IE: Any cover songs? Or guest vocals?

Rich: There are no cover songs on this record, but we did record a cover song during these sessions.  It’s going to be on a punk rock cover compilation coming out in the future. We recorded "I Believe in Miracles" by the Ramones.  We did our best, but let’s face it, the Ramones are great and we can never really do their stuff justice, but as huge fans we wanted to do a track by them.  We did a Ramones track in the past, and expect more in the future.  We do have a guest vocalist. We did a song with the rapper Slaine.  If you aren't familiar with Slaine, he is one of the best out there in my opinion, so we are really excited to get this out.  The idea came up when we played the Black ‘N Blue Bowl a few years back. Slaine was there and we were pumped to hear he was into our band, because we love his stuff.  He mentioned he wanted to do something together, right there we knew we had to give him something really strong to be on, not the typical sound you would expect.  We gave him a really melodic moody track with a strong metal riff to flow over, I know a lot of people won’t be able to imagine Slaine over a Wisdom track, but listen to it and keep an open mind.  We are very happy with the way it came out.

IE: Second full length in a row with I-Scream Records, how has it been working with them on these last 2?
   
Rich: So far so good, I have had a long relationship with Laurens from I-Scream. Years ago he released an album called "Whatever it Takes" by one of my old bands named Krutch.  We always stayed in touch and we are friends.  Of course we get into some battles now and then, but that’s just the nature of the game. We have to defend what’s ours, and he has to defend what’s his. 

IE: The band made 2 music videos off of the “Everything You Know” album, are there any plans on making more for songs off the new album?
  
Rich: Yea, we did one for a song called "Back to the Ocean", that may have been an odd song to do our first video for, but we felt it was important to do it because it was meant to send respect out to a fallen friend. Musically it may not have represented us that well, but it was a good track and we liked the video.  Then we did a video for a track called "Chasing the Dragon" that song ended up being one of our stronger songs live and it’s a straight up tribute to hardcore.  Our singer Joe wrote it based on one of his first experiences at a hardcore show. The band he saw that night was Sick of it All and he was hooked ever since.  So the title references to Sick of it All and their dragon logo, as well as the reference to being addicted.  That video was shot at a few different locations, no bullshit, just all live scenes.  Footage from Wilkes Barre PA, Baltimore, West Chester PA, and I think Cleveland.  As for videos from the new record, we already released one, the song is called "My Friend" and you can check that out on you tube.  We will definitely make 2 or 3 more from this release.  I think for this kind of music, videos are kind of important again.  We go to some places and the extent to what they know of us started from a video they saw, so it helps.

IE: When it comes down to actually making the videos does I-Scream get involved with the making of it and paying for it or is it all out of your own
pockets?
 
Rich: They don't get involved with the making of it, but there is a certain part of the original advance that goes towards a video budget.

IE: So when the new album comes out how long afterwards until you think you will be hitting the road to support “The Missing Links”?

Rich: Well, we will be ready right away.  We plan on being in Europe in the summer, and there is talk of doing a Reaper Records package US tour as well.

IE: Any tour plans set up as of yet?
  
Rich: Not set up, I think some of the European summer dates may be set, but I am not sure.  We have a few weekend dates to keep us busy and in shape until the tours are locked down.

IE: What are the things that make it hard?

Rich: Traveling makes it hard, sometimes you get these crazy runs where you are
traveling 12 hours a day, and you are looking forward to the days where the drive is only 6 or 7 hours.  Traveling with the same guys everyday can get boring as hell, but we try to keep busy with good debates.

IE: What are the things that make it all worthwhile and say “this is why I am in this band”?
  
Rich: Seeing people excited to hear your music is the main thing of course. You can’t beat that.  People singing along and some of the stories that people tell us about what our songs or band means to them…really incredible stuff.  Of course meeting new people, it’s exciting also to be looking forward to seeing old friends that you really only get to see because of the tour itself..  friends all over the world... And for me, the sound of the guitar coming out of the amp, I love it..

IE: What is the weirdest setting or venue that Wisdom has played up to this point?
  
