BAND: The Hoax
MUSIC STYLE: PUNK
LOCATION: Anaheim, CA
FACEBOOK MYSPACE

Q: The Hoax has been together for a while now, how and when did the band get it’s start?

A: We got together in early 2005, I don’t remember exactly when I think it was spring time. We were just a couple of bored kids who had just got instruments, except for Daniel he’d been playing drums for a while. and were inspired by Officer Negative and Headnoise.  The hoax was originally a three piece, we added David in January this year.

Q: What is the significance of the name “The Hoax?”

A: We chose “The Hoax” originally just cause it sounded cool. When we started we planned on calling ourselves “50 Caliber” but after talking to friends and other people in bands we decided it didn’t sound like the name for a punk band. After we switched names we kept getting asked what does your name mean and at first we didn’t have an answer. But Daniel wrote Fake Reality, which was originally titled The Hoax Song and it basically says this world is a hoax, don’t trust in things of the world, put your trust in God.

Q: Who all is in the band and what does everyone do when they are not playing?

A: Tyler is our singer and he used to play bass also. He works at Ralph’s grocery store in the seafood department and is going to Cypress college. I am Johnny Hoax I play guitar and do some vocals. I work at Reliable Sheet Metal Works, I’m a fabricator. I’m also studying at Cal Poly Pomona. David Robledo is our new member, he plays bass for us. He used to be in an awesome ska band, Skamikaze! but they are on a break for a while so we stole him. Daniel aka Danimal plays drums. And he is finishing up an Accounting degree at Cal State Fullerton.

Q: Do any of the members in the band have side projects? What bands have members been involved with in the past?

A: David was in Skamikaze! That’s the most notable by far. Daniel and I had a grindcore side project with a friend of ours, Matt Dreer, but he moved back to Maryland so that died. Tyler was in a band called The Clerks, everyone in the band worked at grocery stores at the time but they never played any shows. Right now I am working on two side projects, one is a pop punk band and the other is a hardcore band.

Q: Saw that you guys recently had an 11th hour signing with our pals over at Thumper Punk Records. Can you tell us about the album you just released entitled “Stumbling Through?”

A: Oh the story behind this album, where to start. This album definitely tested us quite a bit. We’ve had this album ready for a while, we finished recording in August. We recorded at Live Wire Studio with Jason and Josiah from Spades and Blades/ The Havoc. The Hoax had originally signed to another label, but due to circumstances with their personnel we weren’t able to release with them. I had been talking with David from Thumper Punk and he offered to pick us up and release the album and we were stoked. We love Thumper Punk Records! TPR is an amazing label.

Q: I took a listen to the “Stumbling Through” and love the album, I really like how you guys are diversifying your sound, there is a little ska, rock-a-billy, and whole lot of punk, where do you guys draw your influences from?

A: We draw from everything we listen to. We like a lot of different music, obviously punk but we also are into hardcore, grind, thrash, ska. The bands we draw from most are probably The Crucified, Oi Polloi, Minor Threat, Toxic Narcotic, and The Deal. There are a lot of others but I would say musically these are the most influential.

Q: The Hoax played a pretty neat show recently including reunions of Officer Negative, The Deal, and also Headnoise, how did you guys manage to get on the bill and how was the show?

A: That show was amazing, we had so much fun being a part of it. We were able to get on the bill through Breakthru Entertainment, we’ve known them for quite a while. That show was unreal, I never thought I’d see the day Officer Negative got back together, let alone be able to play with them. Headnoise, The Deal, and The Havoc we’re awesome too. Headnoise is back! I’m really excited about that, when I heard about the shows I thought they were just doing a couple reunion shows but Robert announced at Chain that they were back for good.

Q: You guys planning to tour the US at all (or do a mini-tour?)

A: We are planning to do a small tour this summer, probably just a West Coast thing but in the future we really want to be able to do a full tour and make it out to play Cornerstone.

Q: What is the main purpose of The Hoax?

A: The main purpose of The Hoax is to be a light to the punk scene, we want to go play shows and be examples that you can be punk and Christian at the same time and that you don’t have to be drunk to have fun at a show.

Q: The Hoax is a Christian band, where do you guys draw your biggest inspiration from in the bible? What messages from the bible would you like to share with folks reading this interview?

