Biohazard

author AP date 23/02/12

We recently fired off an e-mail interview to Biohazard, one of the most influential crossover bands in the world, to find out about the band's recent reunion, new album, views on the past and current state of the music industry, as well as future plans. Here's what came back from their drummer Danny Schuler:

RF.net: You recently released your ninth studio album: "Reborn in Defiance". Have the critical reception and sales numbers met your expectations so far?
Danny: I have no idea what the sales figures are like. I've seen some good reviews, but that doesn't really matter much to me. What's really important to me is making good music and performing it well.

RF.net: Can you tell us a little about the inspiration underlying the album? What did you hope to convey through its music and lyrics?
Danny: We really wanted to show that we can still do this, that we're still relevant, and that we still have plenty to talk about.

RF.net: How, in your opinion, has the sound of Biohazard evolved across the nine studio albums that you have released over the last 22 years?
Danny: Our sound has changed somewhat, and it needed to. We hve always been a band that defied classification, and I think this album continues that tradition.

RF.net: This was your first album in 18 years featuring the original line-up. Can you tell us a little about what it felt like to work on music together once again?
Danny: It was really tough at first. We haven't worked together for so long, it took a long time until we were all somewhat comfortable. We're still evolving, and I think the next album will show that.

RF.net: After the completion of recording for the new album, Evan Seinfield left the band on amicable terms. What happened that changed his mind about the reunion?
Danny: I know he wanted to do a different kind of music, and he wasn't into the hardcore side of the band, so that caused some tension. I'm not sure why he quit.

RF.net: Biohazard is widely regarded as an instrumental band in the development of the crossover genre, together with bands like Suicidal Tendencies. Do you personally feel that you have made a significant contribution, and even laid the foundations for the genre?
Danny: It would be cool if we did. We always try to do something new, and I hope we always can.

RF.net: Having been part of the hardcore scene for more than two decades, what do you feel have been the most important developments in the genre during this time?
Danny: Tough question. I've been a fan of punk and hardcore all my life, and I still think the best music of that genre happened before 1986. What we do is very different from what I would call hardcore.

RF.net: What do you feel have been the most important developments - both positive and negative - in the music industry in general during this time?
Danny: There is no more music industry!

RF.net: It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the current state of the hardcore scene. What do you think is good and/or bad, compared to when Biohazard was just starting out in the early 90s? Is hardcore as a genre more important today than it was back then?
Danny: Hardcore was great before it got fashionable. Once a uniform and attitude was established by some people, everyone emulated it. Hardcore was pretty dead in NY when we started. I still love the original bands, AF, Sick Of It All, Cro-Mags, Bad Brains...

RF.net: Has it been interesting for you as a musician to experience the explosion into general use of the Internet during your band's lifetime? How has it changed the way you function as a band?
Danny: It's pretty amazing to see how things have changed with the internet. Now we gotta figure out how to survive as working musicians without selling records anymore!

RF.net: What is your opinion on online file-sharing - a vicious crime or the future of music?
Danny: The future, of course.

RF.net: What is your take on the rise of these new movements with roots in the hardcore genre, such as post-hardcore, progressive/melodic hardcore and more recently the "wave" (for example bands like Touché Amoré, Defeater and La Dispute) - genuine stuff, or posers?
Danny: I have no idea. Music , to me anyways, is good when it's real. I don't care about trends or genres.

RF.net: What does the future bode for Biohazard?
Danny: Lots or live shows, more records, more of everything.

RF.net: Do you have anything further you would like to add? Any famous last words, shout-outs, or other remarks for our readers?
Danny: Thank you.

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