Interviews    Cable
by Chris Barnes

Cable is like listening to the Allman Bros. and Unsane at the same time. Unquestionably heavy, but Cable harbor the distinct ability carry a riff in to jamland as well. This is what I call "Rehab Rock" - odes to cigarettes, alcohol and cheap ladies. It's the aural equivalent of reading Bukowski or sitting in a smelly, dimly lit bar on the outskirts of downtown. Hellride Music talks to drummer Vic Szalaj. Don't make me spell that phonetically.

Hellride Music: Hi Vic. Thanks for doing the interview. First question, why are you guys so friggin' mysterious?! I noticed on both your recent releases, Northern Failures and Skyhorse Jams, there are no credits. Is there a shyness problem within the band?

Vic Szalaj: Well, I wouldn't say we're trying to be mysterious, we just put what we feel is relevant for the records. We've had photos and credits on our prior releases, we just didn't put them on Skyhorse Jams & Northern Failures. But if anyone out there would like to know something... I'm always here.

Hellride Music: Give us the history of the band Cable... really, whose in the band and who plays what? Has the singer ever been checked for nodes on his vocal cords?

Vic: Cable is like larvae. We're always changing. But, on Northern Failures the lineup was: Vic Szalaj (drums), Randy Larsen (bass/vox) and Bernie Romanowski (guitar/vox), and Skyhorse Jams was all of the above plus Ben Cowles on guitar.

Actually, Randy's doctor told him that if he continued to scream the way he does, that he would eventually cause irreparable damage to his cords, but that was back in '95. A coupla Marlboros and a shot of bourbon and he's good to go.

Hellride Music: Let's talk a bit more about Skyhorse Jams and Northern Failures - to me, Northern Failures sounds a bit more dark and harsh compared to Skyhorse Jams. Would you agree? How would you compare the two albums?

Vic: Yeah, those 2 records in question are quite different from each other. Keep in mind that NF was written in the Spring of 2000 and Skyhorse... in the late winter of 2001, so it was quite a span. We keep pretty good spans of time between records so that we don't put out the same fuckin' record year after year after year. We are kings of the "HIATUS" which were on right now.


Hellride Music: Steve Austin did an awesome production job on both albums... how did you hook up with him as producer?

Vic: Steve has been a friend of ours since 1995 when we opened for his band TODAY IS THE DAY on their "Willpower" tour. We had played together a bunch since then and developed a mutual friendship and respect with him. Steve moved up here (Mass) a coupla years ago and started his AUSTIN ENTERPRISE studio, so it made sense that he produces our shit. Steve is a REAL genius, man.


Hellride Music: Why so many songs about getting high and drinking? Not much excitement in Connecticut or are there....problems....in the band? Seriously, now...

Vic: Hey man, were not condoning anything, were just talking about our lives. We aren't perfect and we have problems like everyone else. Its just our story dude.


Hellride Music: Who are some of the bands that have influenced the Cable sound?

Vic: The dreaded "influences" question ! Shit Chris, we are all into so many different things. I'd say Sabbath, Swans, Allmans, Bukowski, cigarettes, alcohol, and dirty women.


Hellride Music: Is there one band in particular that you recall being pretentious a-holes that you've played with?

Vic: Shit man. We played with some of the biggest turds in the scene. I won't name names but there are a lot of bands out there that have a 7" out and have a bit of buzz going on about them and they feel they should play after us and get more $$... fuckin' joke. They better thank God they even get the chance to see us nevermind play with us... respect your elders, children.


Hellride Music: Why the name "Cable" for the band? Would you put the rumor to rest once and for all that you once considered naming the band "Satellite Dish"?

Vic: Cable was just a word we picked after trying to name the band for like a month. Finally Randy says "Fuck it! its Cable... good enough?!" That's it. No secret meaning.


Hellride Music: Do you think success will spoil "The Osbournes"? Have any of the band members admitted to having an inexplicable attraction to Kelly Osbourne?

Vic: Man, I love that frickin show, I've watched the whole season. They may suck now though, you never know. They have been plastered on every major magazine and on every talk show, Christ..even Bush
mentioned them in a speech. Kelly will one day be a piece. I love Ozzy.


Hellride Music: How will Cable finish out 2002? I notice you didn't have any gigs lined-up on your website...

Vic: We are currently writing our fourth full-length album and will be doing gigs again very soon.


Hellride Music: Thanks for the interview.... any last words?

Vic: I'd like to take a minute to say "thanks" to Chris and Hellride, and also our fans worldwide who have always kept an interest in us for the last nine years. Thanks everyone and don't forget to wear Dirtbag Clothing. Rock the fuck on!

For FREE Cable propaganda (stickers,pins,postcards.etc) please e-mail your home address to- cable14@hotmail.com and you shall receive.

Purchase Never Trust a Gemini , Northern Failures , Gutter Queen and Skyhorse Jams at the Hellride Music Super Store

Read the Hellride Music interview with Cable

Listen to a Real Audio sample of The Big Rock

Visit the Cable website at www.cableband.net.

Copyright 2002 HellrideMusic.com
Interview by Chris Barnes 5/23/02