A: Acts 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We know everyone is sinner, we want to show other punks that you don’t have to stay in that sin. We aren’t the band that will stand up on stage and point people out and say change your ways, we just want to show people God’s love and tell them that Jesus loves them, not criticize them because they know what they are doing is wrong. If their hearts aren’t ready, I feel our criticism will just push them away. I prefer to lead by example and just show them love.

Q: Now for some fun stuff, give us a funny story about the band, some great story about a show etc.

A: The Officer Negative show. I ran up onstage and sang part of JCHC then did a stage dive, it was my first stage dive ever and it was pretty sweet that it was during JCHC.

Q: What music are you guys currently listening to? Who should we check out?

A: Everyone is listening to a lot of different stuff lately. Tyler is into a lot of grindcore and thrash. Daniel pretty much sticks to straight up punk. David is our ska guy. I’ve been listening to a lot of pop punk lately and I’ve been getting teased quite a bit for it but I’ve also been listening to a lot of ska, hardcore and metal too. I’ve really gotten into Big D & the Kids Table, they are a ska band they aren’t Christian but they are very good ska. Also Maylene and The Sons of Disaster, I really like their sound, it’s different from a lot of what is out right now. One band I was really looking forward to hearing their new album was Earth From Above but I think they have called it quits which is a bummer cause they were really good. I’m excited to hear False Idle’s new album, I can’t wait for that! I’ll only recommend one pop punk band, the guys will probably kill me for it anyway but check out Such Gold, they aren’t Christian but if you’re a fan of good pop punk you need to check them out.

Q: If you guys could be characters in any movie which movie would it be and which characters would you play?

A: Well I can’t speak for the other guys but I would choose pretty much any zombie movie, I am a huge fan of zombies. If I was in one I would definitely be the guy who doesn’t die. I’m prepared for the zombie apocalypse!

Q: What should we expect from the band in the future? More albums planned we hope?

A: I really would like to do a split album with another Christian punk band, that has been an interest of mine for quite a while. But we are going to continue writing music for as long as we can.

Q: Feel free to give shout-outs, share links, etc. Thanks for the interview and thanks for contributing to the HXCChristian.com compilation album!

A: I’d like to shout out to the local bands we are friends with Professor Panyck’s Schizophrenic Circus, Spades and Blades, Heart Like War, Higher Learning. And some not so local bands, The Way, The Kings Kids, and False Idle! Also check out Caustic Fallout Radio and all the other TPR bands. Keep the circle pit alive!

Well, our friends from The Deal are officially done with their official reunion and that makes me sad, however, the band has been reincarnated into El Death, which features many members of The Deal including lead singer Collin. So, we will miss you guys, and even though you are done, we ask, really?

Band Name: The Deal
Music Style: Street Punk/Oi!
Hometown: Chino, CA
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thedeal

Q: The Deal just announced (within the last couple of months) that you were getting back together, was that officially just a short term thing or are there other reasons that The Deal is retiring again?

A: Yeah, The Deal reunion was always intended to be a short run. We found ourselves all in the same room at the same time, and figured why not? The plan from the start was to do a large show in the Chino area, our hometown, and a run out to Cornerstone, trying to stop at some places on the way, visit some friends, and give some people a chance to see The Deal play one more time; for some, the first time.

Q: The Deal has touched so many peoples lives with their music, their message, and the love of Christ, what do you want to say to all the adoring fans out there?

A: I don’t know that I would go as far as to use a line like “ALL the adoring fans out there”, but with all the humility we have, we say ‘thank you’. We’ve had all kinds of people thank us for our music, message and so on. The truth is it’s the people that went to the shows that deserve all the thanks. You have to understand, we were fresh out of high school, if that, and given the opportunity to travel places, meet people and experience things we never imagined at such a young age, 100% because people, drove for miles, shelled out their hard earned money and supported US.

Q: Most of you guys are also playing in El Death (that is an anagram for The Deal if you didn’t know already), what can we expect from El Death now that Colin has officially joined the band? Who is not in El Death that was in The Deal?

