11 years ago when I lived in an apartment on Buffalo's west side I conducted and interview with Mike "Ratboy" Novak and Andy Williams. At the time Ratboy was the drummer of the hardcore band Last Breath and any was the band's unoffical "Manager. Now the tw of them are in one of the scenes biggest bands Every Time I Die. Originally this interview was to appear in the 6th issue of my Fanzine "Hello My Name Is..." but that issue never came out. I actually have a few interviews which were slated to be released in print and maybe through this blog these articles will actually see the light of day. This interview is 11 years old so some of the info is dated but hopefully it will entertain those of you who where around back then and those of you who are fans of Mike and Andy's current band Every Time I Die.
Ratboy(middle) and Andy (2nd from right) in Every Time I Die
Rat and Andy (from Andy's myspace)
Here Goes...
Ratboy(middle) and Andy (2nd from right) in Every Time I Die
Rat and Andy (from Andy's myspace)
Here Goes...
LAST BREATH Interview
Right after I got back from tour with Despair in the summer of '96 I went to see what would be Halfmast's last show. One of the bands that opened the show was Last Breath, only then they were known as Counterstrike. I thought that they were a pretty good band. When I found out that they were only 13 and 14 years old I was even more impressed. Well it's two years layer and they're still around and they continue to impress. They finally put out a demo (which is very good) and after a long hiatus they are finally playing shows again. I urge anyone who does shows or goes to shows to check them out. I did this interview about four months ago (Spring '98) at my old apartment. The interview was with the drummer "Ratboy" and last Breath's "Manager" Andy Williams. I'm HMNI.
HMNI: Is this your first interview
Ratboy: Yeah
HMNI: I didn't understand that
Ratboy: Yeah!
HMNI: What your deal dude [To Andy]
Andy: I'm the manager
HMNI: Do you manage the whole band or just Ratboy?
Andy: All of them.
HMNI: So they're your little boys?
Andy: Every one of those little bastards.
HMNI: Ok who is in the band give me members names and ages.
Ratboy: Joe the singer is 15. Chris the guitarist is 15. Russ the bassist 16. I'm the drummer and I'm 16.
HMNI: So you guys are pretty young?
Ratboy: that we are my man.
HMNI: what's your real name:
Ratboy: Mike.
HMNI: Why are you called "Ratboy"?
Ratboy: It's a nickname from the manager.
HMNI: Why do you call him "Ratboy"?
Andy: Back in the day we had a band or should I say tried to start a band. It was me and this fucking kid Rich, who was an extreme "homosexual". anyway the Rat would come to pratics because he hung out with Rich's little brother who is the guitar player of Last Breath. I used to bring CD's and shit to practice and I'd be playing drums and stuff for practice and I'd notice that my CD's were there then five minutes later they were gone. So I called him "Rat" because he would scurry around grab my shit then take off like a rat. So he's called "Ratboy", but he looks more like George Foreman.
HMNI: How long has Last Breath Been together?
Ratboy: I don't know...about two years ago. It started durung Easter vacation two years ago.
HMNI: So you guys were 12 and 13 when you started playing together? Were you going to shows back then?
Ratboy: Yeah I was going to shows.
Ratboy: Yeah
HMNI: I didn't understand that
Ratboy: Yeah!
HMNI: What your deal dude [To Andy]
Andy: I'm the manager
HMNI: Do you manage the whole band or just Ratboy?
Andy: All of them.
HMNI: So they're your little boys?
Andy: Every one of those little bastards.
HMNI: Ok who is in the band give me members names and ages.
Ratboy: Joe the singer is 15. Chris the guitarist is 15. Russ the bassist 16. I'm the drummer and I'm 16.
HMNI: So you guys are pretty young?
Ratboy: that we are my man.
HMNI: what's your real name:
Ratboy: Mike.
HMNI: Why are you called "Ratboy"?
Ratboy: It's a nickname from the manager.
HMNI: Why do you call him "Ratboy"?
