Rockezine.com interview with Killswitch Engage on Mar 23, 2004

with Howard Jones on Mar 23, 2004

Killswitch Engage. A metal band from the United states that brings back the Metal, with a modern twist. With bands like God Forbid and Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage opens the attack on the nu-metal scene. They are about to release their new effort, called `The End Of Heartache`. A few weeks before the album will be released I spoke to Howard in a quiet lunchroom of the Carlton Hotel.
		Hi. You’re doing a promotional tour right now? I always get the feeling that a promotional tour is a test of your endurance. Aren’t you getting tired of all these interviews? Well it’s not that bad. It’s a part of the job. But Sitting at home right now would be nice. I barely have time to go home, I never see it. My cat might be death. Every time I go home he’s like ‘hey who are you’.
		The man who cuts the meat at sundays... Haha exactly
		So you`ve been a part of Killswitch for about a year and a half. How do you look back on the past year? It`s close to two years now. It’s fun. It still hasn’t been boring. I see the world, so I can’t complain about that. See some different cultures and cities. That is very interesting. And right now we’re doing a promotional tour, visiting some major cities. That’s cool, an album needs its promotion.
		You still combine your vocal work in Killswitch with your original band Blood Has Been Shed? Doesn’t that give any problems or irritations? I think there are some similarities in the things I do. Killswitch has more melody. I always have been singin in Blood Has Been Shed, but not as much as with Killswitch.
		About the new record. It’s stunning. ‘When Darkness Falls’ grabbed my attention directly. I appreciate that. It’s definitely a different album. People were expecting a continuation of the last album. But it’s a different singer, different drummer, a different band.
		So, How does the music of Killswitch come together? Everyone has kind of an idea. Someone brings something to the table. And the rest of the band is adding something to it. I probably screw it up if I want to add my ideas, so I just watch the band making the music. I let them do their part, and I try to fit some words in there. I like listening to the making of a song. Watching them do their thing
		Jesse attributes on one song on the new record. Wasn’t it strange to stand next to him. I mean, a current and an ex singer of Killswitch. Didn’t it felt uncomfortable? No, I know Jesse longer than the rest of the band. For about ten years now. Our first Blood has been shed show was with Jesse’s old band.
		Heard his new band Seemless? Yes, awesome. Sort of Soungarden, Queens Of The Stone Age, Kyuss feeling in it. Awesome.
		Beside Seemless, are there some other bands you dig at the moment? Anything from Him. I’m a big fan right now, and also the Darkness. Well, there is some new band called 12 Tribes. The album is not out yet, but soon will. It’s heavy and not heavy, can’t compare it with anything I know. I’m starting to manage them too, I wasn’t planning to do that, but it just happened.
		With bands like Lamb of God, God Forbid and Shadows Fall, it seems like metal is coming back, with a little bit of a modern twist. It seems all of the bands have hardcore roots. How is that with Killswitch? Everybody in this band was a hardcore/metalcorefan. The last time there have been some valid musicians coming out. In the underground. People sometimes don’t notice.
		How big is Killswitch Engage in the states? It seems to be OK. At least better than we expected. I mean, we’re not Metallica, I don’t even want to be Metallica after their last record, but we’re doing pretty okay. Things are going pretty well.
		Is being in Killswitch a fulltime job? Yes, I don’t have much too much time.
		And for a rest? There are worse jobs in the world. But sometimes it would be nice to lay in bed for a week. Just sleep till my butt hurts.
		Are there still any things you want to achieve with Killswitch? We haven’t been in New Zealand yet. We just keep on going as long as we can. We don’t have any set goals. Just join the things that come my way. I consider this some kind of Summer Job. Whatever happens, great.
		And: Got any crazy tour stories? We’re pretty mellow. No really crazy things. Just watching Adam and Joey get drunk. I just sit there, playing videogames and laugh at them.
		Ever broken your hip? A hip. That is a big bone. I broke a lot of other things, though. Broke my ankle, nose, fingers, ribs, a toe. Usually I broke them with sports, like American Football, wrestling around, being an idiot. A hip is so strong...man that’s gotta hurt. I Don’t want to think about it.
(Friso Veltkamp)