands have you enjoyed playing with the most ? Who you would you really like to play with that you haven’t played with yet ?
- We've toured the US and Canada a bunch of times. We also toured Japan and Europe. That's a tough question because there are so many good places out there to play. I really can't answer that. I loved playing with Agnostic Front and our boys in Catch 22. Both were very fun tours. Or a big punk band like a NOFX, or a Good Riddance.
10.In Thailand, people often use the word “ hardcore ” to describe any band with a hard sound and tattoos ? Limpbizkit, Slipknot, Papa Roach, etc. bands that get a lot of MTV play that would not be considered hardcore bands in the states are called “ hardcore ” bands here. What are your thoughts on this ? What makes a band hardcore ?
- I guess it's that way because it's such a new scene so it's understandable. Hardcore is playing hard music because you want to, not because a record label tells you to play it.
11.Did you know that there are really big hardcore scenes here in South East Asia? Malaysia ? Singapore ? Philippines ? Indonesia ? A growing scene here in Thailand ? Etc.
- I really had no idea. I can't wait to go there.
12.What images come to your mind when you think of Thailand ? South East Asia ?
- Hmm I think of a large economy, and a lot of Asian people.....haha sorry, don't really know too much about those countries?
13.What are your plans for the coming year and is there any chance SHUTDOWN might make it to this part of the world any time soon ?
- I think we are coming there in April right after we play Japan, so look out for us.
14.I think a lot of kids here in Thailand seem to think that because you are on Victory you like drive around in limousines and stay in big expensive hotels and stuff like that. What’s your day to day life like ? What else do you guys do other than play in SHUTDOWN ? Other day jobs? Hobbies ? Political stuff ? Whatever.
- Haha… it's nothing like that. We all have basic temporary jobs when we come home so when we go back on tour we can just quit. We play a lot of sports, and just basically hang out and go to shows.
15.OK. I guess that’s it from us. Anything else you’d like to add ?
- Thanks a lot for the interview and I'm really sorry it was this late. See you guys in April. THANKS A LOT!!!!!
- Porcell เล่นกีตาร์ Ray Cappo ร้องนำ Graham Land เล่นเบส Daniel Larson เล่นกีตาร์ และAlex Garcia Rivera มือกลอง
2. พวกคุณมาร่วมงานกันได้อย่างไร ?
- ผมรู้จัก Ray กับ Graham มานานแล้ว เราเจอ Alex เมื่อครั้งที่เค้าทำไร่ และเคยซื้อแผ่นของเราหน้างานคอนเสิร์ต หลักจากนั้นก็กลายมาเป็นสมาชิกวงเรา ส่วน Daniel มาจาก Sweden พึ่งเจอกันไม่นานนี้
3. Shelter เริ่มต้นเมื่อใด ?
- มิถุนายน 1990
4. พวกคุณเคยอยู่วงอะไรกันมาบ้าง ?
- ผมเคยอยู่กับ Youth of Today, Judge, Gorilla Discuits, Bold, Project X และ Shelter ส่วน Ray ก็เช่นเดียวกัน และปัจจุบันเราอยู่วง BETTER THAN 1000 ส่วน Graham เคยอยู่กับ World’s Collide Battery และ BETTER THAN 1000 และ Alex เคยอยู่กับ 454 Big Block และ Daniel เคยอยู่กับวง Another Reason ในสวีเดน
1. Introduce yourselves and give us some history of the band: What’s the current line up of Shelter ?
- Porcell, guitar. Ray Cappo, vocals. Graham Land, bass. Daniel Larson, 2nd guitar. Alex Garcia Rivera, drums.
2. Where did you all meet ?
- I've known Ray and Graham for a long long time. We met Alex when he was a farmer and he brought Shelter a bushel of corn at a show once and somehow ended up in the band after that. Daniel is from Sweden and we met him recently.
3. When did Shelter begin ?
- June 1990.
4. What other bands have you all been in in the past ?
- I was in Youth of Today, Judge, Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, Project X, and Shelter. Ray was also in Youth of Today and Shelter, and recently in Better than 1000. Graham was in World's Collide, Battery and Better Than 1000. Alex was in 454 Big Block. Daniel was in a Swedish band called Another Reason.
5. What other projects are you all involved in now? Other bands? etc.
- Ray and Graham are putting out a new Better than 1000 CD soon. Me and Alex are working on a slow, heavy band
6. You were on Road Runner but your latest record, " When 20 Summers Pass ", was just released on Victory records. Why did you leave Road Runner for Victory records ?
- Yeah, Road Runner is basically a metal label and didn't really know what to do with a hardcore band like Shelter, so we switched to Victory, which is like the hc label in the US these days.
7. When did you first get into hardcore and what bands influenced you most in the beginning ?
- I got into hc in the early 80'S, mostly inspired by early straight edge bands like Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, SSDecontrol and DYS.
8. You and Ray and the rest of the members and ex-members of Shelter have been in some of the earliest and most well known straightedge bands. Youth Of Today, Judge, Better Than A Thousand, etc… Straightedge is just becoming known here in Thailand. What is your definition of straightedge ? Why shouldn’t people drink, smoke, and eat meat ?
- Straightedge to me means trying to become a more pure person. Drinking, smoking and eating meat are some of the most personally and environmentally damaging habits a person can get into. Any sane person who is trying to make a change in this world should avoid them.
9. A lot of kids here don’t know/understand that Shelter believes in Krishna Consciousness. Can you explain a litle about that. How did you get into Hinduism/Krishna consciousness ?
- Krishna consciousness means God consciousness. Since every living being is ultimately spiritual, one shouldn't neglect this important aspect of life. Unfortunately, in the western world we tend to downplay spirituality for materialism and economic development, which is why people in america are rich but unhappy.
