The Reign of Terror

Scott Vogel fronts kings of the Los Angeles hardcore scene, Terror. Armed with a list of searching questions, uk-fusion interrogates Scotty Boy about touring injuries, Vogelisms, and oh so much more

What prompted your move from Buffalo to LA?
My girlfriend and I had always planned on moving to California.  The only thing holding us back was the fact that I was in a full-time touring band (Buried Alive). Once Buried Alive broke up, there was nothing holding me back from leaving the snow of Buffalo behind.
What do you miss about not living there? Beef on Weck?
I miss not going to watch Sabres (local ice hockey team) games (great season this year, guys!)
What fuels your anger?
Everyday things that we all see or go through. Walking down a California street and seeing homeless children, waking up in the middle of the night hearing police sirens, having friends call me and tell me that their loved ones found a cancerous lump in their body...let alone, every issue that makes me angry about hardcore. Don't even get me started on that!!!
How did Todd's departure affect the band?
It was scary to think that our sole songwriter (at that time) was leaving, but we didn't really miss a beat. Big ups to Nick Jett for stepping up and writing an album that we are all extremely proud of!
And what about Martin and Jonathan? How are they settling in?
It's been a great fit so far. I have known both of them for a substantial amount of time, Terror has toured with both individuals' bands and it is finally starting to feel like Terror has a solid and steady line-up once again.
How much is your near-constant touring because of the reluctance of the LA clubs to let you play at their venues?
Before this band ever wrote a note, we planned on being a FULL-TIME touring band.  We will always find REAL venues to play in the greater Los Angeles area. Being banned from a few swanky clubs that don't understand anything about hardcore does not affect Terror in any way.
Ever thought about relocating?
Terror is a Los Angeles Hardcore band and always will be.
You're known for your on-stage pronouncements. What's your favourite Vogelism?
I think that the whole thing is kind of odd and people should focus their energy on more constructive things than analyzing everything I say onstage.  It is somewhat flattering that people keep stock of that, though.  We recently made a shirt that says "Maximum Output"...so, I'll just go with that one.
What's been the  worst injury you've sustained on tour and how did you do it?
I had three slipped discs in my neck in the summer of 2004. I was unable to walk for almost a week. I missed shows, it was a real painful situation. It was just from years of jumping onstage in a hardcore band and sleeping on floors.  I have also broken ribs on several occasions moshing, once was for Merauder.
You've got a  Gangstarr tattoo on your arm and you've featured rap interludes on your albums. What's the fascination with hip-hop?
I have always enjoyed True hip hop. To me, Hip Hop and Hardcore have more in common than most people realize. They are both rebellious forms of music that deal with true real life issues and offer a voice to a lost generation.
Apart from the hip-hop, any other plans to diversify your sound?
We are a hardcore band. We will always play hardcore. Some songs might be faster, some might be slower, we might throw some different song structures or something in there ...but, the bottom line is that it will always be HARDCORE. We won't be singing or wearing make-up if that is what you are asking. Ha ha!
Erm, I wasn’t. Moving swiftly on: tell me about  the ice storm during the recording of your latest album.
We got on our plane and they told us that the whole East Coast was a blizzard. Our flight got diverted to Chicago instead of Connecticut. Personally I don’t know what the big deal was though, as I lived through far worse in my 20 plus years living in Buffalo.
One of your MySpace friends posted the following message upon hearing Always the Hard Way: "I just came all over the new CD." Now how much does this disturb and how much does it flatter you?
People are weird. I am glad that the young person in question enjoyed our new recording. Once again, people are weird.
In what ways does Always the Hard Way differ from your earlier releases?
It is faster and angrier.  The lyrics are a bit more focused and personal.
What do you like to listen to on  your tour van?
We all listen to our own Ipods. I have been listening to a lot of Boot Camp Clik and Bad Brains on this tour. Nick normally drives and plays a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Turbonegro, Supersuckers, Hellacopters, Diplomats, Dilated Peoples, Cro-Mags, Madball, etc.
What are the crowds like in Japan?
The crowds in Japan seem to be mid ‘90s transports from Castle Heights, New York.
And in Brazil?
The crowds in Brazil seem to be mid ‘90s transports from Syracuse, New York.
When you played festivals with Alice Cooper and Motorhead a couple of years ago, what were they like to hang out with?
We never met any of those people. Just recently we met and hung out with the Gorilla Biscuits on a week-long US tour...that was far cooler than hanging out with Alice Cooper.