Andy: Back in the day we had a band or should I say tried to start a band. It was me and this fucking kid Rich, who was an extreme "homosexual". anyway the Rat would come to pratics because he hung out with Rich's little brother who is the guitar player of Last Breath. I used to bring CD's and shit to practice and I'd be playing drums and stuff for practice and I'd notice that my CD's were there then five minutes later they were gone. So I called him "Rat" because he would scurry around grab my shit then take off like a rat. So he's called "Ratboy", but he looks more like George Foreman.
HMNI: How long has Last Breath Been together?
Ratboy: I don't know...about two years ago. It started durung Easter vacation two years ago.
HMNI: So you guys were 12 and 13 when you started playing together? Were you going to shows back then?
Ratboy: Yeah I was going to shows.
HMNI: What is the staus of your band right now?
Ratboy: What does that mean?
HMNI: You know...whats up with your band you guys haven't played a show in forever.
Ratboy: We played the other night at Sanctuary.
HMNI: That doesn't count.
Andy: Sure it does...
HMNI:...ok it does count but when was the last time you played a hardcore show.
Andy: They played with Against All Hope...whats noot haardcore about Against All Hope? C'mon Phil was in Despair doesn't that make him hardcore? ...Fuck that kid he still thinks Despair is together. You can take that from the manager!
Ratboy: The last hardcore show we played was with HAtebreed in November. (they have since plaed a show with Harvest. that show was in August -ed.)
HMNI: Why haven't you played any shows in so long? HAven't been asked...Haven't wanted to?
Ratboy: We haven't practiced in a super long time.
Andy: Back injuries...
Ratboy: Well thats not the total reason because he's fine now.
HMNI: But it was a back injury?
Ratboy: Yeah
ANdy: And they thought Chris was going to have surgery.
Ratboy: I dunno they think he's going to grow out of it.
Andy: He's got an extra spine or something like that.
Ratboy: Actually it's a vertabrae
Andy: That's it...HE's alright it's just that he like Oasis. Thats how all of them are except him (Rat) and Russ.
HMNI: Oh Really?
Ratboy: They're kind of Morrissey type kids.
HMNI: Oh that type of hardcore kid?
Andy: No they're not hardcore kids, not at all. They don't goto shows.
HMNI: Which one's are you talking about.?
Andy: The singer and the guitar player. They take after Rich, the "gay" kid I talked about before. He's a schmuck.
HMNI: You guys have recorded twice right? So why don't you have anything out for mass consumption?
Ratboy: Money problems.
HMNI: Really? So what are you guys going to do with the stuff that you have recorded?
Ratboy: We're going to put out a demo hopefully really soon.
Ratboy: What does that mean?
HMNI: You know...whats up with your band you guys haven't played a show in forever.
Ratboy: We played the other night at Sanctuary.
HMNI: That doesn't count.
Andy: Sure it does...
HMNI:...ok it does count but when was the last time you played a hardcore show.
Andy: They played with Against All Hope...whats noot haardcore about Against All Hope? C'mon Phil was in Despair doesn't that make him hardcore? ...Fuck that kid he still thinks Despair is together. You can take that from the manager!
Ratboy: The last hardcore show we played was with HAtebreed in November. (they have since plaed a show with Harvest. that show was in August -ed.)
HMNI: Why haven't you played any shows in so long? HAven't been asked...Haven't wanted to?
Ratboy: We haven't practiced in a super long time.
Andy: Back injuries...
Ratboy: Well thats not the total reason because he's fine now.
HMNI: But it was a back injury?
Ratboy: Yeah
ANdy: And they thought Chris was going to have surgery.
Ratboy: I dunno they think he's going to grow out of it.
Andy: He's got an extra spine or something like that.
Ratboy: Actually it's a vertabrae
Andy: That's it...HE's alright it's just that he like Oasis. Thats how all of them are except him (Rat) and Russ.
HMNI: Oh Really?
Ratboy: They're kind of Morrissey type kids.
HMNI: Oh that type of hardcore kid?
Andy: No they're not hardcore kids, not at all. They don't goto shows.
HMNI: Which one's are you talking about.?
