Mindforce

Mindforce is definitely one of the stand out bands in the hardcore scene the last years. Their recent 12” EP (which will be around 1 year old the time you are reading this) ‘Swingin’ swords, choppin’ lords’ is without doubt one of the best hardcore records of 2020, breathing a fresh air by adjusting in the perfect way crossover-ish / early Metallica vibes. I got in touch via e-mail with their singer Jay, who is involved in tons of others hardcore bands nowadays (Pillars Of Ivory, Out For Justice, Colossus, to name a few) and also delivers amazing hip hop with Yachtclubbaz (tape available through our label!), and talked briefly about Mindforce, the new NYHC scene and his obsession for Polo streetwear. Enjoy and listen to Mindforce!

Pictures found in the web (by Vicky Carrature, Spencer Chamberlain & Angela Owens).

Hey Jay! How’s life / pandemic treating you?

Spending lots of time with family, making music.... but not playing shows obviously.

So for Mindforce it all started in 2016? What was the driving force behind creating a band playing this specific style of hardcore? Did you all play in other bands before Mindforce?

We wanted to start a band that had a NYHC / crossover sound. We were in a band called Living Laser before Mindforce.

There was a dormant period of NYHC in the early 00s but it seems that the last decade more and more great bands come from the area, regenerating the scene! What was the crucial point for this renaissance?

I think the key to New York popping right now is because of all the friends that support each other from Long Island, Brooklyn and the rest of The City, and the Hudson Valley. All those

scenes support each other and come together as one when shows were happening.

You come from Hudson Valley, Upstate New York. Is there a different scene there? Any standout bands our readers should check?

Yea, we are our own scene alongside scenes in New York and Long Island. Age of Apocalypse is my favorite band in the HV right now.

2020 was a super productive year for you, releasing the ‘Swingin’ swords…’ 12” in February, and the single ‘Reign of Terror’ in late October. The feedback you get is overwhelming. How do you feel about this?

Very thankful and appreciative. Cannot wait to play these songs live one day.

The Mindforce sound is definitely distinct, with the sharp edge early Metallica – influenced guitars, the super tight rhythm section and your way of singing that brings in mind Leeway I may say. I know it’s a super typical question but what are your main influences?

As a band were mostly influenced by NYHC, thrash, death metal, metal... Leeway, Cro-

Mags, Slayer, Death, Bolt Thrower, Icemen, All Out War, Merauder, etc.

It seems that metal has totally dominated hardcore, haha! What do you think about this? What’s your favorite era of metal? Any guilty pleasures when it comes to metal bands / records?

I love 90s death metal. No guilty pleasures, just pleasures... I love Ozzy and Van Halen!

Besides hardcore and metal, you love hip hop! You and Nick of Mindforce have a project called Yachtclubbaz. Give us some info about this! What’s the connection between the subcultures and what’s the best hip hop release of 2020 in your opinion?

Hardcore and hip hop have always been connected through graffiti, especially in New York. YC came about as both Nick and I love hip hop and became very influenced in the current underground renaissance in rap. I was making beats for my group Pillars Of Ivory and wanted to do more with Nick.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that you are a big Polo Ralph Lauren fan. Polo lovers has been a thing in the graffiti / hardcore / hip

hop circles for years. There was crews and gangs stealing Polo stuff from stores, too. How do you explain such a strong following of our community to a street brand so expensive and with origins that are not that related to our culture?

Copping second hand Lo and heisting Polo from stores is a subculture that comes from the streets and so do hardcore and hip hop, only makes sense they all collide. I came up in the Hudson Valley with guys who wrote graffiti and stole Polo and Tommy and stage dove at hardcore shows. We admired the writers and bands in the city.

Back to hardcore! You have collaborated with half a dozen of hardcore labels, varying from Streets Of Hate to Trip Machine Laboratories, but you have established a great collaboration with Triple B Records since the release of ‘Excalibur’ in 2018. How did this happen? Do you aim to move to an even bigger label? All big metal labels keep an eye on hardcore the last years!

Sam just asked us if we wanted to work together! No, we don’t have any aspirations to be with another label at all - BBB is our home.

Some scenesters from my side of the world think that hardcore is very US oriented and the US bands (especially the Triple B roster) get all the hype nowadays? What do you think about this? Do you follow any other scenes besides the USHC?

I check out bands from all over the world! As far as HC being US band oriented - I watch a lot of soccer, the English Premier League specifically... even though I wish there were more US players I understand why the leagues are European centric. That’s where that sport is from and has thrived. It’s the same with HC and the US.

Thank you very much Jay! Looking forward to mosh on Mindforce as soon as all this craziness ends!

Thank you very much for the interview!