D.R.I.

Read on this fantastic interview with the cult Punk/Thrash/Hardcore band, called D.R.I.
Kurt Brecht (vocals) answered my questions.



What's going on in the D.R.I. camp these days? Any new material in progress...
- We are preparing for our Tour of the USA in August. I am working on lyrics for new songs and I hope we can write a new album soon and record it somehow.
What is the response to your latest album "Full Speed Ahead" been like?
- People seem to like it. I like it! But everybody wants a new album so I guess we are doing something right!
You have a special web site called Dirty Rotten Press for your books and future publishings. Please tell us more about it and regarding the topics your books are dealing with?
- DirtyRottenPress.com is the website of my book company started back in 1988. I write books about interesting things that happen to me. I lived in a tree in California, was in a serious bus wreck in Mexico, and became a sex addict. I sell my books as well as cool D.R.I. videos and stuff.
Wow, your life is full of curious things. And what can you tell about the other D.R.I. members? Did they experience similar things in their lives?
- You will have to ask them!
What things they're doing with pleasure beside the music, of course? I mean any special interests, jobs, etc.
- Spike does website design. He did the D.R.I. site.
Back in 2000 you left Rotten Records. Was it a serious loss for you?
- We still have no new label, so I guess it was serious. We can still go back to Rotten if we want.
I hope you got lots of better and better offers so far? If so please tell us who is the lucky label.
- No new label yet.
I know a couple of bands covered your songs lately, like SLAYER, ANTHRAX, CAPITALIST CASUALTIES and MR. BUNGLE. How do you like these covers? Did they reach the special D.R.I. mood in those tracks? What bands achievement do you like most of all and why?
- I heard the SLAYER version of V.P. ("Violent Pacification" - ed.) and it was great. The other bands I have not heard. Did MR. BUNGLE record I Don't Need Society?
In my opinion you're the biggest Punk/Thrash/Hardcore band ever. You influenced a lot of bands in the past and still influence new ones as well. Some of those bands became mainstream with the time, but D.R.I. always remains as underground as possible. It's like a destiny, 'cause you're definitely a cult band that should be recognized by everyone. What you think why is it so?
- We chose in the beginning to play a type of music that is not really popular. We are a cult band, but not one that should be recognized by everyone. I would like everyone to hear us but would never expect them all to like us!
Your famous "Crossover" album back in 1987 defined a new style in my view. How do you see it?
- We had the guts to let our heavy metal influences show in our music at a time when punk and metal were separated by a high fence. We took a lot of criticism at the time. But, we did what we believed was right. To write songs and make an album that we liked but possibly no one else would.
By the way, what is your favorite D.R.I. album or song?
- "Full Speed Ahead". Song - "Out of Mind off" of the "Definition" LP.
I have the CD version of the "Definition" album, but there's no track called "Out of Mind off". Is it a bonus track for the LP version?
- Yes it is a bonus track. I have it on CD because I have a Japanese import that has all bonus tracks included.
What can you tell us about its lyrical content?
- It is a song about being different and people thinking you are crazy because of that, because you are not like them.
In the beginning your brother Eric was also a part of D.R.I. Don't you ever thought about getting back him into the band?
- Yes, I would like to tour with him, but he is always in other bands and has been on more albums than me. He was in DEATH, HIRAX, and a lot of smaller local bands. He even tried out for SLAYER when Dave Lombardo quit.
Actually, he has a new band, namely HELL BROTHERS. What can you tell us about his band's music and Eric in general (I mean age & interests)?
- HELL BROTHERS is not a punk band, more Rock. He joined them after their drummer left. They have a new CD out. Eric is three yrs. younger than me, he made me get off my ass and become a vocalist at the time he was teaching himself how to play drums. He designs graphics for websites for a living.
It's time to ask you about what are your main musical influences and what bands do you prefer to listen to lately.
- BLACK SABBATH, BLACK FLAG, MINOR THREAT, T.S.O.L., THE DOORS, DEAD KENNEDY'S. Now I listen more to: ALICE IN CHAINS, DANZIG, TROUBLE.
Since your latest release, "Full Speed Ahead" album in 1995, you have been always on tour. You are definitely a concert band. What kind of bands do you prefer to play with?
- Good Hardcore bands that get the crowd going.
What is the atmosphere when you play live?
- Wild! Everybody knows the songs and it seems that almost anyone in the audience could stand up and sing the lyrics!
What is the crowd's response on a D.R.I. gig like?
- Lots of thrashing and moshing and wild pit action.
Who is your favorite writer and what type of books do you like to read?
- I like Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs. I read everything from computer books to newspapers to poetry books. It's all good to me.
Where do you get your inspirations for the D.R.I. lyrics?
- From everything I see in my life.
As I noticed on the DRP website you have drawn the cover for your "Whore Stories" book. Is there any pictures or cover paints you've done for D.R.I. directly?
- No, but I help design the album covers and help with the concept.
How old are you?
- 39.
Are you married?
- Yes.
Do any of the D.R.I. members have children?
- I have a three yr. old son and Spike has a 1 yr. old son.
Your brief comments on the following points:
a.) suicide - I guess it gets that bad sometimes.
b.) jealousy - It definetly gets that bad. Jealousy is like an uncontrollable disease.
c.) internet - Great now, I hope it does not become too regulated.
d.) the second coming of Heavy Metal and Thrash Metal - We're there!
e.) thermonuclear weapons - Let's use squirt guns.
Do you have a five-year plan or something like that for the next couple of years?
- I would like for D.R.I. to put out a new LP soon and another one of cover songs.
Finally, I would like to thank you, Kurt, for taking the time to answer my questions. Keep up the excellent work with D.R.I.!!! And at the end, tell your wishes to the D.R.I. fans over here. Last dirty rotten words are yours.
- Keep on Thrashing!
D.R.I.


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