| Interview by Burt Wolf with guitarist Jim Corrick, vocalist Jim Lippucci & guitarist, backing vocalist & ball scratcher, Wayne Richards of the Cleveland, Ohio based band SOULLESS. Interview done March 10, 2002. |
COULD YOU GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY ON SOULLESS & HOW YOU GUYS GOT TOGETHER?
Jim L.: Our drummer Chris & I were in a band called BLOODSICK, which after line up changes became
SOULLESS. We've have all pretty much known each other for a while through the local Metal scene & various
bands we've played in. We pretty much all sank to the bottom of the heap together.
WHY WAS THE NAME SOULLESS CHOSEN FOR THE BAND?
Wayne: It came from a GRAVE record...It's been rumored that Lippucci has no soul!
Jim L.: The name seemed to fit the material we had written & the whole feeling of the band...
WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN AN INFLUENCE ON YOU CREATING YOUR MUSIC?
Wayne: 80's Thrash - KREATOR, SODOM, METALLICA, SLAYER, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD,
CELTIC FROST, VOI VOD, etc...
Jim L.: That kinda sums it up...
Wayne: We're inspired by the best Thrash bands of the 80's with melodic passages intertwined.
I ONLY HAVE YOUR "THE DARKENING OF DAYS" CD, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN 1999. HOW
WELL WAS IT RECEIVED BY THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE?
Wayne: Very well...It was voted best demo of '99 by BRAVE WORDS & BLOODY KNUCKELS. Check out
reviews at www.SOULLESSDOMAIN.com.
Jim L.: We pretty much sold out of the first pressing & have only a few copies left. 98% of the reviews we got
were very positive.
COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE COVER ARTWORK A LITTLE BIT?
Wayne: No
Jim L.: we weren't really happy with the artwork. Any concept we originally had was pretty much lost in the
final rendition.
WHICH SONG FROM THAT RELEASE IS YOUR FAVORITE & WHY?
Jim C.: "Down Hell's Path" - It rips...
Wayne: "Down Hell's Path", it's fast & it
rips your mom's ass off.
Jim L.: What they said.
Jim L.: Our drummer Chris & I were in a band called BLOODSICK, which after line up changes became
SOULLESS. We've have all pretty much known each other for a while through the local Metal scene & various
bands we've played in. We pretty much all sank to the bottom of the heap together.
WHY WAS THE NAME SOULLESS CHOSEN FOR THE BAND?
Wayne: It came from a GRAVE record...It's been rumored that Lippucci has no soul!
Jim L.: The name seemed to fit the material we had written & the whole feeling of the band...
WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN AN INFLUENCE ON YOU CREATING YOUR MUSIC?
Wayne: 80's Thrash - KREATOR, SODOM, METALLICA, SLAYER, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD,
CELTIC FROST, VOI VOD, etc...
Jim L.: That kinda sums it up...
Wayne: We're inspired by the best Thrash bands of the 80's with melodic passages intertwined.
I ONLY HAVE YOUR "THE DARKENING OF DAYS" CD, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN 1999. HOW
WELL WAS IT RECEIVED BY THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE?
Wayne: Very well...It was voted best demo of '99 by BRAVE WORDS & BLOODY KNUCKELS. Check out
reviews at www.SOULLESSDOMAIN.com.
Jim L.: We pretty much sold out of the first pressing & have only a few copies left. 98% of the reviews we got
were very positive.
COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE COVER ARTWORK A LITTLE BIT?
Wayne: No
Jim L.: we weren't really happy with the artwork. Any concept we originally had was pretty much lost in the
final rendition.
WHICH SONG FROM THAT RELEASE IS YOUR FAVORITE & WHY?
Jim C.: "Down Hell's Path" - It rips...
Wayne: "Down Hell's Path", it's fast & it
rips your mom's ass off.
Jim L.: What they said.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RELEASE OUT NOW? COULD YOU GIVE SOME INFORMATION
THEM?
Jim L.: We did one of those MP3.com discs & have a 3 song promo out.
Wayne: The MP3 CD includes some live tracks & some newer stuff & the "Bleeding Darkness" promo will blow
your face off.
YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF THE DWELL RECORDS TRIBUTE ALBUMS. WHICH
ONES WERE YOU ON & WHICH ONE WAS YOUR FAVORITE TO DO?
