On October 17th Brooklyn music icons Biohazard return with their first new studio album in over a decade with “Divided We Fall”. The “classic” lineup with Evan Seinfeld on bass/vocals, Billy Graziadei on guitar/vocals, Bobby Hambel on guitar and Danny Schuler on drums return once again for some unfinished business. A month long tour across the USA (with stops in Canada) kicks off on October 3rd alongside Onyx, Bayway and Swollen Teeth. We caught up with drummer Danny Schuler in late September to ask him a few questions and this is what we got. Lead photo by: Tessa Wiegerinck, graphics by: Paul Turano.
1: Hey Danny, where exactly are you right now and what would you usually be doing at this time of the day if you weren’t answering these questions?
Danny: I’m home, it’s 745pm and I’m usually practicing drums at this time.
2: The “classic” Biohazard lineup with yourself Evan, Billy and Bobby has been back for close to 3 years now and in October comes the first new album in well over a decade…. what sparked this lineup getting back together in late 2022 and was there someone who you would call the main catalyst for bringing it all back?
Danny: My brother ran into Evan at the airport in Los Angeles… he told me about it and I reached out to Evan to say hello and we started talking. As far as putting the band back together, it just kinda happened naturally. I know I missed being part of Biohazard and I’m pretty sure the other guys did too.
3: Biohazard fans have already had a peak at “Divided We Fall” as four of the 11 tracks have already been made public. Do you feel like the sound/style you went for on this album replicates or is in line with a previous era from the band? Maybe you feel like you stepped into some new territory here or maybe it’s somewhere in the middle? What kind of vibe does “Divided We Fall” give to you personally?
Danny: I think “Divided We Fall” is Biohazard doing what we do best. I didn’t want to make a new school record to compete with all these new bands… they all have their sound and I love it, but what we do is unique to us, and I really think when we are firing on all cylinders we can hang with anybody… especially live. So I would say this new record is right up there with the best stuff we’ve ever done. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
4: Matt Hyde produced the new album and has worked with some huge names like Slayer and Hatebreed in the past. With all of the members of Biohazard having crazy amounts of experience with recording and working in the recording industry how important is it for a band to get along and “click” with the guy producing your music and what can you tell us about the process of working with Matt on the new one?
Danny: Matt Hyde was a big part of this record for sure. When he came in, we had a lot of songs written but we hadn’t yet started to focus on which ones would be the best ones for the new record. One of the first things Matt did was listen to everything and we asked him to pick which songs he thought would work best. His list of songs was exactly my list, which surprised me. I had no idea he was so familiar with what we do. It was great working with Matt Hyde… he’s a madman in the studio.
5: Considering this was the first time in over a decade that all four of you hit the studio together how would you describe the overall experience compared to previous albums?
Danny: It was similar to the way we’ve worked in the past: get all 4 of us in a room and play live. Pretty simple but I think that’s how we do our best. Of course we overdubbed some stuff later but those drum tracks are live, unedited takes… no samples, no bullshit… just well recorded in a great studio.
6: Where did you guys go to shoot the two new videos for “Fuck The System” and “Eyes On Six”?
Danny: We did those in Los Angeles in 1 day.
7: What can you tell us about the label you are working with on the new one in BLK ll BLK? They don’t seem to have many releases out there yet…
Danny: It is a new branch of an older label… they’ve been great so far.
8: On October 3rd you guys head out for like a month long tour across the US with an old familiar name in Onyx (who by the way also have a new album out). When I saw the flyer my first thought was “what year is this?” What can you tell us about where you are performing and what kind of venues you will be playing?
Danny: The tour is across the US, and 2 shows in Canada. It’s Biohazard, Onyx, Bayway, and Swollen Teeth. Old school for sure.
9: With a month long tour (or any tour for that matter) right around the corner what are 3 personal things that when you are packing you absolutely cannot forget to pack?
