Nothing better than providing a soundtrack for people to absolutely lose their minds to. It’s an outlet, use it!
AFL: Hey how are you? Firstly thanks for taking time and making the interview! Can you briefly introduce yourself for everybody who don’t know you so far?
WOP: Yo! What’s up? My name is Noah and I sing in World Of Pain from San Diego, California.
AFL: You have released your full-length debut End Game in March 2016. How satisfied you’re with the record and how was the feedback you got so far?
WOP: Personally, I am very satisfied with the new record and I feel that the feedback we have received thus far has acknowledged that. Don’t get me wrong, there will always be haters, but so far most seem to be enjoying the new record as much as we do.
AFL: How distinguish End Game from your earlier release in your opinion?
WOP: As a band, with each release we strive to write what we feel is even bigger and better material than before. Our sound has definitely evolved over time, but if anything, I feel it brings us closer and closer to that ‘sound’ that we have been striving for. Dark, heavy pissed hardcore.
AFL: End Game was released by Beatdown Hardwear like your last releases. How came the contact between you and the German label? It seems that you’re very like this label!
WOP: When we released our initial demo in 2009, we immediately received offers from (2) European labels. One, being an older very well-known label and the other, being a newer/smaller label, aka BDHW Records. As we weighed out both options, it was very clear that Toni was eager to have us and really wanted to promote and push our band overseas. Our conversation(s) with Toni went well and we decided on signing with him. Toni is great guy and we love all of our European family and friends.
AFL: What are your main influences? And what inspirited you to making music?
WOP: We draw from various influences… some of those would include Cold As Life, Hatebreed, All Out War, IRATE, etc. We were all musicians prior to starting World Of Pain, and have either been members of or filled-in for bands such as Hoods, First Blood, Folsom, Life or Death, Sworn Enemy, Wages Of War, and Recon. So you could say that we have all been playing instruments for a VERY long time. I personally have played drums for over half my life, but decided to pick up the microphone in World Of Pain after we released our initial demo/split.
AFL: Where do you get usually you inspiration for you lyrics and which lyrics do you treat?
WOP: Some of my earlier lyrics were taken from writing I had done during more ‘dark’ periods of my life and situations I had gone through, but with the more current releases, I focus more on dealing with frustration and attempting to open the listener’s ears to things going on around them, on both a personal and societal level.
AFL: You founded in the year 2009 and could play till today a couple of shows. What was in your opinion the best so far? And why these? What is for you the perfect World Of Pain show?
WOP: Oh man, I really don’t know. We have played some AWESOME shows over the years. Some of my favorites I feel might have been from our first east coast tour, as well as our first European tour (with Nasty). Japan is ALSO a very cool place… playing Blood Axe festival was awesome. I’d say that the perfect World Of Pain show would consist of a room packed full of people having the time of their lives, honestly. Nothing better than providing a soundtrack for people to absolutely lose their minds to. It’s an outlet, use it!
AFL: Have you plans tom come back to Europe for a tour? Or what are you plans for the near future?
WOP: Of course we’re going back to Europe! 😉 Actually, we’ll be back over there in late May/early June on tour with CDC and Harm/Shelter. In regards to the future, who knows! We’ll see what happens… we’ll definitely be going back to Japan and hopefully hitting Australia as well!
AFL: Which three songs you’re like to play live beset? Why these?
WOP: Probably my (3) favorite staple songs of each set are: World Of Pain, Buried In Sin and SUFFER. Why these (3) songs? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve played these songs WAYYYYY too many times to count, but they are just classic big crowd reaction tracks. I mean, I have fun playing all of our songs and there are OTHER songs that I personally enjoy more than those specific tracks, BUT, when the crowd is going off, it really makes them that much more fun to play.
AFL: If you could choose a band you can play a tour together. Which band would you choose and where would you play the tour?
WOP: Honestly, our first European tour with NASTY was very fun. They are good friends of ours and we never turn down the opportunity to play shows with them. Therefore, I’d love to hit Europe again with them or even JAPAN. Or hey, maybe another country that neither of us have visited before? Otherwise, it would be cool to tour with a band like Hatebreed!
That’s one thing that I miss in the US that was more prevalent when I was young. Shows were VERY mixed with all sorts of ‘heavy’ bands! The way it SHOULD be, in my opinion.
AFL: In your opinion who will be the next American president?
WOP: Is this a trick question? I really have no idea, BUT, I believe there is a good chance that it will come down to Hilary or Trump… which means we’re all in trouble, lol
AFL: Would you call yourself a hardcore or a beatdown band or nothing for both or it doesn’t matter? Is there a difference between hardcore and beatdown expect the music in your opinion? (Culture, scene etc.)
WOP: Is this another trick question? Just kidding. Well, I personally like to refer to us as a ‘heavy’ hardcore band, simply because our roots are in hardcore, but we are influenced by some of the darker sounding and at times even more metallic bands of the genre. But hey, people can consider us whatever they want because that’s their right to do so. I’ve heard people call us anything from hardcore, to death metal to beatdown. In regards to different scenes, who cares… mix it all up! That’s one thing that I miss in the US that was more prevalent when I was young. Shows were VERY mixed with all sorts of ‘heavy’ bands! The way it SHOULD be, in my opinion.
AFL: What are your favorite bands and records at the moment? Have you any inside tip from your home?
WOP: Well, if you wanted a list of favorite bands/records at the moment, it would take up WAYYY too much space… BUT there are a few newer bands that are definitely putting out some bangers that should be acknowledged… check out Vamachara, Jesus Piece, Detain and Separated. I’m sure there are some I’m forgetting, but those 4 are def dope. Oh yea, and BILLY CLUB SANDWICH is back…!
AFL: What do you do besides making music with World Of Pain? What are your hobbies and have you steady jobs?
WOP: he answer to this question is actually the reason why we don’t tour full time. Half the band is married with children and we all have full time jobs, ranging from construction, to barbering and computer/IT support. In other words, we’re just your average hardworking individuals. Of course, with the coolest hobby on earth!
AFL: Thanks for the interview. Have you any last words?
WOP: Respect! Thank you for having this interview and shout outs to all of our family, friends and fans. All of you are the reason why we do this… thank you for your continued support. Big ups to TONI from BDHW! Spreading the pain train across Europe and the UK! Coming to a city near you…