Last week Suburban Scum released a track titled "Death is Destiny" from their upcoming full length debut
Ultimate Annihilation which is coming out on Closed Casket Activities sometime in the near future. The new song is really setting an awesome tone for this record and I cannot wait to hear the rest of it and I'm excited to hear new live material as well. From what I heard live at the Ultimate Annihilation video shoot and the show that they played at Starland Ballroom, this record is going to be insane and people are already losing their minds at shows which is always a great sign.
Being so excited about this record I had a few questions regarding it, so I hit up my good friend Paul Klein and he did an awesome job of answering all my questions. This is my first interview on this blog and here is the song and the interview. For the ultimate experience and to fully immerse yourself in the interview, I suggest playing the song while you read.
1. What's your name and what do you play in Suburban Scum?
What's up? My name is Paul Klein, and I play drums in Suburban Scum.
2. So we are here to talk about Ultimate Annihilation which is your debut full length LP. How long have you guys been working on this record and what was the experience like?
Feels good to finally sit down and talk about it, man. We've been working on newer material, for what seems like forever. It's been about 2 years that we've been throwing ideas around and whatnot. Putting songs together can be really stressful, especially when you get stumped. It happens to every band, I think. Some things click, some don't. Some ideas that we originally thought were total shit come back into the picture. Sometimes, you tend to hear it differently after letting it sit for a while, or you find a spot in a certain tune where that certain riff fits, you know?
Probably the last year or so we really buckled down and pushed ourselves to get everything done. Most of us work full time, have other bands and/or obligations outside of Suburban Scum, so sometimes it can be a pain in the ass to get all of us in a room to jam every week. Plus, we were relatively busy playing shows and traveling. But, shit's all done and we couldn't be more excited! It's being released through Closed Casket Activities, as well. Justin is the fucking man.
3. And this was all recorded at the Machine Shop in Bellville, NJ? Was this your first time working there?
Everything was recorded at the Machine Shop with Will Putney and crew. Had a blast, honestly. Will's a close friend of ours which I think made the environment a lot of fun for everyone, too. Plus, we're at a comfort level with one another where he can straight up say "that suuuuuuucks, try this" and we'd be okay with it. For the most part, we came in really prepared and were just excited to lay everything down. After jamming shit for so long, it was great to hear everything come together in an amazing studio. There were definitely some moments where I personally took a step back and asked myself, "did we really just do that?" It's very rewarding knowing we gave our all, and I hope everyone hears and feels that when the record drops.
As far as this being our first time recording at the Machine Shop, at the Bellville location, yes. The Machine Shop was originally in Weehawken or Hoboken, where Will recorded "Internal War" before I joined the band, then the actual studio was taken over by another friend of ours, Jeremy Comitas, and went under a different name in which I can't recall at this time... which is where we recorded "Hanging By A Thread", my first record with the band.
4.You just released a new song titled "Death is Destiny" which sounds awesome! What has the reaction to the song been like?
Thanks, man! We're really pumped on it. So far, the response has been incredible. I've seen way more positive comments than anything. Overall, we're really happy with everything going on right now.
5. How do you feel about "Ultimate Annihilation"? Is there anything different about this record than the previous? Also, do you have a favorite song?
Personally, I think this is easily the heaviest and tightest material we've put out, hands down. As far as anything being different, well there's some metal elements thrown into the mix this time around, but it's still very much a hardcore record. No doubt about it. I can 100% guarantee you it's crushing, it's pissed, it's Suburban Scum... just better than before. From start to finish, "relentless" is the word to best describe it.
6. The album art was released along with the new song and it looks phenomenal. Who did the artwork and can you tell us a little bit about what it means?
Thanks. We're all super excited on how everything came out. The artists name is Jesse Schaller, from Albany, NY. Super nice and the dude RIPS! He did the cover art for our split with Xibalba, as well. I know he's done stuff for SkeletonWitch and a lot of other sick bands. You want skulls and badass shit, Jesse is the guy.
As far as the meaning behind "Ultimate Annihilation", I don't wanna take away from Karebear, haha. If I had to try and explain it, I'd say to take a look at everything that's going on in the world today. It's a mess. An absolute fucking disaster. Take all of the elements of that shit, and I think that can paint a picture for the record. I'm sorry, I'm really bad at explaining that kind of stuff, but all in all, the music, lyrics and imagery we are going to lay on you are far from happy.
7. The band just went out on tour with Expire, Rotting Out, Bent Life, and Mizery. I know you don't usually go on these longer tours with the band but can you tell us a little bit about the tour and how it came about? Will the band be spreading the good word about Ultimate Annihilation?
Yes, Scum is still currently on a full U.S. run with the bands you had mentioned. What a great tour package, man. Definitely, the guys are spreading the word about the new record, for sure. New songs are in the setlist, merch designs with "Ultimate Annihilation" on it and all that good stuff. Nice little push for what's to come.
Honestly, not entirely sure how the tour came about, but we were asked and we said sure, haha. We're all friends with one another, too.
Dayn (guitar), Madden (bass) and myself had to take the backseat for this tour like we did for the Life And Death (summer 2014), unfortunately. We all do "adult" shit. Man, that hurt typing that out, haha. It sucks not being able to be out there with our friends, not going to lie. However, the last thing we would ever want to do is prevent Suburban Scum from going out and playing shows. I'd never want to do that. That'd be selfish.
