According to Kevin LeBlanc (I think he plays the guitar but I could not tell you with all certainty), I am the biggest Ominous Order of Filthy Mongrels fan. Because of that, I have been promised a T-shirt. They know my address so I am waiting. While it arrives in the mail (hopefully along with pins, stickers and a hadwritten letter from the band entitling me to receive all future recordings free of charge) I figured I might as well catch up with them before they either implode or become the next big shits of hardcore. Their Bastard demo is just that, a demo, but it literally kicks hardcore back into gear. Read on and spread the word...

DS - First of all, congratulations on Bastard. It is an excellent record.

Thanks, we had a lot of fun recording those songs...it came about pretty quick unlike what we've been doing since!!! hahaha, we just have a great time jammin’ together and were not worried about anything but enjoying ourselves.

DS - Let’s start with the beginning, how does the Ominous Order of Filthy Mongrels come together? Members have been in previous bands?

We've all been doing music for quite some time...myself being the newest in music, maybe only 7-8 years...First thing I started in was a band called Whore Bleeds Black, we didn't do much, just bad riffs and worse screaming!!! but it was like crack for me!!! so I needed more....so from there went on to A Day of Pigs, (which was almost going to be named Beatstick!!! hahahahaah that’s the worst name ever in history!!! fucking Dooley) and had a lot of fun with that, and now, even though I'm still no good at it, I'm with The Mongrels!! Hahaha suckers!

Mike Schweigert has been playing guitar in bands since his momma squeezed him out!! haha, Well 15 years old is like a baby, actually he still looks and acts as if he was 15 years old...pimply little fucker...His biggest undertakings have been Lord Sterling, Full Speed Ahead, Splitting Headache, Fireball Head Daisycutter, Gallery of Mites and Anaconda to name most of them. I could name them all but I think he was bragging when he told me how many bands he was in.

Mike Castlbury has been playing in bands since 1984, sounds like a long time but he's part Japanese or something, and that always confuses time lines. It's not that he's short and hairy, or you can't understand him, it's just those eyes...ewww creeps me out just thinking about ‘em. He was in, Doc Martin, Open Eyes, Remainder, Splitting headache,Full Speed Ahead and Black Mamba.

Then there’s Zupko...man, if there’s one dude in the band that no one gets along with it's Zupko. Never available, never wants to play shows, always late...leaves endless snot rockets wherever he goes, real class act. He did some bands, I'd rather not mention them but he'll cry for months about it I don't, oh yeah, he's a plumber, so remember that when you hear the drums. He was in Cutlass and Black Mamba and a few others he prefers to keep quite about.

And last but not least, there's Dave. I actually know him the least. I keep it that way. He has almost as many bad things to be said about him as I do...so let’s just stick to the facts, his nickname is meat (not cause he likes meat patties) and he's always flexing in the windows of banks. Weird. He also did, Cutlass and Fireball Head.

DS - How and why did you pick that name for the band?

Hahaha, It’s ridiculous!!!...that seems to be our favorite part of the name, it’s just dumb. Kuda and I both came up with a separate part, so first we just calling ourselves the Ominous Order (I'm kinda a conspiracy fool) and Kuda came up with Filthy Mongrels (he's just filthy)...and one day Mike said we should just put ‘em together and Wa La, TOOOFM.

DS - I was reading what people were saying about the band and many people bring up the fact that you guys are from New Jersey. Some mention that in regards to your sound, as if that has affected it. Would you say there is something to that?

Shit, I didn't know people even talked about us. You sure about that? I think it’s a load of crap personally. We have a sound? a Jersey Sound? maybe that should be our new name!!! Fuckin’ A that’s it!!!!! Jersey Sound!!! Yesssss.

DS - If I am not mistaken there are two or three other recordings before Bastard. Are these available to the public? (I read that somewhere. Poor research skills, I know)

There are zero recordings before this one and maybe zero after it...? They are both unfortunately unavailable to the public...sorry to the 3 people that dig us. Maybe we will actually record all our new songs. Actually we’re recording in two weeks with Alap Momin from Dalek...that dude rules...were really stoked to get time with him. He's just gonna laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh at us. I think we’re gonna do a full length vinyl, maybe baby blue? Yessss.

