Interview with Drew Stone, Director of 'The New York Hardcore Chronicles, Singer of Antidote
If you’re a fan of classic hardcore, you may know Drew Stone as the singer of NYHC band Antidote. Or you may have seen his films he has directed such as xxx ALL AGES xxx The Boston Hardcore Film. His latest film, The New York Hardcore Chronicles, is a collective of New York’s robust hardcore scene from inception to evolution. The film is set to release soon with several screenings happening in the Northeast. In the interview below, Stone talks about his experience in the New York hardcore scene. He also provides some insight into The New York Hardcore Chronicles and discusses future films.
SR: For those who may not not be familiar with you as a film director and hardcore frontman, give us a brief history on how to you got started.
Drew: My name is Drew Stone and I am an american film director, film editor and musician. My works include music videos, commercials, extreme sports films, documentary films and television. I also sing for the New York Hardcore band Antidote and before that, I was in The High And The Mighty.
SR: What other films have you directed?
Drew: I had a whole career producing then directing music video’s and then another great run doing extreme sports films. I directed the whole series of Urban Street-Bike Warrior films. A few years ago, I directed xxx ALL AGES xxx The Boston Hardcore Film. Coming out soon as well is my other film Who The fuck Is That guy? The Fabulous Journey Of Michael Alago.
Drew Stone with Johnny Rotten
SR: Tell us about The New York Hardcore Chronicles film. What aspects of New York hardcore does it cover? Who did you work with?
Drew: After I did, xxx ALL AGES xxx The Boston Hardcore Film, people started asking me when I was doing one about the NYHC scene. I really had no interest. I felt like it was just too massive and convoluted a story to even attempt to tell it. Soon after, I started my other film Who The Fuck Is That Guy? The Fabulous Story Of Michael Alago and that really started rolling along. At some point The New York Hardcore Chronicles page got launched on Facebook and just really took off. It was a bit shocking how many people joined the page and got involved. What makes the page special is that it isn’t just about the music but deals with the community and the culture of NYHC. Although I created the page, there are many “Content contributors” to it which really adds to the community feel of it. So to keep a short story short, the film is really an extension of the The New York Hardcore Chronicles Facebook page. That page is so well loved and has a following close to 100 thousand people, so it made sense to translate it into film. The film is not the history of New York Hardcore but a collection of segments that have the thread of New York hardcore running thru them. Some of the people that appear in the film are; Roger Miret (Agnostic Front) Vinnie Stigma (Agnostic Front), Jimmy Gestapo (Murphy’s Law), Gavin Van Vlack (Absolution / Burn / N.Y. Hoods), Robb Nunzio (Antidote / M.O.I.), Freddy Cricen (Madball / Hazen St.), Harley Flanagan (Cro-mags / M.O.I. / Harleys War, Danny Lilker (Anthrax / S.O.D. / Nuclear Assault / Brutal Truth), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Lou Koller (Sick Of It All), Mike Judge (Youth Of Today / Judge) and many many more.
SR: What is it about the culture and history of New York’s hardcore scene that makes it like none other?
Drew: New York hardcore didn’t have a year or two in the early 80’s when it was influential and vibrant then faded away. There has been a few very strong waves thru the years and even right now it is extremely vibrant and vital due to things like the Black N Blue Bowl and all the new bands that are out there doing it. Also it is of course the greatest city in the world.
Antidote~ Photo by High Fives Photography
SR: Has the New York scene changed over the years? Is it better or worse today?
Drew: Like my father says, “The only thing about New York that remains the same is that it is always changing.” Some people like to go on and on about “Back in the day” and all that bullshit, but they conveniently don’t remember what a dangerous, dirty and drug ridden place New York was back then. I don’t know if it’s better or worse these days. It’s just different. I still walk around New York thinking to myself “I still fucking love this place”. I try to be in the present tense days and look to the future with a positive attitude. “The past is dead, long live the past.”
SR: What other films do you have in the works? What else can we expect in the future?
Drew: My other film Who The Fuck is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey Of Michael Alago is heading to Netflix in Oct. and I also have a Muhammad Ali documentary that I’m involved in that’s moving right along. Chances are we are going to do a few ANTIDOTE shows if the right opportunity comes up and I’m doing my acoustic thing with The Drew Stone Hit Squad every now and then. Sometimes I feel that I am one of the last truly independent filmmakers and I want to thank everyone for the support thru the years.
www.stonefilmsnyc.com
www.thenewyorkhardcorechroniclesfilm.com
Watch The New Hardcore Chronicles Film trailer and see the up-to-date screen schedule below:
Dr. Martens Presents The New York Hardcore Chronicles Film Summer 2017 Northeast Tour
May 19: SVA Theater, New York, NY: SOLD OUT Q & A w/ director Drew Stone, Roger Miret (Agnostic Front), Lou Koller (Sick Of It All) & Mike Judge (Judge)
May 28: Midtown Cinema, Harrisburg, PA- Q&A w/ Drew Stone
May 31: Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale, NY- Q&A w/ Drew Stone, Craig Setari (Sick Of It All), Yana Chupenko (P.M.S/Wench) and Bob Riley (Stigmata/Murderers Row)
June 1: Wamleg, Wallingford, CT- Q & A w/ director Drew Stone, Vinnie Stigma (Agnostic Front) & Danielle LaPage (Blood)
June 2: Philamoca, Philadelphia, PA- Q & A w/ director Drew Stone, Danny Schuler (Biohazard), Robb Nunzio (Antidote) & Mike Judge (Judge)
June 3: Stage 2 Cinema, Amesbury, MA
June 4: The Penthouse of Firehouse 13, Providence, RI- Q&A w/ Drew Stone and Jimmy Gestapo (Murphy’s Law)
June 28: The Showroom, Asbury Park, NJ- Q & A w/ Director Drew Stone
June 29: The Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY- Q&A w/ Drew Stone, James Drescher (Murphy’s Law), Danny Schuler (Biohazard), Sebastian Paba (Regulate) and Danny Diablo (Crown Of Thornz/Skarhead)
Interview with Drew Stone, Director of ‘The New York Hardcore Chronicles, Singer of Antidote was originally published on Sound Renaissance
