Interview with Jess Scutella: Deadhorse - Crescendo

Band: Deadhorse
Album: Crescendo
Release Date: August 28th, 2017
Genre: Post Rock, Punk Rock
Rating: 8.5/10
Bandcamp: deadhorse.bandcamp.com

We’re about to kick off the “Week Of Evil” tomorrow, but I didn’t want to slam right into that this year. Instead I want to give us a calm before the storm, and for that I can’t think of a better album that Crescendo by Deadhorse.

See, we’re not just gonna review it though, we’re gonna have an interview with one of the band members. You may or may not remember him as the artist of literally all of my tattoos, the one and only Jess Scutella.


Noah: Jess, how’re you doing today?

Jess: I am feeling creepy. I am feeling long. I am feeling wild and driven, depressed and annoyed. A lot of things on my plate and a lot more to come, but I am doing well. How are you?!

N: Not too bad at all man. So tell us a little about yourself, what do you do?

J: I found it is easiest to just rattle crap off like a grocery list:

• Tattooist at Steadfast Tattoo Parlour 
• Write and author of Reflections from Waterford’s Woods and The Heat of High Noon.
• Touring and studio percussionist
• Comic-con artist and guest
• Philanthropist 
• Actor
• Activist
• Asshat

I just love life and chase it to all ends of the Earth. I know that sounds egotistical, but it is what it is.

N: Nah man, that's the best way to list off what you're up to at this point, and that's a solid mission of sorts as well.  So after we talked a couple weeks ago I finally checked out Deadhorse’s album. Gotta say, it wasn’t really what I was expecting from you with that Punk Rock background you have going on. What’s the inspiration behind Crescendo?

J: Now, to be honest, I didn’t do any of the writing for this album, but this album was meant to be the antithesis to the wall of sound out right now. The calm before the storm...but it is the storm, too. All previous albums were action and movement, loud statements. This one we wanted to be a whisper to a god. Now, I get poetic too easily, but truly the album is a collection of a lot emotions and years of repose. This is our first album in some time, my friend.

Further, we wanted to redefine punk-rock, even post-rock. Listen to the album. It is meant to be listened to loudly.

N: It was super freaking chill, not gonna lie. I was expecting some drums to kick in at some point, but the whole thing was just really floaty. With my prior expectations it made it a borderline tense experience.

J: Honestly, there is rage. There is hurt and confusion. There are upturns and chaos, but you have to listen to it fully. Sometimes, full-bodied albums can miss the target. We wanted something with no ego, just bare bones. When you listen to Satie, Bach, and Beethoven you feel a flurry of emotions, no? Surely, these are the gods of classical, but they were punks, they were revolutionary and wanted change to be heard in their music. We wanted to emulate that, in the smallest form. We believe this was achieved. We believe Crescendo is a punk album. We want you to feel the world change as you listen.

N: One of those times when it’s like, punk in attitude, even if not in conventional style? Love it. So you guys were supposed to tour China for a few months. Actually you were supposed to be gone right now, what ended up happening there?

J: Ah, yes. This was a huge upset for not only us, but our fans and the company we were working with. It was a very convoluted arrangement, but I will try my best to simplify it here. We haven’t toured professionally in nearly 5 years. So the tour offer from China was huge for us. We spent months rewriting songs, prepping a long, live performance, and organizing the tour itself. However, there was communication problems with the manager in China. Be it language barriers or cultural differences, we just couldn’t get the necessary info we needed at the appropriate times. It was frustrating and scary. China is an extremely bureaucratic country, it requires detailed personal information, trackable travel itinerary, and evidence of housing just to visit the place. It was that exact information that we required to get the proper visas and we did not get it in time, sadly.

I say these things while not blaming the manager, but just drawing attention to the fact that tours, especially internationally, can be extremely stressful, difficult, and expensive for both bands and managers.

N: That sucks man, that would have been a fantastic experience. On the plus side though, you guys still have this the full rework you’ve put together, in addition to an emotionally powerful album. As a heads up to anybody interested, you can buy this album on Bandcamp at the link provided in a name your price fashion. It’s worth at least a listen, but please consider supporting local music and buying it.

Jess, you have anything you want to close with?

J: Life is Beautiful. Watch that movie.

Check out and support your damn local scene. Appreciate and love the bands that bring you the music they do. Often times it is the only thing keeping them going in their lives.

Also, be active politically. Vote locally, write to your representatives and realize your dollar is a voting system. Be aware of what you buy.

Lastly, listen to more XTC, Johnny Cash, and Bowie.

N: Thanks man, I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me here.

You can find Jess, his tattoos and his ramblings, on instagram as @MrScutella or online at strangeoperators.com. Take some time to treat yourself to his poetry and art, it’s worth your time.

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