X315X: Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis): Smash or Be Smashed
Summary
Host Jeremy Bohm interviews Carl Bechner of Earth Crisis in a special episode dedicated to the band's Syracuse, NY area code. They discuss Carl’s early musical influences, including opera and metal, and how he discovered straight edge through the band's Ozzfest 96 appearance. The conversation covers the formation of Earth Crisis, their first recording experiences, and the challenges of early tours, including financial struggles and the importance of the DIY ethic. Carl also reflects on the band's unique songwriting process, their first European tour, and the evolution of the vegan straight …
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Hardwork Coffee and Iodine Records
Host intro and the story of booking Episode 315
Shoutouts, Patreon bonus, and Earth Crisis tour dates
Host's entry into straight edge via Ozzfest and Sepultura
Early connections with metal bands and the Age of Quarrel
Carl's musical upbringing and early influences
First guitar purchase and listening habits on tour
First concert experience and punk scene atmosphere
Skating culture and life in Syracuse in the 80s
First bass and the decision to focus on music
Forming Earth Crisis and recording the All at War 7-inch
Sponsors: Evil Greed and Devil Dog Distro
First live shows and the DIY scene dynamics
Anger at straight edge sellouts and early recording
Recording process and comparing early albums
Vinyl collecting and the Firestorm era
Unique drum beats and early touring struggles
Surviving the low point: stealing and rough times
Sponsors: Holy Mountain Printing and Wantah Hear It
Supporting bigger bands and the Sepultura prank call
DIY ethics, Freya, and representing the scene properly
First European tours and the difficulty of vegan touring
Geographic advantages and songwriting process
Late 90s albums and the story of 'To the Death'
Closing thoughts on hardcore, friendship, and legacy
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