Interview:Chris Elder(Despise You)

Here is a quick interview I did with Despise You's Chris Elder over Email. Buy their stuff here.

~Andrew Lipscomb

Hey man, how are you?

Good, getting ready for this east coast tour.

You guys are embarking on a tour with Magrudergrind in September, how did that come about?

Our drummer was in touch with the Shitstorm guys about it, then Chris from Magrudergrind got involved and it happened from there.

You also had a split with Agoraphobic Nosebleed come out earlier this year, can you tell us how about that?

Just one of those things we'd been talking about with Scott and Jay from ANb, and it finally came together

How did the Despise You reunion happen?

It wasn't really a reunion, we just werent doing anything for a while. Chris Dodge hit up Phil at a party or something about getting it going and we did, that was a few years ago.

How was the Short, Fast, and Loud 10 year anniversary show?

Good show, it's about as close as you can get to the feeling of the old Fiesta Grande shows up there, very non metal.

How does the scene differ today from when Despise You first started?

It's about the same just more bands and more people are into it. It's also easier to find out about new records, shows, etc.

How did you get into music?

My folks listened to music all the time, but my uncle turned me on to Black Flag. That was my "introduction."

What attracts you to hardcore music?

I like all kinds of shit, but I guess the "urgency" of it, same as back in the day.

How does it feel to have been a part of the west coast powerviolence movement?

I think people make it a bigger deal than it is. If you asked all the bands back then, they didn't think they were a part of anything "special."

Do you think the current generation of powerviolence/hardcore bands are a good continuation of the scene you were a part of?

Yeah, it's still serious and sincere.

Who are some newer bands that you dig?

There's a bunch, but I think Coke Bust is the one I play the most lately. The Low Threat Profile 7" is really good too.

If you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring 3 albums, what would you bring?

2 copies of Black Flag-Damaged in case one gets fucked up, and Zapp's greatest hits.

What are some bands you would love to do a split with?

What Shame? and Coke Bust.


Where do you get all of the images used in the Despise You artwork?

Mostly out of old books.

Are there any future releases planned?

None right now.

Thanks for the interview, any other comments?

Thanks.