AntiHero Magazine caught up with Sworn Enemy founder and frontman, Sal LaCoco, and asked him a few questions about the upcoming tour with Wretched, Dark Sermon, and Hammer Fight, the latest album, inspirations, and other nifty things. Check it out!
Sworn Enemy is days away from kicking off the “No Mercy, No Surrender” Tour down south, and you’ve got some killer supporting bands on the bill. How are you feeling about getting out on the road?
I’m always stoked to hit the road especially now more than ever since the band was on a small hiatus. I love to play shows and it kills me when we aren’t.
Despite the change in lineup, you’ve kept true to the roots of the Sworn Enemy sound. How did the new members affect the songwriting and recording process on your latest album? Was there more collaboration on this recording then in the past?
This record was done more like our first record, it had total group collaboration and I think that totally helped in keeping the Sworn Enemy sound intact.
Your album, “Living on Borrowed Time”, was produced by Anthony Paganini. How was it working with him and how did it influence the overall characteristic of the album’s sound.
Anthony is a friend of ours and we basically worked in collaboration with him on this record. He’s a very easy guy to work with.
When did you first realize that you wanted to get into music as a career?
I don’t think I ever really thought about music as a career, it just kinda fell into my lap with this band. Besides you can’t really call this a career…Sworn Enemy does not pay the bills! LOL
Let’s talk about the early hardcore music, specifically the NYHC stuff. Who were some of the musicians and bands that inspired you to develop your style?
There’s so many to choose from but I got my biggest inspiration from Biohazard and the Cro-Mags. Those two bands were very influential to me personally.
Have you and the other band members started working on any new material?
We have not as of yet but as soon as this tour is over we plan on hitting the rehearsal space hard to work on the new record.
What’s your take on the hardcore/underground scene today compared to the way it was when you first started Sworn Enemy? Do you think it’s as strong as it was then?
To be honest when it comes to the scene today I’m out of the loop. I don’t really know many of the new acts out there.
What one CD should everyone have in their collection?
In my opinion if you love hardcore and don’t own a copy of the Cro-Mags “Age of Quarrel” I feel bad for you!
When you’re not writing/recording/touring/kicking ass, what do you like to do to relax and have a good time?
I’m a big video game addict so I love to play Call of Duty, that’s how I relax.
Do you have any last comments or words of advice for aspiring musicians and people trying to get into the business?
It’s a tough business to be in, so I would suggest make sure you’re good at what you do cause there’s 20 thousand other bands waiting for you to fail! LOL!
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Don’t be a jerk! Go see SWORN ENEMY and buy some merch, CDs, and other cool shit…and help Sal pay the fucking bills!
No Mercy No Surrender Tour 2015 Dates:
April 07 – Charleston, SC @ Upstairs @ Joe’s Pasta
April 08 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
April 09 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
April 10 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Boozers
April 11 – McAllen, TX @ Metropolis
April 12 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room & Garage
April 15 – Guadalajara, MX @ Calle 2
April 18 – Mexico City, MX @ Circo Volador
April 19 – San Luis Potosí, MX @ Bunker
April 21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
April 22 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Adrenaline
April 23 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe
April 24 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Flux Capacitor
April 25 – Hays, KS @ Singers
April 26 – Crest Hill, IL @ Bada Brew
April 27 – Toledo, OH @ Iggy’s
April 28 – Saginaw, MI @ Counter Culture
April 29 – Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
April 30 – Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joes
May 01 – Providence, RI @ Firehouse 13
Sworn Enemy:
Sal LoCoco – Vocals
Jeff Cummings – Guitar
Matt Garzilli – Guitar
Mike Puch- Bass
Taykwuan Jackson – Drums
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