Q&A with ex-God Forbid Drummer Corey Pierce
New Wave of American Heavy Metal pioneers God Forbid disbanded in 2013 after more than fifteen years as a band. While guitarist Doc Coyle has been the most visibly active of the former members, drummer Corey Pierce has stayed tied in to the metal scene as well, mentoring, recording, booking and promoting underground metal in the band’s native New Jersey. We caught up with Pierce via email to get a quick update on what he’s been doing for the New Jersey metal scene over the past couple of years.
To start, what have you been up to the past couple of years since God Forbid disbanded?
When the band broke up I went through a pretty jarring few months and concluded a long term relationship, moved down to South Carolina for a few months, did a WHOLE lot of BBQing and then began doing some consulting for a studio in Manhattan which led me to move back to New Jersey. I then took on some bands in both a producing roll as well as A&R capacity. A few bands I worked with are from New Jersey (Lethal Affection, Burial Mound and Negative Sky) and a fourth band is from North Carolina (Waking Tera). I also began a project of my own called LPC (Lead Pipe Cruelty) with a couple friends from the band Thy Will Be Done (Jay Costa and Eric Tavares), Dan Nelson (ex-Anthrax) and a long time friend and guitarist Rob Mcelroy. I have since moved on to do production projects on my own, I occasionally give drum lessons and I’ve started to book shows for underground bands at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Are you still making music, or just involved on the industry side of things now?
I am still making music and slowing easing my way into the industry side more and more. I will always make music because it’s in my soul and I’m also a testy person when I don’t get to let out my aggression playing drums. But I do enjoy helping young bands prepare themselves to have a life in music and getting to see and develop new talent has become a new inspiration in my life.
What’s the scene like in New Jersey these days? How is it different from when God Forbid were first starting out?
I think the scene in New Jersey is in a little bit of a lull. However, there are a lot of great underground bands and many people who’ve been in the scene supporting for years in several ways, by being fans, booking shows, doing publicity and in radio. They will always fight to not only maintain the Jersey metal scene but find ways to make it grow.
What are some of the venues, studios, bands or other entities you’re involved with?
I’ve begun doing some booking at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick as well as helped and supported Dingbatz in Clifton. I try to go out and see shows anywhere I can in New Jersey because there are a lot of small underground shows. Places like Championship Bar down in Trenton, The Saint and Brighton Bar down in South Jersey as well as some larger venues like The Stone Pony and Starland Ballroom. Unfortunately many places have been forced to close because not enough people go out to small shows and support local talent. I also have great friends in publicity like Amy Sciarretto, Jen Kajzer at WSOU, Tim Borror over at United Talent, Melanie Milioto at TKO booking and Carl Severson from Good Fight, as well as many others who are always out looking for great underground bands and supporting the metal scene.
What is the biggest mistake you see underground metal bands consistently make?
I honestly feel like the biggest mistake is the lack of brotherhood in today’s metal scene. I mean of course there’s always going to be a connection between people that love to play extreme and underground music. But I feel like bands don’t really go out and support each other and go to each others’ shows. I was a fan of a lot of bands that were playing in different parts of the underground scene in Jersey. I think underground bands need to start supporting each other and that will unify fans as well as the bands.
How do you feel your experience as an internationally successful musician can help the next generation?
As in all things, time and experience give you a lot of answers that nothing else can. One of the greatest feelings is to help young bands avoid mistakes I’ve both seen and made in my career and my life, and watch them grow as better musicians and hopefully better people through advice I can offer them.
How can bands get a hold of you if they’re interested in your services?
I can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and my email is [email protected]. Facebook and email are the best ways to reach me for producing work, booking, or if you’re just looking to share your band’s music and want an honest opinion.
