Back in the '90s, if someone had told me that a Skarhead x Integrity split EP would eventually be released, I would have laughed you right out of the room. I won't delve into the unpleasant specifics here, but it was clear that there was no love lost between Skarhead's Danny "Ezec" Singer and Integrity's Dwid Hellion back then. So, you can understand my surprise when it was recently revealed that the two bands would actually join forces for a collaborative 12", leaving the drama between the two frontmen in the past.
When I asked Ezec about the Skarhead x Integrity split, the NYHC veteran was clear on the inspiration point behind the unexpected collaboration: "We both hate that bitch ass n***a, Chubby Fresh." For those readers who aren't up on the history here, Chubby Fresh [Tony Pines] is the founding drummer of One Life Crew, a Cleveland band with no shortage of lore around them.
Ezec continued: "Dwid and I started talking online within the past year, making jokes about Chubby and then we started talking about life and music. I then hit up [Static Era Records owner] Jay Reason to reach out to him about doing a split vinyl release on his label!
"Once Dwid said yes, I knew this release was gonna knock this world off its axis! The music, the art, and lyrics are straight fire, son! On both sides! I can’t wait for the release and to play shows with each other."
Dwid was more diplomatic explaining the genesis behind the new split EP when we chatted. "Danny and I were messaging each other and the idea to put together a split record materialized from those conversations," he said. "All of the songs that were recorded ended up being strong songs with solid, passionate themes."
In other collaboration moments on the split, Dwid appears on the Skarhead track "Till' Death We Part," while "Die by the Gun" was produced by his Psywarfare project. "Hombre and I put some unhinged beats together for Danny and Tony Slippaz to rap over," said Dwid.
On "Devil Down," Integrity brings back the essence of their classic recordings which isn't suprising when you find out who played on the session. "Aaron Melnick is playing guitar, so that definitely helps with the '90s feel of the band."
When discussing "Die by the Gun," perceptive readers of No Echo may recognize its initial version. "It's a song that I did with Danny Diablo [Ezec's hip-hop alias] that made mad noise in 2005. So I took that thang down flipped it and reversed it," the singer chuckled when I inquired about its fresh interpretation.
Ezec talked about the musicians that joined him on "Till' Death We Part," the more traditional-sounding Skarhead track on the split. "I always rock with Zack [Thorne] from Bulldoze and Dimi [Douvas] from Crown of Thornz. Zack did guitars and bass, and Dimi rocked the drums. So they went into the studio with out me and recorded in Jersey with Jay Bayway!
"I then went to Lord Jewish’s studio in Brooklyn and did the vocals. I listened to what they did and then had to cut and paste the music for the vocals. Then I had Big Rob and Lord Jewish do back ups with me. Big Rob handled the guitar solo. Dwid did his vocals from his studio overseas!"
As far as "Die by the Gun," Ezec said: "I had my E-Train Records artist Tony Slippaz also jump on the track. It turned out dope and we are talking about doing a full Danny Diablo x Psywarfare EP next year on Static Era Records. Life is art!"
Since a lot of people were surprised when the Skarhead x Integrity split announcement was made, I asked the vocalist how closely he followed that kind of stuff, and his answer was classic Dwid:
"I generally do not pay attention to public opinion; I have always acted on my own personal interests."
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The Skarhead x Integrity split is available on vinyl via Static Era Records.