Rich: Well a few years ago we were on tour in Europe doing some seriously huge
festivals.  We played festivals with bands like  Twisted Sister, Muse, Alice Cooper, crazy big things...Anyway, this one fest was coming up called "The Hardcore BBQ" and we didn't know what to expect. Just figured it would be like these other crazy ass off the hook festivals.  The days before we would Google it, try and get some info about it, but we never saw anything.  Anyway, when we get there, we realized that we were playing a show at a farm house in Germany for a skinheads birthday, and it was him at his parents farm and 30 of his pals.  It was crazy, not what we expected at all, especially after the shows we played before that, but it was very cool in its own way. We were treated really great, made some friends and ate great.

IE: In late 2011 the band did a short California/Mexico tour. I haven’t heard a lot about hardcore bands going down to Mexico to play, how was the experience?
  
Rich: It was cool, it started out with three shows with Blood for Blood, the first in Arizona, the next two in Cali.  We got really lucky, because we never did the West Coast before and our first time there was with Blood for Blood, we really appreciate those guys looking out for us.  So we did those three and as expected… off the hook. Then we did two more shows in Cali on our own, then we went into Mexico for I think 5 shows.  It was cool, we went deep into Mexico too.  The first show was Tijuana, then after that we flew to Mexico City, landed, jumped on a public bus for like 5 hours and played some city, the next two drives where 12 hours each, then at the end we flew to Seattle from Mexico City, played a show on Halloween, then flew home.  I was beat after that tour but it was great.  The West Coast and Mexico was a great experience.  Mexico is no joke, the people down there are roughing it, but they were so kind to us. We really appreciated everything.  Plus we got to see those crazy pyramids, that was dope.

IE: Where does the band write the majority of their songs, while on tour? Or while at home?
  
Rich: At home…we practice in my basement. I live in a secluded spot, so we write stuff here a lot, but for the most part, we don't write anything until we know we are doing a record, then I would say half is written at my house, and half in the studio.

IE: What is the usual process how a song gets made with this band? Do the lyrics come first? Music first and Joe writes lyrics? I saw a video clip with Joe playing a guitar, is Joe also a contributor outside of the lyrics?
  
Rich: Joe writes nearly all the lyrics, I have written a few songs here and there as far as lyrics. As far as music, Joe has written a few on the last record, and I think a few on the two before that. Joe plays guitar and drums. Anyone can contribute to the music. We try to get outside influences so the stuff doesn't all sound the same. It turns out I write the majority of the music, but not all. The music comes first. I may write a song, and even have an idea for a title and a topic, from there Joe does the lyrics. That’s not always the case, but usually the case.

IE: What would you say out of everything full length wise the band has released is the best one?

Rich: I don't know…I go back and forth.  Lately, since we have been writing a new full length I have been listening to the old ones.  As of now I like “Everything You Know” the best, then “Die Young”, then “Class War”. I’m not disappointed in any, but there are a few songs on each that I think are whack.

IE: What are some of the biggest differences you see in hardcore now from the time when you first got into this music?

Rich: Well you probably hear it all the time, but for me it’s the individual. When I first got into hardcore it really attracted a rough crowd. Everyone was ready to go bananas at anytime…know what I mean.  The crowd was rough for the most part, now the crowd has a higher upper middle class influence.  Good kids, just a different mentality and upbringing.

IE: The song “Cap City” off of “Class War” has a very interesting story to it. For those unfamiliar with the song can you give us some insight to what really happened that day/night?

