Here is an old ass interview I did with Pittsburgh Beatdown natives Unit 731. Enjoy.
"Heavy hardcore metal from Pittsburgh. Our songs are a reflection on ourselves, our society, and our government. We probably headbang harder than you, but we're up for a challenge. We do this mostly for ourselves... as an outlet for our aggression, beliefs, and as a break from the day-to-day grind. If our music helps you in the same way, come out to a show and get wild with us."
1. Please tell us some information about the band?
Unit 731 is a heavy hardcore metal band based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We basically do this as an outlet for our aggression, beliefs and every day bullshit. Four good friends that probably headbang harder than you. The band started in 2006 with a demo which was followed by "A Plague Upon Humanity" in 2007 and we just released our new full length "Res Ipsa Loquitur."
2. Is "Unit 731" a band with a specific message that you try to get across through your music and does the band stand behind any particular set of beliefs or ideals?
The band is pretty much a collection of what we all believe. Every single one of us has written lyrics. So, even though we share similar beliefs, each song comes from a little different point of view. I'm pretty sure we can all agree that humanity is responsible for a lot of wrong in this world. You have people trying to wipe out entire ethnic groups, governments oppressing their people and starting wars for anything imaginable from resources to a radical view of religion. People in third world countries are working for absolutely nothing. We live in a pretty fucked up world.
3. With modern tools such as the internet leading to mass over saturation of the scene across the globe, what do you think are the positives and negatives of so many bands all being apart of what is already a very niche genre?
Obviously the positive side is that it's easier for good bands to get in contact with people from all over the globe and get their music to so many more people. I know we wouldn't have had half of the success we've had without the internet. On the downside, there are so many bands touring out there. Most of them have no business playing outside of their town, let alone outside of their country. Shitty bands saturate the scene and make it harder for bands that actually matter to get somewhere.
4. What does hardcore mean to you?
It's all about putting a bunch of people that aren't the same in a room together. People that don't necessarily fit into "normal" society or actually believe in something unlike most of the zombies in our world. It's all about a positive outlet for our aggression and people that want to hear about something other than money and fucking in their music. I wouldn't know most of my friends without hardcore, so that's pretty significant.
5. Personally for you, what do you think are the top 3 most important metal or hardcore albums?
That is a super tough question. I would have to say, for me personally, that my top 3 albums would be All Out War "For Those That Were Crucified," Crowbar "Broken Glass," and Sepultura "Chaos AD." You can't deny how influential all of these albums have been on metal and hardcore as a whole and how many hours they have both spent in my CD player.
6. What is your opinion on illegal downloading and file sharing?
Honestly, I do it. If I didn't download music I wouldn't hear most of the shit out there these days. If I like a band, I'll buy the disc after I download it just to support them. It's how I avoid buying shitty music. I'm totally fine with people "stealing" our music. If you dig it come out to a show and buy a copy. Buy a shirt to support us. I just want people to hear our music.
7. What has been the personal highlight for you in "Unit 731"?
Definitely our European tour last year. The fact that we got to travel across the world to play music to a bunch of people that most don't even speak the same language is incredible. We made a lot of friends and did a lot of shit that most people never get to. Everyone was so good to us and the shows were great. Hopefully we'll have another one of those in 2011!
8. Have you received any negativity or hate as a result of the name "Unit 731"?
Most people with a brain realize that we aren't a bunch of douche-bags using a name like Unit 731 to try and offend people. Considering our lyrical content, you might have to be brain dead to think that. The most we've gotten is a few ill informed internet heros trying to call us out only to be shot down by the more intelligent people out there.
9. How has your latest album "Res Ipsa Loquitur" been received by critics and fans?
We haven't really had the chance to really promote it honestly since all of us have been pretty busy the last couple months. People do seem to be into it, though. There have been a lot of "can't stop listening to the new album," kinda comments thrown around on our facebook and stuff. Personally, I think it's 10 times better than "A Plague Upon Humanity."
10. To finish off, can you think of anything you would like to mention that hasn't been asked about?
Just to thank everyone who is reading this and anyone that has supported us in any way! Keep an eye out for something new next year and [hopefully] another trek to Europe in 2011!
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