Jim L.: We appear on the OZZY, the first JUDAS PRIEST, the second METALLICA, TWISTED SISTER &
WASP tributes. We also recorded a DESTRUCTION song for a tribute that should be out any day now. I'm a
huge OZZY fan & it was pretty cool to be on that one.
Wayne: The TWISTED SISTER & DESTRUCTION covers were the best. Those two were very similar to the
originals, but with the SOULLESS sound. Those two would kill any human.
Jim C.: JUDAS PRIEST is the best...
SOULLESS IS FROM THE CLEVELAND, OHIO AREA. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DECENT SCENE
IN THAT AREA FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN & HEARD. WHO DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE
BETTER BANDS, ZINES, LABELS, ETC...?
Wayne: Cleveland has some great bands...BOULDER, KEELHAUL, SOMNUS & CAVEMAN are among the
best. The Michael Stanley band is among bands that are gay.
Jim L.: NUNSLAUGHTER, RINGWORM, ALL THAT IS EVIL, SCHNAUZER, DESTRUCTOR, BLACK
DEATH, THE DEAD BOYS, DEVO (Akron, Ohio), PERE UBU, Joe Walsh...This place rules!!! No labels or
zines come to mind.
Jim C.: Also DESCEND, DEAD OF NIGHT, STEPSISTER...
HAVE YOU GUYS PLAYED A LOT OF SHOWS? WITH WHO & WHERE?
Wayne: We don't play out very often, but do when a good opportunity shows itself. We've played with
DISMEMBER, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MORBID ANGEL, UFO, IRON MAIDEN...
Jim L.: I forgot about the UFO & MAIDEN shows. When did that happen? Musta missed it...Fuck!!!...Also
KATAKLYSM, NILE, KRISIUN, INCANTATION.
ANY UNUSUAL TOURING STORIES YOU'D CARE TO SHARE?
Jim L.: We really don't get out much...
Wayne: No. Dora shit his pants one time in Jersey, though.
WHAT IS THE BEST & WORST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND?
Wayne: The best part about being in a band is just rocking out on your songs with 3 other guys who love Metal
as much as you do. The worst thing would have to be sending out a shit load of promos & not getting signed.
Jim L.: I thought we were a 5 piece...It's great to do the shit we wrote & watch people dig it. It sucks not
getting all the free beer, drugs & sex that we deserve. It is also expensive when no one really likes you. Plus it
takes up a lot of time.
Jim C.: Best-It's the best thing in the world...Worst? Being able to excel in other areas of life, but that's OK.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK FOR SOULLESS?
Wayne: A few other bands... DEAD OF NIGHT, SPAWN OF SATAN... Deliver pizza, suck tits.
Jim L.: I work in the sign business & pretty much waste way too much of my free time doing stupid shit that
involves goats, pentagrams & little plastic skulls. I just plain suck.
Jim C.: I fix guitars & drink beer.
ARE YOU INTO ANY OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC BESIDES WHAT YOU PLAY & WHO ARE SOME
OF THE BANDS YOUR CURRENTLY INTO?
Wayne: 70's Rock - recently been getting into CAMEL, GLASSHARP, BOC & Chuck Mangione.
Jim C.: Blues rules! YARDBIRDS, CAKE, BANG, AC/DC, Johnny Winter.
Jim L.: I worship BLUE OYSTER CULT. I also get into some Rock-A-Billy kinda stuff: Eddie Cochran, Buddy
Holly, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins. I like some Hardcore like GBH, THE EXPLOITED, THE ACCUSED, D.R.I.
& NOFX.
THEM?
Jim L.: We did one of those MP3.com discs & have a 3 song promo out.
Wayne: The MP3 CD includes some live tracks & some newer stuff & the "Bleeding Darkness" promo will blow
your face off.
YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF THE DWELL RECORDS TRIBUTE ALBUMS. WHICH
ONES WERE YOU ON & WHICH ONE WAS YOUR FAVORITE TO DO?
Jim L.: We appear on the OZZY, the first JUDAS PRIEST, the second METALLICA, TWISTED SISTER &
WASP tributes. We also recorded a DESTRUCTION song for a tribute that should be out any day now. I'm a
huge OZZY fan & it was pretty cool to be on that one.
Wayne: The TWISTED SISTER & DESTRUCTION covers were the best. Those two were very similar to the
originals, but with the SOULLESS sound. Those two would kill any human.
Jim C.: JUDAS PRIEST is the best...
