Interview with Chris Boneless, Drummer for Random Killing, +Lumbergh, and guitar for Hotel Murder, and affiliated with Filthy Kitty Interview

Punk Globe: My first question is how you always got into punk rock?

Chris: Well, my first recollection of being drawn to the culture was when I was maybe 8 or 9. My parents, aunt and uncle took my sister, my cousins, and me to a Blue Jays game. We went driving down younge street and boom there was this dude with a super huge blue Mohawk. I’d never seen anything like it before. My older cousin, or maybe my uncle, rolled down the window and shouted Punks not dead at the guy. He quickly gave them the finger, and I was like Oh shit! I remember my uncle saying “they love that” immediately after, haha, from then on I was changed. I wanted a Mohawk. Lol

My first introduction to the music side of things came from my older cousin Craig. He listened to a lot of metal but had this wicked exploited banner on his wall. And had some punk records by the Clash, Exploited, Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys… the classics. I got into skateboarding around the same time, and Thrasher magazine and skate vids got me into bands like the Circle Jerks, Black Flag, The Misfits, Dayglo Abortions… around the same time, I realized I wanted to be in a band as well. 🤘

Punk Globe: Were you already a musician at that time?

Chris: I was forced at a young age to play piano and learn theory, which was the start of my musical journey. I ended up getting pretty far in the Royal Conservatory program. I played in some school ensembles in grade school and high school. But in grade 9 or so, I was given a guitar for Christmas, and that is when I started looking for others to play with

Punk Globe: What was your first band?

Chris: My first real band was called Slived, which is Devil’s spelled backwards. (So dumb lol) This band was made up of most of the core members of Out Of Hand, and over the years, with some name changes and finding ourselves musically, we ended up with the name Out Of Hand. We released 2 records through the label Raw Energy Records out of Toronto, and an EP after the label folded.

Punk Globe: What are all your current musical projects, and what can you tell me about them?

Chris: So as of right now I’m playing drums for Random Killing from Toronto. They’ve been a staple in the punk scene since 1984. Formerly signed to Raw Energy/A&M A&M Records where they released several albums on. We are currently recording our first record in 20 years, set to be released by Cursed Blessings Records sometime later this year. It’s an honor to be playing with them as I’ve been a fan for a really long time and they’re a great bunch of guys! We are touring this year with our friends, The Dayglo Abortions from BC. April will be in Ontario and Quebec. Then the prairies and BC in August.

I also play drums for a band called Lumbergh out of Ajax, Ontario, who are kind of a punk/metal/hardcore crossover band. We’re gonna be releasing our whole catalogue of songs later this year or next, depending on when we can get it recorded, due to us all having busy schedules.

I also play guitar in a band called Hotel Murder from Toronto. We released a single called Need a change just before the pandemic hit, but as a result of the pandemic, we haven’t been able to get together yet since it hit. We do plan on recording some new songs and getting out playing as soon as we’re all able to. I’ve also been working with Filthy Kitty, who is pretty much a one-man band live, but I did a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train called Filthy Train. You can find the video on YouTube under Filthy Train. We’re just about to start another track, but that’s all I can tell you right now.

Punk Globe: I’m good pals with Dan Price. I have definitely seen the Filthy Train video, that’s awesome, man. How long have you been working with him?

Punk Globe:  I met Dan about two years ago at a show in Belleville and was just amazed at his talents on guitar, as well as how funny he was. That mask is unreal that he wears hahaha taking bong hits and drinking beers with it on. Deadly. So, ya, we just kinda hit it off and agreed we should do something musically together. He came up with Filthy Train, so here we are today. I feel we bring the best outta each other musically, so we’re gonna do more. He’s a great dude! 🤘

Punk Globe: That’s rad man, man. Do you still skate?

Chris: Haha, I got pretty hefty for a while there so I kinda stopped for a bit. Plus, I broke my leg pretty badly, but I’ve been getting back into it over the last summer. I’ve been known to rip a halfpipe here and there lol

Punk Globe: Awesome I have just been getting back into it myself the last couple years. Sorry for the double question but what is your favorite skate park? And what is your favorite venue to play at?

Chris: Favourite Skatepark was Shred Central in Toronto, but is now gone. Calgary’s skatepark is awesome too. Has everything. Favorite venues were the Cobalt in Vancouver, and logans in Victoria BC, but sadly, both are now gone. Locally, I love the Opera House in Toronto and Coalition as well, but Coalition had to close too. Honorable mention goes to EndPrograms’ old home base, Siesta Neuveaux (RIP), sad that all the great places seem to disappear

Punk Globe: What is the furthest you have ever traveled to play a show?

Chris: The other side of the planet? Lol I really don’t know. Random Killing is planning on a European tour as soon as restrictions lift.

Punk Globe: Wow, that’s awesome What are your thoughts about record labels like Epitaph and Fat?

