Written by: Luis Vox
One of the great things about living on the West Coast is that we have a massive music scene. There are so many local and up-and-coming bands emerging from the So Cal scene, all doing great things. Today, I have the great pleasure of speaking with a friend of mine, Neil Roemer from Cutthroat.
For those who might be new to them, they’re a product of the LA hardcore/metal scene and have been tearing up local and international stages for over a decade now. Their sound is just as uncompromising and relentless as the LA streets they hail from. They have a new EP coming in August and Neil was kind enough to give us some more insight into the new record and other things.
Truly Disturbing: Hey Neil. Thanks so much for chatting with me today. I know you’re busy, so I’ll get right to it. It’s been three years since your last record with 2023’s Fear by Design. You guys did quite a few shows between then and now. I know some bands like to write while touring, but others don’t want any outside distractions. Was Purge written on the road, or while you were home?
Neil Roemer: We wrote this remotely from our homes. Typically, on the road I’m too busy to focus on writing. My Brazilian bandmates wrote their parts, sent them to me digitally, and then I wrote the lyrics in my studio.
TD: Writing new music is always exciting. But sometimes it’s a pain in the ass coming up with ideas lyrically and musically that resonate during the creation process. Did Purge come easy to you or was it a lot of trial and error getting the ideas down? What song or idea was it that made you excited for the rest of the EP?
NR: This process came easy. When we’re touring, we’re focusing on touring and then we enter a writing stage, so we focus on that. We started off with the song “Purge” first. That kind of sent us in the direction we wanted to go.
TD: Your music has always gone for the throat (pun fully intended). Your upcoming EP Purge is no different. After 13 years of making music, how do you keep the blade so sharp? What’s still fueling the fire?
NR: I’m always trying to outdo the last record with something more creative and outside the box. Passion fuels the fire. The world gives us the content.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "PURGE" FROM CUTTHROAT BELOW
TD: Being in a hardcore band, you must have respect for bands like Agnostic Front, Madball, and Biohazard. How was it having Billy Bio from Biohazard work with you guys and produce your music?
NR: Literally three of my favorite bands. Billy is one of my good friends and I’m very grateful that he has invested so much time and effort into us. He’s such a creative guy and always has really good ideas. He definitely put us on track; however, I produced this last record.
TD: We all know and love bands like Biohazard, Body Count, Suicidal Tendencies, etc. But which bands do you feel are underrated and don’t get enough love?
NR: I think Excel from Venice Beach is one of the most underrated bands. I would like to see Brick by Brick and Sworn Enemy get more love and appreciation, but I believe their day is coming.
TD: Cutthroat has been around for a minute. Since 2013 you guys have been grinding away and representing the LA hardcore and metal scene. What have you noticed has changed in all that time and what’s the same?
NR: The sound has slightly changed, I think in a good way. Some people hate, but I enjoy some of the newer bands and the progress that they’ve made in hardcore. I think the scene is bigger than it has ever been, and I am excited about that. But it has definitely changed from the old-school mentality and become a little bit softer, if that makes sense.
TD: You and I go pretty far back in the LA metal scene. Lots of mutual friends and lots of shows in Hollywood dive bars. Coming up in the LA scene and seeing so many local bands, which local bands do you see waving the same flag as Cutthroat? Just grinding away and killing stages.
NR: I’ve been paying attention and seeing bands like Dead City Punks, Section H8, Heat, and Knuckleheads holding it down. Shout out to those guys for really doing it DIY.
TD: Being around for more than 10 years and speaking to many of our friends throughout the years, the one question that is probably most dreaded is which band influenced you the most. Obviously, we can touch base on that, if you want, since our readers may not know. But I’d rather find out which bands inspired you that would surprise people. You guys are rooted in hardcore and metal but have love and respect for rap and hip hop. Is there a band or group that would throw people for a loop that inspired you and Cutthroat?
NR: Well, a lot of my influence I think is obvious, Downset, Biohazard, but what people may be surprised about with this last album, Purge, that we are releasing in August. I saw Gojira live for the first time and I was blown away. So, during my writing process, I was listening to the album Magma. I think by default I got some influence there. But I’ve always been inspired by Ice T, Beastie Boys, KRS 1, and Rakim.
TD: I personally know just how insane it is sharing the stage with your heroes. But I can’t even comprehend the magnitude of playing on the same bill with a band the size and importance of Judas Priest. How was it knowing that was going to happen? Do you remember the thoughts and feelings leading up to the news and confirmation?
NR: It’s crazy that we ended up on that bill. We submitted for the festival along with our friends in Sworn Enemy. Knowing that Judas Priest was on that bill was definitely mind-blowing. That was an unforgettable experience. But what is even crazier is the guitar player in Judas Priest, Richie Faulkner, is my brother-in-law. I bet nobody knows that. He had nothing to do with us playing that fest.
TD: Cutthroat has a decent following overseas. You’ve been destroying festival stages for years in Europe and South America. You hear a lot about how the vibe is different outside of the States. What have you personally witnessed playing those stages and repping the LA hardcore scene?
NR: I feel the kids overseas are definitely a lot more passionate about hardcore. I don’t think they have as many options as we do in the States, so when bands roll through, they really appreciate them. I have made a lot of friends around the world through hardcore, and I appreciate what the scene has done for me. I love repping the LA banner and showing them what the West Coast sound is like. I think about what I take from touring overseas. The most is just the kindness and love.
TD: I don’t want to sound as if I’m diminishing or downplaying any of those amazing bands and your achievements. But as musicians, we have the tendency of moving the goal post once we check off what were once impossible goals and add new ones. So, in that thought. What are the next seemingly impossible goals? What insane thing would you like to manifest for yourself and for Cutthroat?
NR: That’s a great question. This is something that I do with every aspect of my life. When I was 15, I got “Never Satisfied” tattooed on me, and I think it’s become a blessing and a curse. For Cutthroat, I wanna continue moving up, evolving the sound, and getting on bigger and better tours. I’m not really in it for anything other than the experience of creativity and seeing the payoff with the crowds. I think now, with the team that we have, we are aligned to do much bigger things, and I am excited about this.
TD: Our readers may not know, but I know that you train in BJJ and martial arts. Most say that training can affect other aspects of your life. Has it affected any part of your music? If so, did you notice that shift in thought when it happened, or did you reflect on it afterwards?
NR: It has definitely made me a better person all around. BJJ helps you stay calm under chaos. Learning how to deal with a lot of adversity and pressure. So, in my day-to-day business decisions, I think I am more disciplined. Musically, that discipline has helped me take more time to create. In the early days, I think I was in a rush to just get things out there. BJJ has taught me to have confidence in what I do and be more technical. That will also show with the creative process of music.
TD: As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Truly Disturbing is all about horror and the shit that makes your skin crawl in the best way. So, I gotta ask, bro. What are your favorite horror movies? Has horror influenced your music at all?
NR: I’m an 80s and 90s horror movie type of guy. The Shining and Poltergeist still might be my favorites. Looking back at them now, they are made a little cheesy, but I love that no special effects, no green screen type of shit. I would say The Purge has a little effect on the latest release, as it is called “The Purge,” haha!
TD: Brother, it was such a pleasure shooting the shit with you today. I really appreciate you taking the time, and I’m personally so happy for you. I can’t wait for people to listen to the new EP. Much love, bro.
NR: Thank you for the questions. I will see you out there, brother.
The Purge EP will be released on August 14 via M-Theory Audio.