Interviews

Interview with Sal Lococo of Sworn Enemy

Published

7 years ago

July 31, 2017

Ron

July 22nd 2017

Baltimore MD

HARDCORE METAL..MOSHING NINJA MOVES

Sworn Enemy has always been a personal favorite band that came out of the Hardcore scene in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I seen them with such iconic bands like Hatebreed and Biohazard back in the good days of Club Laga in Pittsburgh PA. Sworn Enemy had such energy and angst with such a great live show that was hard to match. Sworn Enemy went through some tough times and line changes but singer Sal Lococo has been the backbone of this band. Sworn Enemy came into Baltimore MD on July 22nd and I was excited to once again see this band perform live. I got the opportunity to sit down and just shoot the shit with Sal before the show and it was like talking to a good friend so down to earth and I had to admit that this was a huge interview for me since I’ve been a die hard fan for years and being able to just talk with Sal was one less off my bucket list.

Empire: Is Sworn Enemy working on any new material for an album?
Sal: Ya were going to work on that in California around September.

Empire: What do you think about the Hardcore scene now compared to back in the day?
Sal: Now there is so many new genres of hardcore popping up its, so many different things are going on that I’m kinda like it’s new to me. I like it better back in the day. You’re talking to a person who was from back then. I enjoy it and I love playing but hopefully people still enjoy us.

Empire: Do you still talk to the old guys from that time?
Sal: Sure, I’m friends with all those guys. I stay in touch with all those people. That’s why social media is very good for. It helps you keep in touch with people living in Florida and other places.

Empire: How was it like shooting the “No Mercy” video?
Sal: it just like any other video, we spent a long time in a room with everybody and guy telling us what to do, telling you he needs to get that angle or retake it. It’s fun but it’s gets annoying sometimes. But I enjoy the final outcome.

Empire: With the imagery in that video and the state of affairs now, what do you think about that?
Sal: I hate to say it but the country is a mess right now, it’s a shame. This country was built by the people for the people and it’s not like that. The politicians, the higher ups they run the country, the corruption that goes around it sad. I try not to get too political because someone always is going to argue with you. Everyday you hear about all the corruptions and bad cops. There’s always going to be one bad apple in the bunch, yes we have bad cops but they aren’t all bad. I say keep your head out of trouble and try to do the right thing.

Empire: Was it hard to be so open on “as real as it gets” album with lyrics and just emotions from the 9-11 incident and you being from NY?
Sal: Lyrically there was plenty to write about it, so much going around it made it easy to write, I had so many things in my head. The pen and paper never stopped flowing. Not that it’s a good thing, but stuff like that gave me so much stuff to write about.
Empire: Was it hard to do those songs live?
Sal: As a performer I kind of zone everything out and just doing the songs. I don’t have much going on in my brain except focusing on what’s going on in the moment or I can forget the lyrics. It was hard after it first happened.

Empire: We were talking earlier about Club Laga, any good memories or any other iconic clubs you loved playing?
Sal: CBGB it was a staple for the hardcore scene. I was so excited about playing there. I’m so glad I got a chance to play there. Club Laga lots of good memories playing with Hatebreed with Stillborn Fest.
Empire: I always reminisce with bands about playing there, such an awesome club, no barrier just pure chaos people jumping off the balcony. I’ve prob got some many broken bones and bruises from that club. (We both laugh)
Sal: Same thing as The Showcase in Corona California. That place you can guarantee you were going to have a sold out killer show there.

Empire: If you can bring back a dead musician who would it be?
Sal: Jeff Hanneman of Slayer. That guy was an amazing player. Big influence on me. Getting to meet him and seeing how cool he was its sad that he’s gone. Another one is DimeBag Darrell, he was such a humble guy. I would bring those two back in a heartbeat.

Empire: If you can switch places with any band who would it be?
Sal: Rolling Stones. Those guys have been doing it since the 60s still doing shows. Who’s bigger then them. Selling out arenas and festivals. They are on top of there game still. And they get paid. If I’m going to switch shows for a day I want to switch with someone getting paid.

Empire: Anything you want to say to the fans?
Sal: Sworn Enemy is still alive and kicking. We are going our thing nonstop, recording in September. We will keep you posted on Facebook and social media so give us a like.

Sworn Enemy came out and just killed the crowd right off the bat. Throughout the show Sal would let the fans take the mic and sing the songs and just tear the place down. At one point it got so crazy in the club that a big fight erupted and the band stopped to see what was going on. It was pure chaos just like it was back 15+ years ago. Such a killer band that Sal has behind him, all really cool guys and excellent musicians. Can’t wait for Sworn Enemy to come back around again.

