THIS IS HELL have been a role model of a hardworking hardcore band ever since their inception in 2004. They've released a couple of great albums and toured around the world, yet they still don't get the attention they deserve. I spoke with Rick Jimenez (guit./ voc.) about it - and of course about their ass-icking new record "Black Mass". InterviewYou’re currently touring Canada and the US - how is the tour going? are the shows well attended?



Its been inconsistent. We've hit some real rock bottom situations and we've also had some really fun shows. Western Canada for the most part has been kicking ass! The best show so far has been Saskatchewan, Saskatoon which is a complete surprise. Tons of thrashing, circle pitting, stage dives etc.


What kind of venues do you play at (i.e. basement shows, small clubs, large clubs...)?



This tour has been mostly small clubs and halls. Anywhere people have a chance to get siked and thrash around, we'll be there.


Is there a mix of hardcore kids and metalheads coming to the shows or is one group more numerous? Seeing how "Black Mass" is a pretty cool blend of hardcore and metal, I wonder how it's influencing your average crowd...




Fortunately it's been a good mix. The crossover in crowd as a result in the crossover in music is something we hoped would happen and its very gratifying when it does. Seeing kids headbanging and thrashing around as opposed to just the same old choreographed stuff and pseudo tough guy bullshit is so refreshing.



Do you consider yourself to be a hardcore kid or metalhead? Or don't you care at all?




I'm too old to be a kid and to be honest, i have such a hard time relating to much of anything under the hardcore banner these days. I was brought up a metalhead, got siked on underground music through metal, learned to play guitar through metal etc. Even when i got into hardcore, i never stopped being a metalhead, but as time goes by, it just becomes harder and harder for me to be siked on hardcore. That may bum people out but its the truth and I'm way more concerned with the truth as opposed to placating people.



You had a good line about metal chicks in his blog: "Metal chicks should get hotter though and maybe hit the gym a bit" - sums it pretty good and same goes for the guys...



I think the same could be said for a lot of people across the board. It’s not as hard to take care of yourself as people think... just can't be completely lazy. As far as people getting hotter... not really sure what can be done about that.



Prior to your current tour you've been on a headling tour in Europe - how did that one turn out? I remember the show at Hamburg, which was a calm one, at least from the crowd....



That tour overall was rad. FEED THE RHINO were great tourmates and the majority of the shows were a lot of fun with a lot of energy. Not all of them of course, but most. The most important thing for me is at the end of the tour to think "wow that was a good fucking tour" and that’s how i feel about that one. A month with a few lows but lots of highs in both small shows and big festivals.



Which show of the European tour has been the best one?



Lyon France was the best show hands down. So much energy, tons of whiplash inducing headbanging and thrashing and circle pitting etc. Burnout Fest was really awesome too. Tons of kids just going bonkers outside.



You’ll return to the UK and Europe in august, including a stop at Ieper Fest... and after that? Will it be time for a break from touring to recharge your batteries?


We head over for Resurrection and Hevy Fest then a few shows in the UK including Reading and leeds Fest. We had to cancel our spot on Ieper unfortunately. We're way siked on this run of shows though. Afterwards, we're gonna chill for a bit and write and record some music.



How do you handle the huge amount of touring? How do you make sure that you aren't annoyed by your band mates after a while?



I'm not sure yet. Getting annoyed is just a fact of life in a touring band. Handling touring overall... you just have t know what you're getting yourself into. Its not all fun all the time like people think. You give up everything about a regular life, including any chance of financial stability. It’s taxing.



Has the constant touring been the reasons for your latest line-up changes?




It’s always a major factor. Like I said before, we don't make a lot of money and you must sacrifice any sort of regular life. That’s not for everyone. Sometimes it’s not even for me.



Speaking of “Black Mass”: how has it been received by the fans and by the media? Do you think the record got the attention it deserved?



Fans and media that have heard it seem to really love it. On the other hand, i do not think enough people know about it still. I think it is by far our best record but some people are fixated on our first record from 2006 and never paid attention to anything after, and some people are just unaware of its existence.



THIS IS HELL has been active for eight years now - do you think you have the status and reputation you deserve?



Not sure... a lot of people don't realize that we are still a band. We've gotten "its cool that you're touring again" a few times this tour and its like "hey asshole, just because you only pay attention to the hyped bands and the internet approved cool guys doesn’t mean everything off your radar ceased to exist" The cool guy factor runs rampant and that changes peoples perspective of bands and their "reputation" and such.



When looking back, would you like to change some decisions you've made?



Eh, maybe a few but nothing overly major. I wish I would have edited myself a little more musically on “Misfortunes” because the songs are a bit too long when I listen back now. Aside from that... I don't know. We have always made decisions based on what we want to do.



What are your plans for the rest of the year?


Touring and writing. Always those two things.


What does your family think of your lifestyle?



They appreciate that I do what I want and really go for it. They’d all love it if I settled down a bit and had a family and a stable life, but only when I want that ya know? They know that I would never be happy if I didn't do everything on my own terms.


Can you make a living off the band? Or do you have to work in-between tours?



Not really but I try and find ways of making it work. I don’t have a steady home job but I pick up some work here and there doing this that and the other thing when I can. I’m not exactly qualified in many regular life things.


Last words, greetings, shout-outs?


Don't roll your shoulders back when you do shrugs. It’s unsafe, incorrect and you'll not just look, but feel like an asshole.