A: El Death is a name that has been thrown around for years and years, even as The Deal was in full swing. A product of driving miles and miles with nothing to do but entertain yourselves, it was only natural to take the letters of THE DEAL and see what else could be made of it. It was only in the recent years that it has turned into the name of a band. It’s bit of a revolving door of musicians giving us the advantage / challenge of exploring different avenues of music. The Deal reunion was staffed by the original founding members of the band with one exception. Rick Remender, who was the original drummer and eventually transitioned to guitar, remained on guitar for the reunion and Dave Edmunds filled the drum spot. Both Rick and Dave were members of El Death as well until their exit following The Deal reunion tour. Nothing devious or juicy, everybody still loves everybody. As the years go by, we all seem to come together, move apart, and eventually back together, as brothers do. As for what to expect, guys getting together, sharing ideas and writing music they love listening to and playing.

Q: What is the difference between The Deal and El Death? Seems like the music of El Death is still pretty aggressive, but perhaps a bit more polished and laid back than The Deal.

A: I would say any difference would simply be the maturity and development of the soul and mind. It’s aggressive yes, but with attention to grove, melody and style. Fellow musicians seem to dig it.

Q: Is El Death considering itself a Christian punk band as well?

A: Well let’s address the easy part of that question. El Death does not consider itself a punk band. As for whether or not we are a Christian band, no. For some of us, and by ‘us’ we mean the thousands of believers around the world, who have a passion and God given talent to entertain with our music, writing, acting, painting, or juggling for that matter, the idea that once a relationship with Jesus Christ has begun, any and all artistically expressive acts should look or sound a certain way, has become quite the hot button topic. Some people try to determine the strength and validity of a believer’s faith based only on what they say, do, or sing about. And although scripture does speak to how we should speak and act, we believe far too much emphasis has been placed only on those things, so that someone doesn’t actually have to get to know someone, before they determine if the are a “good Christian” or not. The fact is, this isn’t something that can be intelligently discussed in a short interview, but please know this, if anyone reading this wants to truly know if any one person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, calls Him the Lord of their life and wants nothing more than His will to be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, these are all conditions of the heart. Getting to know the heart of a person takes time and effort. What a person does or says are simply actions that can be used to paint a picture of who that person wants others to believe they are. The power of Christ gave him the ability to see the heart. Without that power, much more effort is needed by us to come along side the fellow sinners of this world and share the love and forgiveness of Jesus regardless of their current spiritual condition, saved or not. Fellow believers don’t take the easy way out. The Son of God died on a cross so that we may know him. The least we can do with our short time here, is get to know each other.

Q: Can fans attending an El Death show expect to hear a few songs from The Deal now that Colin is singing?

A: In short, no. They’d stick out like a sore thumb.

Q: Can you guys share a story that will stay with the members of The Deal forever, perhaps the best show, when people got saved at a show, something that most people wouldn’t know about the band?

A: Things we learned on the road:

5 guys + gear + merch CAN fit in a mini van but they never SHOULD fit in a mini van.

People in a McDonalds at 5am on a Wednesday in Nebraska DON’T look like us.

Hotel microwaves are NOT made to cook 5 frozen meals in a row.

Justin Timberlake and Natalie Portman can bring the funny.

Gas station food + long miles = unhappy digestive system.

Q: Cornerstone was officially The Deals last show, what was it like playing Cornerstone for the last time as The Deal?

A: Playing there is always very special. Much has changed. Some things haven’t.

Q: The Deal has touched so many lives and made such an impact in the Christian hardcore/punk music scene over the years. You have consistently shared Jesus Christ with so many people through your music that would have probably never heard the message of Christ or would have never even thought that people and music like The Deal could be Christians. You have influenced so many bands over the years and surely inspired them to play Christian hardcore & punk, that The Deal will be sorely missed? Please share any parting thoughts, words of encouragement, whatever you guys would like to share, feel free.

A: Again, a heart felt thank you to the people that made our travels possible. The kind words and appreciation that was shown to us over the past year was amazing and very special. We’ll carry it with us always.

Band Name: The Rekoning
Music Style: Punk/Oi!/Hardcore
Location (Home Base): Riverside, CA
Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/therekoning

Q: Where did the Rekoning get its origins from? How did the name come about, there must be some meaning behind the way you spelled The Rekoning.

