IN DISGUST - Mindless Mutant #4 (2008)

What's the point in trying to describe a band like In Disgust? Actually, what's the point of interviewing a band like In Disgust? They do not want you to know who or what they are. They include no lyrics and not a shred of information about the band. If you came across their records without ever having seen them they would be a complete mystery to you and that's just the way they want it. Getting straight answers out of these guys was like pulling teeth and I'm pretty sure they've still eluded all my questions without giving up any real information. The music is a relentless blast of hardcore. The music quite literally does not stop it's assault on your ear drums, if you ever get a chance to see them stop at nothing to get your ass in front of their amps. Unfortunately this interview was conducted via email this winter because I'm in the Midwest and they're all the way out in California. Do not get in touch.

Who writes the lyrics for In Disgust, and why are they not included in the records?

Jose: Matt. Fuck lyrics.

What's the point of even writing them then? Why not just be instrumental?

Rich: There isn't a point. Excruciating Terror never had lyrics, so don't expect us to.

They never had lyrics or they never had printed lyrics? I have this theory that bands that don't print their lyrics have dumb or embarrassing lyrics, so who's to say you guys aren't just idiots without any idea of how sing a song?

Rich: What do you consider dumb lyrics?

Pizza, partying... the usual.

Rich: Those lyrics are not dumb.

You do not include pictures of band members in releases, but you use photos of gangbangers. Are you trying to confuse people? What's the deal with the artwork?

Rich: Gang Bangers!

Jose: Cuz that shit is the real deal.

Okay, so then by dodging the question, are you admitting to the fact that you are trying to confuse people?

Rich: We're not fooling anybody. San Jose is nothing but Mexicans and Vietnamese.

Jose: Expect nothing but Vietnamese Crips in the next record. At least it isn't some wack ass MITB ripoff bullshit.

Rich: Or zombies.

Jose: That SMOKE weed!

Above you said "Excruciating Terror never had lyrics so don't expect us to." So are you saying it's ok to ape the style of one band but not another? Or was that a shot at Caution?

Jose: Nah, Caution is the real deal! Caution was talking shit just like we are.

Rich: I'm not biting off anybody. Less is more. I'm just into bold imagery.

Most people who will read this zine are from the Midwest, so for our sake can you explain the scene in Santa Cruz? i.e. bands, venues, record stores, how shows usually go down...

Rich: This is San Jose NOT Houston.

What?

Rich: Exactly.

Jose: We all live in San Jose. San Jose - Drunk ass fuckers. We've been doing sick shows in our basement and there's MACLA. Don't get in touch. We won't do a show for your shitty band. Most shows involve complete drunkenness and breaking something. Mosh Hard.

I am in complete agreement that you should not book shitty bands, however, who are some bands outside of your community that you support?

Jose: WEAKend Nachos.

Rich: HAHAHAHAHA!

Jose: Tom Arley.

Rich: Only bands with legit dudes. No one out for scene fame.

Jose: Anyone we've ever raged with.

I spent a few days in California with ID this summer and you are a self-proclaimed racist band. I would say this is only half truth. Why do you propagate this type of nonsense?

Jose: Are you kidding? I'm Mexican, Rich half Mexican and half Black, and Matt is a Jew. I'm gonna have to play the race card here. We might make stupid ass jokes, but most "PC" people that get angry over that shit need to take a look at themselves.

I'm not kidding. In Oakland you told me with that drunk smile to "Fuck In Disgust. They're a racist band."

Jose: Me or Matt "Jew-Run Media" Gomes?

Rich: It doesn't really matter at all.

Rich, I'm getting the feeling that nothing matters to you. What does matter when it comes to being a punk/hardcore band?

Rich: Nothing. It doesn't matter at all. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I enjoy fast and loud hardcore, supporting legit bands, breaking shit, and stage diving feet first.

I'm thinking of moving to San Jose. Do you support this idea? Who is your ideal new scene member?

Jose: Sure. We could use more hyper angry dudes that mosh hard. Gilman, SF, and Santa Cruz aren't too far. So there's always as how to go to at any time. Ideal scene member? Anyone punk and doesn't give a fuck.

