#scottvogel

“Test my convictions...they’ll run you through” 

When I was in high school, maybe around sophomore summer going to junior year, I went to the Sounds of the Underground tour that came through my hometown of Corpus Christi. Two acts stood out the most: Madball & Terror. Madball had just put out their “Legacy” album on Ferret Music. They were a powerhouse of a band for any sixteen year old hardcore kid. Shortly before their performance, Terror took the stage....WOW. Fast, pissed & aggressive. I was a kid in camouflage shorts & a cadet hat having the time of my life. Then I caught them again a year later in San Antonio. Still fast, pissed & aggressive. From the summer of 2004 til now, Terror still continues to bring that energetic & exciting live performance thats backed by the high intensity crowd participation. Their live shows are anything but “calm” & it doesn’t look like they’re pumping the brakes anytime soon.

Hailing from the streets of Los Angeles, Terror is fronted by hardcore alumni Scott Vogel. Throughout the years of catching the bands live shows, Scott & I became friends. Terror ran through Houston earlier this summer, playing Scout Bar in the Clear Lake area, and killed it! On the wave of their new album “The 25th Hour” released just a few weeks ago, I had the chance to sit down with Scott and catch up on what’s going on.

MC: First off, for our followers who aren't familiar with you or your band (or basically don't like good music)...let em know who you are.. SV: I'm Scott from the band Terror. We are a hardcore band from LA going on like 14 years now.

MC: "25th Hour" just dropped a few weeks ago. It's maybe y'all's most aggressively written album yet, in my opinion, lyrically and all around "sound". It's my go to on the long car rides to & from work every day. How does this particular album stand out to you aside from the other albums that y'all have done? SV: This record came out great. I love it. It's super hard hitting and in your face. No filler. No bullshit. No nonsense. This record is fucking strong start to finish. And it's pissed off and raw. The way hardcore should be.

MC: You've got one of the most extensive resumés in hardcore. Of all the bands/projects you've had the opportunity to be a part of, which was the most memorable and why? SV: Terror for sure. Most of the things I've done ended to soon and never got the chance to really see there full potential. I think I learned from past nonsense and mistakes and that gave Terror the chance to have a full life and to explore many avenues. Terror is an amazing thing in my eyes. All we have done and how long we have stuck together is a beautiful thing.

MC: From the days playing with Slugfest & Despair til now with Terror, you've maintained a certain spirit and energy for the culture. From then til now, what's changed for you and how you view the scene? SV: It's impossible to be as completely excited and overwhelmed by something 25 years later...but I still feel the music and the message. I still believe this is way more then music. I still love demos and young bands. I still love going to shows. It's not the same feeling. It's deeper now. And it's now without a question a huge part of my life and always will be.

MC: B.A.'s "The Death of Your Perfect World" is and always will be in my top five. It was maybe one of the first albums I was heavily indulged in when I got into hardcore in high school. It was the first studio album y'all put out as a band in 99, did you have any idea at that time that this particular album would still be relevant sixteen years later?   SV: I knew the band had a certain style that was cool. When they started I kept telling them I wouldn't sing for them because I didn't want to be in a band but over time I couldn't say no cause the music had something special to it. Those were cool times. Things were pretty simple then. Not much pressure or competitive drive. We were just happy to be catching breaks and moving forward. Thanks for the kinds words also.

MC: Terror hits Texas quite often on tour. What are some of the bands/cities/things you favor here?                                                                   SV: Texas has always been do to me and all my bands. Just like everywhere the scene has ups and downs. Sometime Dallas seems to be the livest and others it San Antonio ect. I love the ghetto boys. I love the river walk. I love Will to Live & Bitter End...and I love all my Texas friends that love to get down and have a good time.

MC: Describe Terror in three words: SV: Five Weird Dudes  

MC: Three artists/bands, dead or alive...any genre. If you could see three acts on the same bill, who would it be?   SV: Gang Starr, Tom Petty & Quicksand.

MC: Growing up in Buffalo I imagine football and hockey were huge. Did you play any sports when you were younger? 

SV: Yes. All I did was play sport until I found hardcore. First year of high school I played football basketball and lacrosse. Second year nothing cause I wasn't going to miss a show for anything.

MC: You're a huge hip hop junkie as I am. We've had our talks in the past about how important & influential Gang Starr & Nas are. I know who you enjoy from back then but for hip hop artists today, who are you into? SV: Freddie Gibbs. Run the Jewelz Mobb deep. Boldy James. Apathy JMT. Reks. RIP TO SEAN P - tragic and the new CNN is great.

MC: You've done work with Vinnie Paz of JMT fame in the past. I loved everything about it!  How did y'all meet and do you think we'll see more work from you guys together in the future?   SV: We talk about track and shows and tours but living far apart and all the bullshit keeps us from ending up getting as much done as we should. I have tons of respect for Vinnie and love when we hang and laugh and talk shit. To answer you though - he got in touch years ago for the Heavy Metal Kings Remix and after working together we got drunk and clicked.

MC: Born to Expire or Illmatic?   SV: Jesus. That's hard. I'm going with Born to Expire. Hardcore will always be my one true love

MC: Do you think Raybeez & Guru are hanging out right now? If so, what the hell are they talking about?   SV: Haaaaaaaa I don't know but I'll off myself right now to get in on that conversation.

MC: Are there any other projects you'd like to start or join outside of Terror? Music wise.   SV: I have one right now. It's called “World Be Free”. We have an album coming out early 2016 on Revelation Records. Check for it. It's a whole new direction for me.

MC: Do you get around to a lot of Dodger games? SV: A few a year. I like to sit in the worst seats away from everyone and just zone out and be less in the thick of the crowd. I also try to get to other stadiums and games all over the country. I've seen ball games in Cleveland, Boston, Denver, Baltimore, Houston and more. That's a great thing to do to forget about tour for a day.

MC: A good portion of people who back this brand say that they don't even really care for baseball but love what the 9 is about. How did you hear about Ninth Inning and what's your take on the idea of what we're doing? SV: I think its really cool man and I do like baseball so I get the best of both worlds. I think your angle and style is super classy and appealing. I don't remember how I first heard of you but I've been checking for you since!

MC: What did you think of season two of True Detective? How much do you miss season one?!                                                                                              SV: Yeah man. Not to cool. Right now I'm watching The Knick, it's intense. The Wire and Deadwood are tops for me.  

MC: What are you currently jamming this week? What should I check out if I haven't yet?   SV: Build and Destroy. Forced Order. Coldplay. Rival Schools. The Get Up Kids and a lot of the classics.

MC: What's Terror doing before 2015 is over? Any plans?   SV: South America in November and a USA headliner in December. That hits Texas for two shows I think.

MC: Lastly, any shout outs? SV: Thanks for the love and good luck with Ninth Inning. Shout out to people that can be themselves and still enjoy life. The world wants to change and break us all. But only we decide for ourselves what path we will take and how we will handle our time on planet earth. Lastly Boxing is amazing and doesn't get much love in 2015. There are some great fights coming up - check them out.