Featuring current and former members of Brutal Youth and End Program, Toronto’s Dragged In plays high energy Punk Hardcore the way it’s meant to be. Their sound ranges from fast and furious Hardcore to melodic Punk anthems to slower, almost hypnotic parts, all the while maintaining intensity and a strong identity.
In true D.I.Y. form, their debut lp, L.P.I, out today, is available exclusively from the band, in full digital format through Bandcamp and on all streaming channels. The band will be opening for SICK OF IT ALL and AGNOSTIC FRONT on their Canadian dates (Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal), hopefully happening on August 26, 27, 28.
Name five songs that you consider “perfect songs” and explain why or what they mean to you.
Ryan Cox (Guitar): The BEATLES – Hard Day’s Night – Who can’t relate to this song in some way? Not many people can write songs as well as the Beatles. In any genre.
MINOR THREAT – I Don’t Wanna Hear It – Most people have felt this way at some point and the music is killer.
RAMONES – Blitzkrieg Bop – Simplicity perfected.
REFUSED – Coup D’etat – The perfect angry revolutionary anthem (which could be said about a lot of their tunes)
WIRE – Mr. Suit – Maybe business types can’t relate but the rest of us sure can!
Which music genre do you listen to the most? List your five favorite albums in that genre.
Ryan: I definitely listen to Punk Rock and its plethora of peripheral sub genres more than anything else. I don’t really know how to pick 5 favourites but here’s 5 that are awesome:
BAD BRAINS – S/T
REFUSED – The Shape Of Punk To Come
HIS HERO IS GONE – Fifteen Counts Of Arson
THE MARKED MEN – Fix My Brain
WIRE – Pink Flag
Dave Fenton (Bass): I listen to Punk and Hardcore the most because I love the energy and the message, always have, the way that translates onto a record is really important for what I tend to like. I’d give a list pretty similar to what Cox did.
Bruce Headley (Drums): Punk and hardcore and a wide variety of rock and roll.
Five greatest hardcore EP’s of all time?
Ryan: This one is so hard. A top 25 would be hard! Here goes:
MINOR THREAT – Filler
DISCHARGE – Why
HÜSKER DÜ – Metal Circus
LOS CRUDOS – La Rabia Nubla Nuestros Ojos…
HIS HERO IS GONE – The Dead Of Night In Eight Movements
Dave: Too hard.
Your five favorite rappers of all time? Name one song that best exemplifies what makes them great. (Alternate: five best guitarists/bassist/drummers, etc)
Dave: In no particular order…
RAKIM- I Ain’t No Joke
The BEASTIE BOYS- MCA’s rhymes and Adrock’s voice combined with their creativity- anything off Paul’s Boutique is a great example.
GETO BOYS- Damn It Feels Good to Be A Gangsta
BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS- Criminal Minded
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST- Check the Rhime
Ryan: CHUCK D (Public Enemy) – Fight The Power
TALIB KWELI (Reflection Eternal) – Too Late
Q-TIP (A Tribe Called Quest) – Jazz
NAS – Anything Off Illmatic
THE NOTORIUS B.I.G. – Gimme The Loot
Bruce: 5 favourite drummers
Phil Rudd- AC/DC
Brendan Canty- FUGAZI
Jesus Bonehead- DAYGLO ABORTIONS
Duncan Redmonds- SNUFF
Atom Willard- ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT
Five hardest riffs of all time?
Dave:
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
SICK OF IT ALL- It’s Clobbering Time
CRO-MAGS – We Gotta Know
S.O.D.- March Of The Sod
BAD BRAINS- The Regulator
Ryan: BLACK SABBATH – Black Sabbath
BAD BRAINS – Supertouch/Shitfit
HIS HERO IS GONE – Professional Mind Fuckers
BAD BRAINS – The Regulator
BAD BRAINS – I
What’s the album you’ve listened to the most in your life? Do you still listen to it?
Dave: BLACK SABBATH- Paranoid. I had it on cassette in my car, and it played endlessly for about a year and a half. It got to a point where I had no clue what songs were on what side. I just continuously listened to it. Love that record and still listen to it.