A: I was watching the movie Tombstone one day and in the movie Doc Holiday says, “It’s not revenge he’s after, it’s the reckoning.” Then I found a scripture in the Bible in Isaiah 10:3 about a day of reckoning which hits kind of hard to the heart, which is fitting for us. We then decided to change the spelling of the name to The Rekoning since there were about 30 Gothic Metal bands with the regular spelling and a polka band that had the copyrights to it. Those polka bands are sneaky.

Q: Who are the band members? What does everyone do when they are not playing?

A: Shawn Montoya plays drums and does construction when he’s not playing and he always smells nice. Tommy Gun plays bass (and standup bass) and when he’s not playing he does construction as well. I (Josh Northcott) play guitar and sing lead vocals and when I am not playing I work as a Web Technician in Redlands CA.

Q: What bands was everyone in prior if they were?

A: Tommy was in a band called the Sandbox Bullies and both Shawn and I played with few different bands that didn’t do very many shows.

Q: I can count 4 different bands that I hear when I listen to the new album “The Road Less Traveled,” The Dropkick Murphys, The Bouncing Souls, Maybe a little Flogging Molly and some Social D, where do you get your influences from?

A: Many of our influences came from music we listened to growing up. Songwriters like Dwight Yoakam, Neil Diamond and Paul Simon are a big influence on the writing style and certainly find its way into some folk style breakdowns in our music. Bands like The Pogues and The Dropkick Murphys are certainly an influence by how they blend Irish folk music and make it nasty and awesome. We also love the good-ole Oi punk rock and are constantly influenced by bands like CockSparer, The Business, and Blitz. Also our love for bands like Hanoi Rocks, Bouncing Souls, The Deal, Toy Dolls and many others just find its way in their on the influences list. I guess you can say we have a wide range of influences.

Q: What music are you guys listening to right now, any bands you are listening to that we should all checkout?

A: Right now we’ve been listening to the Riverboat Gamblers new album which is pretty awesome. We’ve also been listening to this band that you should all check out called Call To Glory, they are an awesome band with an amazing love for God.

Q: How has Strike First Records helped out the band?

A: Those guys have been such a blessing to us. Basically they picked up this album right before we were about to put it out ourselves. So they helped us get our album out to stores and places we probably wouldn’t have been and also put us in a position where more people could find out about us. Also, we’ll be playing the Facedown Fest next month as well…the list goes on. (if you want to go and buy their album click here.)

Q: I know that you guys played a killer show with The Deal and No Innocent Victim (The Deal’s first show since their reforming), and it looks like you have another show in March with The Deal and our pals Braveheart (we love Isaac), How was the show with The Deal and NIV?

A: Yeah we’re looking forward to playing with The Deal and Braveheart this month. We love both of those bands. To answer your question, playing with The Deal and NIV was a very special show. I think it’s hands down our favorite show because all the bands playing that night were all old friends. We’ve known the Deal guys for a long time. I grew up with Rick and Derek so it was really great to finally play a show with them again and to hear those old Deal songs again. This was our second time playing with NIV and every time we play with them they always kick our spiritual butts. Best show ever.

Q: Looks like you guys play a lot of West Coast shows, are you planning on touring this year at all?

A: We’ll be doing some mini tours this summer and I think we will be at Cornerstone this year as well so be sure check out our summer dates.

Q: Looks like you guys are playing the Facedown Fest this year on Apri 3rd & 4th, what bands are looking forward to seeing play there?

A: We’re really looking forward to seeing most of the bands on the label to be honest with you but to narrow it down were really excited to see Sleeping Giant again and Take it Back!, also War of Ages and Plea for Purging is going to be awesome too. Also seeing our buddy’s of Wrench in the Works is going to be great too.

Q: You guys are definitely a Christian band, how does your faith influence your music?

A: Our faith is the main influence in our music. Once I got saved it was almost like I couldn’t really write about anything else. Our faith in Jesus Christ is where the passion and all the drive comes from. Our prayer is that this music plants a seed in people’s hearts as well as be one big source of encouragement.

Q: A lot of your songs reflect the Christian lifestyle and how you take “the road less traveled,” do you guys sometimes feel that the “church” or “by the book Christians” sometimes don’t get what you are doing?