Chris: Both Epitaph and Fat are very important labels when it comes to the punk scene. They brought new listeners to a very underground scene at the time. I remember a time when you could go into a record store and buy anything from either of those labels, and it was always killer. That whole skate punk movement was awesome. We were lucky enough to get signed to the Canadian version of Raw Energy Records and got to play with a lot of the bands from that era like Guttermouth, Good Riddance, Diesel Boy, Snfu, and Propagandhi, just to name some. It was nice as a fan to see the bands I love finally get the recognition they deserved.

Punk Globe: Do you still feel that way about them currently with their newer releases?

Chris: In all honesty, I’ve kinda lost touch with both, and don’t really know what’s going on outside the older bands they had… I’ve heard there have been some odd signings, but haven’t had a chance to check anything new out, really

Punk Globe: Did you get to meet Propagandhi, Guttermouth, or SNFU if so what were those experiences like?

Chris: Yes, definitely. Out Of Hand did a small tour with Propagandhi on the How to Clean Everything Tour in Ontario. It was interesting. That was when Chris Hannah was quite preachy and Out Of Hand has a song called Gr 9 Slut. They didn’t take to that very well until I explained what it was about. Funniest memory was of Chris Hannah, buck naked on stage with just his guitar blocking me from leaving the backstage area as a joke. Lol good times. Chi and SNFU, we played with alot. Always a great time. They have been a favourite band of mine forever, so it was always a pleasure to share the stage and see them. Chi was a force on stage. We all miss him a lot. Truly a legend in the game. Guttermouth was a fun band too, we partied with those guys super hard lol we also played the worst show on their entire tour, so that made it a bit more comical. Great bunch of guys! Mark is an incredible frontman

Punk Globe: So Mark isn’t as much of a dick as he comes off in his songs?

Chris: He may be. But to us, he was quite nice. I have heard that about him

They love to party, and so did we, so we hit it off lol

Punk Globe:  I love him, don’t get me wrong, just heard he is a rowdy fellow

Chris: Rowdy indeed haha

Punk Globe:  So I understand punk and punk rock are kind of separate entities if anything punk rock is our anthems to represent a our punk ideals, how would you define punk rock?

Chris: I’ve always said that punk is an attitude and not a style of clothing or type of music, although people use it as a label that way. My feeling is that anyone can be punk; you just have to have it inside you. I know it’s been the great debate for a long time what it is…. for me its about attitude, and a different way of thinking than the general public.

I never know quite what to say when asked that question lol

Punk Globe: I agree, I like how it’s a thing that is in the eye of the beholder it is what you want it to be to an extent and I know the question is super cliché, but for the record, u can blame Bates from ELE for it being in my regular rotation

Is there anything you would like to ask me?

Chris: Hahaha oh boy!! The tables have turned!! Is this shit almost done?!?!?! Hahaha kidding 🤣

Punk Globe: It is just a few more I appreciate your time, brother

Chris: Hahaha, all good. Glad my sarcasm translated over type lol

Punk Globe:What has been your favorite festival or house party you have played

Chris:Favourite house party was when Endprogram played at Hullhouse in Hull. There were so many people jammed in there that we almost collapsed the floor during our set. Great time! 

As for fests when I played Pouzza Fest while I played in The Almighty Trigger Happy, that has to take the cake. Dennis from 88 Fingers Down came up and sang “Think” with us. Just an all-around great vibe all over Montreal that weekend. I suggest going sometime if you haven’t been. Always great lineups and shows all around the city, so it’s never a dull day!

Punk Globe: I haven’t only major festivals I’ve attended were Amnesia 3 years in a row, but I do really want to attend Pouzza I don’t know if I can party or mosh that hard anymore, though.

Who, in your opinion, is the biggest band you have ever opened for or shared the stage with?

Chris: Hmmn, that’s tough… There have been a few I never thought I’d play with in a million years. 3 or 4 years ago we got to do a small tour with DRI, and that was a dream come true. Also Napalm Death and The Misfits,s and Municipal Waste were all just as memorable. To be honest, its an honor and a privilege to share the stage with any big-name band. I’ve been very lucky and blessed

Punk Globe: Who is your favorite skater?

Chris: Always been Steve Caballero! Love his style. Such an awesome dude, too. Met him at Warped tour years ago when he was skating and played bass for Millencolin, also Mark Gonzales. So sick

Punk Globe: I never knew he played bass, let alone for Millencolin, that is dope

If nothing else, ask me, I think we can wrap things up

Chris: Ya, he just subbed in for a few songs, but apparently it was a regular thing that year on the tour. He did play bass in the band The Faction

Ya, nothing I can think of. Thank you for the opportunity and all the best, man!

Punk Globe: I appreciate your time, thanks very much, pal

Chris: Cheers dude. Hopefully see ya on the road soon