Ryan: This is likely a 100+ way tie. No idea which single album would meet this criteria.
What are some of your favorite song lyrics? Lyrics that have been important to you or that had an impact on you?
Dave: I’m usually terrible at hearing lyrics correctly. Even songs I’ve heard a thousand times I’m typically way off on the lyrics. Definitely listen more to the music than the words. One of my favourite lyrics is the opening line to The Eliminator by AGNOSTIC FRONT. It’s such a powerful intro to a song. For me, my favourite AF tune.
Ryan: Music has more of an impact on me than lyrics do.
Do you have an absolute all time favorite band or musical artist? What makes them so special to you?
Ryan: No. However, I can confidently say that BLACK SABBATH and BAD BRAINS wrote the best riffs of all time.
Dave: Agreed. Everything they write sounds heavy and sinister. I’d probably throw BEASTIE BOYS into that group as well because of how fluid their style was, and how they constantly evolved and transcended multiple styles and brought it together in to one cohesive sound.
What are your ten favourite albums of all time (all genres)? Name a standout track on each of these albums.
Dave:
DAYGLO ABORTIONS -Two Dogs Fucking – Proud To Be Canadian
SICK OF IT ALL – Scratch the Surface – Ratpack
BAD BRAINS- S/T – The Regulator
DEAD KENNEDYS- Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death – Police Truck
POISON IDEA- Kings of Punk – Ugly Americans
BLACK SABBATH- Paranoid – Fairies Wear Boots
SLAYER- Reign in Blood – Angel of Death
MOTÖRHEAD- Ace of Spades – Fast and Loose
BEASTIE BOYS- Aglio e Olio – Nervous Assistant
CONVERGE- Jane Doe – Fault and Fracture
Ryan:
MILES DAVIS – Kind Of Blue – So What
SAM COOKE – Night Beat – Mean Old World
BLACK SABBATH – S/T – Black Sabbath
NAS – Illmatic – It Ain’t Hard To Tell
NEIL YOUNG – After The Gold Rush – Only Love Can Break Your Heart
DINOSAUR JR. – Green Mind – Blowing It
FUGAZI – Repeater – Merchandise
REFUSED – Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent – Coup D’etat
AHMAD JAMAL – But Not For Me/Live At The Pershing – No Greater Love
BAD BRAINS – Rock For Light – How Low Can A Punk Get
Do you remember the first time music had an impact on you?
Ryan: I’ve been around music my entire life. I have no first memory of it. I would’ve been too young to remember.
Dave: I remember the first time I heard Hardcore. It was an epiphany. Instant connection.
What were you listening to in elementary school? then in high school? How much of that music is still a part of your playlists today? How have your musical tastes evolved since?
Bruce: Elementary school I was into the CARS, The CULT, MOTLEY CRUE, TWISTED SISTER and MICHAEL JACKSON. By grade 7 and 8, I was into RHCP, The DEAD MILMEN, and DAYGLO ABORTIONS.
High School was a mixture of a bunch of genres. MAESTRO FRESH WES, MINISTRY, FURNACEFACE, DEAD KENNEDYS, PUBLIC ENEMY, VAN HALEN, and DAVID WILRYAN because who doesn’t wanna do the Bearcat?
Dave: Elementary school I was really into Metal and “Alternative”. I got into BEASTIE BOYS and NIRVANA. This led me to a band called SEAWEED and a record they did called Weak which was some cool Post-Punk on Subpop. I was obsessed with that record for some time.
In High School I got into Hardcore Punk. BLACK FLAG, DAYGLO ABORTIONS, DEAD KENNEDYS, POISON IDEA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and RICH KIDS ON LSD were all on regular rotation. They still are to this day.
I have really started listening to modern bands. Often these newer bands are discovered through live music, and then I will pick up their records and listen at home. Most of my new music is taken in through live performance. Once it passes that litmus test, then it finds its way into the rotation.
What beloved music do you share with your parents (or children if you have kids)? Any specifics memories?
