How did you get involved with hardcore/sxe?
(assuming you are asking about Straight Edge and no Sorry Excuse, my other band haha)
Antonio- I've been involved in hardcore for about 10 years now. I started out with my dad dropping me off at shows, to doing a local zine, and eventually fronting a band (Sorry Excuse). When I was younger I was really into any type of extreme music and things just built from there until I found what I thought was the reason for what I liked, which was punk. As far as straight edge, I honestly don't know when I officially "claimed". I've never been into drugs or drinking at all. I've never been drunk or done drugs before and straight edge was something to call what I actually was.
Snyder- In 1997 my main goal entering high school was to try and hang out with skateboarders because that was my main priority at the time. Through a local clique, I found punk rock music and I loved it. I just ended up at a garage show one day when I thought we were just going skateboarding. I always had musicianship in my blood so when I discovered this fast, angry noise with seemingly no limits, I immediately got behind a drum set and started raging. As for straight edge, well I've never been high or drunk in my life. Just never had any desire to do that shit...maybe I can chalk that up to me never really having trust issues with my parents when they told me that it was a bad idea to do that shit, haha. Spine is not a straight edge band.
What made made you guys play your style of hc? how did SPINE come to together?
Antonio- Well, I had talked to the drummer for a long time (sings in Weekend Nachos and played in Harms Way) and the original guitarist (who played in Harms Way) about playing stuff similar to Imprisoned (first Harms Way 7 inch) with a Boston edge to it. The og guitarist was totally into it but couldn't get on the same page with the drummer (keep in mind this is all happening in Chicago and I live in Kansas City). I couldn't really push anything since I was 9 hours away, so I just let it be. I feel like the we did a great job of capturing that on the demo. It's got a powerviolence feel to it with some youth crew-ish parts peppered into it.
Snyder- Antonio and Hofacker were starting a band, and Hofacker and I had once played in Harms Way together but we both quit at the same time for unrelated reasons. This sparked my interest when I found out we were going to jam again. Naturally, we wrote some hard ass shit. I think Spine is a lot more punk influenced than Harms Way ever was though. It's got a real SSD/Impact Unit feel to it, but mixed with faster shit like Infest and Youth of Today.
Did you guys enjoy your tour with weekend nachos and dead in the dirt?
Antonio- The tour with WN and DITD was amazing. First of all, I haven't toured Cali before (the other guys in SPINE hadn't either and the first time I was there was last August for 3 days in SF) so this was an experience for sure. We had some great shows out there which really made us feel at home. Seeing WN and DITD every night was a huge plus as well. We really appreciated the fact that they brought us along for a few days, and for that, we will forever be grateful. Playing shows out of town is awesome, but it takes a back seat to visiting new places and meeting to people.
Snyder- Those shows were a blast...I had more fun playing in Spine than I did with the Nachos because I love playing drums. Being a frontman is cool sometimes but it's nice to just sit in the back every once in a while. Honestly, the best part about the whole trip was getting chicken and waffles with some of my best friends...and going to Galco's Soda Pop Stop.
When are you guys coming back to cali?
Antonio- I hope we come back very soon. The next opportunity we have, we will be back!
Snyder- Who knows, man. All of us are busy with other things like raking leaves and delivering bottles of milk to suburban homes.
What did you think about the show in la @ the mime?
Antonio- The show in LA was one of my favorites on the tour. Seeing Lack Of Interest was definitely an experience for sure. ACxDC and DNF were great. And Disapproval was on point (one of my favorite new SoCal bands). Our set was also really fun at this. People went off, which is always great to see. The only downfall was the reentry issue. That was the hottest show I think I've ever played before. I get why they couldn't let people out (for fear the show would be shut down) but with that said, it was a sauna!
Snyder- It was a great show and there were like 300 people there...but honestly the whole experience was just stressful and uncomfortable for me. I was stuck in the back doing merch and there was almost no room to do it all night. On top of that, I passed out twice (not once) from the intense heat. That's no fun. But as always, playing drums for Spine was the highlight because I am most relaxed when I'm on the drums.