Rich: Can you handle drunks, drugs, fights and shitty bands? Cuz that's all that's in San Jose.

Jose: Must love the Sharks.

Actually I want to move to Santa Cruz to live by the beach. Come to think of it, I want to live anywhere near Maniac. I recognize the fact that he is indeed a Maniac, but where and when did he get that name?

Rich: He was in some really shitty thrash band in SJ that no one liked. His number was on the website and I called him and asked if he wanted to hang. So I picked him up to hang with friends, and the moment he hung out, he arm wrestled two people, then bent the rim off this guy Luke's wheel in half. His dad wouldn't let him go out late, so we dropped him off at home and a half hour later he called us and snuck out of his house. We went to Safeway and he stole some food and we went to John's house, said he was too hot, pulled his pants down, and passed out in the living room. And dude was gone in the morning before we woke up.

I don't know what your songs are about so can you tell me at all what's going on with the lyrics? You don't have to give anything away, just a general overview.

Jose: Fuck man. I don't know. Hatred. Dismal shit. I couldn't tell you. They all come deep from Matty's heart. I know What Comes Around is about his homie that got shot in a home robbery.

Rich: They're not about sweatpants.

Jose: Or about pizza and skateboarding.

Rich: I'm pretty sure most songs are about somebody getting curbed.

Jose: Yeah. Cali Smile.

I agree that songs about skateboarding and pizza are lame, but you print no lyrics so how the fuck are we to know what you're singing about? How do we know you're not just as lame?

Jose: We are lame, but we rage hard so everyone wants to hang with us.

Rich: Just know that they're really hateful.

I heard some gossip about the split 7" artwork with Sidetracked, care to explain?

Jose: They didn't want to use the Virgin de Guadalupe with guns all around her head.

Rich: I think Jay might be Christian, but who cares that guy is legit. Beside I think Haymaker already used that art.

What [sic] does the typical In Disgust show go down?

Jose: Usually a house show.

Rich: Destruction and Mayhem.

Jose: Getting drunk in the van before and after we play.

Rich: Get Loud.

Jose: Do stupid shit.

I would consider myself completely new to the idea of grind, can you fill me in on what's that all about? What's with the anti-music note logo? I've seen that around before, but Matt has it tattooed on his neck, right?

Jose: Get into porno grind.

Rich: It's the international punks is noise symbol.

You played This Is For You Fest all the way over in Florida. How did that go? I wasn't there, so give me the ID play by play.

Jose: I was the fucking bomb!!!!

Rich: We didn't make it farther than the SF Airport.

Wait, you guys didn't even make it to the show? Do tell.

Jose: Denver was snowed out. So we couldn't catch our connecting flight. No drama, just bad weather.

This is from a zine called Slash and Burn: "IN DISGUST sound good but they seem to be trying for this bad ass bullshit gimmick like they are fucking thugs our [sic] something, and to me, it's just coming off as funny and making some killer hardcore sound weak. Either way you get some fast fucking hardcore." This is my point: you've made the band a mystery by not including lyrics and using artwork that our little minds can't comprehend. This might turn some people away from your band, so what do you say to that?

Rich: That's awesome. Who cares. I will not lose any sleep. You'll never see a poser at an In Disgust show.

How many 10"s are there?

Jose: Pressed? I don't know. 600?

Are you gonna record new material?

Jose: I don't think so. It's too much effort.

Rich: Maybe, man. Shit is moving slow at In Disgust headquarters.

Fuck offs?

Jose: Shout outs to all the homies! Gabe, Nick, Jeff, Maniac, Tour Manager Book, Substance Manager Tom Arley, George, Ronnie, Edwardo, Miguel, Weekend Nachos, Mass Grave, PLF, Sidetracked, Bastard Sons Of Apocalypse, Godstomper.

Rich: Terror's "lowest of the low" is the greatest D-Beat record of all time!

Jose: Fuck the Canadian Border Patrol.

Rich: Dear John Caution, Sorry I crushed your nachos.