Corrosion of Conformity, 1983 -- remnant from Andy's aborted fanzine

Woody Weatherman and Reed Mullin in Los Angeles in 1984. (Andy  photos)

By Andy

"Corrosion of Conformity ... Rippers of Flesh." That was supposed to be the title of this interview back when I was a junior in high school in 1983. I sent the band some questions for my fanzine that never came to life.
But, for you COC fans, I've dusted off this gem, brought it back from the dead.

Not long after I received this in the mail, drummer Reed Mullin gave me a call from Raleigh, NC, while I was doing some math homework or something. Screw math probs, let's talk some COC, my inner self probably said. That was the start of a friendship that has lasted 28 years, and Carrie and I will be traveling to the Maryland Deathfest in May to see these guys again. (We checked them out in August ... it was killer.)

So, in honor of COC's "Animosity" lineup of Mullin, guitarist Woody Weatherman and bassist/vocalist Mike Dean recording new tunes this week at Dave Grohl's Los Angeles-area studio, I give you this interview. It's funny, it's serious, it's classic COC.

Eric Eycke on vocals in LA, 1984.

And the "Rippers of Flesh" headline still holds true today.

(Sorry for the generic questions, but, hey, I was in high school.)

* When did you guys start?

July 1982

* What was your purpose for starting a band?

Reed (drums): We didn't know we needed a purpose
Woody (guitar): I knew it
Eric (new singer): To serve humanity
Mike (bass): To kill boredom, amuse ourselves and psychologically torture our enemies

* Who are your influences?

Mike: Our main influences seem to be Black Sabbath, Bad Brains, Motorhead, Discharge, GBH, Black Flag, DOA (Dimwit's killer drum attack), early Iron Maiden, the things we just hear in our head and all the plastic, lifeless music we hear (anger and revulsion inspires).

* How do you go about writing lyrics and music for your songs?

Mike: Usually, any one of us comes up with a potentially killer riff and we all add something until we think it's complete. Then it's my assignment to fit it with a set of lyrics. There are exceptions to this, though.

* Have you guys played in other states? If so, how did it go?

LA flier, 1984.

Mike: Last summer, we took our generic thrash tour on the road to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philly, New York, Connecticut, Boston, Baltimore and DC. That was No Labels and us. We made gas money, slept in Holiday Inn parking lots with the Suicidal Tendencies and became generally famous. We play Richmond pretty regularly.

* Do you guys have jobs?

Mike: Eric shovels horse dookie, Woody works in a jewelry store, Reed is office manager for his parents' company and I'm a cook.

* Do you skate?

Mike: Eric and I are fanatics. He's got actual talent and I've got insanity. We have lot of banks around to ride. We're hoping to do big advertising for Indy trucks one day ... 'Indy 169s ... I ride 'em!'

* Do you have any plans for new material or vinyl in the future?

Mike: We were on the 'Why are We Here?' EP. It's a 7-inch 33 with No Labels, Stillborn Christians, Bloodmobile (all defunct) and us, the only surviving outfit. Also, at this moment, we have 19 cuts (11 new, eight old) just recorded, just waiting to be pressed on 12-inch vinyl.

* How do you feel the NC scene compares with other scenes you may have encountered?

Mike: Compared to places with a larger 'scene,' it is nice because punk/hardcore is not hip, and therefore attracts fewer cretins who just want to be cool or macho or show off their clothes. On the other hand, we have only one semi-dependable club.

Mike Dean in 2010 in Seattle.

Reed

Woody