Andy: The singer and the guitar player. They take after Rich, the "gay" kid I talked about before. He's a schmuck.
HMNI: You guys have recorded twice right? So why don't you have anything out for mass consumption?
Ratboy: Money problems.
HMNI: Really? So what are you guys going to do with the stuff that you have recorded?
Ratboy: We're going to put out a demo hopefully really soon.
HMNI: what would you say influences you guys musically...soundwise?
Ratboy: Well our guitar player basically rips off Turmoil and Bloodlet and stuff like that. It's all he listens ttoo besides Morrissey.
HMNI: So if he listenes to Morrissey why doesn't he do a Morrissey band?
Ratboy: He is.
HMNI: Oh really?
Ratboy: I think so....I don't want to totally talk trash about them because they are my friends.
HMNI: Are any of the members of your band Straight Edge?
Ratboy: Me and the bass player.
HMNI: Are the other two alcoholics?
Ratboy : BAsically
Andy: 420 Dude
HMNI: 420 Every day?
Andy: Yep.
Ratboy: Well our guitar player basically rips off Turmoil and Bloodlet and stuff like that. It's all he listens ttoo besides Morrissey.
HMNI: So if he listenes to Morrissey why doesn't he do a Morrissey band?
Ratboy: He is.
HMNI: Oh really?
Ratboy: I think so....I don't want to totally talk trash about them because they are my friends.
HMNI: Are any of the members of your band Straight Edge?
Ratboy: Me and the bass player.
HMNI: Are the other two alcoholics?
Ratboy : BAsically
Andy: 420 Dude
HMNI: 420 Every day?
Andy: Yep.
HMNI: What was your first show?
Ratboy: It was at the Showplace Theater with Halfmast and One King Down.
HMNI: I was there it was in July of '96 right?
Ratboy: Yep
HMNI: Is the lineup the same?
Ratboy: Yep
HMNI: Do you feel like you've gotten a good response from people? MEaning do people like your band?
Ratboy: Yeah I guess...Before we were terrible and gradually we've gotten a little bit better.
HMNI: Do you think that's due in part to the "Vogel Factor"? How do you feel about the "Vogel Factor"?
Andy: What Vogel Factor
HMNI: Do you think the "Vogel factor" has anything to do with this band.
Andy: Quite possibly....
HMNI: I think when Vogel started to like this band people started to take some interest...
Andy: What are you trying to take away from their playing abilty?
HMNI: No I love these guys I had them plastered all over my last zine.
Andy: Just because Buffalo's in love with the cutesman in hardcore...the little loveable cuddly stuffed animal....doesn't mean that the Vogel Factor has anything to do with people liking them.
HMNI: But you have to admit that there is a "Vogel Factor" in the scene.
Andy: There is definitely a Vogel factor in the scene. I've got to talk to that guy. Scott Sprigg over me? I play guitar...whats wrong with me?
HMNI: I guess yer not cool enough
Andy: Exactly.
Ratboy: this is off of the subject.
HMNI: Who cares this is good shit talk.
Andy: No offense to Vogel its just something me and him have to square away..
HMNI: Where do you see Last Breath a year from now? What do you guys want to be doing?
Ratboy: I want to play some more shows outside of Buffalo and maybe have something besides a demo out.
HMNI: Why don't you guys send some stuff to Victory...You guys have a schtick. You know, yer a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds. Victory likes stuff like that...remember the Doughnuts?
HMNI: What bands do you like to go home and listen to?
Ratboy: I'm liking the new 25 Ta Life . ACDC...
HMNI: Have you heard the new Blood for Blood?
Ratboy: No....
HMNI: Well we're going to take a little break to listen to it.
Ratboy: It was at the Showplace Theater with Halfmast and One King Down.
HMNI: I was there it was in July of '96 right?
Ratboy: Yep
HMNI: Is the lineup the same?
Ratboy: Yep
HMNI: Do you feel like you've gotten a good response from people? MEaning do people like your band?
Ratboy: Yeah I guess...Before we were terrible and gradually we've gotten a little bit better.
