Destruction by Definition: Revisiting a Chat with Jason Navarro of The Suicide Machines

Discography:                                                                                    

Destruction by Definition (Hollywood, 1996)                                  

Battle Hymns (Hollywood, 1998)

The Suicide Machines (Hollywood, 2000)

Steal this Album (Hollywood, 2001)

A Match and Some Gasoline (Side One Dummy, 2003)

War Profiteering is Killing Us All (Side One Dummy, 2005)

Revolution Spring (Fat Wreck Chords, 2020)

Popular Tracks: Give, Sometimes I Don’t Mind, New Girl, DDT, No Face

Over the years, Jason Navarro has been one of punk’s most dynamic frontmen. Currently leading Hellmouth and Break Anchor, Navarro slaved away for almost twenty years as leader of Detroit’s proudest, The Suicide Machines. Over six albums, two labels and multiple genre and lineup changes, The Machines blazed a path that any hardcore punk band should take pride in. Starting in 1996 with their debut, Destruction by Definition and continuing with 1998’s Battle Hymns, the band were fearless in their attitude and their blistering spirit. Despite having called it quits in 2006, the band reunited a couple of years later with a reconfigured lineup and play shows here and there.

Author's note: I have interviewed Jay about three times and he's one of the best interviewees I've encountered. This interview first appeared on Perfect Sound Forever thanks to my fearless leader Jason G and was going to appear in my 3rd book before that got scrapped. It just felt right putting it up on this blog along with all of the other great interviews that were going to appear in the book.

Pete Crigler: When did you first become interested in music?

Jason Navarro: Always curious ‘bout it, my mom and aunt would have parties and be blaring MC5, the Nuge, Grand Funk, Black Sabbath and Led Zep, Stooges and I was always listening. I discovered punk in 87 88? And went to a show by my house, almost all locals except Bazooka Joe. That was that loved all the locals and wanted to be apart. As far back as I can remember though Bon Scott from AC/DC was the guy who made me want to be a front man.

Pete: When did the Machines form and what was the scene in Detroit like at the time?

Jason: 1990? Or 91? Scene was still pretty violent, lotsa Nazi skins bike gangs goin’ to the shows, why I don't know? Beat up punks, I guess. Hall shows there was a homeless shelter in the Cass corridor called the 404 Willis lotsa great shows there. Had to carry a knife usually.

Pete: How long was it afterwards that the lineup stabilized?

Jason: Line up wasn't really stable till after the first tour in 94. Royce [Nunley] was our bassist right after that. Lotsa drummers and bassists before him.

Pete: What was it like signing with Hollywood and what do you think about it now?

Jason: Was exciting man! We were just like DIY basement punks and had been approached by other majors but didn't really go anywhere on either end, we didn't like them they didn't like us. We accepted Hollywood’s offer to fly to L.A. and demo figuring we would never be signed and we would get a great recording for a 7". Studio was insane compared to where we had recorded before. Overwhelming really. Just the gear and boards in all the rooms which were massive not so much who recorded there. I remember dude saying U2 recorded Rattle and Hum in this room I believe I said so fucking what back to him.

Pete: What was it like recording Destruction, did you realize how influential it would be?

Jason: Nah no clue. We had some weirdo big wig label guy ask us to come to Cali to demo for his label we talked the guy into giving us the recording after so we could put it out ourselves or on a punk label. We figured no way they were signing us and we get a fee recording out of it.

Pete: What was success like and how did everyone deal with it?

Jason: Success? Well I don't know how successful we were but I hated people trying to leave demos on my porch and shit. Derek [Grant, 3rd drummer] quit the band cuz he didn't want to be in photos or videos. If you watch “S.O.S” video it's our friend Brooks from Bad Religion on the drums cuz Derek refused to do a video. He didn't want to be in magazines and stress was causing rifts between all of us with him because of it. Dan [Lukacinsky, guitarist] and him were really not getting along being in the public eye, especially at home wasn't helping.

Pete: What was the main songwriting influence in the band?

Jason: Just people and the city around us.

Pete: What was the inspiration for recording Battle Hymns, one of the hardest, fastest records ever released on a major label?

Jason: Well for starters we were not ready to record only had a month to write it. We booked the studio but just kept accepting these great tours like the Descendents and No Doubt just kept coming. I dunno I wrote a lotta that record. I have always been into aggressive music just finally showed up in the machines. Hahahaha it's pretty fast and post for a major.

Pete: What was it like dealing with Derek’s departure?

Jason: He's my brother it was really fucking hard.

Pete: When did the band leave Hollywood and sign with Side 1?

Jason: We had had enough with the major and were supposed to be tied up for 3 more records. They were nice enough or thought this band has been so let us go. Side one Joe’s [Sib] an old friend had been trying to put out a record for us for a long time so made perfect sense.

Pete: When did Royce leave and how did the new lineup work out?

Jason: Actually, Royce was the one who got us into a sticky legal mess getting us to fire our manager then quit mid problems leaving me with a mess to clean up. He and Dan were really at each other’s throats; had to be broken up a few times due to near fist fights. I was more than happy to have Rich [Tschirhart] in the band he is one of Detroit’s best bass players hands down tasteful as fuck! And Ryan [Vandeberghe] and him were the most solid rhythm section we ever had

Pete: What happened with the breakup: was it unexpected or planned?

Jason: Nah very unexpected we had decided we would stay together but stay home and work not tour much. After tour of Mexico and Australia with Pennywise we were stopping touring 8 months outta the year. Then there was L.A. at the Troubadour and lotsa problems. Ended in a really stupid blowup between Dan and I.

Pete: Do you still keep in touch with Dan?

Jason: I have tried, he won't talk to me I had a reunion tour in the works both line ups doing 2 sets even Royce was in to make peace. Dan wouldn't reply to me about anything. I invited him to fly this Xmas to play black Xmas. No reply.

Pete: How did Hellmouth come together and what has that experience been like?

Jason: I had been writing crust songs for a project with me and Danny from Against All Authority he just lived to far away. So rounded up some friends here. Did not think it would ever had gotten so much attention cuz it's so gnarly I just didn't think people would think much. Gravestone Skylines is probably the best record I have ever been a part of in my life.

Pete: How did Break Anchor and The Traitors come together? How do you find time for so many projects?

Jason: I have zero time

Pete: How did the Machines reunion come together and how has the reaction been?

Jason: Friend of mine got pinched by the Feds for activism and he was our old roadie. Anarchist shit. Got a great pro bono lawyer but that guy needed all kinds of money for expenses travel etc. Machines played two shows to keep him out of jail. Domestic terrorism such bullshit.

Pete: Any future recording plans for the Machines?

Jason: Yeah working on a new possibly last record. Doing it with Marc Hudson he did Against Me!'s last record and live one. Sounds Fucking great.

Pete: What do you hope the band's legacy will be?

Jason: Legacy? Weird I don't know I just want Destruction by Def to be a Punk record people will listen to for generations to come.

Pete: What do you think of the impact of alternative rock on the ‘90s?

Jason: 90's shit none of us knew that was going to happen and none of us cared that it did fuck it. Thanks Nirvana.

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