I'm a little older than the other guys, have a full time job in purgatory, married, dogs, bills, etc. So, sometimes, for me to take off for 3-4 weeks straight can be difficult. I try to do as much as I can, though. I'm definitely going to Europe in May for a week with the guys, so it gives me something to look forward to.
8. You guys shot a video for the record at the Stanhope House a few weeks ago with the Banner, who you used to drum for, the almighty Razorheads, and GDP. How was that experience and when can we expect the video to be released?
I can speak on behalf of everyone by saying that video shoot/show was by far one of the craziest sets we have ever played as a band. Was our first time playing new stuff off the record, too. Seeing kids go off to something they have never heard before made us feel really good. All the bands killed it. Was just a perfect night. I'll never forget it.
As far as the experience of having a video shoot, that was a first for us. It was actually really laid back for the most part. Just kind of like "Okay, just play and we'll record". Super easy, haha.
I got a chance to see the final edit of the video and it captures that night perfectly. Chaotic. I'm gonna guess that it'll drop once we have a date for the record release/pre orders and all that stuff. That's what I'm guessing. Could be sooner, though. We'll see.
9. A week after that you played the E.Town Concrete show at Starland Ballroom with Indecision, Vision of Disorder, The Banner, and Razorblade Handgrenade. You got to sit behind the kit for a song during the Banners set, which was a treat, was it fun and nostalgic to play with those guys again?
Absolutely! I love The Banner. Always have. Always will. "Posthumous" still remains as one of my favorite NJHC releases ever.
I joined in 2007 and played up until, I'm gonna say 2011'ish? I got to see and do a lot with the band after we recorded "Frailty" (also recorded by Will Putney/Machine Shop). Had some of, if not the best times of my life spent with Joey and the dudes that were in the band at that time, and I'm forever grateful. So, getting a chance to go up and play "The Wolf" with Joey and the guys brings back a lot of great memories for me. Respect to Jake for being cool and letting me sit in every now and then.
10. You also run an amazing little side business where you make kickass artwork. How did that come about?
Thanks, man! I don't necessarily have a name for my side business, but if you're on instagram, check out @artbypvk.
I've always enjoyed drawing and painting ever since I was a kid. Especially horror imagery. Shit's the coolest. Being able to create/recreate something is a nice release outside of drumming for me. Going to try and keep doing as much as I possibly can with that. Helps keeps me somewhat sane. So, feel free to check out my page and hit me up (artbypvk@gmail.com) if something catches your attention. Mike, very cool I was able to paint something for you a little while back!
11. Most important question of the interview: How are your dogs?
I love this, haha. They're great, man! As I'm sure you know from my social media shit (instagram: @choicesmade), I post pictures of my guys every two seconds. They bring me endless joy and I like to share that. For those that don't know, I currently have three dogs. Frankie, 5 year old chihuahua. Buster, 13 year old pug. Newman, 3 month old mixture of all kinds of breeds. Guessing pug, pomeranian, yellow lab, maybe some pit. Not 100% sure, but he's rad.... they're all rad! All very comical when they are around each other, too. Most importantly, they are all very happy and healthy. All we could ever ask for.
I have a pretty stressful job. So does my wife. We deal with complaints, stupid people yelling and shitting all over us day in and day out. Coming home to pups that are insanely ecstatic to see us... everyday... all day... c'mon, does it get much better than that?
A few months back, my wife and I had to put our first dog, T-Bone, down due to a tumor that spread rapidly. We had adopted him when he was around age 1 or 2, early on in our relationship, prior to our marriage. He was around through a lot of the ups and downs over the last 9 years. More importantly, he was around when I wasn't. I'd leave for months at a time to play music and travel, while my wife was working her ass off to pay the bills and help keep a roof over our heads, all while she was sick. He was her sidekick, her best friend. Made sure she wasn't lonely and kept a smile on her face when I couldn't. Losing him, it's still so very raw to us. Making that decision was the most difficult shit imaginable. Never felt pain like that before. However, knowing he's not suffering anymore makes it a little easier. We gave him the best life possible, and in return, he gave us endless amount of amazing memories and such unconditional love.
It's amazing the bond someone can have with their dog. Some may think I'm batshit crazy, but I'd take a bullet for them. Forever loyal to my guys as they are to me. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Man, you really got me talking now, haha. If you ever wanna get me emotional, a conversation about my wife and guys is the way to go, haha.
Finally thank me for this awesome interview and tell everyone how cool I am cause I don't think anyone is convinced.
Thanks, Mike! It's very rare I get to do this, so I appreciate it! Always good talking with you. Can't wait for you and everyone else to hear "Ultimate Annihilation". Keep your eyes and ears open. Everyone's a fucking victim!
Thanks again! -Paul
I Just want to thank Paul once again for being kind enough to do this and answer all these questions perfectly. Always good to hear from you and always good to know that your dogs are doing well!
There it was, my first interview on this blog, and who better to pop my interview cherry than one of NJHC's greatest drummers. If you guys like this interview then let me know, maybe I'll do more.
