Hailing from NYC but already making waves in the 518, Killing Connor is quickly becoming a name you’re going to hear a lot more of. One of my favorite parts of covering local music for 93.9 WABY is catching all the different grooves and influences coming out of our scene. I love when I hear something that hits that familiar vibe of my favorite acts while still carving out its own identity – and Killing Connor nails that balance. Their sound is rooted deep in the NWOAHM tradition: low-tuned guitars, fast tempos, and hard-hitting drums that never let up.
I recently got to chat with Daniel Schleicher, the band’s drummer and an Albany native. With shows popping up both in NYC and here in the Capital Region, make sure you get out and catch Killing Connor live.
Who is the best artist or band you’ve seen live?
Ha! I'm dating myself here but I don't care. I believe it was 1994 at the MVP center where I saw Pantera, Sepultura and Biohazard perform! If you meet anybody that went to this show,they will tell you it was over the top in every way from all the bands! I was so adrenalized at the show that I was on top of the crowd and I did a backflip in mid-air while Phil Anselmo gave me a handshake as I came to the front of the stage! Absolutely wild time!
You guys are down in the NYC area - were you all born and raised or are you transplants?
Killing Connor was organized about a year ago in Brooklyn New York. Matt Rosenthal( guitarist and founder) and Brian Thompson(singer) are originally from NYC. Connor Shann(bass player) move to NYC 3 years ago from Florida and I was born and raised right here in Albany,NY.
What is the metal scene like down there right now?
The NYC metal scene I find is very vast. There's nothing “close knit" about it like the Albany metal scene is. Most of our shows are down there and everyone seems to support all kinds of metal at the same shows, It's very diverse. NYC is all about the hustle and bustle and what surprised me the most is that wasn't the case at all with in the NYC metal scene. Everyone that I have been in contact with has been very easygoing, lenient, supportive and extremely kind to say the least!
How did the band end up getting together?
This music is very challenging to play and it has made me a better player. I was the last person to join the band. They had a real tough time finding a drummer to meet their needs. I simply answered an ad and performed with them as a session musician. After a few months I could tell that this is going to be something great! They asked if I would join the band as a permanent member and I took them up on the offer! It's been great ever since!
Your music has a fresh, powerful throwback to early 2000’s metal - Not a copy, but a renewed vision of a great era of American heavy metal. What bands influenced you as you started writing together?
Thank you so much! That was our goal to take elements of the 2000s era metal core and put our stamp on it! Our main influences are August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, and Killswitch Engage. We try to preserve the core of what makes those bands hit — drop C and drop B tunings, fast-paced riffs, and those powerful groovy, head-nodding sections — but still make it our own!
You guys have played a couple of shows up here in Albany –at Empire Underground and most recently opening up for Overkill at Empire Live. How did you build thoseconnections upstate?
OH YES! What a great show that was to open up for Overkill and Destruction! The crowd was amazing! I've known Mike Valente who is the promoter at Empire live for a long time. He called me and said Overkill is coming off their tour with Testament to do a side show and they need an opener. He sent our press kit to Overkills manager and they really dug it! We're all very grateful that they accepted us!
I got to checking out the band on YouTube, the sound is so powerful and melodic. There are three songs up right now -are there plans for a full album?
Absolutely! People have been asking and there's more to come! Matt Rosenthal has a recording studio and our plan is to release a song every few months. We have some videos in the works as well.
As Spring and Summer roll around, what has Kill Connor have on the horizon?
Most of our shows in the NYC area. Our next show so far is in Nyack at Club Andromeda June 20th. As for around the Albany area we have a show in Troy at "Sliding dirty" on June19th and Empire underground September 4th. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE and THANK YOU JOEY BOOTS!
