The rye coalition

Thrasher Magazine, Feb, 2003

THE FAIR STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS KNOWN FOR ITS MUSIC... well, kinda. Other than The Boss, most folks don't know shit about the big NJ, and don't care. But with three full-length albums, a grip of singles and splits--not to mention a few million tour miles logged in the back of a decrepit van across this great country of ours--New Jersey's new working-class heroes, The Rye Coalition, are poised to kick some blue-collar ass. This swarthy quintet hailing from the land of bridge-and-tunnel girls (AKA Jersey City) are planning to make the rock world take notice with their abrasive yet often comic assault on the senses by making a noise worthy of their hometown. Drummer Dave Leto, bassist Justin Morey and guitarists Jon Gonnelli and Herb Wiley shoot the skit, smoke a few cigarettes, and discuss the importance of a bad attitude. So head on over to the Miss America Diner, and order up a plate of rock, heavy on the punk attitude, with a side order of guitar distortion. Add an extra scoop of metal camp topped with a cam era-ready sneer, and you're ready for dinner with Rye. It's enough to make Jimmy Page wish he grew up in Hoboken. --Jennifer Bayley

Why are bands like The Strokes--who opened for you once--on MTV and dating Drew Barrymore while you still live at home and deliver pizzas?

Dave Leto: Yeah, they opened for us once. It was The Strokes Rye Coalition, and Hot Snakes. It was a fun show, although I remember having a 103-degree fever. The Strokes are on MTV because they write catchy pop songs that people like, and have smart people with money behind them. As far as Drew goes, she likes to have her flavor of the month. Tom Green, what happened? Delivering pizzas never hurt anyone.

Jon Gonnelli: The Strokes were born rich, we Weren't Drew Barrymore was born rich, we weren't. The rich date the rich; the poor wack off to pictures of the rich in Playboy.

What's with the constant weight fluctuation of the band?

Dave: Weight fluctuation, hmm. Being on tour, having only enough money to eat once a day, and then unloading a van, playing music, and then reloading the van can probably lead to this. Then we get home and gain it back.

Sounds kinda like an Indie rock diet plan.

Jon: I'd say pound for pound we're the strongest band in the country. We come to your town and aurally destroy you, and then we'll take you on the basketball court and cross you over like when Michael Jackson crossed over from black to white.

Justin: We prefer to eat three, if not seven, square meals per day. Why starve yourself?

Herb: I'm not sure if you mean count of members or actual body weight. Body weight fluctuation is due to laziness/overeating or constant moving/under-eating.

Does New Jersey deserve to be considered a musical hot-bed?

Dave: Maybe a warm bed.

Jon: Yes, It's a hot-bed because we live there.

Why?

Dave: Because of Bruce Springstein--s-t-e-i-n--he's this dude that sings songs for a quarter down the block from me.

Herb: Bon Jovi and Skid Row.

Did any of you ever skate?

Dave: Skate? Yeah for like four minutes.

Who were your favorites?

Dave: Brian Boitano, Scott Hamill...

Justin: Easy: Mark Gonzales, Jon Lucero, Natas, The whole Bones Brigade were cool.

Herb: My favorite was Justin Morey.

You guys seem to tour a lot, especially up and down the Eastern Seaboard. What's the best thing about being on the road?

Dave: Playing music with my friends, seeing lots of friends that don't live near me that I never get to see otherwise, the chance that we get to play loud fucking rock music nightly and get paid (not well) for it.

Justin: If you had asked me this question when I didn't have a girlfriend, I would've said: The raven-haired ladies on the road with the sexy feet.

Jon: Getting the opportunity to play live every night makes it worth it. All the nickel-and-dime bullshit in between sucks.

Herb: Having the privilege of playing to different people every night and getting drunk off free drinks.

What is the worst thing about all that time on the road?

Dave: You miss people that are home, you miss where you live and the comforts of not being a nomad, not having money to buy things like food. Setting up and breaking down a drum set night after night sucks, sleeping on hard-ass floors and cats.

Justin: Being away from good Italian food. Being away from family Being away from Jersey City. Having to load and unload my Ampeg SVT rig every night.

Herb: Being away from my homies and eating terrible food.

Jon: Getting paid in actual nickels and dimes.

Looks like the Sopranos aren't Jersey's only Italians looking for a fight. Check out The Rye Coalition on the road this winter at a crappy venue near you. And bring some smokes.