Truth in Needles sent me some cd´s and a t-shirt
and they have been on the road for a while since
2005. This interview was done in june 2021.
Please tell me a little history of the group,
members and have you been playing the whole time
since Hardcore Liberation Front?
-We Started the Band in 2005 in NYC,Our line up
is
Wellington on vocals
Will on Drums
Keith on guitar
Jonathan on bass.
We recorded HCLF (2005)with Legendary Hardcore
Producer Don Fury. TURNING GRAY BLACK (2011)Produced
by Joey Z of Life of Agony.INFAMOUS EP (2020)We
had to take a few Breaks from 2005 to 2010 due
to work obligations. During that time we had few
Bass player changes the Band became completed
when Jonathan joined the band in 2009
Me myself is old and how old are you now, do you
fell old or is age beauty? It´s the same members
as on the 2011 record or do I have wrong? Please
tell me a little bout every member?
-We don’t focus on age cause none of us act like
our peers at a time when most people want to
retire we go out and play shows. It’s been same
band members since 2009.Wellington and Will are
brothers played together in Devotee. Keith
played in Jato. Jonathan is NYHC OG played with
Sealed With a Fist
Infamous, is it which is the feeling with your
band?
-We choose to call it Infamous cause we had a
lot of negative stories about us being told to
fans/Promoters/Managers and touring bands from
other local musicians trying get us kicked off
bills or not have us added to the show. It’s a
Cut Throat/backstabbing scene there are a lot of
people that promote unity but will do anything
to fuck with another band that maybe getting
some attention . Until they see us play live and
talk with us does their opinion changes. The
funny part is everyone been letting us know who
these scumbags are.
What´s the biggest difference with playing 2006
contra 2020?
-It did sucked not in 2020 cause of the Pandemic
but the fun of playing shows hasn’t changed.
Is it important to give out the record as
physical releases do you think?
-For us we love physical releases in a world of
Streaming services and Downloads as Artists the
music not complete without the art and for any
music collector it´s great to add new music.
Do you play any covers when you play live? If
you do, which then?
-No we don’t play any covers, we have a lot of
songs in our catalog and are constantly writing.
We don’t try to get the crowd into us with
someone else song if you like our band it cause
you like our songs.
Please tell me a little about following songs
Broadcast killing?
from INFAMOUS EP: it’s about everyone these days
profiting off someone else misery quick to film
a murder selling it to the News Services but not
help by at least call 911 first might save
someone life
Mexican police?
From HCLF Release there a long history of
Mexican Police being NO Nonsense and Brutal
Police Force if you need to get some answers
quickly they may be type to Help you,but don’t
ask how the job is Done.
Living with a bullet?
It’s based on Real person that has a bullet
still inside them also for anyone that has scars
and no matter how hard they have changed their
life that bullet/scar always remind them of all
Evil things they done in a younger life. It
never to late to change we may not be saints but
we don’t forget how we got here
Point of view?
From HCLF some people are real scumbags that
prey upon society it’s a message to them
By your rules?
From INFAMOUS EP in this world today where
Everyone is offended by everything and if you
don’t follow them your wrong. We don’t follow
trends and won’t live by their set of standards
Is it important to get out your opions in your
music, and is it a good way to get out
frustration too?
-Our opinion may be different than popular
mindset but be honest in your music is important
and fun to release that energy the audience can
tell if your genuine in your message
Do you think that your lyrics can have effect on
other people who listens to them…any example on
it? Have you changed anyones mind?
-Lyrics did
have an effect on me growing up so I try to
maintain it in this band. There are so many
cookie cutter bands with no real messages just
stolen riffs and same topic over and over again.
We had many people change their mind about the
band once they read our lyrics
You have songs against racism, is it hard to do
that when many people thinks that every one with
no hair is a nazi? How is it in USA right now?
-It’s been a big problem for us cause of our
image that’s always the first thing they think
of when they see us. Even in the Hardcore scene
here in the USA they will judge us the wrong way
1st which has lead to some unnecessary problems
Have you been one of all these bands which have
made livestreams now during the covid-19 time or
how is it?
-We didn’t do any livestream we took the time to
write new songs Hope to get them out in the
beginning of 2022
I like beer and also make beer.. If Truth in
needles would do a beer , what would it be named
and which sort of beer would it be?