Ryan: In high school, I would always take over my mom’s car stereo and she was not a fan of the 90’s skate Punk…she was a good sport though. In hindsight, I don’t blame her for not liking it, a lot of it doesn’t hold up well. Don’t get me wrong, there are some classics and some of the bands I would still go to see play live today but the majority of it doesn’t stand the test of time outside of nostalgia. My mom did like the MARKED MEN records I played for her in the mid 2000’s though…that’s just great songwriting!
Now I have a 4 month old daughter and I’ll put her down in her little bed and play Black Metal to put her to sleep. It’s the white noise of music! It’s usually BURZUM – Filosofem, WATAIN – Casus Luciferi or NEGATIVA – 03. Those ones are her “favourites”. When she gets older maybe I’ll tell her that Varg (Burzum) is a murderous asshole. I can’t deny that his music is great though. He’s like the MICHAEL JACKSON of Black Metal – great music, absolutely terrible human being.
What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve ever seen? What makes them stand out?
Ryan: We used to have a venue on Church St. in Toronto called Club Rockit. Man, that place was the best! It was small but had a wrap-around balcony and a raised bar section at the back. 3 of the best shows I’ve ever seen were in that venue. One of them was MONEEN who, back then around 2001-2005, were the best Canadian live band to see for sure. Their music wasn’t even that great but their energy was unmatched. They never stood still and at Rockit they were climbing all over the balconies and railings and just bouncing off the walls. It was crazy.
Another Rockit classic was the first Toronto appearance by the BRONX. That show was amazing. The band (well mostly the singer) was in a battle with the crowd, throwing monitors into the pit and the pit would throw it back, people were all over the stage and just insane energy from everyone in the place. I remember that the border guards wouldn’t let them bring their merch into Canada. There used to be a Goodwill across the street from Club Rockit where they sold clothing by-the-pound and the band went and bought a ton of random t-shirts and button-ups and spray painted them with stencils of their logo. I still have mine somewhere…
The other memorable show I saw at Rockit was Q AND NOT U which was not quite as high energy as the other two but it was awesome in its own way. The final show I’ll mention was the last RAMMER show at High Art For The Low Down which was our buddy Matt’s place upstairs at Siesta Nouveaux. It’s since been torn down (R.I.P.). It was by far the most packed show I’ve ever attended. You literally could not move an inch in that place. People were spilled out into the surrounding hallways and stairs and onstage and behind the stage and on the PA…it was insanity…and they fuckin’ slayed as usual. They were the best Canadian Metal band and I used to go see them any chance I could.
Bruce: MURPHY’S LAW at the Kathedral in Toronto. Super tight band and they were hilarious. One of my favourite shows ever. And all of the Punkfests at Spiderland Acres in Marmora in the 90’s to 2000’s. Awesome shows and experiences. RIP Warren “Spider” Hastings.
Is there any band that you’ve always wanted to see live but never had the chance to catch them? Any classic show that you wish you could have experienced? (Could be a show you’ve seen videos of, heard stories of, seen flyers of, etc.)
Dave: BAD BRAINS anywhere in their prime.
Ryan: I would spend everything I have to see Bad Brains before 1983!
Bruce: Never got to see FUGAZI live. Had tickets for the last show they played in Toronto before they broke up but my friend’s car broke down and we didn’t make it to the show. Was super bummed. Still have the ticket in a box around the house somewhere.
What is the most impressive band you’ve toured with? The one that you just had to watch every night? Did you learn anything from them/by watching them?
Ryan: THE REBEL SPELL. I never missed a set. I learned that they were way better than us, lol. Their singer Todd died in an accident a few years ago and he is greatly missed by the entire Canadian Punk community. If you haven’t heard The Rebel Spell go listen to them right now!
What are some of your all-time favorite music books and/or zines, documentaries, biopics?
Ryan: I used to love Punk Planet when it was around. It was a zine out of Chicago. They had great articles and interviews with all kinds of bands. Anything remotely associated with Punk or even just underground/DIY ethic was fair game. Cometbus is another of my favourite zines. He still puts out issues now and then.
Dave: I really like watching pretty well any documentary about musicians or bands, or how albums got made, whatever. I really like American Hardcore, and the New York Hardcore doc that came out recently is really good.
Is there any classic / universally acclaimed artist that you missed out on when they first came out and discovered way later? Any artist that you didn’t like at first and learned to appreciate over time?
