HOME INTERVIEWS COLUMNS ARTICLES FRANTIK GIRL ABOUT CONTACTHardcore Punk in your face. What better way to deliver hardcore punk than with a bullet. A Bullet Treatment. Chuck lends us his thoughts about the music scene and vinyl.
By: Gian Erguiza
Gian: Please explain to our readers who Bullet Treatment
is and what you guys stand for?
Chuck: Well Bullet Treatment is a project I do with a
rotating door of members. I originally was jamming
with some friends and decided to write a few songs and
have them play on it. I hated the idea of starting a
“band” (been there done that) so it was just going to
be for the hell of it. After that happened I had a
track offer on a Bad Religion tribute but no band so
got some other guys to do that and it just made sense
to keep doing it. I think the main reason I thought of
it is quite simply bands very rarely keep their
“original” line-up so I just kinda helped the process,
although everyone knows coming in that it’s just a
side project and don’t’ have any great expectations.
Gian: The music on “The Mistake” sounds like I should
pummel somebody down. What gave you guys the
inspiration to write the music?
Chuck: There’s a few things, I've always been a fan of the
early hardcore punk bands like 7 Seconds, Bad
Religion, Minor Threat, etc. so style wise its just
what I enjoy playing. But as far as the songwriting I
kinda stick to a simple approach of not over thinking
anything. That tends to keep things kinda chaotic to a
certain extent. There are a couple songs on the record
that I wrote like a week before recording and the
other guys for the most part don’t really even hear
the songs until we’re in the studio. I really think
that lends to the energy on the record, almost all the
lyrics are written on the spot and you can hear the
spontiniety in the vocals. There’s nothing worse on a
punk record then over production.
Gian: What are your thoughts on the current punk scene?
Chuck: I don’t think there is such a thing as a “scene”
anymore. In this day and age of the Internet
everything is just kinda out there. You know it used
to be a scene was made up of a bunch of people who
stuck together for a cause. The whole idea of
spreading the word on a new great band was passing
around a tape from friend to friend then going to see
them and maybe helping that said band with promotion.
But nowadays it’s all just there for you on myspace or
whatever else. Kids of this generation have no sense
whatsoever of a “scene”.
Gian: Is there a band, dead or alive, out there that you
guys would love to share the stage with one day?
Chuck: You know oddly enough, I get answered this question
a lot.hahaha I think previous answers have included
Bad Religion, the Ramones, Descendents, & Minor Threat
so let me think of another one……ummmmmmmm This one is
kind of out there but S.O.D., Ive had a few people
tell me we remind them of a punk version of S.O.D.
haha!
Gian: How long have you guys been doing music?
Chuck: I've been doing it for about 12 years, the other
guys I'm sure have been doing it for as long if not
longer.
Gian: What is the hardest thing about having an
everlasting revolving lineup?
Chuck: Probably just deciding what to do next. This line-up
that’s on the Mistake a lot of people want to see us
tour and put another record out (This is the second
record Matt & I had had done the first being the “What
More Do You Want?” cd). So to do a 3rd record with him
might be down the road a little. I've got a couple
other ideas and projects I'm kinda throwing together.
Including another 7” and a full length with a twist of
sorts.
Gian: What can we expect from Bullet Treatment for 2007?
Chuck: Basically just working on those aforementioned
projects, I'm really busy with Basement Records and
everyone has their own gigs so that’s what’s great
about Bullet Treatment it’s always there, just when we
decide to rev. the motors up, look out !
Gian: Sex, Drugs, or Rock N’ Roll? Pick one.
Chuck: Why do I have to pick one ? What kind of question is
that ? hahaha Well I’ve never been a Rock n’ Roll
user, so sex it up !
Gian: Who’s got the vinyl fetish in the band?
Chuck: Is this in regard to the previous question ? I know
a couple of the other dudes are a little out
there……But as far as records probably me, I know
Xavier is a collector. It’s hard to think of all the
people that have been in the band. But I've been
collecting for a long time and actually sold off part
of them to start the label.
Gian: Can we expect a tour from you guys anytime soon?
Chuck: It’s highly unlikely, but you never know what’s
going to happen from day to day. I never thought we’d
release anything let alone all the 7”s we’ve done and
cd’s. Maybe somewhere down the road a certain
opportunity may arise and it would be nice to just get
out a play some of these songs that were thrown to
tape. Ideally I’d like to get a version of the band
that could just tour non-stop and play all the
previous material kinda like a Bullet Treatment cover
band. ;)
Gian: Any additional comments?
Chuck: Sure man, just want to say thanks for the interest in
us. Check out our new album “The Mistake” the cd is
available through Think Fast! Records and I released
the 12” Clear Vinyl version through Basement Records
(I guess that goes back to your vinyl question huh?)
and don’t forget about some of our earlier material,
you can find it but you may just have to look a little
harder.
Thanks ! – Chuck
Gian:Thanks a mil compadre!
Check out Bullet Treatment's latest riot, "The Mistake," through Think Fast! Records and get versed in hardcore punk!
©Copyright 2007 Frantik Magazine.
All rights reserved.