Danny Greene Interview
Before the By the Barricade team heads to Illinois for this year’s Riot Fest, we interviewed Illinois hardcore band Danny Greene! They take their name form from the iconic old school Irish mobster which is fitting for their raw and aggressive style. With the release of their debut album 10 Blocks for the Irish, Haunted records helped pack all their old school style onto a major release. This writer caught up with both of the band’s guitarists to find out a little more about the Illinois hardcore scene and its history. In the interview Frankie Carter and Austin Lee prove hardcore has been an Illinois staple through years past, and will continue to be for years to come.
By the Barricade: Some of the most influential hardcore and post hardcore bands have come from Illinois. What do you think sets bands in that area apart from the rest of the world?
Frankie: I have been more influenced by bands from the St. Louis scene than anything in Illinois really. Early 90’s bands like Dogfight, Fuse 12, Incision, and Ruined. I really hate the term post hardcore, hardcore never left!
By the Barricade: Has your time with Haunted Records affected Danny Greene’s style?
Frankie: Not at all. It has affected how we record. A little more concentration goes into tracking, but that probably came more from Jeremy being in the band.
Austin: It’s given us more motivation to push harder and the opportunity to reach new people with our music. We’re stoked to be working with them.
By the Barricade: What has Danny Greene done differently with 10 Blocks for the Irish compared to previous work?
Frankie: This is our first release, so we don’t really have anything to gauge it on. It made us want to hit as many different cities and scenes as we can.
By the Barricade: Do you believe there is currently a hardcore revival?
Frankie: I don’t think so. I don’t think it went anywhere. Some bands have dropped off and different styles have come. There are a ton of bands doing the heavier Meshuggah/Acacia Strain tuning and riffage style, which kind of sucks because that’s what made those bands unique and rad, but most purest hardcore guys will say that isn’t hardcore anyway.
Austin: It’s definitely getting a little more attention but [hardcore] never really went anywhere. It’s always been an underground scene but it seems to be opening a few more eyes lately.
By the Barricade: Are there any other local unsigned bands in the Illinois area that our readers should know about?
Frankie: Resolute, Dogfight (they started playing shows again recently and I’m super stoked!), Casinos for Madmen, Everything Went Black, Perfect People, Spark Thugs, Annihilate The Hero, Reclaimer, Crvcifer, Repose, etc…
Austin: maybe add Aurora since Corey’s in that now.
Frankie: Corey rules!!
By the Barricade: Can you explain Danny Greene in five words or less?
Frankie: Energetic hardcore.
Austin: Fists and elbows.
By the Barricade: Is there anything else you would like to say to readers of By the Barricade?
Frankie, Austin: Check us out on Facebook and check out all the bands on Haunted Records!
