1. How did the band get started? How did you meet and how long have you been together?
Pessimist formed in Delaware around 93' and moved to Baltimore shortly there after. I joined in time to write and record the "Absence of Light" demo 95'. Shortly after the completion of "Absence..." the bass player quit and was replaced by my brother Tony and Tony Mallory (now guitarist in Fear Of God) left and was replaced with Tom Persons (ex Sadistic Torment) who left as well after the full lengther "Cult Of The Initiated!" We remain a four piece but are still looking for a fifth member
2. How would you describe your music?
A majority of our music is technical, yet catchy death metal, but due to our wide balance of influence there is also elements of black metal and machine head- like groove. I think we stand apart from the rest because rob has several different vocal styles from ultra low death growls to black metal- like screams to Bio-Hazardish shouts to spoken word. That and our bassist is a very competent talented musician and I think that a good majority of metal bassists dont challenge themselves enough
3. What are your biggest influences?
That one's difficult to answer because the four of us have a huge range of influences! We all get into Death, Black, a little Gothic and Progressive Metal. I think Tony has the widest range of influences though, his Depeche Mode and Jaco Pastorius CD's are right next to his Vader and Suffocation CD's!!
4. Who if any do you consider the bands idols?
For Kelly I'd have to say Randy Rhoades and for the Tony I'd have to say any bassist who truly rips like Jaco Pastorius or Steve Digiorgio (Sadus). I first met Kelly at a show because I had on a Destruction "Live Without Sense" T-Shirt on in a Sea of Pantera and Sepultura Shirts and we both are big Destruction fans
5. What made you want to be in the band? And if you weren’t in the band what would you be doing now?
I wanted to be in Pessimist because musically they were so tight. I mean no mistakes and very professional attitude. Plus at the time I was playing in a Fear Factory- sorta groove band and I was getting really bored with playing the same thing constantly, I wanted something with a little variety! I dont know why I would do if I left
6. What are some of your favorite bands that are really popular today?
That are popular? FM radio popular? None, Nada! Some of my faves are lesser know acts. I think that new Nevermore-- politics of Ecstasy fuckin' rules! As does the new Vader. I kinda get into technical music like Cynic, Atheist, Beliguer, Sadus, Gorguts, Suffocation, Death, Carcass, and Morbid Angel
7. How many demos/albums do you have? Tell me about them!!
We have two demos, dark Realities (which was the original line-up and is no longer available) and Absence Of Light, which is the original line up with me on drums. It's still available for $5.00 Plus $1.00 S&H (make MO’s payable to Rob Kline). We also have our full length debut out now on Lost Disciple Records. We've progressed a lot, if you compare all three releases you'd hardly know it is the same band!
8. What does the future hold for the band?
We're halfway through album #2. Things are a lot tighter as a four piece, the writing process flows better. The material we have now is the best we've ever done. Just Intense!
9. If you could play with any band who would it be and why?
Vader again! We've opened their College park, Maryland show and I unfortunately missed them by accident. Their drummer is incredible and I felt I really could have learned something from him. Hopefully I'll get to see them again soon!
10. Who writes the majority of the music?
Kelly and Tony write the riffs, Kelly and I arrange 'em and Rob Does all Vocal lines and lyrics, of course. Occasionally we do put input into someone else's territory
11. Who has been the favorite band you’ve played with and why?
Testament. It was Testament, Forbidden, Suffocation and Crowbar. All I could think was "shit Man, now we're running with the big dogs!" I was really intimidated because I have long admired all those band, but we had a great time. Killer crowd and all really nice guys. My favorite local would have to be the great Vicious Circle out of PA
12. Where did you get the band name from?
The name and nonagon are both Kelly's ideas that he's had for years. My next tattoo is gonna be Pessimist cause even if I wasnt in the band that is a good one word description of me. I never think positive
13. Describe what the band is like live?
A lot of energy ! Rob and Tony both have wireless systems so a lot of times it's just me and Kelly on stage. Lotsa Black, Leather, Spikes, candles, sweat, a small amount of S&M, and other theatrics, really over the top!
14. If you are gonna do any kind of video what would be in it?
Anything dark or evil without being cheesy or blatantly satanic, with lots of symbolism. I would love to do one for "Drunk With The Blood" or "Let The Demons Rest"
15. Are there any touring plans made; if so tell me about them?
Until a really good tour comes along what we've been doing recently is just trading shows with out of state bands. Anyone interested send us a letter! Be for warned though, the Baltimore scene sucks! That’s why we dont play here often
16. Where do you think the band will be 20 years from now?
I'll be lucky to live that long! I dont look that far ahead. Things have been going well and getting signed to such a cool label has really helped us to concentrate more on the music itself. I see us cranking it out for a few more years as long as people like Richard C dont continue to Screw us!
*Pessimist is still doing very well*