10. Are all the members of Shelter Krishna devotees ? How much does being Krishna influence your lyrics and your music ?
- Not everyone is, so I can only speak for myself. Personally, I think music is an extension of the people that play it, so Krishna will always be an influence on the music I'm part of.
11. As devotees, how is your life different from someone who is not ? In other words, in your day to day life, what is it you do to practice your religion ?
- Even on tour I try to keep a spiritual morning program. I have a deity of Krishna that I bring on the road with me and worship Him every day. It keeps me focused somewhat.
12. When you’re not on tour, where do you live ? Do you live in a temple ?
- I lived in temples as a monk for about 6 years. I recently got married and now I live outside in an apartment with my wife.
13. Do you chant and meditate every day ?
- Yes.
14. What about the money you make from CD’s and tours ? Do you keep it or do you donate it to Krishna temples/organization ?
- No, the band is like my job that I maintain myself and my wife with.
15. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country. What do you know about Buddhism and what are your thoughs on Buddhism ? How does it differ from your own religions beliefs ?
- Buddha is stated in the Vedic literature as an incarnation of Krishna who came for the very specific reason of turning people towards vegetarianism and non-violence.
16. There are many people who say that religion has no place in hardcore/punk ? What do you say to this ?
- Who made those people the bosses of hardcore? Hardcore is about speaking your mind, and if spirituality is on my mind I have every right to sing about it.
17. Shelter’s sound has softened a bit over the years. If you take the records as a whole, for example, "Quest For Certainty" is a much harder record than "When 20 Summers Pass." Was this a conscious decision on the band’s part or just an unconscious and natural progression ?
- It was a natural progression.
18. Is it true that Shelter hit like the top 10 charts in Brazil ??? If so, what was that like and what kind of effect did it have on the band ?
- Yeah, our video was #1 on MTV's top 20 countdown in Brazil for a long time. Our current video is a buzz clip there and it's being played 5 times a day, and we're going to play an auditorium tour there in a couple of weeks. Pretty weird.
19. What countries has Shelter toured in/played in in Asia ?
- Just Japan so far.
20. Unlike countries like Japan that have big money promoters, Thailand, like much of South East Asia, is very poor. We don’t have promoters who can pay band’s airfare etc. The best we can do is set up shows for bands that can make it and hope that enough kids show up to cover set up costs and then be able to pay the band some money… usually not much. Code 13 (Havoc Records) came and played in Bangkok in May. Himsa (Revelation) is scheduled to be here in October. What are the chances of Shelter coming to play in Thailand and when might that happen ?
- Hmm, maybe, we'll have to see what destiny has in store for us.
- A brief history of Shelter and “Krishnacore”: Krishna Consciousness is a religious movement that came from India to the US in the 1960s. It was brought to north america by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a man from India who went to america to spread the word of Krisna Consciousness and the Hindu religion to people in the west.
Within a very short time, he had thousands of followers all across america ( devotees ) and temples in most major cities. Those who believe in and practice Krishna Consciousness believe, in part, that happiness and spiritual enlightenment can be achieved by chanting Krishna’s name, meditating, and studying the Vedic scriptures which Hinduism is based on, especially one particular text entitled the Bhagavat-Gita.
Being a devotee also requires no eating meat, no alcohol, no drugs, no smoking and no sex unless it is for the purpose of having children. “ What does any of this have to do with hardcore ? ” you ask. Well, nothing until around 1980 when John Joseph of the CRO-MAGS, one of the biggest NYC hardcore bands in the early 80s, started hanging around a Krishna temple in NY city and then introduced Krishna Consciousness into the hardcore scene.
But when you mention Krishnacore now, it is Shelter that is the first band that comes to most people’s minds.
In the early 1980s, Ray Cappo, singer of Shelter, and Porcell, guitar, were in a band called YOUTH OF TODAY, one of the biggest straightedge hardcore bands at that time. Like all straightedge bands, YOT had always been strongly against drinking, smoking, drugs and meat eating. Ray, after studying yoga and Buddhism for some time, then became involved with Krishna Consciousness.
YOT broke up in 1988. Two years later, Ray began SHELTER and Porcell, having also become a Krishna devotee, soon joined the band. Having seen them more than a few times, I can tell you it is not your average hardcore show. Shelter will often begin a show by coming on stage, incense in hand, and chant for a few minutes before ripping into the first song. And the lyrics to many (not all) of their songs are directly connected to the teachings of their religion. And so began Krishnacore, with other bands such as 108, Prema, etc. soon joining the ranks of hardcore bands with Krishna Conscious beliefs.
Krishnacore has stirred up a fair share of controversy over the years. There are many people in hardcore/punk scenes worldwide who feel that organized religion and hardcore do not and should not mix. And there are many who believe it does and should. And there are many who take no side on the issue and think that every person and band has the right to speak their minds and spread their message, withinreason
But whether you agree with Shelter’s message or not, there is no denying that both Youth Of Today and Shelter as well as many of the other bands that past and present members of Shelter have been in, have had a major impact on US hardcore and worldwide hardcore in one way or another. Shelter has remained a presence since their beginning, releasing six full-length albums
1 on Equal Vision Records, 2 on Revelation, 2 on Roadrunner and their most recent release, “ When 20 Summers Pass ”, on Victory.
We caught up with Porcell between Shelter’s European tour and their recent return tour of South America. If you want to know more about Shelter, their music, their releases or their beliefs, you can visit their website: www.ineedyourshelter.com or check out Porcell’s Krishncore on-line zine at: www.waronillusion.com.