DS - How do you view Bastard in regard to the previous recording? (this interview was conducted thru e-mail hence, the absurd question following the previous answer.)

Well, since there was no previous recording, and no recording in the future...and since the past and future do not exist and most likely never have... we haven't changed a bit. In the present state, we are evolving like buffalos. More hair, bigger horns and of course, bigger balls. And smaller eyes. It’s the evolution that is wanting us to change, to bring forth this new awareness of stupidity through the human spirit. An Awakening, if you will. The new stuff is fucking cool.

DS - I believe Bastard is only being released in digital format and is being given for free at shows. Why did you decide to go for this approach instead of pressing actual copies for sale?

Yeah, Chainsaw new what was up immediately...He saw the Mongrels for what they really are; a bunch of douchebags, and he was right...we’re just looking to get paid...so this was just a taste, you know? Give the kids a hit or two for free, then before you know it, the second one comes out and BAMMMM!!! them fuckers gotta pay. No remorse, no regret. The Mongrels gotta eat filet mignon.

DS - Considering that Bastard is being released in digital format and that it is available in sites like Amazon for a low price, does it bother you at all that Bastard is readily available for download from a number of blogs?

With all seriousness...we don't give a shit about making money from this, it’s too much fun...now, Chainsaw might look at it different, but I don't think so on the same level as the huge corporate dicknuts do...but I know he wouldn't mind making a few bucks. And he should, that’s the true American way. unfortunately people are gonna steal, we've been doing it since even before that Jesus dude said it was wrong. It ain't gonna stop cause TOOOFM puts out a record!!! Haha.

DS - This may be a bit of an odd question, Why is the recording titled Bastard - Demo? I am just asking because I think that including the word demo gives the idea that this is just a rehearsal or something like that, a small intro of sorts and that it perhaps is not an official release. Why did you decide to release this with that title?

You know, we’re fatherless, unwanted...never cared for, spat on in the streets, sold at market for cheap labor. For a demo, it’s a pretty decent one. We did it at The Machine Shop with our buddy Will Putney. We did it quick but still sounds pretty good for a demo. Thanks Will.

DS - I have to tell you, Bastard is one of the best recording I have heard in the last 12 months. The first time I listened to it, it floored me. It has such energy and power. I like that the intensity is kept pretty evenly strong throughout. When you were writing these songs, how conscious was the fact that the songs had to be that intense or that fast? I am saying because the songs just keep on building and rolling…

Thanks man, we love it when other people dig the tunes, I guess that’s the pay off. We love music, so getting out and playing shows or practice or writing is just and excuse to live in that moment of intensity...it’s a high we all feed off. Yeah, we all wanted to do some faster stuff, just a nice clean kick in the mouth to start your day ya know? and the new stuff is a great mix of all our styles that seemed to meld together flawlessly.

DS - I am not sure if you have felt it, but there seems to be a buzz about The Ominous Order of Filthy Mongrels. How do you feel has the response been to Bastard so far?

Well, when we’re not blowing off shows or wiping shit and boogers from our kids orifices, I guess we don't get much feedback...as a matter of fact I think you are our biggest fan. Thanks dude; send me your address and I'll get a t-shirt out asap.

DS - What can we expect from the upcoming recording of the band?

We think it's going to be praised as the Epitaph of Modern man, a keepsake on the tomb of humans. its gonna be epic to say the least. That’s if you really like loud annoying music with some dickhead trying to abort a lung from his mouth. Then yeah, epic.

DS - What are the next steps for the band?

We’re actually setting up "The Endsworld" show in Peru, 2012. its gonna be us and Pink tearing the shit outta some Peruvian asses!!! Nah just kidding, were just gonna keep writing and playing shows here and there. Working our way to prunes and Depends. DS - Finally, what are you listening to right now? Eckhart Tolle and Black Anvil, with the occasional Flaming Lips for those warm feelings.

DS - Last words?

Thanks for asking us about our hopes, ideas and ambitions...and thank you to the rest of my band for allowing me to make us all look bad.

MySpace

Read our review of Bastard Demo here….