Interview with
Billy Milano by
Sergi Escarmis Costa
February 4, 2014
Originally on:
www.1234.cat/general/una-bonica-parladeta-amb-uns-mitics-m-o-d-venga/
tenebremo@yahoo.es
Why has it taken you more than 20 years to appear back in Europe? As
I think the last time you came on tour here was in 1994.
BM: I only play for fun. I never took my carreer serious and
only truly tour when I feel like. MOD haven't toured since 1994, I
guess I just don’t like touring and only do it when I get in the
mood. I do however enjoy it when I do it. I despise flying!
Could you explain what is the current
line up of MOD and why did you decide to come back on the stage?
Could you advance more or less what the setlist of this upcoming
European tour will be? BM: No setlist, the classics. MOD consists of Scott Sargeant
on bass. (SKINLAB-KILLING CULTURE and Formerly MOD Guitarist for the
RED, WHITE and SCREWED record.) Mike Deleon on guitar (Flesh Horder
and Disfigured) and Mike Arellano on drums (Will to live -
Indisgust). A very hardcore line up. Raw , Heavy and Mean.
Billy Milano, when did your music passion
begin and the energy to form a rock band? What memories do you have
from SOD? Any anecdote? BM: Saw the Ramones live and that was it. I had always played
live music starting when I was 14 but punk rock was where my heart
was, is and always will be.
How did the idea of forming MOD come up
and what brought you to decide this name and band logo?
BM: MOD was formed in
1983 when I was playing bass in the New York Hardcore band the
PSYCHOS. I replaced Roger Miret on bass who went on to sing for
Agnostic Front. It's only after SOD was put together and made a
record did I want to do MOD as a real band and not a side project. I
actually joined a band called Angry Corpse and wrote the USA for MOD
record.
What bands have influenced MOD throughout
its musical career?
BM: No one band ever
influenced me to te point that I copied or drew on what they did for
inspiration. But if someone goes on stage has an attitude and owns
that stage, That is a huge influence. Kicking ass and taking
names.... that is inspiring.
What do you think about the
crossover movement in the USA at that time? People were really happy
to join with the hardcorepunk and thrash metal?
BM: I don’t really follow
music scene shit. I could care less what is popular and what is
considered hardcore or metal or thrash. I love music. If I hear
something I like I don’t say but wait that's not metal, hardcore or
thrash. I just say I like it. End of story.
You could say that the most
hardcorepunk/crossover MOD record up to date is "USA for MOD".
Could you explain how was the experience of gettin signed by
Megaforce Records and some stories about the first concerts did you
do?
BM: I remember meeting
Tim McMurtrie the guitarist and he asked me to try out for his band.
At the time I was playing hardcore and bouncing at CBGB’s . I loved
being home with my friends and having fun. I did a demo with them
and we got signed for 7,000 dollars. We spent 5 making the record
and 2000 eating and drinking. Lol. I had fun and to be honest I wish
it would have stayed fun. John and Marsha Zazula who back then
owned Megaforce were awesome people. I later found out as we did MOD
what scumbags they really were. I recently caught Johnny Z red
handed STEALING SOD Publishing from Attack of the killer bees done
by Shit-Thrax. One of the worst thing about the music industry is
how much these people steal and lie to you face. Joh and Marsha
Zazula are lying scumbags!!! First MOD show was with Megadeth and
the Crumbsuckers at the Ritz in nyc.
Why did you choose to do a surf cover
album called “Surfin' MOD”?
BM: It was honestly a way
to get the new lineup in the studio together before we did a full
length record. That record would turn out to be GROSS MISCONDUCT
named after my first band when I was 14.
With “Gross Misconduct” and then “Rhythm
of Fear”, you decided to do a more crossover thrash metal similar to
bands like Anthrax and Nuclear Assault. Why did you decide to take
this path? Anecdote of the tour you did?
BM: I think its just what
we wanted to do. I rarely use the same musicians on records. I like
to bring new people into the music industry and give them a
schooling. I like feeling like I contributed to helping music by
helping unknown musicians record and tour. GROSS MISCONDUCT touring
was fun. Lots of girls, lots of beers and lots of fights. Never
toured on RHYTHM of FEAR.
Billy explain what is the process
followed while doing the lyrics , sometimes politically incorrect
and others with a large sense of homour (which defines you).
BM: I think the fact that
I am very well read, very well informed on social and political
issues and I try to hide this message in my music by being funny or
offensive is what defines the music itself. Not many people
understand BILLY MILANO is a character I perform as. Like Hulk hogan
and wrestling. Its entertainment. Al Pachino was not the Godather
and he was never Scarface. These are characters he portrayed as an
actor/entertainer. Same on my end.
I saw your last album is “Red White
and Screwed” back in 2007, do you plan on recording a new album
soon?
BM: I loved that record.
Played the bass on it. We are going to do a new MOD record. Self
funded through rockethub.com. Information for donatations on our
facebook page. If MOD fans really want a new record, donate 5 or 10
bucks. Its almost all written and its a fucking crushing hardcore
punk record. True to REAL New York Hardcore. You can't be HARDCORE
without recognising HARDCORE-PUNK.
Billy, recently ,you decided to make
a 360º change in your life regarding your lifestyle, and you even
became vegetarian. What led you to this decision?
BM: You know, It started
with moving to Austin Texas. I love AUSTIN. I love my DOGS, my
FRIENDS and my life. I am truly blessed with life and I feel like
having some fun with MOD is going to add to the enjoyment. I get off
of being vegetarian once in a while but most I am . 3 years in the
80’s 4 years most recently. I gave up drinking 6 years ago. I
recently lost my Boy Buster (My Male American Bulldog) and best
touring buddy to cancer. It was horrible. As an animal activist it
was devastating. I loved Buster. I recently Adopted 2 female
Bullmastiff Chocaolate lab mixes. So I take care of 4 dogs. Bruford
(Blue Lacey) - Emma Lee (American Bulldog) and Sweet Sugar and
Sophia Mia (Newley Adopted Bullmastiff mixes). Don’t shop
ADOPT-RESCUE-FOSTER... please.
Could you explain what is your opinion
about the political and the global economic crisis that is happening
in this world we live in today?
BM: It is manufactured.
Don’t ever think that RICH people will let your vote away their
wealth. I personally believe America is going to have a holocoust on
an unprecendented level. Europe will collapse and we will see ww3.
And THAT'S why I am going to come over and have fun. Meet the fans,
speak with the fans and wish the luck and love with their lives. I
hope I’m wrong. I don’t think I am....
"Our
spiritual power has been outrun by our scientific power, we have
guided missles and misguided men."
Dr. Martin Luther King!
Respect!@
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