Dave: MINOR THREAT. I had heard them a bunch when I was younger and never realized it was them. Got well into them when I was in my late 20s.
Ryan: I feel like every band I love is a band I discovered late. I mean a lot of the music I love is as old or older than I am hahaha. That’s not entirely true but I don’t actively search for new bands. I don’t really care when they are doing what they are doing. If it’s a good record, I’ll eventually find it. It’s obviously better if I discover them while they are active so I can see them play but then again, sometimes that ruins the band for me too, so I could take it or leave it.
An artist I didn’t like at first: AT THE DRIVE-IN! Someone played In/Casino/Out for me in a car and I hated it. Then I fell in love shortly thereafter. I feel like my teenage self wouldn’t like a lot of the records I listen to now. I didn’t like screaming vocals back then. That definitely changed!
Do you have an artist that you love in a genre that you don’t usually listen to? What makes them stand out?
Dave: I really dig Sam Cooke. Dude wrote some classic tunes.
Do you have any unpopular music opinion that you would like to defend? Something that you love and yet can hardly find anyone to agree on how great it is?
Ryan: I have a music opinion I’d like to defend! Too many people like OASIS!!!!!! What’s wrong with you?! Worst. Band. Ever. (ERIC CLAPTON is the worst Artist ever btw).
Actually, no one bugs me about it but I feel like not many of my friends agree: ALICE IN CHAINS – Dirt is a great record. Dam The River is a mean fuckin’ riff. They were my favourite band when I was 13.
Dave: I fucking hate PEARL JAM. Great musicians. Terrible band.
Do you enjoy live albums? What are some of your favorites? Can you think of a few examples where the live version of a song is better than the studio version?
Dave: I don’t like live albums for the most part.
Ryan: I’m generally not a fan of live records but DEEP PURPLE Live in Japan is awesome and PORTISHEAD’s live album is better than their studio albums in my opinion.
Bruce: AC/DC If You Want Blood You’ve Got It
What albums have been on heavy rotation lately?
Ryan:
HURULA – S/T
CULTURE ABUSE – Bay Dream
NEGATIVA – 03
BOOJI BOYS – Tube Reducer
DINOSAUR JR. – Without A Sound (reissues just came out so I finally have a copy)
GIVE – Electric Flower Circus
DEATH SIDE – Bet On The Possibility
LAMA – S/T
MISSBRUKARNA – Zooma In En Zombie
CHAIN CULT – Shallow Grave
PADKAROSDA – Tetova Lelkek
DOLLY MIXTURE – Other Music
MILK MUSIC – Cruise Your Illusion
BUZZCOCKS – Love Bites
WATAIN – Casus Luciferi
THE NUMBER ONES – S/T
ANTI CIMEX – Absolut Country of Sweden
Bruce:
SICK OF IT ALL- Wake the Sleeping Dragon
GULCH- Burning Desire To Draw Last Breath
GOUGE AWAY- Burnt Sugar
DRUG CHURCH- Cheer
Dave: Dragged In LPI because we have been working on getting it released. There have been countless mixes and mastered versions to listen to. I have also been listening a lot to a record called Come Clean by a Canadian band called UNDER PRESSURE.
What are some up and coming artists that you would recommend?
Ryan: CHAIN CULT. They just put out their debut LP (Shallow Grave). Their 2018 demo is great. They are a Goth-y Post Punk band from Athens, Greece.
Dave: Lots of great local bands in Toronto and surrounding areas to check out. CHOICES MADE are great, saw this other cool Oi! band called BACKBREAKER.
Is there a band that you’ve discovered live recently that blew you away?
Ryan: GOUGE AWAY and CULTURE ABUSE both surprised me when they opened for TURNSTILE a year or so ago. They were great.
Dave: Yeah that was a good show, they were awesome.
What are you listening to right now, while answering these questions?
Dave: Paul’s Boutique by the BEASTIE BOYS
Ryan: HÜSKER DÜ – Everything Falls Apart and POISON IDEA – Kings Of Punk
Bruce: GOLERS- In ‘n’ Outlaws
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