Hey Peeps!
Today, I am with No Class Assassins for another Q&A Session. They are a metal band from Port Huron, MI. They are an unsigned metal band and have one official release, an EP called No Class.
Now, without further ado…
Lady Obscure: Hey guys! Let’s start with your bio – who is involved in the band, and how did you guys meet up? You know, how the journey started, what the members were doing before…
No Class Assassins: No Class Assassins is comprised of Jay Crimson ~ vocals, Dave Kelsey ~ guitar, Chris Stotler ~ bass, Joe Cilluffo ~ drums. We are from Saint Clair County/Port Huron, Michigan. We all share a love for playing heavy music with groove. It all started with Dave and former drummer Aaron Schuman playing music together and writing material which would later be the start to No Class Assassins.
LO: What does metal mean to you? Basically, is metal what brought you guys together?
NCA: We decided to be a metal band due to the fact that we all enjoy heavy, aggressive music and wish to follow in the footsteps of our influences. Pantera, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual, Down, Misfits, Fear Factory, Acid Bath, Vision Of Disorder…etc. Our songs evolved into its own genre, cross between bluesy sludge and hard-core metal.
LO: Are you happy with where you are with your EP? I mean, what aspect of it do you think you guys nailed, and what parts do you think you could improve upon?
NCA: We understand that a band evolves and tries to come up with things that may be better or equal to past releases, so we are eager to one up ourselves as time goes on. We are overall happy with the direction we are going as a unit.
LO: How has the overall reception been?
NCA: The reception we have gotten online and at shows has been great. From the kids coming up to us and letting us know how much they enjoyed our set-to the “NO CLASS!” chants in between songs.
LO: So what’s next? Album? Touring? Any international tours?
NCA: We are going to be saddling up for some out-of-state shows this summer and we just want to deliver a sound that people can move to and relate to what the songs re about. We don’t bs. Our music is poetic but blunt as f*ck. -Everything we are doing now is a precursor to our first album…. which will blow people away. We plan on putting 110% into it and it will be something worth checking into.
LO: Could you tell us about the lyrics, themes and concepts on which you focus? How did the ideas come about, and how do they influence the writing process?
NCA: Our songs speak for themselves. From drug abuse to traumatizing relationships, it’s all there. Human emotion at its worst. Everyone needs an outlet for negative release. This is it for us. There are people out there who can connect with us. No Doubt.
LO: Which is more exciting? Being on the road or studio?
NCA: So far the studio work we have done is a blast. We work with BJ Perry from rock band ‘The Product’ and he does an excellent job at getting what we want down on record. We have been working together pretty much since the inception of the band and we are a good team.
LO: Who is composing the songs? Writing the lyrics?
NCA: No Class Assassins as a whole compose the songs and lyrics are agreed upon by each member but mostly written by Jay and Dave.
LO: When you’re writing, what’s more important to you? Catering to the audience or music for its own sake?
NCA: We play music to please ourselves. We don’t focus on what others would like. It doesn’t matter to us. If people like what we are doing, that is great. That’s where our fan-base comes from….angry people who want to make a difference for the better. People who want to stop being bothered and live their lives without bringing harm to others.
LO: When you look back your music career, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?[lightbox group= title= link=”http://www.ladyobscure.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/NCA-pic.jpg”]
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NCA: One of our greatest accomplishments was winning the Battle of the Bands contest to perform at Vans’ Warped Tour in Detroit. We played on the Ernie Ball stage at Warped Tour 2010 at Comerica Park and the crowd loved us. We got rid of plenty of demos that day. It was a good feeling knowing that the suits had faith in us and actually listened to the votes we got from fans.. We also won an award for best Metal/Hardcore song in the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards. The song was “Third Time’s Not A Charm” and the people spoke. A lot of our fans voted, we were nominated and when it came time to start a second voting session, we kicked its ass. We are very grateful to have such awesome people supporting us. We have opened for Misfits, Eyehategod, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, Emmure, Crowbar, Prong, Gwar….etc.
LO: Thanks guys! So, have you got anything to add?
NCA: We are NOT going anywhere and we will NOT stop until we reach the top of the ladder.
So, here is their first music video for award winning track Third Time’s Not a Charm from their EP…
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Cheers!
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