SOULLESS IS FROM THE CLEVELAND, OHIO AREA. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DECENT SCENE
IN THAT AREA FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN & HEARD. WHO DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE
BETTER BANDS, ZINES, LABELS, ETC...?
Wayne: Cleveland has some great bands...BOULDER, KEELHAUL, SOMNUS & CAVEMAN are among the
best. The Michael Stanley band is among bands that are gay.
Jim L.: NUNSLAUGHTER, RINGWORM, ALL THAT IS EVIL, SCHNAUZER, DESTRUCTOR, BLACK
DEATH, THE DEAD BOYS, DEVO (Akron, Ohio), PERE UBU, Joe Walsh...This place rules!!! No labels or
zines come to mind.
Jim C.: Also DESCEND, DEAD OF NIGHT, STEPSISTER...
HAVE YOU GUYS PLAYED A LOT OF SHOWS? WITH WHO & WHERE?
Wayne: We don't play out very often, but do when a good opportunity shows itself. We've played with
DISMEMBER, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MORBID ANGEL, UFO, IRON MAIDEN...
Jim L.: I forgot about the UFO & MAIDEN shows. When did that happen? Musta missed it...Fuck!!!...Also
KATAKLYSM, NILE, KRISIUN, INCANTATION.
ANY UNUSUAL TOURING STORIES YOU'D CARE TO SHARE?
Jim L.: We really don't get out much...
Wayne: No. Dora shit his pants one time in Jersey, though.
WHAT IS THE BEST & WORST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND?
Wayne: The best part about being in a band is just rocking out on your songs with 3 other guys who love Metal
as much as you do. The worst thing would have to be sending out a shit load of promos & not getting signed.
Jim L.: I thought we were a 5 piece...It's great to do the shit we wrote & watch people dig it. It sucks not
getting all the free beer, drugs & sex that we deserve. It is also expensive when no one really likes you. Plus it
takes up a lot of time.
Jim C.: Best-It's the best thing in the world...Worst? Being able to excel in other areas of life, but that's OK.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK FOR SOULLESS?
Wayne: A few other bands... DEAD OF NIGHT, SPAWN OF SATAN... Deliver pizza, suck tits.
Jim L.: I work in the sign business & pretty much waste way too much of my free time doing stupid shit that
involves goats, pentagrams & little plastic skulls. I just plain suck.
Jim C.: I fix guitars & drink beer.
ARE YOU INTO ANY OTHER STYLES OF MUSIC BESIDES WHAT YOU PLAY & WHO ARE SOME
OF THE BANDS YOUR CURRENTLY INTO?
Wayne: 70's Rock - recently been getting into CAMEL, GLASSHARP, BOC & Chuck Mangione.
Jim C.: Blues rules! YARDBIRDS, CAKE, BANG, AC/DC, Johnny Winter.
Jim L.: I worship BLUE OYSTER CULT. I also get into some Rock-A-Billy kinda stuff: Eddie Cochran, Buddy
Holly, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins. I like some Hardcore like GBH, THE EXPLOITED, THE ACCUSED, D.R.I.
& NOFX.
HAS THAT RELEASE STIRRED ANY
LABEL INTEREST? IF SO, WITH WHO?
Wayne: A couple of labels that really aren't worth
mentioning because they talk a lot of bullshit, but
really exert no follow through.
Jim L.: It's a little frustrating when people tell you
things & then nothing happens. It really is who
you know & who's ass you kiss & who thinks
you're cool. How good you are or aren't doesn't
really matter all that much. I mean, we suck &
people like us...
LABEL INTEREST? IF SO, WITH WHO?
Wayne: A couple of labels that really aren't worth
mentioning because they talk a lot of bullshit, but
really exert no follow through.
Jim L.: It's a little frustrating when people tell you
things & then nothing happens. It really is who
you know & who's ass you kiss & who thinks
you're cool. How good you are or aren't doesn't
really matter all that much. I mean, we suck &
people like us...
WHAT'S THE ONE CD YOU OWN THAT
YOUR A LITTLE EMBARRASSED TO
ADMIT YOU OWN IT?
Jim C.: Harry Connick Jr., "When Harry Met
Sally" Soundtrack.
Jim L.: I'm not really embarrassed by anything I
own, but do get made fun of a lot for Sinead
O'Connor-"The Lion & The Cobra" & THE
CURE - "Disintergration".
Wayne: Every CD I own is good.
YOUR A LITTLE EMBARRASSED TO
ADMIT YOU OWN IT?
