UN: So I'm sure everyone now knows about your altercation with Danzig. I'm not sure if it's a good place to start, but I think it's a funny thing to see how far someone who started in the hardcore scene has strayed from what he once stood for. He was probably just pissed off that his music now sucks, and no one gives a shit about him anymore. How exactly did you guys get on the same bill as Danzig anyway?

Danny: We have played in Tuba City a few times with Soulfly and became friendly with the promoter. We figured it would be a fun show. The kids up there go crazy, and it's fun to play for different crowds. I grew up with his music so I was real excited to play, and would never thought it would end up the way it did. I don't know what he was thinking when he threw me back. Did he expect me to have a jock shoving match or did he expect me to start yelling for it to be broke up?? He should know being from NJ - you lay your hands on someone, you better expect to get hit. I got a good lucky jab that shut him down. if I didn't, I am not so sure I would have been able to go the distance with him. But I was real fucking mad, and I forgot to take my blood pressure medicine that morning....

UN: You guys have been on Thorp for three albums now. Do you guys feel like Thorp is the perfect home for North Side Kings? It seems to me that they bust their ass to promote not just NSK, but every band on the label. They are one of the few labels that don't pay attention to trends within hardcore.

Danny: Thorp is the best label out there. It's like what Victory records was in 1996. Andy King loves music, and a bit of his heart is involved in every record the label releases. He gave us a chance when no one knew us- Organizing Our Neighborhood is our fourth release with him. He is a good friend of mine.

UN: "Organizing Our Neighborhood" to my ears is a much heavier record then your previous two. Would you guys say that you set out to make a more pissed off record this time around? Or did it just happen to turn out this way?

Danny: This is definitely a more pissed off record. For the most part I got it all out of my system. I write the best when I am angry. To me, playing in a hardcore band is a good outlet so I don't fly off the handle. Danzig should go back to his roots!!! (Ha Ha)

UN: Do you think that the street punk elements of your previous albums will resurface in the future? The new album like I mentioned was much heavier. Is this how the sound will continue in the future? I'm definitely a fan of the new direction, the heavier the better I say.

Danny: This is how it just came out. I have been listening to a lot of heavier stuff like Terror and old Bulldoze. I am happy you like the new stuff!

UN: Covers have always been a big part of NSK. How do you guys decide which songs you are going to cover? It was cool to hear you guys cover Social Distortion on the new album. Can't wait to hear the Sheer Terror cover. Was it recorded for a tribute?

Danny: Luke picked out the Social Distortion song and me the Sheer Terror. We left the Sheer Terror song off the CD in case we release a vinyl version to have something a little extra on it. But- if someone puts together a Sheer Terror tribute record let us know- cause we are down!

UN: It's pretty much been done to death, but have you guys ever put thought into bringing out a covers album? I think with NSK it would be an album that actually has some meaning and not just a band making a throw away album due to having no original material.

Danny: Actually on the way to Tuba City I spoke to Onno Cromag from I Scream records in Europe about doing a cover record. I love playing covers, and NSK can play a shitload. If we did- it would just be a collection of songs that influenced us to the band we are. Good times....

UN: The artwork on the new album is some of the best stuff I've seen in quite sometime. I read it was done by a tattoo artist. Who did the cover? Any of you guys in the band plan on getting the cover tattooed?

Danny:It was done by Aaron Coleman who ownes Immaculate tattoo in Mesa AZ. Really cool guy. He did a few pieces on me and our guitar player Luke. I told him- think old Murphy's Law, and he came up with our cover. He is the best tattoo artist in AZ. Check out his site: www.immaculatetattoo.com I think he has a picture of my bulldog Rambo he did on my leg last year on the site.

UN: Did you feel like included the bonus video footage adds extra incentive for people to pick up the cd as opposed to downloading it? I'm definitely against the whole downloading thing and it certainly must hit smaller bands harder then bigger bands.

Danny: Sort of- but it's nice to get something extra for your money. We are working on a DVD right now. We have hours of footage. The video on the CD is more or less for fun.

UN: You guys have been together over five years now. In hardcore bands seem to come and go, but NSK seem to be surviving without any drama whatsoever. Do you see the band continuing for a long time yet?

Danny: Oh theres drama. We have been through more drummers than Spinal Tap. So much drama that our bass player Richie moved to drums, and we got this guy Tommy Quiet on bass. We had a member switch instruments all together. That's some funny shit.

UN: I was a bit surprised to read that you guys didn't have many shows planned right now. Are you guys hoping to set up any tours for the summer to help push the new record?

Danny: Towards the end of the summer we will hit up some road shows in CA, NV, maybe Texas. Who knows... but as a band I think we are defiantly starting to really take shape. We will do odd shows here and there for a while. Maybe we can go out with the Misfits.... HAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

North Side Kings Website