-Wow this is a trick question cause Half the
band is Straight Edge SXE (Wellington & Will)
Kieth and Jonathan are big beer drinkers they
definitely will love to have a Beer some sort of
Lager as for a name INFAMOUS NYC (yes a
shameless EP promotion)
How would you describe your music in three words
to anyone who never have heard you?
-Aggressive,Angry & Unapologetic
The name Truth in Needles, how it any deeper
meaning?
-It’s has a two fold meaning needles of a
tattoomachine tell someones story on skin…Life
and death inside a medical needle
What´s the biggest difference when you plays
live nowadays if you compare when you first
started to play in a band?
-It’s easier to play with a bunch of guys that
love playing to many old band members didn’t
have the heart for the long run
Old NYHC bands which you really like?
-Of Course have to give all Old NYHC bands
respect for all the influences they’ve had on us
that list is long here a few The Godfather’s
Agnostic Front, Madball, Sick of it All,
MaximumPenalty, Neglect, 108, Breakdown, Warzone,
Biohazard
What do you know about Sweden? What did people
said about your corona-strategy?
-I know Sweden has some beautiful women and a
very rich history home to some badass Vikings …living
in NY during Corona was like prison
Have you ever been here and played? Any good
bands from Sweden that you like?
-Unfortunately we haven’t been to Sweden yet…59
times the Pain, Raised Fist,
Entombed,
The Haunted are a few that come to mind. We’ll
be posers if we say we listen to modern swedish
hardcore bands so if any one likes to send us
recommendations on new swedish bands or your
band we love to hear new music. Hit us up
Your audience when you play live, which type of
people comes, age?
-For us the audience is different every show we
play with everyone from Punks, skins, metalheads,
hardcore kids and all ages shows we don’t
restrict ourselves to just to hardcore shows our
fans are not just one type
What´s the best of playing live?
-Playing live is great but going to new places
and Talking to people after the show is more fun
they will let us know if they loved or hated us
it’s never boring always come home with new
friends
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened
during a livegig with your band?
-The one thing that comes to mind was playing a
biker club show when this older lady jumped up
on stage when we finished grabbed me by my balls
and before I can say anything she started to
make out with me in front of everyone. The stage
manager ran over had to pull her off yelling
this is the promoters wife. Lucky he was to
drunk to relies what was going on but he’s biker friends
weren’t to happy to have us stay to hang out we
got kicked out so we packed our van got out
before anything crazy happened
Is there any good bands in USA today? New bands
which is good? Old bands which is still good?
-There is a lot of great bands to check out
here’s just a few The Take, Brick by Brick,
Moment of Truth ,Going Postal, Silence Equals
Death, Scum City ,Car Bomb Parade, Examine, None
Above All, Enziguri, United Blood, MODclassicTK,
Dead Blow Hammer, Diamond Dogs, Point Blank….not
a band but a great show The NYHC Chronicles live
hosted by Drew Stone…Lethal Madness Music Video
show on DVD&Blurays
Which is the record that you always must have in
the tourbus?
-Always mandatory Metallica,Slayer and any NYHC
band
Do you but much records, or is it only Spotify
and those type of things to listen to music?
-Get most of my music from other bands we play
with buying or we trade records. We do use
Spotify if we don’t have the songs on our
playlist
Are you selling any records on your gigs, do
people buy them?
-We sell CDs, 7”, DVD’s,tee shirts at our shows.
Sometimes I forget to bring change with me so I
got to get singles from the bar but
things have gotten easier with streaming pay
services I don’t have to carry cash in my
pocket
Do you care about reviews? Which is the most
peculiar you ever had, with this band or any
other band you have been to?
-Reviews are big part of the music business for
promotion but you can’t take every review
personal. We’ve had negative ones but mostly
they been positive. One reviewer didn’t even
review the songs his whole review was of the art
work and how he hates NYC bands
If you could choose five bands from the past and
the history and nowadays and both dead and
living bands to have a concert together with
your band. Which five have you been chosen?
-We been able to play with all the NYHC bands
that we love we’re going have to do a metal
list
Black Sabbath with OZZY
Motörhead
Slayer
Suicidal Tendencies
Pantera
Are you living on your music or what do you work
with on the side of the music?
-We
don’t live off our music only the money we make
off it pays for records and tours. We do have
day jobs pay for everyday bills
Wisdomword?
-TRUTH IN NEEDLES is now your Favorite Band
Anything more to add to the interview?
-We like to thank you Skrutt Magazine and you
for taking time to read this interview