VILE GASH
- Photo by Cali DeWitt
YA talks with Andrew Hinton, vocalist of VILE GASH. This is a previously lost interview conducted in June, 2011.
In what ways does the life perspective of someone involved in the hardcore scene differ from that of “conventional” people?
I think that conventional people are just looking for the easiest way to get through every day. They’re completely content with just accepting what is given to them. They lie to themselves, associate with the people that they claim to hate and engage in the same acts as these people. They are just as bad as the people they despise. I would like to think that the people involved with hardcore are different, but I know that most are not.
From the band name down to the lyrics and imagery, VILE GASH speaks of self-imprisonment. However, you don’t portray yourselves as victims. What is the inspiration behind this?
I find inspiration in the things I’m opposed to in my surroundings. They keep me focused on what I need to do to distance myself from them. As far as musical inspiration CROSSED OUT, SIEGE, YDI, SHITLICKERS.
You live in Columbus, Ohio, whose sole claim to fame as far as anyone can tell is home to the domesticated version of the tomato. To what extent does your environment play into your daily outlook?
Columbus is a college town. I honestly don’t see it offering much to anyone unless they are into academics or college athletics. The punk and hardcore scene leaves something to be desired as well. These things push me to better myself and stay away from things that are going to get in the way of my goals. I don’t want to descend to the pitiful cesspit that I see so many people dwell in. Many of these people are the ones who are so opposed to their surroundings but they seem no different to me.
On “Fuck Your Positive Attitude” you say, “Stop lying to yourself/This world fucking sucks/Positivity’s pointless/It won’t get you much”. Is this you addressing the world, or is this about yourself? Do you hope for improvements in life, or have you already checked out at age 23?
I haven’t checked out. I’ve just accepted that nothing good will come from being overtly positive and not accepting the way things are. Things are fucked and they’re only getting worse. This isn’t apathy, just acceptance.
Where is the line drawn between underground and mainstream music? In an age where music is treated as nearly valueless, what does it mean to “sell out” anymore?
I believe that real underground music isn’t easily digested by the majority of people. Now it seems like the line is blurred. So many people and their projects pop up and change with the passing trends, but the ones who truly care about and are dedicated to their craft will stick with it, no matter what so and so says on whatever forum.
Most of your releases were issued in very limited pressings. Historically, bands keep things in print to gain maximum exposure. Has there been an intentional hindrance of your potential? Where the does the mindset of the record collector stem from?
I think that there were enough copies pressed of the demos. They were just demos, they served their purpose of capturing the band at that moment in time. Also, nowadays everything is sucked into the black hole that is blogging, and regurgitated at poor bit rates for everyone to pretend they’re in the know about, often before releases are even properly out. Nothing is ever good enough for these people.
Is there any benefit in the hoping for failure, or is it nothing more than passivity of the self-defeated?
I see no benefit in hoping for failure. It will get you nothing but just that. Why even bother? Learning to deal with the inevitable, every day setbacks is going to leave a person able to get buy on a daily basis.
Discography (up to 2011):
Demo one 1st press of 100 copies
Demo one 2nd press of 50 copies with different cover (self released)
Live tape 1: one press of 16 copies (self released)
Live tape 2: one press of 25 copies (Smoke and Mirrors)
Demo Two 1st press of 100 copies/
Demo Two 2nd press of 88 copies with booklet (Youth Attack)
Leech cassingle press of 200 copies (Life-Rot)
Life-Rot 7″ EP test press of 25 copies with different cover
Life-Rot 7′ EP first press of 500 copies on black vinyl (Youth Attack
Life-Rot 7″ EP second press of 500 copies on red vinyl (Youth Attack)
Life-Rot 7″ EP third press of 300 on white vinyl (Youth Attack)