Anything in the works for spine?
Antonio- Yes, we have a 7 inch coming out at the end of the summer, be sure to check it. 6 new songs.
Snyder- Yep, that 7" is something we're all really excited about. We might be planning a short tour in September too. This is probably when the 7" will come out, too. Keep your eyes peeled for the SUBHUMAN E.P.
How do you feel about being a hispanic/latino in a mostly white scene?
Antonio- It most definitely makes things interesting at times. Being Cuban it can make it extra awkward when a lot people are embracing communist symbols or wearing shirts of Che. Aside from the political stigmas, I hardly notice it. In KC, I'm one of the few latinos involved in hardcore so there isn't much room to flex mis raices.
Snyder- I'm a Jew so no comprende, hermano. Los Crudos are one of the most important hardcore bands of all time.
How did the name el bello come about?
Antonio- Ah, El Bello was the nick name for my late grandfather. He was always known as "El Bello" or "Nene". I was super close with him and before he died he had said that when he passes that I would take the title of "El Bello". So since then I've just decided to add that into different things (we did a Sorry Excuse, El Bello edition of the last 7 inch) just to keep his spirit alive.
Snyder- Antonio's got spiders in his hair, for sure.
Positives and negatives in hc?
Antonio- There are many positives in hardcore. One that I touched on earlier is the traveling aspect. Hardcore goes two ways for me: what you can do for hardcore (booking shows, doing labels, zines, doing bands, etc...) and what hardcore can do for you (take you to new places, meet new people, experience new things, mature and grow). Those things listed are important for any scene to keep thriving. At the end of the day, it's amazing to say that your hardcore band took you to states you've never been before and experience things you never thought you would. That's one of the best things about it
As most people know, there are many negatives to hardcore. One thing that gets under my skin the most is flipping merch. Going to a show just to buy merch just to sell it online to turn a profit isn't punk at all. Waiting in line to buy someone a record/tape/or shirt because they couldn't attend is. The whole merch thing is a beast in it's own right and I don't think it will ever die out. It's all about supply and demand and I get that. It would just be nice to hear kids helping out each other with stuff like that, than trying to turn a profit off each other. 100$ for a shirt you just paid 10$ for is insane! Plus, you have more luck just contacting the band.
Snyder- Hardcore is something I love because of the energy and the awareness. The main thing hardcore has given me is a sense of self-worth in a world that would otherwise see me as fucking nothing. I am able to do my own thing here and it's not about how it's received by other people...it's about me feeling good about myself. The world of hardcore has provided me with an isolated place to understand and cherish. If this little world didn't exist I would be out there in the real world going insane. As for negatives, well one of the main problems in hardcore are the people who expect hardcore to be a perfect place and therefore they dwell on things like cliques, bullying and violence. Just stay positive and treat others the way you want to be treated and your influence will rub off. Always remember that you're not involved in hardcore for other human beings, you're involved in hardcore for your own connection and understanding of yourself.
Bands you support?
Antonio- I support a bunch of bands. I'm not going to go through the whole listing out process, just because I don't want to leave anyone out. But I will say there are a ton of great bands from Kansas City that are worth checking out. Not to mention that the Midwest has one of the best scenes that many seem to forget!
Snyder- I support any band or individual who doesn't feel the need to follow OR lead...they just live. If you're out there living and expressing yourself in the most respectful way towards others that you possibly can, we are on the same page.
Last words?
Antonio- Just be yourself. Too many kids get wrapped up in what shirt they just bought or the Nike's they have on. It's cool if you like that stuff, but you don't have to. Most people write me off as a jock/meathead when they first see me. Then they see one of my bands or meet me and everything changes. Be yourself, like what you like, and don't make any apologies. Life is too short to not.
Snyder- Yeah...merch is not as important as barbeque is. If hardcore isn't your #1 priority, I get that...just make sure it's barbeque instead.
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