A: We’ve been very blessed with the support we’ve had from churches. We have ran into a few people who thought the music was too loud or that the style didn’t represent Christianity but in reality the style of music doesn’t matter, what matters is if God is a part of it. But it’s not a debating matter although Christians debate stuff like this all the time. The truth is that God has different churches for different people, for some, they feel closer to God by singing hymns and worshiping in a more traditional way, and for other it’s the latter…there is no right and wrong way. But we do need to support one another if God is a part of what they are doing.

Q: Anyone ever questioned whether you are in fact Christian?

A: We’ve had messages from people who questioned if we were Christian because it didn’t sound like Christian music that they were used to. But we have more people come up to us after a show and let us know that they didn’t realize we were Christian until they saw us play.

Q: Where in the bible do you as a band draw influence? What inspires you as a band (or individuals)?

A: Oh man there’s a lot. I think a lot of inspiration comes from Paul’s letters to the churches. On this record, the book of 1st Corinthians has a lot of influence regarding songs like “I Believe” which is really an anthem of being strong in the faith and really being the child that Jesus died on the cross for you to be. But for the most part, each song draws multiple influences from many different places in the Word.

Q: Anyone at shows ever given the band a hard time about being Christian? On the flip side, have people ever come up to you after shows to talk about Jesus?

A: It’s happened a few times. It’s mostly a shock for people when they have realized that we are a Christian band instead of give us a hard time about it. But we have gotten a lot more people come up to us at shows and asked us to pray with them or talk about Jesus with them.

Q: What are the future plans for the band, can we expect another album?

A: Yes, we are going to continue to play wherever anyone would have us and you can certainly count on another album in the future.

Q: If you could give the hardcore/punk scene any message, what would it be?

A: Listen to other bands and other styles of music. Also, be excellent to one another.

Q: Feel free to give any shout-outs, or anything you want to add!

A: Yes, check out these other great bands like, Flatfoot 56, Our Corpse Destroyed, The Last Hope, Faith Snakes, Call To Glory and The Scurvies, you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading, God bless, and as always, go and check out the forum to discuss God, music, and life. Have fun and fellowship!

If you never heard The Deal, they are an awesome hardcore/Oi! style band. These guys were putting out Christian influenced hardcore/Oi! when nobody else really was. So if you want, you could really credit a lot of the great hardcore bands that are out there now to the influence of The Deal. If you haven’t picked up any of their albums, go and do so, I promise that you will not be disappointed!

Band Name: The Deal
Music Style: Street Punk/Oi!/Hardcore
Location (Home Base): Chino, CA
Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/thedeal

1. Let me start by thanking you guys for taking some time for an interview! Where has The Deal been and why all the sudden is The Deal getting back together?

WELL LIFE HAPPENS AND WE ALL MOVE ON. RECENTLY WE’VE FELT THE NEED TO REGROUP AND JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS. WE REALLY JUST WANTED TO GET BACK TOGETHER FOR THE OUTLET AND THE COMRADERY WITH NO EXPECTATIONS.

2. Tell us about all the other bands the guys have been playing in, is everyone taking a break from their current bands?

WELL RICK, TOM, DEREK AND DAVE HAVE BEEN BUSY FOR PASTER COUPLE YEARS WITH “EL DEATH.” THEY’VE BEEN DOING WELL AND THEY RULE I MUST SAY. THEY MAY TAKE A SMALL BREAK TO CONCENTRATE ON WRITING SOME NEW DEAL MATERIAL BUT THERE IS A HIGH DEMAND FOR THEM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO I’M SURE THEY WILL STAY FRESH AND READY TO JAM. (CHECK THEM OUT IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY..MYSPACE. COM/ELDEATHBAND)

3. We heard that Rick is forming a new band with Chad from Officer Negative, Justin & Jason from The Havoc, Dakota from Dead 77 & The Mopic, can you tell us anything about that?

RICK LEADS A DOUBLE LIFE….HE’S OUR BATMAN SO HE MUST BE THEIR BRUCE WAYNE. – BUT REALLY YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK HIM .. I HAVE NO CLUE.

4. You guys have a killer show coming up in Chino, CA on February 7th at the Stronghold with No Innocent Victim, Death Comes Fast, The Rekoning, and Faith Snakes, is this your first show back together? How did this all-star lineup come to be?