Check out Sworn Enemy on Facebook: Facebook.com/OfficialSwornEnemy/

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Related Topics:Baltimore MD Empire Extreme Sal Lococo Sworn Enemy The Sidebar

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Interviews

INTERVIEW WITH OF VIRTUE

Published

2 months ago

March 4, 2024

Ron

Where does the band name come from? Wanting to be the best version of yourself at all times. The name is a reminder to hold ourselves accountable.

How is the music scene in Michigan? The Michigan music scene has always been vibrant and in my opinion, important. Do we get the credit we deserve? Absolutely not. But for the state that brought you Motown, Eminem, Lizzo, The White Stripes, I Prevail and so many other incredible artists – it’s kind of hard to believe that Michigan remains a hidden gem.

How’s the reception from the fans of the latest album “Omen”? It’s been incredible. From seeing people singing along at shows to us seeing new supporters of all different ages, colors, and creeds joining the journey. Omen has been a pivotal album in our career and we’re proud of it!

If you could tour with 2 bands, which bands would you want to tour with? Spiritbox and Bad Omens. They’re both making waves, changing who the metal audience is, and surely they’d be fun to hang around with.

Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics? Honestly, the lyrics are our stories. The stories of our struggles, our trials and our tribulations.

What’s been your favorite tour or show? We just got off of a tour with our labelmates, Any Given Day. They treated us to a handful of sold out shows over in Europe, which at this point we call our second home. Those were great shows, but any show we’ve done in Europe is typically one for the books!

If you could bring back a dead musician, who would it be? Prince for sure. An incredible musician I would love an opportunity to chat or make music with!

About Author

Ron

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Interviews

INTERVIEW WITH TWIN TEMPLE

Published

2 months ago

February 16, 2024

Ron

Being Married and being in a band together. Do you feel that makes it easier or harder?

We love to do the Devil’s work together so for us its a match made in hell.

What’s your favorite horror movie?

That’s hard to narrow down but the first few that come to mind are Rosemary’s Baby, The Devil Rides Out, Wickerman, The Devils Reign featuring Anton Lavey, Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, anything starring Vincent Price. We also got to see an advance screen of “Late Night with the Devil” featuring a very evil performance from our friend Dave Dastmalchian. We’re also looking forward to Bryan Fuller’s “Dust Bunny” and are positive it will be a new favorite. The list goes on…..we are huge horror fans.

Favorite Non Horror Movie?

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (which is horror/noir adjacent) and The Burbs (also horror adjacent…haha.)

All of Quentin Tarantino’s films- our latest favorite is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, because 1960’s LA…

What misconception of Satanists would you like to educate people on?

We’re not here to proselytize, force our beliefs on people, or educate people on them Selves, Satanism or anything else. If people are interested in exploring Satanism, we encourage them to do their research and question everything.

If you could bring back any dead musician, who would you pick and why?

We would have loved to do a song with Ronnie Spector who recently passed. Also would have been amazing to collaborate with Jack Nitzsche who arranged so many amazing songs.

If you could tour with any 2 bands, who would you want to tour with?

The Ronnettes & The Shangri-Las.

What has been your Favorite Tour so far?

The God is Dead Tour that we’re currently on is definitely the most evil and blasphemous tour yet. We find it very pleasurable to be able to continue expanding the rituals and seeing our nightmares come true on stage.

You were on “Dragula” with the Boulet Brothers, how was that experience?

It was a fiendish delight to collaborate with some of our fav monsters.

What was it like Touring with Danzig?

Another nightmare come true! We’ve both been fans for a long time and we’re obviously inspired by the wicked world Glenn has conjured. So to get to spend time with him and watch him live every night and to now call him a friend is completely surreal. He’s a legend— but was also one of the coolest, kindest, most unholy people we’ve had the carnal pleasure of touring with.

How’s the reception of the last album “God is Dead”?

Personally, we love the record and are very proud of what we’ve accomplished. As far as other peoples’ reactions…. we don’t know and don’t care! We pleasured ourselves and that’s what matters most.

What got you interested in the style of music you play? And how would describe your music?

We’ve always loved classic American music from jazz to blues to country to rock and roll and so on. We also love the pageantry of heavy metal and theatre. So for us it was a very organic culmination of our obsessions. Rock and roll has always been the devils music.

Have you visited the Satanic Temple in Massachusetts?

No we have not but Lucien did attend one of our rituals so we had a chance to share where we get our babies blood and all things Satan.

Have you had any bad encounters at shows because of the misconception of satanism?

No! We purposefully foster a live show environment where all are welcome, all should come being the most important person in the world which is themselves, whatever that may be. Even Christians! We believe music is meant to bring joy, transcendence… We just want to share the things we love; pink, rhinestones, big hair, great rock ’n’ roll, Satanic ritual, you know… but we have had churches assemble outside our shows, screaming through distorted PA speakers that God is not dead & wishing us all a “terrible time”. Why would their God not want us to have fun? This kind of behavior is only makes us more proud to be who we are and do what we love.