Lion of Judah where does that name originate from?

Gene and I had been joking around about doing a band for a while; he was still in Desperate Measures so it really wasn’t something that we could actually do. I came up with the name Lion Of Judah then. During or joking around phase we would make stupid t-shirt designs and come up with song titles etc for the band. When DM broke up I guess we saw it as our chance to do the new band we had been talking about. At the time Gene and myself were the only real members. We decided to ask long time baby and ankle bitter Ahron to play guitar, as he had been showing Gene some songs he had been working on for another band. We then got Minny Stigma of Desperate Measures fame on bass, and asked our friend Brad of Worn Thin if he’d like to play additional guitar. We had been practicing for a while and had no real name for the band yet. We had some shows lined up and had still had no name. The flier for our second show has us listed as Soul Power, that’s where the name for the 7” came from, and was a miscommunication with our friend that did the show. We were discussing names for bands at practice and I had mentioned that I had always thought the band was going to be called Lion of Judah, and Brad really got behind that name. From then on out we were Lion of Judah. The name allows for some pretty cool imagery, and I am really into reggae and SOME of the ideals behind their movement. I guess that was a brief history of the name and how the band was formed.

Tell us a bit about histories and how the band formed, age of members etc?

The current line up of the band is me, James, on vocals, Brad on guitar, Ahron on guitar, Ian on bass, and Gene on drums. Brad is 26, Gene and I are both 25, Ahron is 21, and Ian is a baby at 20. We are a relatively old band, which seems to be a trend in this era of hardcore. There don’t seem to be a lot of bands being started by younger kids. I guess this means that us old dudes are sticking around longer, but I love it when I get to see a band full of younger kids.

Tell us about Youngblood records and how that became the best partner to see Universal Peace out?

Sean is one of our close friends and offered without even hearing the band to do our record; this was before we had even practiced. I guess Sean really put a lot of faith and trust in us, and we are really grateful for that. We really wanted the release to be an LP so we decided to do a 7”, Soul Power, on Lockin Out records first. Originally the Soul Power 7” was going to be a split with Iron Age, but they wanted to focus on their lp, which I’m glad they did as it is amazing. I am really happy with how both releases came out, and they are both labels I stand behind one hundred percent. I couldn’t really imagine on being on a label aside from Youngblood, they in my eyes are one of the best record labels doing punk and hardcore in the US. I am also really excited that our lp came out in Europe on Powered Records, there releases look awesome and they put out great records.

What are some of themes covered on Universal peace? Univs all+ peace, Muti-Luv, ZAPP?

Uni VS. All = Peace is about how all human life holds the same value. We’re all the same, we are all equal we may look different, but when it comes down to it we’re all humans. The song is an anti-racism/unity song. Muti-Luv talks about how we’re told to rely on the future and that we should look forward the afterlife. If we put our trust in God everything will be ok. Well, I look outside and I see horrible things. It’s about realizing that not relying on the after life as your saving grace. We can’t just let the world spiral out of control and say it’s God’s will or that things will be better in the afterlife. We live in a society that is extremely visually based. People are expected to be a certain height, a certain weight, look a certain way, to be deemed a beautiful person. Zapp is about questioning these ideals. People spend so much time and money on achieving the “look” instead of living their lives. What’s wrong with being proud of how you look or who you are?

When I said that we are all human it isn't really a fair statement. I am coming from a place of privilege when I say that (white, male, living in North America). In reality we aren't all equal, and that is the problem I truly wanted to address in the song. Even though we should all be equals we aren't and it isn't fair of me to discount the struggles of anyone by saying "we are all humans".

Someday I'll tell my daughter, that we all can walk on water?

That ties into all people being equal. We’re taught to think its special that Jesus walked on water, and that he is beyond normal human reach. That line is just saying that we are all special and we can all do amazing things.

DC hardcore: your favorites and or influences? Do you have a sound you feel is uniquely DC?

I don’t feel that our sound is uniquely DC, we draw influence from all over the place. We definitely love DC hardcore/punk and love to incorporate its influence in our music, but I’d never say we have a DC sound. Some of my favorite DC bands would be: Bad Brains, Ignition, Soul Side, Scream, Trouble Funk, Chuck Brown, Void, EU, Dag Nasty, 86 Mentality, Obsessed, Pentagram, Swiz and tons of others.

How do you feel when compared or even mentioned with the likes of Swiz and the Bad Brains?

I feel that it is an honor, but I don’t feel that any band can ever live up to either of those two. The Bad Brains are the greatest band of all time that no band will ever live up to them. I’d like to take this time to point out that the Bad Brains never released a bad album.

Do you realize that part in Mousetrapped is like an Animal House chant for a new fraternity of the hardcore?

HAHAHA! Maybe we should be collecting dues for this new frat. In our follow up dialogue over the phone James went on to tell me how hard getting the gang vocals on this very original chant/crew vocals were and how they kept laughing.

What do you claim the swirling guitars influence is from?

I don’t know. I can barely play a power chord.