Rich: Yea, Joe wrote that song about an issue we had in Columbus Ohio a few years back.  Cap City is what the locals call Columbus Ohio.  Anyway, we drove all night to get to our friends house, Joey Knuckles who is a great tattooist. When we got there, I was really tired, and although it was freezing and in February, the fellas left me in the van to sleep.  I honestly didn't even know where I was. I was never to Joey’s house before, and I did not even know the van stopped moving.   Anyway, eventually I would wake up in the back of the van. I woke up because the van was driving erratically.  I look over the back seat and see this white trash looking cat driving our van, I was like WHAT!!!  I mean, I honestly did not know how far he went, how long I was sleeping through this, nothing…I just went crazy.  I ran to the front of the van and started beating this guy while he is driving like 80 miles an hour in our van with a trailer attached. He was shocked to see me and he had no idea I was in there.  I wrapped my left arm around the driver’s side head rest and just was feeding him right hooks to his nose, eyes mouth, trying to kill this fool.  He guns it right off the road, through a guard rail and into a tree at full speed.  The air bags deploy and literally shoot me to the back… shit, I nearly got knocked out.  I crawled to the front, looked out the window and see the guy limping off into the woods. I thought my ribs were broke.  I grabbed my cell, called Joe and he answered and I told him what was up.  Turns out I was only a few hundred yards from the house.  The fellas went on a search for this guy with AK's in hand… thank God they didn't find him now  that I look back.  The cops eventually get there and make a joke about it.  The cop actually asked me "So you’re playing Columbus tonight, and then where do you play" I said "Detroit" he said "Oh, well we saved you from getting your van stolen in Detroit then haha".  Jerks.   That’s the story in short.  Joe did a good job with more details in the song.

IE: Wisdom in Chains has a connection to the events of Sept 11 2001. Can you give us a little background of how your day unfolded including Maarten flying over earlier and missing most of the chaos in NYC?
  
Rich: Yea that’s true. Well I was working at NYU in NYC that day.  I was working at West 4th St and Laguardia, a perfect view of the trade center. I actually saw the first plane hit and it was crazy.  It flew right over our site and straight into the first tower.   It was pure mayhem.  Me and a few other guys from the site were making our way down to help after the second plane hit, I really don’t know what we could have done, but we headed that way.  Eventually people started running towards us saying "it’s gonna fall"… and I was thinking no way.  Then it started to crumble…it was nuts.  I got caught in those huge dust clouds you saw on TV. I was thinking I was going to get hit by a car, because I was in the middle of the street when it first hit and I knew no one could see shit.  It was a long night and eventually I made it home.  Early that day our friend from Holland Maarten flew into NYC.  He made it to my house in PA. when he saw on the news what happened.  He flew in, because it was originally Maarten who had the idea to start a side project.  He was in a band called Daredevil at the time and me and Joe where in Krutch.  Maarten originally was going to have Aaron from Death Threat do it, but he couldn't, so me and Joe got involved.  Anyway, it was a totally different band back then, but that’s basically when it was born.

IE: I want to follow up with the proposed “Annunaki Genetics” title that you were kicking around for the possible name of the new CD. Can you tell us more about what Annunaki is?

Rich: Ok, well the Annunaki stuff is hard for people to swallow. I just look at it as an interesting theory.  Basically there are those out there who believe that humans where sort of a genetic creation from extra terrestrials.  Some people say the translation for Annunaki is "those who from heaven came to earth". To make it really short, theories suggest either the Annunaki intentionally created man by splicing whatever available species where on the planet at the time with their own DNA, or that they "defiled" the earth’s women, and the offspring was man today. It’s really interesting to look into at the very least, and the stories get crazier and crazier

IE: When you do a web search for Wisdom in Chains you get led to My Space and Facebook pages for the band. Is a band website somewhat of a priority or not?

Rich: Well it never used to be, but it is now.  Those pages are really important, and we never had a real Facebook page until earlier this year.  There are all these other Wisdom in Chains pages on Facebook that we didn't make, but other people add them and then there is no real info ever offered, so please add this page:

                           WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/WISDOMINCHAINSPAHC

That’s the one that we do and that’s where you can hear the music, and see show dates.  As for My Space…we had a page there, but I don't know if anyone does that anymore, that’s dead right?  Another good page for us is:

                             WWW.STEREOKILLER.COM/WISDOMINCHAINS

IE: What are some of the new bands that are out there that have gotten your attention recently?

Rich: I love this new Trapped Under Ice record, great full length.  And I really feel like bands aren’t interested in trying to make a cool full length anymore, so I really like that.  I always dig Product of Waste from Rhode Island, they will have a new release out on Fast Break Records soon.

IE: Anything else to add before we wrap this up?

Rich: Thank you so much for helping us spread the word, this is how we do it in this scene. This is no RedBull, or Monster Energy Drink backed bullshit.  It’s just us and people like us, so good looking out.