Things seem to be going good for Ante Up in 2012. After couple of years of hiatus, the band got their shit together, started playing shows and released 3 song demo called ‘Prelude To Hell’ which sets the bar high when it comes to that heavy, streetwise Detroit hardcore. The new full length ‘See You In Hell’ is planned to drop this year, and judging by the three songs already available, it’s gonna be hell of a record. Here’s an interview with Matt C who handles guitar duties for the band.
Things seem to be going good for Ante Up in 2012. After couple of years of hiatus, the band got their shit together, started playing shows and released 3 song demo called ‘Prelude To Hell’ which sets the bar high when it comes to that heavy, streetwise Detroit hardcore. The new full length ‘See You In Hell’ is planned to drop this year, and judging by the three songs already available, it’s gonna be hell of a record. Here’s an interview with Matt C who handles guitar duties for the band.Can you give us some back ground on Ante Up for those out there who are not familiar with the band?
We started the band in like 2004 and finally had a lineup to play shows in 2005. We played for a few years and finally called it quits. We did a few reunion shows for our friends and what not through out the off time. In late 2011 when our friend and brother Corey Fajkos (Strength N Honor) passed away, we set up a benefit show to help with his final costs. After that Critter (our singer) and I decided to start the band up again.
You have just put out a demo called Prelude To Hell - can you tell us about that? What response has there been to it so far?
We were too broke to record the whole CD that we wanted and because we did a 3 song demo version of what will come on "See you in hell" we named the demo "Prelude to hell." So far we have had a great response to the new songs and have had alot of downloads of the demo. You can download the demo for free at www.stereokiller.com/anteup456.
Care to tell us something about the upcoming album, ‘See You In Hell’? How it is going to be different from the demo?
The new album will be very well recorded and will sound pissed and heavy. When the band recorded our original demo in 2005, it sounded absolutely terrible and because of that we wanted the demo tracks to sound better and the full length will be 5 times better than that.
‘See You In Hell’ - this is a rather negative name for an album. Where does it come from? Does the title reference to your hometown, Detroit, which seems to have its share of problems?
Well first.. we are a metro Detroit band and are from all over the south eastern Michigan area, we aren't all about misleading people for an image. We are not from the slums, but Michigan as a whole has its share of problems and the whole area has felt that. The title comes from and is directed at anyone we hate, its also a general lack of giving much of a shit anymore. We work, go to or play shows and live our lives.
Lyricswise, what will you be singing about on the record?
We are sort of generic in that department, but it works for us and we are all happy with it.
Do you have any label interested in releasing this stuff?
We have a label interested in putting the CD out here in the states, Id mention the name buts not 100% set and official. We are looking for a Euro situation to put out the record and if you happen to be reading this and like us.... hit us up and SELL OUR CD IN EUROPE THIS FALL!
See You In Hell video shows some fuckin crazy stuff going on at your shows. What type of response you like to get from the crowd?
Our shows have always been wild, even from the start. That video is absolutely nothing compared to some of the things that have happened and even happened at that show. We only had one camera man and he didnt get most of good stuff that happened.... So next time, we will shell out the extra money and get a whole camera crew.
I’ve always been a fan of Detroit hardcore. From Negative Approach to Cold As Life, from xTyrantx to The Alliance, you had some of the hardest bands in the scene. Would you say that the style of hardcore you make over there is a product of your environment or is this a product despite your environment?
Years ago there were alot more bands similar to us soundwise. Let it die, The Alliance, Bloody knuckle combat, All my blood, Tyrant and more were all hard as hell. These days we are one of the few beatdown hardcore bands that are around anymore. We do have alot of awesome bands playing the area these days with Poison Tongues, Sawchuk, Smash your enemies, Gateways, Solid Snake just to name a few.
Can you tell me a little bit about what the music scene is like there nowadays? What new bands have been listening to lately?
The scene seems to be seperated here. There are kids who go to hardcore shows, kids that go to metalcore shows, punk kids, metal kids and it doesnt seem to mix a whole lot. Lately it seems to be getting better and people are support the scene as a whole. Thats a good thing and a little unity certainly goes a long way.
Also, how is it living in Detroit? Is there a problem with crime? Unemployment?
The area is home and always will be. We are lucky enough to not deal with shitty areas and much of that shit, but then again it seems shit can happen anywhere these days. We all have jobs at the moment and are lucky like that, but I was out of a job last year for most of the year thought and that was a shitty situation. You do what you have to to survive.
So what are some other band’s plans for the future?
We going to record the CD, play some shows, do some small touring and find a Euro label for the CD. Next year we are going to do more actual touring hopefully.
