Specials

Killswitch Engage - Still an underground band

posted by: David on 30 March 2004

Killswitch Engage live the American dream. They started out as one of the many hardcore bands who try to create their own unique style, as you can hear on their self titled debut album on Ferret Music. Roadrunner Records picked them up and helped the band in their quest to conquer the world. First there was “Alive Or Just Breathing”, which got very good reviews all over, and now Killswitch Engage is back with their crucial third album called “The End Of Heartache”. Asice.net talked to guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz about the past, the present and the future.

What’s it like to start working with a new singer (Howard Jones) and drummer (Justin Floey) during this important phase for the band?

Actually, it was totally fine, because we all trusted each other and believed in each other. Howard is a very good singer and Justin is an incredibly talented drummer, so we had faith in it, because we had the right team together.

You switched from drums to guitar yourself for the previous record. Was that hard?

No, not at all, because I’m more of a guitar player than a drummer. I think as a guitar player more than a drummer. Because I’m also a producer I think more of the overall picture than the actual part. I can think of both the parts and the grand picture at the same time. Of course the grand picture is most important to me. That’s funny, because most guitar players just think about riffs and never about vocals or the groove. So I’m definitely producer orientated.

There’s been a lot of talk about the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Do you feel that you’re a part of that?

No, not at all actually! The whole thing is that I never really think about that kind of stuff. I’m definitely flattered to be considered part of any kind of movement like that, but we never really set out to change the face of metal or make a difference in the metal community. We’re just doing our thing and making the music we like.

A lot of bands mention you guys as an influence. What’s the best advice you can give them?

Really, us as an influence? Well, they fucked up! Honestly, the best advice I can give a band that’s starting out is get your sound together. Do what you think is right and what feels right. If you try something just for the sake of doing something it becomes very obvious. You want to make music that you believe in, music that you’re proud of. Any band that writes songs to sound like someone else or to make money can’t be proud of themselves.

So how did your sound come together?

Just like that, actually. We all have our own individual writing styles, which we forge together and make something that we’re all proud of.

What bands influenced you?

A lot of European metal bands, like In Flames, Soilwork, Carcass, At The Gates, stuff like that. There’s something about European riffs and we try to use that in our music too.

You were on Ferret before. When did you realise that you were growing too fast for an independent label?

We never really realised that. I guess we were just doing our thing and all of a sudden bigger labels got interested. We kind of developed our band from there.

So what’s the biggest difference between the Killswitch Engage at that time and the band you are now?

Pretty much nothing. We still do what we want and make the music that we feel we want to make. There isn’t really that much that has changed, to be honest with you.

Do you still consider yourself to be an underground band?

Absolutely! We’re still an underground band. I’m not in this band to be recognised, or change the world. I’m just rocking out and having a good time.

How do you write new stuff when you’re on tour all the time?

Howard is always writing stuff, so the lyrics are written on the road. He always has a notebook with him for new ideas. Musically we don’t write much on the road, because of all the distractions. You don’t want to play more guitar than you have to when you’re on tour. No more music! You kind of get barked out when you’re playing every night, listening to bands all day and night. Tour is definitely the hardest place to write a record. It’s way easier to write at home, because you can be more focused.

But you still managed to get a new album together.

Yeah, but by the skin of our teeth!

Well, it doesn’t sound that way!

Good, I’m glad it came out that way, that’s a good sign.

You produced and engineered “The End Of Heartache”” by yourself. How many hours of sleep did you miss all together?

Dude, I don’t know if I slept since November! It sucks man, I do not sleep at all, it’s pretty ridiculous. And to top it all off, while I’m working with this band, I’m also producing other bands as well. For the last three days I had about 10 hours of sleep. It’s rough man, I’m totally running myself down.

What other bands are you producing at the moment?

I just finished the new Unearth record on Metal Blade. They’re doing really well and I’m very excited for those guys. They’re really good friends and they have incredible opportunities. They’re on Ozzfest this year and the new Headbanger’s Ball Tour, everything’s going really well for them and they’re kicking ass.

I really liked their previous work, so tell me about the new material.

It’s like ten times better than their old stuff. It’s catchier and way more memorable, so they’re definitely on their way up.

Back to your new album again. What aspect are you satisfied with the most?

I like the guitar sounds and the drum sounds a lot. The performances are good and I feel really good about Howard. He brought a lot to the table this time and you can really hear he’s put his heart and soul into this record. Really cool.

It’s always hard to replace a singer.

Exactly, so we wanted to make sure that this record was a good interpretation of Howard’s debut with us for sure. I think you can really hear that in the final product.

Did you have special things, soundwise, that you were looking for on this record?

Yeah, I wanted to make this record not sound like shit! I wasn’t happy with a lot of things on the last record, so we tried to make sure that everything was in the right place and the tones were proper on this record.

Are there any aspects that you don’t like on the new record?

Some of the songs are rushed a bit, but overall the vibe is good and that’s very important. As long as the vibe is all right I feel good about it.

Because there’s always room for improvement?

Yeah, that’s my problem. I always second guess things and feel like it’s still not good enough. I tend to over-analyse things and by doing that I have the capability of killing the drive.

Let’s finish this interview with a funny story, because I heard you were the funny guy in the band…

Well, there hasn’t been anything funny today, except that my ass is sick. Dude, my ass is pretty much producing fire in liquid form! I ate Indian food last night and I asked them to make me their hottest dish they possibly can. So today I woke up and I came downstairs to do interviews, but I had to end them and go back to my room to make blistering hot faeces. Dude, I produce napalm out of my ass, it hurts so bad!

You should use that as an inspiration for your next record!

Totally! My hot faeces drive me to work harder. I also would like to set up a Killswitch Engage contest and get the winner drunk after he hung out with us for day. At the end of that day when he’s nice and drunk I want to make hot faeces all over him and paint him up like a native American.

So that’s what we should expect as cover art next time?

Absolutely dude! I’m going to give him war paint of the faecal variety!

Interview by: David
Pictures taken from the Killswitch Engage website