Danny: Toothbrush… obviously! I bring my laptop so I can write and record on the road, and running sneakers… Haha!
10: Do you prefer playing bigger fests or stadium sized shows or are you more into playing clubs? In your opinion what are some upsides and downsides to each?
Danny: I love it all. Big shows… when done right, are incredible, but sometimes at big shows you can feel kinda disconnected from the audience, which is strange. But small packed sweaty club shows are the roots of Biohazard, and IMHO there’s nothing more fun than a tiny club packed to the ceiling with people going ape shit. We love it!
11: What would you say is the biggest crowd Biohazard has performed in front of? Have you or do you ever get nervous?
Danny: We played a huge festival in Poland 2 years ago for half a million people which is hard to even comprehend! Obviously they weren’t only there for Biohazard but it was an amazing day for sure! No I don’t get nervous… I just focus on what I do and relax.
12: Do you have any pre-show rituals or things you do to get ready for any show?
Danny: I always watch other bands… see friends, stretch and warm up before a show.
BIOHAZARD (L-R) DANNY, BILLY, BOBBY, EVAN
13: Do you remember how the name Biohazard came to be the band name? Who thought of it?
Danny: Pete Steele suggested the name.
14: Name a place that yourself or Biohazard have never played that you are dying to get to?
Danny: Hawaii!
15: What have been your favorite places to visit on tour and what about them made them the best?
Danny: Too many to list here! I sometimes walk for hours after sound-check exploring whatever city we may be in. There’s great stuff to see everywhere ya go and we’ve been very fortunate to perform all over the world for the last 35 years.
16: What would you say has been the scariest or most dangerous situation you and the band have been in while on tour or at a show?
Danny: We’ve been in many tough spots over the years, lots of fights and violent situations… run-ins with racists, boot leggers, you name it, we’ve dealt with it. All part of what bands deal with on tour.
17: Who or what got you into wanting to be a drummer as a kid and who were some of the drummers you looked up to at that time and thought “I want to do that”?
Danny: As far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play drums. My parents listened to a lot of music in the house. Mom was an Elvis/Beatles fan, so music was all around. We lived in Brooklyn and in the 70’s and 80’s the city was exploding with punk, hip-hop… everything. It was a pretty amazing and inspirational time and place to grow up in. My favorite drummers were Peter Criss, Bill Ward, Buddy Rich, and John Bonham. Pretty much sums it all up! Haha!
18: Were your parents supportive when you started playing music with bands and what did they think of Biohazard when you guys started to get your first success?
Danny: My parents were very old school, they didn’t want me going out and playing drums in a band. My dad passed when I was 10, so he never knew about Biohazard, but my mom came to a few shows in NYC back in the day.
19: If you could give your 21 year old self some sound advice about being in the music industry what would you tell them?
Danny: Invest your money… not everybody has your best interests in mind… and always go with your gut. Oh and buy bitcoin… Haha!
20: Can you name three Biohazard songs from previous albums that you feel have stood the test of time and still “hit” for you?
Danny: “Retribution” and “Hold My Own” from our first album still hit… so does “Shades Of Gray” from “Urban Discipline”.
BONUS QUESTIONS:
21: Aside from making music and playing in bands what kinds of interests do you have when you get free time?
Danny: I like to exercise outside daily. I like to run and hike, I ride bikes every day, play with my dogs, hang with my family and friends, eat good food and play music. That’s about as good as it gets for me!
22: Before we wrap this up I have to say I always wanted to ask about the making of the “Punishment” video and any backstories… particularly showing up to the Brooklyn Bridge with a huge posse and just jumping all over like a bunch of manics. What can you tell us about that day?
Danny: That day was insane! We had so many great friends with us that day… it was really mind blowing! Showing up and playing drums on the Brooklyn Bridge is still one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Paris Mayhew and Drew Stone put that all together… love those guys!
PHOTO BY: TESSA WIEGERINCK