TRAPPED UNDER ICE INTERVIEW

One of our favorite new bands of 2007, their demo definitely kicked our asses. Here's an interview with their singer, Justice. -Interview by Hugo

What's up Justice? How's life right now?

life is crazy! the responsibilities of everyday life, on top of writting a new record, playing out enough to keep our face familiar, and trying to keep a social life. crazy!

When did you start listening to punk-hardcore? How did it affect your life?

when i was about 11 or 12. at first it was cool, but not consuming. it seems like every year it ruins my life more and more. at first it was my mom like "i don't like those curse words in that song." next it was my grades slipping, falling asleep in school because i was out at a show or doing other weird hardcore kid things at all hours of the night. she was really pissed when i got my front teeth kicked out at a show. by this point i've lost sight of all the important responsibilities in my life such as work and relationships, because all i can think about is music. somehow, i still love it and cannot get enough.

When did TUI get together? Did you guys know each other for a long time? Have you guys ever played in any other bands before?

we started writing music very early 2007. 3 of us played in a straight edge band called nickxfury prior to trapped under ice.

What is the band all about? What are the band's main inspirations?

i can't say that there is any major issues we all feel passionately about. for the most part our lyrics are about real things that i feel, and that the other guys in the band can relate to. i've said before that our lyrics probably won't change anyone's life for the better, but atleast they are real.

Some people are comparing the TUI sound to Crown of Thornz. How do you feel about that? Best COT album and why? Your thoughts on Mike Dijan?

i mean, we're all fans of crown of thornz. mike dijan is one of my favorite guitar players. i have a fantasy band in my head that consists of mike dijan and dom romeo from pulling teeth, also other random people i know.

Do you write the lyrics? What are your main inspirations when it comes to writing lyrics?

i do, very randomly someone in the band will critique what i write, and suggest something. i think that's cool. what inspires me is reality - terrible things.

Who does the artwork for you guys?

thus far it has been our guitar player, sam. he works for a design company called mission and is very talented. unfortunately, they keep him busy enough to where he can't do as much for us as he wants

How did you guys get on Reaper Records? What are you planning to release?

patrick kitzel heard us through some friends and got in touch. we're releasing a 7" called "stay cold" most likely in febuary


What are your touring plans? Would you like to play in Canada at some point?

we want to play everywhere. we're going to the midwest in febuary with reign supreme and dead and buried, and then coming back with steel nation. then, we're looking at doing a decent amount of the u.s. and some canada dates with trash talk. this summer we're going to europe with lion of judah and dirty money from london. as for now, we're playing a lot of weekends until the record comes out.

How's the Baltimore scene doing right now? Favorite local bands? Your thoughts on Stout?

i love baltimore's hardcore scene. i feel like baltimore covers a lot of styles of hardcore. my favorite current local bands would be pulling teeth, surroundings, harsh truth, and warpriest. there is a few new bands in the works that should be making their debuts in 2008. i love stout. they are the heaviest.

Best "Ride the Lightning" song and why? Does the name of the band comes from the song?

i'm really not all to familiar with ride the lightning. i like "and justice for all" a lot more. we didn't directly name the band after the song, but i wouldn't be suprised if someone in the band got the idea from the song without realizing it. there is some definite metallica fans in my band.

80's or 90's NYHC? Why?

90's i wasn't old enough to know what was going on in the 80's. the late 90's is when i had my first exposure to hardcore and i love the feeling it gave me then.

Favorite HC bands right now?

new lows, mind piece, monogoloids, pulling teeth, colin of arabia, forfeit and steel nation

Any last words, shout-outs, whatever?

patrick kitzel, reaper records, and baltimore city hardcore