Photo by Alterna2
Down For Life
One of New York’s finest BIOHAZARD return to the world spotlight celebrating a 20 year legacy of fusing punk, hardcore metal and hip hop. Guitarist BOBBY HAMBEL talks to Miss B.
Sitting in his Brooklyn apartment Hambel exudes excitement, gratitude and humility speaking of the band’s 20th anniversary. “I still can’t believe it’s happening,” he tells. “I feel like someone’s gonna fucking play a trick on me and say, ‘Ha I fooled you!’” he laughs adding, “It is very emotional and spiritual. It brings a lot to your mind, a lot of people that we came up with passed away and we’re fortunate enough to be here. Considering what we’ve been through we’re pretty lucky guys.”
The band was founded in 1987 by Hambel and bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld. Billy Graziadei joined on guitar/vocals soon after and they released their first demo. “We were a struggling band in a different way to what bands are struggling today,” Hambel explains, “The internet wasn’t really there. The record industry was pigeonholing bands into different categories. It was hard to breakthrough and do something different. Our strength relied in a very strong underground that seems to be weakening at the moment because everything is at everyone’s fingertips.” While reluctant to call themselves a hardcore band the group shared the stage with everyone from the Cro Mags to Agnostic Front to Sick Of It All.
Relentless touring ensued, another demo and a self-titled full length. In 1992 the band released breakthrough record, Urban Disciple which sold over one millioncopies. Sophomore album State Of The World Address and first for a major (Warner Bros) also sold over one million copies helping cement the band’s place as heavy music royalty. It was Hambal’s last album with Biohazard. “When we had our differences and split ways I personally went through my own struggles,” says Hambal, “The band went on to struggle too and they continued to make records without me. It was painful for both of us…”
After Biohazard Hambal played in various musical projects then “life got in the way” and he worked in construction to get by. Meanwhile Biohazard continued enjoying much success. Over the years members branched out working on various other projects. “Spyders is Evan’s band, Billy is in Suicide City and (drummer) Danny (Schuler) is in Bloodclot,” informs Hambal. Grazadei also operates a recording studio and Seinfeld made his foray into acting on US TV series Oz and married porn star Tera Patrick also becoming her manager.
In January of this year Biohazard announced the band’s anniversary tour. “We’re pretty lucky to get back in a room together and play again,” says an elated Hambal, “We hadn’t been in the same room in over a decade. We decided to meet in a rehearsal studio, plug in and play – that’s what we did. Within the first few minutes of the first song we were just an old band again.”
Hambal is hopeful the world will see a new Biohazard album commenting, “It feels right it feels like something we should do.”
0 Responses to “Biohazard”