This sort of interview with Murder Suicide Pact was written in September of 2003 and appears in issue number 10 of Sink Hole.
I’m sitting here at home in front of the computer on a Sunday night, a Sunday that I planned on hanging in Brandon checking out Murder Suicide Pact live for the first time in years. They didn’t cancel the show and my car didn’t break down, simply put, I’m an idiot and wrote the wrong day (Sunday instead of Saturday) on my calendar. So, I miss out on Murder Suicide Pact again. I’d planned on interviewing the whole band, loading up on pictures and soaking up their sound. Instead, I sit in front of a computer screen, spinning their self-titled LP in the next room, all the while trying to write an interview based on sloppy notes I took from a conversation with vocalist Bob Suren that I had two weeks ago...
If your unfamiliar, here’s a quick synopsis of the band’s history...
They got together in 1997, recorded their lone LP in the summer of 1998 and at the same time laid down the tracks that became their “Lobotomy Kit” 7". Both releases featured the brilliant artwork of Mad Marc Rude, and both are 100% pure straight forward hardcore, ala Negative Approach. They played a shitload of shows around Tampa Bay, including a bunch at Bob’s record store. Their most attended show came at Janus Landing (St.Pete,Florida) with The US Bombs and Circle Jerks in August of 2001. Says Bob, “The Circle Jerks show was during one of our hot periods when we were playing lots of local shows. I think we played 6 or 7 shows that month. It was probably our most high profile show to date, but playing on a big stage was not very much fun. We like being on the floor, next to the kids.”
Despite long hiatus’ with no shows, the band has never officially broken up, they just had long breaks were they didn’t play at all. According to Bob “We had enough new songs for another e.p., but then we had a 13 month hiatus and we forgot the songs. I remember really liking 2 of them”. That being said, they probably won’t be releasing any new material any time soon. They really shouldn’t even still be together. Their set at the Burrito FeAst this past March was supposed to be their final show.
Following that, they got an offer to tour Brazil. Naturally they took the offer and will be together at least for that long, but the band plans on the tour being their “last hurrah”.
How does a band that’s not even really together and has never been on a tour before get an offer like this? It was pretty fucking simple if you ask Bob. “A guy in Brazil really likes us and keeps asking us to do records for his label. Since we don't have any new songs to offer, he suggested a tour”. Even if they had the songs, I wouldn’t count on any other label ever releasing Murder Suicide Pact. Bob likes the control and doesn’t pussyfoot around the issue-“I want to be in charge of all of our recordings, every aspect of the band. I don't think I would ever do a release on another label.”
So there you go, there area no new releases planned for MSP, but the good people of Brazil get to enjoy them for a week in November. Those of Stateside, well, we win, too. There will be a handful of tune-up shows before they go. Probably a farewell show and a welcome back show, too. Good luck guys! ADIOS AMIGOS!
End notes:
1. Murder Suicide Pact will be in Brazil from November 4th till November 11th.
2. All of Murder Suicide Pact’s releases are on Burrito Records and can be purchased through www.soundideadistribution.com.
5.Guitarist Joe is also in Sophomore Effort.
6.Vocalist Bob is also in John Madden And The Electric Condoms.
7.In all fairness to Murder Suicide Pact, I am a horrible writer when I missed a show I really wanted to see.
8.DIY hardcore is a wonderful thing. Murder Suicide Pact play it well, check ‘em out!
9.To my knowledge Murder Suicide Pact does not have a website.
10. Brazil is made up of 26 different states, it has a population of roughly 182 million people. It is the largest country in South America.
11. Brazil sits on the Eastern Coast of South America bordering the Atlantic.
12. Brazil became independent from Portugal on September 7, 1822. This date is celebrated as their Independence Day.
13. It’s 1:20 AM and I’m still in front of this stupid computer-DAMN IT ALL!!!
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