A Dirty Dozen with CHRIS TOWNING from SUFFOCATE FASTER – October 2023

According to a recent press release: “Today straightedge hardcore band Suffocate Faster returns with a new single and a new EP announcement. “Time Flies” is the first peek of the second collection of tracks in the band’s two-part EP release, This Is The Way Vol. 2 coming out on November 17, 2023 via Smartpunk Records. The band continues to please heavy music fans with their fast-paced, no-fluff tracks that bring nonstop energy from beginning to end. This one in particular carries a meaningful, hopeful message for themselves and listeners alike. Suffocate Faster was formed in the fall of 2001 while attempting to stray from the over-exposed trends that plagued Cincinnati, Ohio’s music scene. Inspired by the confluence of metal and hardcore perpetrated by the likes of Hatebreed and Earth Crisis, Suffocate Faster sought to create music far more aggressive than what was being heard on radio and television. The band hit the studio and the road until 2007 with pride in the straight-edge lifestyle and positive message to share. The current lineup consisting of Chris Alsip, Lance Hudson, and Corey Williams was brought together by Towning’s unifying goal.” We get Chris to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Honestly, we keep it very straight forward. Hardcore has always been pretty directional and surface level. Serious issues and topics will have very concise lyrics and responses.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I don’t know it was an actual moment or realization. I was young, about 14, so I’m sure I wasn’t self-aware enough to make that kind of decision. I really just wanted to play music with my friends and if I didn’t pick up the bass there wasn’t gonna be space for me. Luckily I had my family, specifically my uncle, who has been playing guitar for many years to guide me to using the right equipment and the encouragement to pursue music. My parents have always been silently supportive of my choice to be a musician which more or less started in 2005 when I could actually tour full time. So there wasn’t a moment as much as a series of events that lead to me choosing to play music when I finished college.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Mostly nu-metal in the 90s and other heavy metal bands made me want to create heavy and emotional music. It wasn’t til I found hardcore which had even more of a message which really grabbed my attention and pushed me.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Clint Lowery of Sevendust, I love his voice and style. Since a young age I’ve been inspired by him.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I love catching up on the latest movies, I love going to the movie theater.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I just say its aggressive punk or metal or hardcore. Most people have no idea what I mean when I say it. They usually just say, “like Metallica?” and I usually just reply with “yes.” Its pretty silly really but I’m sure this happens to everyone no matter what kind of music they play.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Lance is gonna drink a ton of coffee, I can guarantee that. I’d also say he’s the most likely to pick up an acoustic. None of us drink, so our vices are mostly food and hanging together while doing so.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Oddly enough I met Fred Durst a couple months ago. I didn’t expect to trip over my words, but I certainly did. I’ve spoken to artists equally as famous but it was very subconscious, I just couldn’t talk right. LOL

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Friendships and relationships developed over the years that you can pick up right where you left off. Doesn’t matter how long its been, you can expect a hug and a great conversation.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I just love talking, so there’s not really anything I wish they’d ask. Conversely, I’m not really tired of answering anything. I just love people and human interaction, when its good of course.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’m in the best place I’ve been in quite some time, I wouldn’t change a thing.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’m genuinely more interested in seeing some of the writing sessions of some of my favorite songs. Who wrote them, who fixed them, was it all in one try? Did it get so produced its nothing like the demos? That’s what really interests me.

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Category: Interviews