Jim C.: Harry Connick Jr., "When Harry Met
Sally" Soundtrack.
Jim L.: I'm not really embarrassed by anything I
own, but do get made fun of a lot for Sinead
O'Connor-"The Lion & The Cobra" & THE
CURE - "Disintergration".
Wayne: Every CD I own is good.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE WHEN THE 9/11 ATTACKS HAPPENED & WHAT YOU
WERE DOING WHEN YOU FIRST THOUGHTS ON THIS TRAGEDY?
Wayne: Apparently it happened when I was driving to work. I found out when I got there. I didn't actually see
the footage until later that evening. It was terrible.
Jim C.: I was at work. An eye for an eye.
Jim L.: I was getting ready for work & listening to the Howard Stern Show when they started talking about what
was happening. I turned on CNN & saw the second plane hit the second tower. I was filled with shock &
intense anger. There are so many stupid people who out of their laziness, ignorance or both devote themselves to
ridiculous religions. All religion is to blame. These people will find out that although we as Americans may seem
at odds with each other we are proud & united in our desire for freedom. We will kill them in ways they can not
even imagine, & that is very good.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: SEX, DRUGS, RELIGION, POLITICS &
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Jim C.: Sex-would like some. Drugs-not for me (except beer). Religion-don't care. Politics-don't care. Music
Industry-be your own industry.
Wayne: I really don't see much action in any of these categories. My life is not affected by sex, drugs, religion,
politics or the music industry.
Jim L.: I don't get much sex, probably because I am busy doing drugs. I am very religious about beer, pot &
Metal, but not much else. Politics are a necessary evil that i keep a sidewards glance towards. The music
Industry has too much to do with industry & not enough to do with music.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT NEXT FROM SOULLESS?
Jim L.: We're in the process of breaking in a new bass player & getting new songs ready. Check our website for
shows. I will also die or be arrested soon.
Wayne: A full length thrasher-most likely a self financed & self released recording in March/April ate the mars
Recording Compound. And an epic video. This record will kill everyone.
Jim C.: Lots of ripping!!! More solos. (and some drinking as well)
THANX A LOT FOR DOING THIS INTERVIEW. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE TO
CLOSE OUT?
Jim L.: Thanks for the interest. Everyone should check out or website for upcoming shows, news & other crap.
If you like us, let us know. We love & deserve your praise. Women can also send us naked pictures of
themselves if they are hot (or not)!
WERE DOING WHEN YOU FIRST THOUGHTS ON THIS TRAGEDY?
Wayne: Apparently it happened when I was driving to work. I found out when I got there. I didn't actually see
the footage until later that evening. It was terrible.
Jim C.: I was at work. An eye for an eye.
Jim L.: I was getting ready for work & listening to the Howard Stern Show when they started talking about what
was happening. I turned on CNN & saw the second plane hit the second tower. I was filled with shock &
intense anger. There are so many stupid people who out of their laziness, ignorance or both devote themselves to
ridiculous religions. All religion is to blame. These people will find out that although we as Americans may seem
at odds with each other we are proud & united in our desire for freedom. We will kill them in ways they can not
even imagine, & that is very good.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: SEX, DRUGS, RELIGION, POLITICS &
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Jim C.: Sex-would like some. Drugs-not for me (except beer). Religion-don't care. Politics-don't care. Music
Industry-be your own industry.
Wayne: I really don't see much action in any of these categories. My life is not affected by sex, drugs, religion,
politics or the music industry.
Jim L.: I don't get much sex, probably because I am busy doing drugs. I am very religious about beer, pot &
Metal, but not much else. Politics are a necessary evil that i keep a sidewards glance towards. The music
Industry has too much to do with industry & not enough to do with music.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT NEXT FROM SOULLESS?
Jim L.: We're in the process of breaking in a new bass player & getting new songs ready. Check our website for
shows. I will also die or be arrested soon.
Wayne: A full length thrasher-most likely a self financed & self released recording in March/April ate the mars
Recording Compound. And an epic video. This record will kill everyone.
Jim C.: Lots of ripping!!! More solos. (and some drinking as well)
THANX A LOT FOR DOING THIS INTERVIEW. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE TO
CLOSE OUT?
Jim L.: Thanks for the interest. Everyone should check out or website for upcoming shows, news & other crap.
If you like us, let us know. We love & deserve your praise. Women can also send us naked pictures of
themselves if they are hot (or not)!
