Inhabiting the land where hardcore and metal coexist, Baltimore ’s Pulling Teeth attack with sheer brute force and instil real, honest anger back into a commercially sanitized genre. The five Americans, veterans, all of them, of the Maryland hardcore scene, artfully deep their high-octane blasts into gloomy, apocalyptic heaviosity while ranting caustically about social issues. Think Integrity plus Ringworm plus Ruination and you only begin to wrap your brain around what Pulling Teeth have been unleashing since 2006. Early this year the quintet released its debut full-length entitled “Martyr Immortal” on Deathwish/A389 Records. The following interview was conducted via email with Pulling Teeth’s guitarist, Dom, who is also the man behind A389 Records.
- Pulling teeth with or without anesthesia?
+ Definitely with anesthesia. Having all my wisdom teeth pulled out was actually a lot of fun with the gas turned up. I'm totally being serious. It was Bon Jovi's dentist in New Jersey. True story.
- If Pulling Teeth were an animal, what kind of animal would it be?
+ A wolf that prowls through weeds. It would only be appropriate.
- What is it that has made Pulling Teeth what it is music-wise?
+ Decent instruments and a really skinny vocalist that enjoys pointing out everyone's driving errors from his seat which is situated in the furthest corner of the van.
- What does Pulling Teeth usually sing about?
+ Living in the streets in a dangerous time.
- Where does Pulling Teeth stand more, on the hardcore or on the metal side of things?
+ Neither. You'll find all of us wherever The Ergs are at. Seriously.
- If you were given the chance to literally pull someone's teeth, whose denture would you attack?
+ I dunno, maybe Bea Arthur? Personally I'd like to see the Golden Girls make a comeback. That could get the message across in an urgent yet clear/concise manner.
- When it comes to the imagery and the graphics that accompany the Pulling Teeth releases, there seems to be coherence and an immediately recognizable distinctiveness. Who is responsible for these designs? Is there a special concept behind them?
+ Jeff Beckman of Sinkin Ink Tattoos drew both album covers. He is also well known for his roles in such great bands as Haymaker, Left For Dead and Chokehold. Amazing artist, never disappoints.
- How come you didn't release "Martyr Immortal" on your own A389 label?
+ Buy the LP, look at the back, and wish that you didn't ask such a foolish question.
- How is it working with labels such as Deathwish and Chainsaw Safety?
+ Both are great labels run by great people. No complaints whatsoever. Tre McCarthy and Will Tarrant can do no wrong.
- Would you like to get signed to a bigger multinational corporation?
+ I'm sure it's right around the corner.
- Would you like to see your music being shared for free online?
+ Already happens. Who cares.
- You would be happy if that one person loved your music. Who would that person be?
+ James Brolin. Holly Golightly would rule. Rudolph Schenker from the Scorpions? I dunno. Bea Arthur? Valerie Simpson from Ashford & Simpson maybe? I'm gonna stick with Brolin circa 1979.
- What do you listen to these days?
Today I listened to Bastard, The Ergs, Hank Williams and the Elvis Presley Christmas album.
- Do you still listen to Metallica?
+
Everything up to and including '...And Justice For All' still rages. I just pretend
that they ceased to exist after that record.
- Future Plans?
+ North American/Japan tour in the spring. Europe in the summer/fall. Insanity year round.
- What about A389. Why did you start this label?
+ To help out friends' bands, release records by bands that I liked, as well as my own bands.
- Is there a special symbolism behind the name A389?
+Yes but it's a secret reserved for those who have had the privilege of being evicted from their home in the city of Baltimore.
- What are the requirements for a band to be on A389?
+ Be an awesome band consisting of awesome people. Easier said than done.
- Is it difficult to release vinyl these days?
+ Not at all. There are some great plants all over the place. I especially like Musicol based in Ohio. Warren is a great guy and he runs a great operation. Presses all records individually by hand! We visited him on our last tour and he let us press records, it was wild. He's got this cat named Butterball...
-"Vinyl may be last nail in CD's coffin", some say. Do you see this happening anytime soon?
+ Sure thing. CDs will become obsolete before you know it.
- Future plans for A389?
+ Gehenna LP is up next. Pulling Teeth 'Witches Sabbath #02' 7inch, Ringworm and Integrity records... tons of cool stuff. I think I'm going to team up with Collapse Recs to make sure that Tombstone 7inch gets released. It was an awesome record by a shortlived band.
- Is there a band that's not on the A389 roster and that you'd love to work with?
+ The Scorpions.
- Last comments?
+ Stay in school/have a safe summer.
Links: Pulling Teeth, Deathwish Records, A389 Records, Chainsaw Safety