YA I CAN’T WAIT. IT’S OFFICIALLY OUR FIRST SHOW BACK FROM OUR HIATUS. AND AS FAR AS THE LINEUP GOES, ALL OF THESE BANDS ARE SOME OF OUR BEST FRIENDS AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. THE LINE UP IS VERY FITTING…AND ITS THE PERFECT MIX OF STYLES, JUST LIKE THE DEAL LIKES IT.

5. We notice that you don’t have any other dates lined up yet to play, can we expect some more dates? Will the band be touring in 2009?

INDEED , WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON BOOKING QUITE A FEW SHOWS FOR THE SPRING. BUT YOU KNOW, WE’VE BEEN ABSENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, SO WE MAY TREAD LIGHTLY AND SEE HOW PEOPLE ACCEPT US COMING BACK BEFORE WE START MAKING FUTURE PLANS.

6. Is The Deal writing new material? Are you planning on putting out any new material?

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 3 NEW SONGS IN THE WORKS, 2 ARE PRETTY SOLID. WE ARE DEFINITELY WANTING TO HAVE A NEW RECORD WITHIN THE YEAR. WE SHALL SEE.

7. It has been quite a number of years since The Deal was together, what changes, if any have you noticed in the hardcore/punk scene?

TO BE HONEST, I, MYSELF HAVE BEEN PRETTY MUCH OUT OF THE “SCENE.” I KEEP TABS ON MY FRIENDS BANDS N SUCH TO SUPPORT THEM, BUT OTHER THAN THAT..I TRULY NEEDED A BREAK. I WAS PRETTY BURNT OUT. CALL THAT WHAT YOU WANT. AND IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY CHANGES, I DO HOPE THEY ARE FOR THE BETTER AND THAT EVERYONE IS TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.

8. What are the future plans for The Deal, will you be playing a tour and going your separate ways, or will The Deal be sticking around for while?

WELL,OUR PLAN IS TO STICK AROUND, BUT THAT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE COMING OR NOT (COMING TO SEE US), AND LISTENING OR NOT LISTENING TO US. WE ARE ALL IN A DIFFERENT (BETTER)PLACE THESE DAYS SO THE THINGS THAT WOULD HINDER US IN THE PAST REALLY AREN’T THERE ANYMORE, WE FEEL LIKE THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO US SUCCEEDING FURTHER THAN BEFORE..(IN OUR EYES ANYHOW)

9. The Deal is a Christian Hardcore band, no doubt about it, will The Deal continue to sing about our Lord and Saviour, or will you be taking a more secular approach this time?

WELL, THE DEAL HAS ALWAYS WRITTEN ABOUT LIFE. AND IN OUR LIVES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS MOST IMPORTANT, BUT NOT ALL OF OUR AUDIENCE HAS THE SAME STORY AS WE DO SO IT’S TOUGH FOR THEM TO RELATE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE WHAT WE FEEL, WHEREVER GOD WILL HAVE US, THAT’S WHERE WE WILL BE.

10. Now that you are all a little older and wiser (aren’t we all, moshing kills me!), what things will the band do differently than you did the first go around?

WELL I HAVE A CANE NOW SO I’LL NEED A MIC STAND, AND TOM HAS A WALKER, SO HE HAS TO SIT AND PLAY BASS. KIDDING! WE’RE ALMOST THERE THOUGH..ALL I CAN PREDICT IS THAT THE MUSIC WILL GET TIGHTER AND A LITTLE MORE COMPLEX I’M SURE. US HAVING MANY NEW INFLUENCES MUSICALLY WILL HAVE AN IMPACT AS WELL.

11. The Deal has had a huge influence on the Christian hardcore scene, have you had other bands that tell you The Deal is the reason they play or that you influenced them?

WOW, THANK YOU THAT MEANS EVERYTHING TO US. I SUPPOSE, I MEAN AFTER WE PUT OUT SOME RECORDS AND MADE OUR WAY AROUND THE STATES WE DEFINITELY STARTING SEEING MORE BANDS COME UP IN THE VEIN OF WHAT WE WERE DOING. (THE MIX OF HARDCORE, STREETPUNK AND OI) WHICH WAS BOTH FLATTERING AND ENCOURAGING AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE A MILLION AND ONE FRIENDS THAT DO SAY WE HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON THEM MUSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY WHICH TO US IN PRICELESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE THE SAME FOR US.

