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| Red Connection The youth are getting restless |
The hardest working band in PR, the Red Connection, is a hard
core/punk rennesaince band from Fajardo whose about to see
their hard work pay dividends. They describe their music as
everything from Depeche Mode-meets-FalloutBoy on some
songs, to all out Madball-meets-Oakenfold! They’re working
class musicians who follow common punk ethics of not selling
out to mainstream interests and they’re soon to be reckoned
with. Meet the Red Connection
D.I.M. - Where is the rock/metal scene here in PR right now.
There’s an assload of bands so you might expect more exposure
, but it remains underground. Is that about to change?
Red Connection - I think it’s exciting to see how kids grow up in this community and appreciate it just like
we did. And yeah, there are a lot more bands out there today, but even with places like the Hard Rock
Cafe featuring more venues supporting local bands, exposure is still something that we have not yet
experienced on a fully commercial level. I CAN say that many independent records that are coming out
now are sounding just as awesome as records you’d hear from bigger acts, so is it about to change? It
definitely could.
D.I.M. - Fill us in on the new demo. Seems like a mixture between hardcore and punk. Are you guys trying
to fuse these two sounds or are you experimenting with both styles of music?
Red Connection - We just basically took all of the things that we grew up loving about punk rock and
hardcore music and blended them. It wasn’t really a concious desicion, just something that kinda of
happened when the four of us got together. Our album is 9-songs into the process as we speak, and will
have everything from Depeche Mode-meets-FalloutBoy on some songs, to all out Madball-meets-
Oakenfold! It’s like a pop-punk record with a lot of different sounds and colors to it.
D.I.M. - What bands influence The Red Connection? Your sound is pretty unique, so I’m sure it varies by
band member.
Red Connection - I mean, I was always into the jamaican/mod/rude sounds like Desmond Dekker, Alton
Ellis, the Selector, Toots and all of that. Ben is into Morissey, Tears for Fears, hip-hop and dance music...
everything pretty much. Iz is into bands like Incubus,AFI,I mean he likes everything too. Alex has more than
4000 songs in his stash man! Seriously, it’s like, Rancid-to-Atreyu-to-80’s-to-Lupe Fiasco-to-Lilly Allen-to a
ton of obscure bands! Everytime we go out for a ride, he’s like: “Check this out”. It’s like drugs!
D.I.M. - What has been your favorite venue to play here in PR?
Red Connection - Probably our first show back in 05. We were asked to open for our friends The Clever
Effect. Great crowd, great vibe, great audience feedback, and the funny thing about that, I joined the band
later that night! Go figure.
D.I.M. - I met you guys in Rincon at the Puerto Rico Skate Federation contest. traveling all the way from
Fajardo, this shows determination. Is the sacrifice paying off?
Red Connection - Greatly. We go out there to play shows.We tell our stories to anyone who’ll listen and
give us a chance, and what’s cool about it is, people are! We’ve been blessed enough to sell stickers,
shirts, and merch to kids who actually WANT to support our little band you know? And thanks to every kid
who’s bought a pin, we’ve been able to money the studio time. It’s paying off! I think everyone should be in
a band... or two, or three! Its mad fun.
D.I.M. - When can fans expect an initial release?
Red Connection - We’ve had two of the album’s singles on our myspace page for about a year now, and
people have reacted in a positive way to them. Our full-length album should be out by late november
2007. We have some working titles for it, but nothing official just yet. We DO know that we will be putting it
out on our own label.
D.I.M. - What other local bands get props from the Red Connection?
Red Connection - 1000 Lies, Yesterday’s Memories, A Room Full of Echoes, Repressed Dreams, ADN,
Infectoria, NOIQ, Abikai....too many to list dawg!
D.I.M. - We are beginning to see more females in the hardcore scene and that kicks ass. What affect
does this have on the music scene?
Red Connection - Thing is, girls have ALWAYS held it down at hardcore shows, and punk shows, and all
other type of shows. ALWAYS. The only difference is that more and more girls are progressively joining or
forming bands. But females have always been out in the pits, joining sing-alongs, and hustlin outside of
shows just like the boys.We’ve been out here forever. And you’re right, it does kick ass.
D.I.M. - Where do hardcore fans go in Fajardo to see a show?
Red Connection - Recently, 14 de Mayo and a night club called the Cave. Cool hangs.
D.I.M. - Any last words and thanks?
