Rockezine.com interview with Palehorse on Feb 07, 2007

with Dave Heck on Feb 07, 2007


		Please introduce yourself and the band. My name is Dave Heck and I play guitar. The rest of Palehorse is Dave Lepage, Joe Longobardi and Vinny Calandra.
		Can you describe what kind of music you make? Thrash, metallic, hardcore. With every band calling themselves hardcore, metal, thrash...etc it`s really hard to give an accurate description to someone that`s never heard us. I feel we are a decent crossover band, but that means different things to different people. Some universal adjectives that one could use to describe Palehorse are fast, heavy, chaotic, tight, thrash...and pretty much any other word that is awesome.
		A few weeks ago Bridge9 Records released your debut album, why did you decide to release it on Bridge9 Records? With our first EP on Martyr records, we were let down in a lot of ways in regards to our expectations with labels. No band has a perfect relationship with their label, just as no label has a perfect deal with any band. When the band was putting out the feelers for a new label in early 2006, Bridge9 showed interest. Chris Wrenn and some of the members of the band go way back in the CT hardcore scene and I feel that may have played a role in it too. After releasing bands like Death Before Dishonor we felt Bridge9 was a good label to be associated with. Hopefully they feel the same way about us.
		Weren’t there any other labels? There are always labels that show interest, no matter what calibre or style of hardcore you play. Bridge9 is just really at the top of their game and it`s an honour to be a part of their roster.
		Are you satisfied the way the record turned out? Besides a printing flaw with the cover, yes. The first pressing of the CD doesn`t exactly have visible artwork, so that kind of sucks, but it`s kind of funny in a way. Either way, it happens, no worries. Musically we are very proud of it and it has been very well received in most places.
		What are the plans for 2007? Playing as many shows as possible in as many corners of the world as possible. We are in Denver, CO right now about to start a month-long tour with Fight Like Hell and Folsom. We plan on continuing with various tours for as long as we possibly can. Our plans for coming over to Europe keep getting pushed back for various reasons but we will hopefully be there at least once or twice in the next year. We honestly can`t wait. I`ve been to Europe with such bands as Hood, Wisdom In Chains and Out To Win and every time it has been great, I can`t wait to play there with Palehorse.
		What was the best thing you did with Palehorse in 2006? Honestly, signing to and releasing our first full-length on bridge9 was a huge milestone for the band. Other than that, we`ve done three really great tours with some really good bands such as Hoods, Will To Live, Folsom, Shipwreck, Bitter End and Recon. It`s was a really great year.
		What`s the best and the worst part about being in this band for you? For me, the best part is playing in a band that I love. I met Palehorse in late 2004 while on tour with my own band, Leavenworth. I got into a fight with a bunch of people at the bar we played at and the dudes in Palehorse had my back. We`ve been great friends ever since. After John Tamas (original second guitar player) passed away, they played with one guitarist for about a year before showing interest in replacing him. We talked, and everything worked out after doing a full US tour this passed summer. The members of Palehorse are all great friends of mine and its great getting to play music with them. It`s something I still do not take for granted months later. As for the worst, it`d have to be being away from home so much. I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and come from a very closely-knit scene of hard-working DIY kids. It kills me to be away from home for months at a time, hearing how awesome shows are doing back in PA and stuff...but at the same time I`m getting to travel and play music like every day, and it`s great. Lansdale, pa will always be my home and I never intend to forget that. Above all things, being away from my amazing girlfriend and incredibly supportive family kills me too. My sister is going to have a baby this fall and I really hope I`m going to be there for it. My parents support me playing in Palehorse 100%, and my girlfriend does her best to not let me being away all the time get to her. She`s amazing.
		Who would you name as your influences? Every awesome band ever that doesn`t suck.
		In your opinion, has the band developed through years, and if so, then how? As someone who wasn`t in the band originally, I can definitely say the band has developed. Obvious factors like using different tunings come into play, but lyrically the songs have developed a bit as well. Going from mostly political and philosophical subjects to more personal shit comes to mind. All for the better if you ask me, but who knows.
		Is there a question you want to answer that I didn’t ask? "What are some European bands that you`d like to tour with across the pond?"
		What’s the answer to you own question? First and foremost: Knuckledust. Most amazing band. Beyond that, I’m super into Scandinavian bands like Dead Reprise, The Kind That Kills and Enforcer. Mainland bands such as Born From Pain and Kickback are great too. Can`t wait.
		Can you give me some famous last words? I have diabetes.
Pictures taken from www.myspace.com/palehorse. (Jeroen Habets)