Crazy video of The Deal circa 2005, I am glad they are back for more fun!

Click here to view the embedded video.

12. What bands have influenced The Deal, are there any bands out there now that you all have been listening to and really recommend?

OH MAN TOO MANY TO NAME, AS FAR AS WRITING GOES, WE ALWAYS LOOKED TO AGNOSTIC FRONT, SICK OF IT ALL, THE ANTI-HEROES, AC/DC, THE COCNKEY REJECTS ETC. FOR INFLUENCE. LATELY (STILL NOT FORGETTING OUR ROOTS) WE’VE BEEN REALLY INTO QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, CLUTCH, BLACK SABBATH, ETC. “WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN INTO THESE BANDS BUT NOT SO MUCH AS FOR WRITING FOR THE DEAL (UNTIL NOW).

13. What have been some of the most memorable moments for the band?

AGAIN, TOO MANY TOO MANY, EVERY TIME WE WOULD BE IN THE STUDIO AND BASICALLY WRITE A SONG IN 30 MINUTES AND IT ENDS UP BEING OUR FAVORITE TRACK ON THE RECORD. THAT’S ALWAYS MEMORABLE. EVERY TIME WE WOULD MEET A NEW FRIEND OR HEAR THAT WE HELPED SOMEONE OUT ALONG THE WAY WAS ALWAYS THE MOST MEMORABLE BECAUSE IT WAS THE WHOLE REASON FOR US BEING AROUND. AND OF COURSE TOURING AND GETTING TO SEE AND MEET FRIENDS AROUND THE COUNTRY. WE CAN FLY ANYWHERE AND HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME…THAT IS AMAZING. AND HUMBLING.

14. Tell us about the best show The Deal ever played and why?

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE…I’LL GIVE YOU TWO. 1ST WHEN WE PLAYED WITH AGNOSTIC FRONT IN CONNETICUT. IT MEANT A LOT TO US, THEM BEING A HUGE INFLUENCE ON US AND KNOWING THE HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF THAT BAND. AND THEN TO GO TO DENNYS THAT NIGHT AND HANG WITH THEM AND TALK TRASH WAS SICK. THEY ARE THE BEST DUDES AROUND. 2ND I’D HAVE TO SAY OUR LAST SHOW, MAINLY BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH EMOTION BEHIND IT AND WE HAD ALL OF OUR MEMBERS UP THERE SHARING WHAT WE ALL HAD CREATED TOGETHER. IT WAS BITTERSWEET AND PRICELESS.

15. Can you tell us some things about the band members that nobody knows?

RICK CAN FIX ANYTHING, DEREK IS A SUPER HERO, TOM IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT, DAVE IS ALREADY PRESIDENT, AND I (COLLIN) AM HALF SHARK.

16. If you could convey a message to hardcore scene today, what would that be?

I DARE YOU TO LISTEN TO SOMETHING ELSE.

17. Anything you want to tell the fans of The Deal?

YOUR SUPPORT HAS MADE US FEEL UNBREAKABLE. WE PRAY TO GET TO SING ALONG WITH EVERYONE AGAIN VERY SOON. TO EVERYONE THAT DID NOT GIVE UP ON US EVEN AFTER WE THREW IN THE TOWEL, WE ARE HUMBLED AND MOST APPRECIATIVE. GOD BLESS OUR FRIENDS.

18. Feel free to add anything, shout-outs, links, whatever you want!

THANK YOU TO HXCCHRISTIAN. COM FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND TAKING THE TIME TO GIVE LIL’ OL ME SOME TIME TO RUN MY MOUTH. ALSO FORGIVE MY MISSPELLS AND PUNCTUATION, I AM BED RIDDEN AND VERY SICK RIGHT NOW..I’M PRETTY MUCH SEEING DOUBLE.
AND IF YOU GOT THE END OF THIS INTERVIEW..

Don’t forget to check out the forum, you can go and discuss God, music, and good times there (and fellowship with other hardcore Christians!!!)