Pete Kowalsky is a very interesting character. A mainstay of the Florida Metal/Hardcore scene, he is best known as the vocalist/songwriter for Remembering Never, but is also notable for being the current vocalist for the band xBishopx, formerly known as xBishopx, which lyrically, focuses on the Straight Edge lifestyle. He is known for being very opinionated and outspoken; he has hard line views on many issues that affect us all, whether we like it or not. He has written angry and thought provoking songs on matters such as animal cruelty, the meat trade, gay rights, faceless art critics, gay rights and much much more. If you thought Rage Against the Machine was as angry as politically motivated music gets, then you really haven't listened to a Remembering Never record. They have three full lengths, and are about to release their first in 7 years. Pete has been busy with what he calls, 'Normal life sh*t', but that doesn't do it justice. He went back to school and is now a qualified teacher at a well-to-do private school, after majoring in History and Nutrition. He is a very driven individual, with a seemingly, inextinguishable fire in his belly, but the venom he spits over the brutal back drop that is, Remembering Never's musical assault, is honed and direct. In both his music and interviews, he has ruffled many a feather, but he stays true to his convictions and can back them up with a passion that cannot be questioned. In his own words, he just wants people to "step out of their comfort zone, and see things from a different angle." He also runs a really happening little record label called Dead Truth Records, based in his native Palm Springs in Florida. What better way than to take full control, and release his own music, on his own label. Last month, I got the chance to talk to 'Mean Pete', as he has been nicknamed, about a few different things. The new Remembering Never album is called 'This Hell is Home', and is released November 29th. You can
get the record here, and more at this link. Get into one of the best bands to have come out of the Hardcore scene. Hello Pete, firstly, how's life? Are you finished your English studies yet?
Hello! Life isn't so terrible. House, dog, school, work, etc. "Normal" people sh*t. I finally received my AA and I actually start at rich white girl school tomorrow, having changed my (double) major to History Education and Nutrition. Obviously, what has precipitated this interview is the announcement that the recording of a long awaited Remembering Never record, has been finished. What prompted you to wake the band up from it's slumber? Was it interest from fans or your desire to create more under the name?
We've been working on it for a few years. Danny (drums) and I have been close so we just kicked around the idea to start writing again since we've played music together since I was in like 10th grade or so. I don't remember if there was an interest from "fans", we just silently started doing it. It was relatively in the same vein of RN so we just went with it. What can we expect from the album? Is it as angular as 'Women an Children Die First', or will it be as fast and in your face as 'God Save Us'?
It's all over the place really. It's less like W&C and not unlike GSU but not necessarily like GSU. In typical RN fashion, it sounds almost nothing like the things we've done previously. It's definitely more technical, heavy and melodic somehow. The politics hit home more and it's a bit more personal. I expect a lot of people to be offended and hopefully question the things they believe in. There are also some cool guest vocal spots, all friends, some in bands you've heard of and some you haven't. I read an interview with you conducted by another large music website, where you said that you listen to more Metal than Hardcore, what are some of your "go to" records that you always return to?
Hmmm... I'd go with older Judas Priest records, any Machine Head records after Burn My Eyes, Acid Bath, Napalm Death (90s), Crowbar's s/t, all Type O Negative, Rollins Band (Weight lineup), any Patton Faith No More records, any Slayer records, Fight, Alice In Chains, Entombed (Wolverine Blues and on), first 6 Sabbath records, Ministry (90s), Pantera (obviously)(post CFH.)I just recently got into Cattle Decapitation again. The record they put out last year was my favorite record that came out in 2012. I recently got into a lot of blues as well, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Etta James... that's some real heavy sh*t.There was an obvious change in approach between the last two records. Was that influenced by you listening to more fast Hardcore or perhaps some Thrash Metal, that made the tempo of the songs much quicker?
I didn't write GSU, but I think Norm got really into Converge and just wrote fast as Hell riffs. When we did W&C I just wanted kids to have fun moshing, not realizing that playing those songs years later would be excruciatingly boring. I was really happy with the way GSU came out much more than the previously 2 full lengths. You're very well known for being straight down the line, and saying EXACTLY what you think. This equally endears and repels people from you, what is your take on it?
I'm not one of those songwriters that just writes bull and says it's up to the listener's interpretation. That's a cop out for writing bad lyrics with no substance. When I write, there's a point and a purpose. If I have the floor at any point in time, I don't want to waste it on something meaningless. If people are bummed about what I write, I'm ok with it in hopes they will see things from a different direction. I will never sugar coat what I write about. Our learning institutions already sugar the f*ck out of life and history so I cant. I say a lot of stuff people think is "radical" but it seems like common sense to me. These things are my truths which cant really be determined by someone else. It's just sad when people cant step outside their comfort zone to see another angle of things. How much can you say on the whole Ferret records affair? Did you get ample warning that Karl Severson and his business partners were planning on putting Ferret to bed? There did seem to be fairly similar grumblings from some of the bands on the label that were eerily similar to artists that were on Trustkill as well. Thoughts?
We were already inactive by the time all that happened so it didn't affect us at all. It sucks to think that their life's work as awesome hardcore labels are no longer active due to major label BS, but they both started new labels and are still making it happen so it's all good. Click next for more...