(EDITOR’S NOTE — Ok, so, we’ve been waiting somewhat impatiently for this record to drop, and when it finally hit the streams yesterday, we were floored: It was even better than we expected. Buffalo first-wave hardcore band G.O.A. is now out with a four-song 7-inch titled 'More! More! More!' — recorded earlier this year with legendary engineer/producer Don Fury, whose seminal mark on American hardcore can be heard in his pioneering work with bands including Agnostic Front, Gorilla Biscuits and Sick of It All. Available now on YouTube HERE and in digital format on iTunes, the record will be up as well on Spotify and other streaming platforms very soon. You can also purchase the 7-inch through Triple Hammer Records HERE. The Buffalo hardcore scene, thriving once again, is richer for the presence of bands such as G.O.A. and Do Crime, which have played an important role in ensuring the genre’s roots and first-wave sound remains represented today. We spoke recently with G.O.A. drummer MikeUnion Jeffers, an institution himself in Buffalo’s hardcore world, about the new record and what it was like working with Fury. We thank Mike for his time. G.O.A. is also comprised of Griffin Coyne, guitar; Rich McDermott, bass; and Jorden Cudzilo, vocals. Please read our story below. — Photo of band with Don Fury (middle) provided by G.O.A.)
1120 PRESS: Congrats on the new record and thank you for speaking with us! Can you give us your overall thoughts on the new work?
MIKE JEFFERS: I’m extremely proud of this release. It showcases our collective influences well. We are a hardcore punk band. It’s a difficult concept for a lot of people to understand nowadays. No metal, no breakdowns, and not pop punk. We try to straddle the line between two worlds. Sometimes melodic but always aggressive.
1120: What’s the story behind working with Don Fury; how did it come about and was it difficult to land him?
MJ: Don’s work has been a major influence on all of us as a band. His resume speaks for itself. Rich and I are obviously older than Jorden and Griffin, yet we all look at Don’s work with the same high regard. His influence cannot be overstated. His work is timeless, and his career has spanned decades influencing all of the members of our band no matter when we found hardcore. One of my old bands back in the 90s was hoping to record with him, but unfortunately, we broke up before it came to fruition. I spoke with Don for several hours about what G.O.A. was hoping to accomplish by the two of us working together, and he agreed that we could make it happen. We talked about Brooklyn and Long Island because me and Rich are originally from there, as well as our connection to bands that he recorded over the course of his career. We just wanted to make sure that what we were looking to do as a band fit in with what he was known for. We wanted the record to sound like vintage, analog, 80’s Fury recordings. Mission accomplished.
1120: What was the experience like working with someone who has played such an important role in shaping the music of early hardcore and what do you think Don got out of the band?
MJ: It was definitely a bucket list experience. We all got to use the equipment that our favorite records were recorded with. Whether it be the drums, the cabinets, or the heads, you could feel the magic... like recording in a living history museum. I think Don enjoyed the fact that Rich and I were both downstate New Yorkers originally, but I also think he liked the fact that we had younger guys with us who embrace his past work. He’s definitely a humble man. It was an honor to work with him.
1120: Thank you again for your time. Before we let you go, can you tell us what’s ahead for GOA in the near future?
MJ: We will be setting up a record release show in Buffalo, and then we’re gonna be working on out-of-town dates. We’re taking the band more seriously than we have because it’s too good!
(Listen to the track 'War All The Time' from 'More! More! More!' below)
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