Rebirth Billy Graziadei
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THE REBIRTHOF z z RD u HAZA b BIO INTERVIEW WITH BILLY GRAZIADEI by Daniel Alleva the personal issues with us, and with I recently spoke with Biohazard’s Billy Fuck itstand up, and what’s going on around the world. Graziadei about his band’s new album, “‘ One of the things I was thinking about Reborn In Defiance , and together, we t of in relation to hardcore music, thrash talked at length on many topics, from how let s go. It s par music, death metal, etc., is there a the sudden departure of bassist/co-vocalist ’ ’ ’ universal adversary that that music, Evan Seinfeld made him feel, to the fight our lyrics and part of on principle, stands in opposition to? against conformity that unifies underground The one word that pops out in my head music. Billy is the real deal. He spoke from way of life. is conformity. My brother told me this story his heart and didn’t give you any bullshit. our ” once. He was riding in the car with my old That spirit can be heard all throughout man and they were at a red light. These Reborn In Defiance , a record that certainly kids in sk ateboards came whizzing past, lets everyone know that Biohazard is Well, I know you guys were all back has cleared a little bit —I haven’t told many about life and obstacles is the fear of it. If and you know —they had patches on their back—not looking to fuck around, or beat together, and you were making a record, people this —but at the time, I was pissed. you let the fear dictate your future, than jackets, and one of them had a green around the bush, even remotely. The and then all of the sudden, Evan wasn’t But I still respect his choice and his decision. you won’t go anywhere. You gotta face mohawk —punk rock kids, you know? And conversation is below. in the group anymore. You know, in a perfect world, it would be your fears and deal with it. We’ve been my dad said to my brother, “What kind of Hey Billy, I’m glad to get you on the Well, we were finishing the record, and great to have the four of us together, playing through a lot of shit, as I’m sure you know, parent would let their kids out like that?” phone, thanks for doing this interview. we had a few more things to do withToby the songs that we worked hard on. But but in the face of adversity, we always say, And my brother pointed at them and said, Oh, my pleasure. Thank you for doing it. [Wright, producer] in the studio, and we life is like that, and not just in Biohazard — “Fuck it —stand up, and let’s go.” It’s part “Oh, look —there’s Billy.” And that’s sorta First, let me tell you, I love the new just got a call from Evan one day—he just in everyday life. of our lyrics and part of our way of life. when at least my old man realized, “Alright, record, man, and I want to say up and quit. Said he wasn’t gonna do it So, in your eyes, what were the first So what’s the significance behind the he beats to his own drum.” congratulations. anymore—couldn’t do it, didn’t want to things that had to happen once you title Reborn In Defiance ? Oh, glad to hear you liked it. We worked do it. It caught us by surprise, and I haven’t decided to continue forward? I think there’s a lot of parallels —not just Billy and I also spoke at length about hard on this record—not unlike other really talked about it. But I’ve always Well, we had dates booked, plus all the within the context of Biohazard, but beyond the early ‘90s Brooklyn metal scene, and albums, but this record more than not, respected the decision. It was his decision, normal things that occur once you the band. Reborn In Defiance , for me, is how Biohazard was part of a holy trinity you know? This was a big growth for us. and we made our decision, and that’s the announce a new record, so we picked up sort of the rebirth of Biohazard. I think a that included fellow Brooklynites Type O A big accomplishment and we’re really way it is. I have no ill vibes towards him. Scott Roberts, who had played with us lot of people wrote us off a while ago like, Negative and Life Of Agony. Together, proud of it. I hope he finds what he looking for, and before, and everything has been great “Yeah, they did this, and they did that — the three bands share a bond similar to So let me just ask you—is Biohazard I hope he’s happy. ever since. Scott’s a great guy, and he what are they doing now?” So it was a what Nirvana, Soundg arden, and Pearl officially a three-piece now? Just for clarity’s sake, let me get this loves what we do and who we are, because personal statement for us, in the sense Jam share as part of the Seattle scene — No, definitely not. Biohazard has always clear:You’re in the middle of making a he comes from the same place as we do. that we were taking all of the personal to a lesser degree of attention; but still, been a four-piece. I’m guessing you’re record—almost near completion of a Look, I had a recording studio burn down, memories that people had about Biohazard Brooklyn in the ‘90s was a microcosm going to go there, and just so you know, record, actually—and he just calls and had two giant floods happen all in the and pulling them all together. But if you of what still universally relates to people — everything is all cool. It’s an open book. up one day and says, “Guys, I’m not same year. But you can’t get knocked look around the world, it seems like people going against the grain. Bands like Okay, so then what’s up then officially gonna do this anymore?” down and complain about it, and say, are standing up and saying, “Fuck you , Carnivore and places like L’Amour have with you guys and Evan Seinfeld? Exactly. “Well, he pushed me down and I’m not I’m not going to be oppressed by you. I’m extensive meaning to a great lot of people. Well, I’d have to go back a little bit, and Wow... gonna get back up.” You gotta get back gonna take my future in my own hands.” And Billy truly seems proud to be a part I don’t know how much you know already. Yeah, and you know , now that the smoke up and face your shit. The hardest thing So the record has a lot of parallels between of such a kickass subculture. YOU CAN CATCH BIOHAZARD AT THE STARLAND BALLROOM IN SAYREVILLE ON FRIDAY, FEB. 17, AND SATURDAY, FEB. 18. FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN FIND THEM AT FACEBOOK.COM/BIOHAZARDD 8 ARTS WEEKLY FEBRUARY 15, 2012 www.theaquarian.com.