HMNI: Do you think that's due in part to the "Vogel Factor"? How do you feel about the "Vogel Factor"?
Andy: What Vogel Factor
HMNI: Do you think the "Vogel factor" has anything to do with this band.
Andy: Quite possibly....
HMNI: I think when Vogel started to like this band people started to take some interest...
Andy: What are you trying to take away from their playing abilty?
HMNI: No I love these guys I had them plastered all over my last zine.
Andy: Just because Buffalo's in love with the cutesman in hardcore...the little loveable cuddly stuffed animal....doesn't mean that the Vogel Factor has anything to do with people liking them.
HMNI: But you have to admit that there is a "Vogel Factor" in the scene.
Andy: There is definitely a Vogel factor in the scene. I've got to talk to that guy. Scott Sprigg over me? I play guitar...whats wrong with me?
HMNI: I guess yer not cool enough
Andy: Exactly.
Ratboy: this is off of the subject.
HMNI: Who cares this is good shit talk.
Andy: No offense to Vogel its just something me and him have to square away..
HMNI: Where do you see Last Breath a year from now? What do you guys want to be doing?
Ratboy: I want to play some more shows outside of Buffalo and maybe have something besides a demo out.
HMNI: Why don't you guys send some stuff to Victory...You guys have a schtick. You know, yer a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds. Victory likes stuff like that...remember the Doughnuts?
HMNI: What bands do you like to go home and listen to?
Ratboy: I'm liking the new 25 Ta Life . ACDC...
HMNI: Have you heard the new Blood for Blood?
Ratboy: No....
HMNI: Well we're going to take a little break to listen to it.
HMNI: Ok bands you like
Ratboy: Overcast, Merauder, Unbroken, Coalesce....
Andy: Anything you can weightlift to....
Ratboy: Sepultura
Andy: Yeah anything Sepultura "Chaos AD" and before.
HMNI: Are you guys down with Rollins? "anything you can weightlift to"
Andy: There's nothing wrong with Rollins.
HMNI: I agree, I have five Rollins records in my collection. I love the guy. Do you like the new Bloood For Blood?
Ratboy: What I heard, yeah.
Ratboy: Overcast, Merauder, Unbroken, Coalesce....
Andy: Anything you can weightlift to....
Ratboy: Sepultura
Andy: Yeah anything Sepultura "Chaos AD" and before.
HMNI: Are you guys down with Rollins? "anything you can weightlift to"
Andy: There's nothing wrong with Rollins.
HMNI: I agree, I have five Rollins records in my collection. I love the guy. Do you like the new Bloood For Blood?
Ratboy: What I heard, yeah.
HMNI: Ok we're going finish this up. If anyone wants to contact your band where should tehy go to contact you?
Ratboy:blah@aol.com
HMNI: Andy final words manager?
Andy: Look out for Last Breath in '98
HMNI: Wait a minute. Why did you change your name from Counterstrike to Last BReath?
Andy: A Body Count song....
Ratboy: We changed it because we thought Counterstrike was kind of a cheese name. Now looking back I think it was kind of cool.
HMNI: What about Stone Cold (The band was supposed to changed their name to Stone Cold, named after the wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin)
Andy: The whole Stone Cold thing blew up. The man is just too big for the band. Not saying the band isn't anny good but Stone Cold is way better. Like I said before LAst Breath in '98 this is their year.
Here's a link to the demo.......
HMNI: Andy final words manager?
Andy: Look out for Last Breath in '98
HMNI: Wait a minute. Why did you change your name from Counterstrike to Last BReath?
Andy: A Body Count song....
Ratboy: We changed it because we thought Counterstrike was kind of a cheese name. Now looking back I think it was kind of cool.
HMNI: What about Stone Cold (The band was supposed to changed their name to Stone Cold, named after the wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin)
Andy: The whole Stone Cold thing blew up. The man is just too big for the band. Not saying the band isn't anny good but Stone Cold is way better. Like I said before LAst Breath in '98 this is their year.
Here's a link to the demo.......
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