Interview with

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1.How old are you? I'm (Ryan) 19, Darrell's 21, Justin's 18, Taylor's 20, and Dan is 20.

2.How long has groundzero been together? groundzero has been together for four years.

3. What other bands if any have you played in prior to Groundzero? Me and Darrell were in a band called Forgiven. Darrell was in a band called Desegregation. Justin Was in a band called Tripwire. Darrell and Taylor are in a awesome band called Bricks Without Straw. They sound like a more catchy version of Ashes with female vocals. Me and Darrell are in another band called Wrench in the works and we get compared to Neurosis, Acme, Rorschach, and Kiss It Goodbye.

4. Are you or any of the members of groundzero strait edge and if so for how long and why? Justin and Taylor are straight edge. I don't know how long they've been. I don't know their reasons behind it. Sorry.

5. Who/What are your biggest influnces? Personally, some of my influences are God and my friends. I can't speak for everyone though, all of us have different influences in our lives.

6. What are your top 5 favorite albums and who are they by? Wow, that's rough...Black Sabbath "Masters of Reality", all NWA, Radiohead "Ok Computer", all Into Another, and all Curtis Mayfield.

7. What bands did you listen to as a kid and what bands do you listen to now? Gorilla Biscuits, Integrity, Metallica, Mindwar, Jasta 14, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sonic Youth, NWA, a bunch of stuff. I still listen to most of that stuff but lately I've been listening to Neurosis, Zao, Bloodlet, Blood Has Been Shed, Radiohead, Death Threat, Red Tide, Black Sabbath, Dead Eyes Under, Stavesacre, Deftones, Curtis Mayfield, all sorts of stuff.

8. do you consider groundzero a hardcore band, if not what would you consider groundzero? Yeah, we're a hardcore band even though we don't say GO and don't sound like Youth of Today. We have the hearts of hardcore kids. We just are sick of the same regurgitated stuff that's been done for the past 10 - 15 years. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing although i think we could do without about 80 percent of them but if that's what you want to do, then do it. I think if bands didn't evolve, hardcore would become stale, at least to me and that's why we're attempting to do something new and have fun with it. If someone doesn't consider us a hardcore band because of that, then i really don't give a crap, that's their opinion.

9. What are some things you do besides music? I skateboard and snowboard. I'm going to college and majoring in graphics design and photography, play guitar in another band called Wrench in the Works (i know it's music but what the hell, it's more self promotion), and hang out with my friends.

10. On your aol profile it says you skate, what type of set up do you have? I have a Zoo York board, Independent trucks, and spitfire wheels.

11.what is your favorite recording you have done as groundzero to date? I haven't recorded anything yet because I'm new but my favorite recording is probably either the "Seldom Does Hope Exhaust Despair" cd or the split 7" with Darkest Hour, both of which are on East Coast Empire Records.

12.does groundzero have any up coming releases? Not anything definate yet but we will definately be doing something with East Coast Empire Records again. Dave does an awesome job at doing a label and does as much as he can for the bands on his label. Daves a great guy and has his shit together.

13. What are your views on the war on drugs? Good luck.

14. Has your band line up always been the same? No, Darrell is the only originally member. We've changed so many different mambers but i think it's for the better. We've weeded out the weak. Right now, our lineup is very solid and everyone is willing to tour, quit our jobs, drop out of school, or whatever to commit to this band if it comes down to it. This is what we all love to do.

15. Do you have any advice for bands jsut starting out? Yeah, you'd probably have better luck if you moved to Boston. Connecticut has been pretty beat lately. There are some kids that still come out and support bands but most of them are trying to fall in love or would rather sit at home and watch TV. We've worked hard for everything we have. Nothing was just handed to us. We've been doing this band for five years and putting a lot of hard work into this. We've had our van die in Milwaukee and had to take a bus home. We've had tours fall apart while we were in Tennessee and had to spend every penny we had to get back home. It's not easy but i definately enjoy it and have had many more good times than bad. Just keep working and it'll happen.

16.Any final comments to the people? Yeah, thanks a lot for the interview. Thanks to Dave Duncan (ECER) for his unconditional support. Thanks to Darrells big brothers band, Blood Has Been Shed. Thanks to anyone that took the time to read this interview.