First off can you state your name and what you do
in the band?
Vincent (vocals): My name is Vincent "Don't Call Me Vince" Bennett, aka Vinny Bodega
How was the Through the Eyes of the Dead tour? And
Hatebreed in Europe ?
Vincent (vocals): The TTEOTD tour was one of the best tours we have ever
done. Good dudes, good times, and good crowds. Everything about that tour
was phenomenal and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The Hatebreed tour in
the UK and Ireland was an experience. I definitely felt like a foreigner in
a strange place. But it was definitely new and exciting. The crowds were
awesome and way responsive. We look forward to going back and hopefully also
hitting up mainland Europe . The dudes in Hatebreed are awesome and we can't
wait to hang out with them again on the Monsters of Mayhem 2 tour in a
couple of weeks.
You released The Dead Walk last summer. What was the
writing and recording process like?
Vincent (vocals): It went pretty smoothly. Everyone was full of good ideas
and the actual “process" was spread out for a couple of years. You can
probably tell that we wrote different songs at different points. Recording
was a breeze. Adam D. makes it as comfortable and stress-free as possible
and we had a blast doing it.
How would you describe the sound on The Dead Walk?
Vincent (vocals): Dirty heavy.
What is it like working with Adam D.?
Vincent (vocals): Like I said, he made the recording process - which is
normally the most stressful time in a musician’s career - way easier than it
was supposed to be. This is our third or fourth time working with him and we
have nothing but 100% confidence in him. Best dude ever.
How did you guys hook up with Prosthetic Records?
Vincent (vocals): They saw an old video we had put together for fun and made
us an offer. We were looking for a label at the time and had some other
offers, but Prosthetic was the best label for us.
You have a video for Angry Mob Justice. What was the video making process
like and who came up with the concept?
Vincent (vocals): It was my idea. We wanted to do something different and
funny. We are really an easy-going band; we wanted to do something that
reflected our personality as a band and kind of poked fun at our "super
serious" songs and lyrics.
How do you think the band has progressed from 3750 to
The Dead Walk?
Vincent (vocals): We have gotten way more mature. Our writing has gotten
more progressive and a little more serious. We don't want to disappoint our
fans, so we are looking at songs as if we were hearing them for the first
time, what we would think. We just want to make jaws drop. We aren't trying
to be a genre breaking band...We just want to write music that we like.
Who did the artwork for The Dead Walk?
Vincent (vocals): Paul Romano - possibly the best graphic artist out there.
He is somewhat of a living legend. I mean, have you SEEN the Leviathan
artwork? Holy shit. Expect to see his name on our next record as well.
How has the new material been received live?
Vincent (vocals): Well, since the album is almost a year old, kids are
getting very comfortable with the songs. So many kids sing along and dance.
That's why we exist, so kids can get into it and have a good time. By the
time the next record comes out I hope that every single person at an Acacia
Strain shows is taking part in one way or another. This is interactive shit.
Ha.
Metallica or Megadeth?
Vincent (vocals): Well, if I say Metallica I'm a pussy, and if I say
Megadeth I have to act like I listen to them all the time... So...ANTHRAX!
Metallica can either fuck off or find a time machine.
If you could play a show with any three artists, past or present, who would
they be?
Vincent (vocals): Integrity, Avril Lavigne 2 years ago, and Slick Rick with
Dougie Fresh in the show.
Do you have any pre show rituals?
Vincent (vocals): None. None, whatsoever. I mean…I normally run a mile or so
before the show to keep in shape. And I do need a full night’s sleep or I'm
totally fucked.
There's a few side projects from the band. Can you
tell us a little about them?
Vincent (vocals): Cockpunch! is my hardcore band. I started it to prove that
hardcore can still be fun without being stupid and preachy, like good clean
fun. Kids into hardcore band and dudes in hardcore bands have become way
elitist and shit is whack. Kids at our shows always leave with bruised
balls. That's about it really, DL is starting a band with Josh from TTEOTD
called Cigbutte and I am working on some all star shit with members of other
bands. Also, I'm starting a doom band with Cockpunch! members called Merman.
You’re on the road a lot, but are there any band back
in Mass that we should look out for?
Vincent (vocals): The Miles Between, Cockpunch! (obviously), Funeral In
Fame, buy the new Since The Flood record.
When you're not playing, what do you do to have fun
and kill time?
Vincent (vocals): We are hang out champions. We are down to hang out all
day, every day. I have a sidekick so I keep in touch with friends 24 hours a
day. As a band, we are down for whatever. I like to look for shops in the
area and walk around to check them out. This might sound stupid, but I buy
shoes all the time...so any good shoe spots in your area, let me know.
What can someone who has never seen you live expect at
one of your shows?
Vincent (vocals): Expect to get wet. Expect to see DL's stupid grill a lot.
And expect to get jumped on, because I heavily encourage stage dives.
That’s all. Do you have any last words for the fans and readers of Tripod of
Thought Zine?
Vincent (vocals): Listen to Cockpunch! The CD is out soon on Closed Casket
Activities!
www.myspace.com/cockpunch413