Check us out at www.myspace.com/theredconnection
Red Connection - Thanks go out to Mateo Puig @the Late Room NYC, Hector Santiago @DFS, ofcourse
God, this awesome magazine for keeping it DIY, Sprite for this last tour, myspace friends, FRIENDS
friends, manfriend and girlfriends, and anyone who’s ever lent their interest, time and support to this band
in any way....JAH Bless
core/punk rennesaince band from Fajardo whose about to see
their hard work pay dividends. They describe their music as
everything from Depeche Mode-meets-FalloutBoy on some
songs, to all out Madball-meets-Oakenfold! They’re working
class musicians who follow common punk ethics of not selling
out to mainstream interests and they’re soon to be reckoned
with. Meet the Red Connection
D.I.M. - Where is the rock/metal scene here in PR right now.
There’s an assload of bands so you might expect more exposure
, but it remains underground. Is that about to change?
Red Connection - I think it’s exciting to see how kids grow up in this community and appreciate it just like
we did. And yeah, there are a lot more bands out there today, but even with places like the Hard Rock
Cafe featuring more venues supporting local bands, exposure is still something that we have not yet
experienced on a fully commercial level. I CAN say that many independent records that are coming out
now are sounding just as awesome as records you’d hear from bigger acts, so is it about to change? It
definitely could.
D.I.M. - Fill us in on the new demo. Seems like a mixture between hardcore and punk. Are you guys trying
to fuse these two sounds or are you experimenting with both styles of music?
Red Connection - We just basically took all of the things that we grew up loving about punk rock and
hardcore music and blended them. It wasn’t really a concious desicion, just something that kinda of
happened when the four of us got together. Our album is 9-songs into the process as we speak, and will
have everything from Depeche Mode-meets-FalloutBoy on some songs, to all out Madball-meets-
Oakenfold! It’s like a pop-punk record with a lot of different sounds and colors to it.
D.I.M. - What bands influence The Red Connection? Your sound is pretty unique, so I’m sure it varies by
band member.
Red Connection - I mean, I was always into the jamaican/mod/rude sounds like Desmond Dekker, Alton
Ellis, the Selector, Toots and all of that. Ben is into Morissey, Tears for Fears, hip-hop and dance music...
everything pretty much. Iz is into bands like Incubus,AFI,I mean he likes everything too. Alex has more than
4000 songs in his stash man! Seriously, it’s like, Rancid-to-Atreyu-to-80’s-to-Lupe Fiasco-to-Lilly Allen-to a
ton of obscure bands! Everytime we go out for a ride, he’s like: “Check this out”. It’s like drugs!
D.I.M. - What has been your favorite venue to play here in PR?
Red Connection - Probably our first show back in 05. We were asked to open for our friends The Clever
Effect. Great crowd, great vibe, great audience feedback, and the funny thing about that, I joined the band
later that night! Go figure.
D.I.M. - I met you guys in Rincon at the Puerto Rico Skate Federation contest. traveling all the way from
Fajardo, this shows determination. Is the sacrifice paying off?
Red Connection - Greatly. We go out there to play shows.We tell our stories to anyone who’ll listen and
give us a chance, and what’s cool about it is, people are! We’ve been blessed enough to sell stickers,
shirts, and merch to kids who actually WANT to support our little band you know? And thanks to every kid
who’s bought a pin, we’ve been able to money the studio time. It’s paying off! I think everyone should be in
a band... or two, or three! Its mad fun.
D.I.M. - When can fans expect an initial release?
Red Connection - We’ve had two of the album’s singles on our myspace page for about a year now, and
people have reacted in a positive way to them. Our full-length album should be out by late november
2007. We have some working titles for it, but nothing official just yet. We DO know that we will be putting it
out on our own label.
D.I.M. - What other local bands get props from the Red Connection?
Red Connection - 1000 Lies, Yesterday’s Memories, A Room Full of Echoes, Repressed Dreams, ADN,
Infectoria, NOIQ, Abikai....too many to list dawg!
D.I.M. - We are beginning to see more females in the hardcore scene and that kicks ass. What affect
does this have on the music scene?
Red Connection - Thing is, girls have ALWAYS held it down at hardcore shows, and punk shows, and all
other type of shows. ALWAYS. The only difference is that more and more girls are progressively joining or
forming bands. But females have always been out in the pits, joining sing-alongs, and hustlin outside of
shows just like the boys.We’ve been out here forever. And you’re right, it does kick ass.
D.I.M. - Where do hardcore fans go in Fajardo to see a show?
Red Connection - Recently, 14 de Mayo and a night club called the Cave. Cool hangs.
D.I.M. - Any last words and thanks?
Check us out at www.myspace.com/theredconnection
Red Connection - Thanks go out to Mateo Puig @the Late Room NYC, Hector Santiago @DFS, ofcourse
God, this awesome magazine for keeping it DIY, Sprite for this last tour, myspace friends, FRIENDS
friends, manfriend and girlfriends, and anyone who’s ever lent their interest, time and support to this band
in any way....JAH Bless