You guys have great creative musically and in your art and merch, whoever did it, and you website sucks ass, whats up?

We’re not really an internet type of band. I think are website is as good as you could expect from us. Our friend Brian Murphy does it for us and I think it gets the job done, if it wasn’t for there would be no LOJ site. I am happy with what he does and he doesn’t have much to work with. The designs for records and merch are the ideas of whoever is in the band and we usually have a friend draw it up for us. For the lp though, I told the dude to do whatever he wanted, and I think it looks beyond amazing I couldn’t ask for anything better.

I followed with James on the phone about this question after defending C-RAP.com and making sure the only reason he knows we are internet only is just cuz, and we are not Internet hardcore people either, that developd In our 30's… point being…. I asked him, "What kind of a band are you?" James said very firmly, "We're a band!"

Dance or Mosh?

I’m not to into like tough guy moshing where you are like hurting people and stuff. Like I understand getting caught up in the music and wanting to express it through dance, but I’m really not into it when the aim is to hurt others. It definitely makes a show a lot better when everyone, the band and the crowd, are getting involved. I am pro dancing and pro moshing, I think I’m just pro audience participation, but not at the expense of others safety.

Did you ever get to play CBs?

Yeah, we played there with 86 Mentality. It was a good show despite all the bands dropping off the show. I have a picture of me using the bathroom there, number two style. I like to live dangerously and wanted to document it.

Something great or whack you have witnessed since Universal Peace has gained some recognition and you have been on the road?

I’ve seen a lot of things, it’s hard to really pin point one specific cool or crazy thing. I feel lame like I should have some cool story to tell right now.

Where and when are the shows? To support this peace?

All over the world. Expect to see us in a town near you, no matter where you live. Right now we are working on plans to tour the US around the Sound and Fury festival in California, after that who knows.

Favorite Pizza?

I love pizza. It’s so good. Personal favorite I love jumbo slice in Adam’s Morgan DC, the real one not the phony one a few blocks away. This pizza is like one slice that is the size of four normal slices.

Last great 7inch EP you bought?

I got the Ability demo which I really like. I bought some punker 7”s off my friend that are pretty good. The new Iron Age 7” is good, I just wish they had included the “ministry” song. I know it’s not an ep, but I absolutely love the new Justice LP. I have heard some demo tracks for the new Cold World stuff, and I think it is gonna turn some heads. I’m also really wanting to hear the new Blacklisted I’ve heard a lot of great things. Last night I saw the Red Don’s with the Clorox Girls and I thought they were awesome.

 Up and coming bands from the DC Area?

I’m sure you know most of the established bands. I think you should check out Party Line, Coke Bust, Surroundings, Sick Fix, Trapped Under Ice, and I’m sure a ton other I can’t recall.

Local Record Stores?

 Crooked Beat, Smash, Reptilian, or your local flea market (my personal favorite).

All Ages Venues vs. bar Shows

All Ages hands down. I hate bar shows. I hate the idea that someone isn’t old enough to enjoy live music. Plus at bar shows you always have some creepy dude hassling you, and they just have a crappy vibe. Give me a show in some kids garage any day and I’ll be more than happy.

Where are the All Ages Venues in DC?

Warehouse Next Door, Café Alfishway, CCAS, Black Cat.

Feelings on Messageboard Hype bands

I’m into good bands regardless of who else is. Anyone that bases their opinions on those of others truly has no opinion. If a band is good and everyone likes them that is awesome.

Do you feel Youth Crew HC is beginning to be played out (Even More?)

I hope not. I am working on a Youth Crew project with Spoiler of Justice as we speak.

Is Punk Hardcore? (YES! Charlie)

Um, I’d say Hardcore is Punk, or should be, but I think that is something that is really questionable now. I don’t think a lot of punk is punk or that a lot of hardcore is. I think Punk is more of an ideal than a sound, and that seems to be forgotten a lot.

When I first got into punk and then hardcore I really had no clue there was a difference. To me it was just music that I could truly enjoy and seemed to have something kind of cool to say. I got into a lot of British punk bands first: Buzzcocks, the Adverts, UK Subs, Sham 69, Sex Pistols, X Ray Spex, etc. Then I got into bands like the Misfits, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Cro Mags, and Reagan Youth. To me these bands were all the same. I think it's a shame that most hardcore isn't really seen as punk, but I guess if you'd ask my Dad it's still all the same.

Thoughts on the NWOATM (New Wave of American Thrash Metal) Scene?

What?

Favorite Zines? Do you guys read a lot?

I am really guilty of getting zines at shows and somehow destroying them before I get a chance to read them. I’ve always wanted to do a zine and I really really respect anyone that does one. I read some, but definitely not as much as I used to. Final Word fanzine is awesome though, Pauly Edge is the best.

T Rex or Bowie?

T Rex, he’s named after a bad ass dino. I’m real into dinosaurs. Bowie definitely has some hits, but he kinda seems like a poser to me, but my opinion probably doesn’t mean a whole lot.

http://www.howsyouredge.com/loj

 http://www.myspace.com/lionofjudahhc