Hardcore G.A.S. (Gear and Style) returns with Rob Kabula who has played bass on some iconic NYHC releases including the Cause For Alarm EP (1983), Agnostic Front’s “Victim In Pain” (1984) and “Cause For Alarm” (1986) albums. In 1996 Rob would go on to form Against The Grain which would later morph into Dead Blow Hammer who are still very active today having just completed a short run of shows in Italy. Andrew Monserrate contributed to this article with questions as well as the “G.A.S.” artwork. Lead photo which shows Rob at CBGB’s in 2002 (using Mike Gallo’s bass) taken by Tim Daley. Graphics by: Joe Grover.
IE: Hey Rob. Can you tell us what you remember about first wanting to learn how to play an instrument? About how old were you? What was the spark that made you think “I want to do that”?
Rob: I picked up the guitar probably around 16. I was into KISS and Black Sabbath but when the punk movement started and I saw it on the TV I was like, this is for me. It was on the news all the time… how it was noise and the fashion was bad… and destroying the youth. I started going down to Bleecker Bob’s in NYC for records.
IE: Did you start out playing bass? It seems like a lot of bass players from the scene started out on guitar and then switched to bass.
Rob: I started on guitar playing in a punk cover band.
IE: When you went with the bass full time who were some of the bass players out there that you looked up to?
Rob: I looked up to Geezer (Black Sabbath) but loved the energy of Dee Dee after seeing the Ramones.
KABULA WITH DEAD BLOW HAMMER. PHOTO BY: ANTHONY BODIGLIO
IE: Has anything changed bass or amp wise over the years? Have you been using the same bass through the years?
Rob: I’m using a Fender P now and have been for years. In my early years “Victim In Pain and “Cause For Alarm”, I had a Vantage bass which I don’t remember what happened if I lost it or broke it.
IE: Do you use any kind of filters or effects? What gauge strings do you use? Any brands that you like to stick with?
Rob: In the early years I used a distortion box then switched to a SansAmp which I still use today. I use Ernie Ball regular slinky round wound 50-105.
IE: Your bass sound on the first 2 Agnostic Front albums and the Cause For Alarm EP are so distinguishable. When I hear those records I immediately think “Kabula”. Do you get this comment a lot and do you feel like you actually have a unique style?
Rob: It must have been that Vantage bass… the thing weighed a ton. I don’t really think I have a unique style I just took from the bands I liked and made my own sound.
IE: You’ve been recorded on a lot of albums, demos and EP’s… is there any particular one that stands out as a favorite or one that you would say you are the most proud of being a part of?
Rob: I would say the Agnostic Front “Cause For Alarm” record because I wrote a lot of the songs and it was a bold departure from the “Victim In Pain” record.
IE: “Victim In Pain” was produced and mixed by the legendary Don Fury at his home studio on the Lower East Side. What are some of your memories of recording that album?
Rob: It was so long ago but I remember it was down in the basement. I think we recorded it basically live with everyone isolated. The guitars are out of tune! Haha!
IE: Do you have any live show or gear related nightmare stories that you would like to share?
Rob: I had pretty reliable equipment; an SVT head and the big 6×10 cabinet. Stigma was usually the guy that a cord wasn’t working or he forgot to turn on his head or something.
IE: What kind of music, specifically non-hardcore/punk/metal related do you find yourself listening to these days?
Rob: I’m listening to podcasts if anything.
IE: Dead Blow Hammer is your current band which grew out of Against The Grain which dates back to the late 90’s. What is the latest on the DBH front?
Rob: Dead Blow Hammer has 3 dates in Italy in March and then when we come home we will be recording some new material for an EP. Then hopefully playing some shows in our area.
IE: What kind of advice would you give to any aspiring hardcore punk kids looking to pick up an instrument for the first time?
Rob: Follow your passion and find like-minded people that you are friends with and start a band. There’s a lot of give and take in being in a band and you might come in with a riff you like and the other guy says it sucks. It’s like being married… you learn when to speak up and when to shut your mouth and say ok.
ROB (WEARING THE LAST STAND SHIRT) WITH THE “CAUSE FOR ALARM” ERA AGNOSTIC FRONT LINEUP AT THE 2014 BLACK ‘N BLUE BOWL IN NYC. PHOTO BY: JAMMI YORK
