WE'RE ONLY GONNA DIE: THIS IS FOR THE REJECTS

Black SS (or Black Sheep Squadron) are four straight edge dudes from Syracuse NY, they play fast, angry hardcore in the vein of Negative Approach, Negative FX and other negative stuff. They have also covered 'We're Only Gonna Die' before so it is fitting that they get the first run on this thing. This is an interview with bass player Dan I did back in October.

First up, for those who are unfamiliar give us a brief rundown of who is in the band and how, when and why Black SS came about?

BSS started out of the ashes of another syracuse band called AWOL, which had the same singer (Chuck) and guitarist (Mike Tommyrot). When they broke up those dudes wanted to keep making music, so they enlisted me (Dan) and a drummer we were friends with. Eventually he was replaced by Steve who also plays drums in I Object. Black SS is a straight edge hardcore band from (at this very moment) cold ass Syracuse, NY.

Why the name Black Sheep Squadron?

Chuck came up with the name. It has to do more with the Minor Threat record cover, but the Black Sheep is one of his favorite rap groups. Plus Black SS is pretty hard sounding ha.

Do you think with a name like Black SS, that some people may jump to negative conclusions as to what the band is about? Are people suprised to find that you are a bunch of straight edge dudes and not beer swilling white power louts?

We get asked that a lot but its never been an issue, ever. Mostly just in interviews. Maybe people are too afraid to ask in person haha.

The last thing you released (to my knowledge anyway...) was the split with How We Are (who have since broken up), how did that come about? I know they are also from New York, were they friends of yours?

I was in a band called Hit The Lights with John from HWA and Chuck's been friends with them forever. They were from Rochester which is only a little over an hour from Syracuse, so we were all pals anyways. I'm not sure who came up with the idea for the split, but it turned out pretty cool.

Are there any upcoming releases or tours planned? What's the band up to at the moment? Do you enjoy the touring aspect of being in a band or do you often find it is sometimes a bit of a chore?

Touring is not really an option at the moment, I just had my second child and Mike's getting ready for one next month. So we have that going on. The few tours we did were fun, but it doesn't really bother us to just play once in a while. We are starting to write new songs now for an upcoming 7" on REAPER RECORDS, also they are going to be putting out a cd with all of our stuff on it including all the old demos, splits, 7", and the Foreign Object LP.

How did you first find your way into the hardcore/punk scene? What was the initial attraction to it and what is it that keeps you involved and motivated to still be a part of it?

I personally got into hardcore when this preppy girl in high school gave me her brothers records back in 1993. She knew i was a skateboarder and liked punk stuff...from there eventually found the scene in Syracuse, which was huge back then, and been a part ever since. I try to still be involved as much as possible and make sure things are still being done right because it really helped shape me as a person and kept me on the right track, so hopefully it'll continue to have that effect on the younger kids that are coming to shows.

Being from Syracuse, were you around in the heyday of Earth Crisis and the burgeoning Syracuse straight edge scene? What was it like back then? Any crazy tales you care to share?

Yup I was there. Back then it was insane. Awesome zines, a show was guaranteed every other Sunday, and you always felt welcome. EC was on mtv and shit talking about straightedge, and in other parts of the country were taking ALOT of shit for it. But they stuck to their guns. Pretty awesome. Those dudes are still around, go to some shows, and still straightedge. The only story that really pops in my head is the big new years day show 1995, that band Grade from Canada was on stage talking shit about something Karl EC supposedly said about the dude from Chokehold. Something about his dreadlocks or something, i cant really remember...but either way it wasn't true, so EC showed up and I think there was some verbal altercation and it was left at that. Grade came back to Syracuse a few years after and, well their singer got introduced to the term "talking shit"...literally, haha. Another thing I remember is someone bringing a blow up doll into the pit during a show and the drummer from EC gave a long speech on woman being treated like objects...gotta love the mid 90s. haha. I'm sure there are way better stories but i didn't live in Syracuse back then so really wasn't around them all the time.

The Northen NY State scene doesn't get as much coverage as it once did back in those days, how is it today? Are there any up and coming bands we should keep an eye out for?

There are a lot of good bands. I think maybe it has to do with bands not touring. Another Breath and Attitude are from here and they tour quite a bit. We just had what we call ASSAULT CITY FEST which is all Syracuse bands. If you search for that on Youtube there is a bunch of videos from it. My favorite locals right now are FORFEIT and EARTHQUAKE (who actually just broke up).

Best show you have played (be it with Black SS or a previous band), and favourite show you have attended?

Favorite show BSS has played would have to be this crazy house show in Syracuse. It was kinda last minute and it was the last show they were having. There was a shitload of kids and it was hot as fuck. The place was just going insane. So awesome.
Outside of Syracuse I really enjoyed This Is For You fest last year in Daytona Beach Florida. It was also pretty crazy, even though a bad stage dive by Crucial Kyle from Chicago ended our set a tad early haha.

If you could be in any other band who would it be and why?

Man, thats a toughee. I guess Youth Of Today because they were having a tough time touring around being a sxe band at the time and they really helped change the scene. It'd be cool to be a part of that.

Top 5 albums?

In no particular order...
The Way It Is comp.
Straight Ahead LP
Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls
Hatebreed - Satisfaction...
BAD BRAINS - any and all

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions, are there any final thoughts, shoutouts, rants...?

Thanks for the interview and I hope your zine comes out cool. Support reaper records (reaperhardcore.com) and buy a HIT THE LIGHTS 7" (band i used to sing in) haha! Take care.