UTP Interviews Jason Navarro of Break Anchor

Oh hey, this was exciting. Pretty recently Mr. Brandon asked me if I wanted a promo of the new Break Anchor 7". I of course wanted it because it exists. He also asked if I wanted to do an e-mail interview with Jay Navarro of Break Anchor and formerly over The Suicide Machines and currently of Hellmouth. Its quick, dirty, and I only get embarassed once. If I should be embarassed more than once just don't tell me.

Photograph by Luke Hartley

Being pretty new what is and who are Break Anchor the band?

We are drunks, drug addicts, psuedo intellectuals, punks, brain surgeon, a cook, warehouse ruffneck, a hustler Detroiters, people who write music for all the right reasons.

For much of your music career your bands have always had some roots in hardcore. How did Break Anchor develop its mid-tempo, melodic sound?

You have not done your homework, google Roosevelt's Inaugural Parade or Cleons Down. I was part of the 2nd wave of people who were very influenced by Rights of Spring, Fugazi, Sinker, Lungfish etc. I was sick of how fucked up and violent things were back then in Detroit. This was a breath of fresh air.

I was a bit embarrassed here. I hadn't listened to anything from Rossevelt's Inaugural Parade in I don't know how many years. Also, I'd never even heard of Cleons Down. I feel shame. True Shame.

You’ve got a wife, kids, and a full-time job; do you see Break Anchor doing any sort of national touring? Is there a band that you’d quit your job for if they came and asked you to head out for a full-scale tour with them?

Avail. hahaha for sure. I can take my 401k in september. I'm thinking about touring again.

In Hellmouth promo photos and the recent Break Anchor group shot you often have this somewhat disconcerting smile and look in your eyes. So, what is it that you know that we don’t?

I know how the universe started... and how its going to end.

You've spoken before about how awful Detroit is in many ways, and Men's Health magazine recently ranked it as America's most depressed city. Why not relocate? Does it inspire?

No struggle... no honesty. Which is why I work such a hard and shitty job. I need pain and desperation in my life.

I mentioned to some friends that I was doing this interview and one thing they all wanted to know what, “What possessed you to thank ICP in the liner notes of Destruction by Definition?”

Joe aka Violent J is a friend. Juggle on muthafukas! hahahahaa

Now for the question my bosses make me ask: being a Detroit native, are you a hockey fan? If so, how’d you get into hockey?

You are born with rust in your blood and skates on your feet here. Just how it is. I have a picture of Darren McCarty  wearing a Suicide Machines shirt. They used to play our time alot at the games to. Fuck fame and [money]. It's shit like that that matters.

Thanks goes out to Jay for taking the time to answer a couple of questions. Hopefully as time goes on Up The Pucks will be able to bring you more interviews as bands and press-type people realize that not all of the writers here are just bitter, angry people.

You can hear a stream of the upcoming(out March 20) 7”, Blackhearts and Blackouts, over at ForTheLoveofPunk and can pre-order the 7” or get the digital download at the Paper+Plastick store.