dU: Our magazine is called defy unlearn because we strive to defy labels and want people to “unlearn” what they have been taught.
What does “defy unlearn” mean to you?

JOE CHAOS: Personally, I think “defy unlearn” can be a positive idea, towards music. Red*Invasion does not have a typical Boston hardcore or metal-punk sound. But the idea of unlearning what you’ve been taught can positive or negative, depending on the issue. It’s a hazy idea, but when used right, it seems rad to me. Sorry for the rant, I’m in college and forced to think way too much.

dU: When doing interviews is there a question you hate being asked?

JOE CHAOS: I wish we got more interviews so I can actually give a good answer. But a question I hear 569068 times is usually, “How do you get your hair like that?” I usually answer with some of the most random and vile things, ketchup, semen, mustard, baby laxative. Haha

dU: How about a question you wish someone would ask
you? Can you please answer that question?

JOE CHAOS: How about ”Who’s in the band?” and “How would you describe your band?” They’re kind of lame questions, but ones that I’d like to answer nonetheless. Our line-up consists of myself (Joe Chaos) on vocals and other forms of “shitbaggery.” Stevo on drums, he’s been in the band for over a year now. Rich Maggio is on guitar, a few months ago he was on bass; he was formerly in the local band Caffeine Addiction. Joe “Potter” is on bass now, he’s a new addition and he’s always throwing his goblets of fire everywhere, silly fuck. Ryan (Invasion) Major is on guitar and has definitely helped steer this band into its current sound, he drinks milk but we love him anyway.

Red*Invasion is a ’77 styled punk rock band that keeps a heavy rocknroll backbone and tints of early glam rock. In Boston it seems like the cool thing to do is play and/or look indie, emo or hardcore. We’re trying to get away from that and bring back the attitude and image from the mid-late 1970’s CBGB’s scene. So many bands today have the tough guy front and it’s really played out and I think the attitude of the New York Dolls is way tougher than the attitude found in most hardcore, punk, and metal music today.

dU: What kind of role did music play in your life when you were growing up?

JOE CHAOS: Growing up in Revere, MA I was quickly reminded that being a punk rocker wasn’t exactly an accepted image. I stuck by it anyway and found salvation in the then thriving, Boston punk scene. I managed to keep my head above a lot of the bullshit that goes down in an ignorant city such a Revere. I also used my love for punk music as a way to cope with a fucked up family life. This kind of music when you’re younger allows you to unite with other kids like you, so when I was like 15 I had a little crew of punk rockers and we lived and died for each other. I miss those kids hah. It was also at this time I had used to dream of having a punk band, mostly to get girls hahah.

dU: What kind of music are you listening to now? And which bands?

JOE CHAOS: I listen to many types of music at this stage of the game and I think that has aided in my songwriting maturation. But the bands I live and die by and use as direct influences on my band are The Dead Boys, The New York Dolls, Iggy and The Stooges, The Heartbreakers, The Ramones, D Generation, and of course The Clash. There are some great new school bands I’m listening to a lot these days that I’d like to plug. The Stitches from Orange County, The Riffs, from Portland, Oregon, The Kickz from Texas, Dial M For Murder from Boston, MA, The Sarcastics from Boston, MA.

dU: Which of your songs would you like to see a cover version of and who would you like to see do it?

JOE CHAOS: I’d like to see D Generation get back together and cover our song “Get High” or perhaps The New York Dolls covering our Dollsy track “No More.”

dU: What song do you like to perform the most live?

JOE CHAOS: Our new tune “Get Away From Me” is really fun, and our covers of “Sonic Reducer” and “Search and Destroy” are a lot of fun because they are in my opinion two of the best punk songs of all time.

dU: What are your future tour plans?

JOE CHAOS: We’re heading down to Texas in Feb, to play a few gigs with some great ’77 bands like The Kickz, The Ends, and The Jump Boys. We’re hoping those shows will get us some good exposure and maybe a following down there, because Texas has a lot of bands in our vein, and we’re hoping their fans will appreciate us.

dU: Can you tell me one thing that makes a really good audience?

JOE CHAOS: When people are singing along, snarling, drinking their beers, hopping up and down. That’s ideal for us, ‘cause we are by no means a circle pit type band. One time a girl started to grind on me when I was singing, that was pretty rad hahah.

dU: What’s your favorite sound?

JOE CHAOS: I’m assuming this means musically, so I’ll say mid-late 1970’s punk rock and glam rock. And also I love 1980’s glam rock and new wave. I’m not ashamed to admit that. Only Red*Invasion’s bassist and myself can proudly admit that, the others aren’t huge fans.

dU: What’s your least favorite sound?

JOE CHAOS: Nu metal, emo, indie, and modern “pop punk.”

dU: What’s your favorite curse word?

JOE CHAOS: Finally I get a chance to spread my new word around some more. I am a huge fan of combining swear words and body parts and shit. I made up this phrase “Ballbag Tits” which has caused quite the stir in the Boston punk scene and has even become one of my 45 nicknames. I use this word all the time, it really does not make much sense and my friends and girlfriend want to beat me bloody every time I say it now. But I hope you all will now say it and remember to footnote me accordingly.

-Tour Interview-

think back to the beginning of one of one your concert or tours and give me…:

JOE CHAOS: This band has never toured but we do have over 45 shows under our belts so I can probably think of something…

dU: a comedic moment:


JOE CHAOS: On a few occasions, I have gotten so belligerently drunk that I have dove off the stage into the crowd, only to land on my face. And one time I literally just fell off the stage because I was too inebriated to move as fast as I was while maintaining my balance.

a moment of perfection or beauty:


JOE CHAOS: We played a show at the Sugar Shack in Lowell, MA and we played a sloppy as hell set, but the kids went nuts and demanded us to keep on playing, so we ripped through a sloppy Ramones cover and it was a great feeling. It was also the show I met my current girlfriend Melanie, because her band, The Sarcastics had opened the show, it was rocknroll perfection.

a moment of ugliness:


JOE CHAOS: This band has seen many line-up changes over the years and some ex members had serious drug problems and this band at one time was pretty engulfed with drugs and alcohol, more than the actual music. There were times where practices would be delayed for hours at a time so the proper drugs could be bought for a party afterwards. It was a really dark time, and I’m glad the band has changed a lot since then.

a cliché:


JOE CHAOS: Everything about our live performances over the years has been cliché haha. I have a bruise on my forehead from our last gig; I think you get the picture.

a moment of gratitude:


JOE CHAOS: A great thing has been hearing some positive feedback from a lot of kids. We have opened some kids up to a new sound and maybe taught younger kids that punk rock didn’t start in 1982 or 1996, it started in 1977 and even earlier. We’ve also been told that we have inspired kids to want to start punk bands in our vein, and that’s an amazing feeling.

dU: Thanks for all your time!

JOE CHAOS: Thanks for the interview and much respect to the defy Unlearn Zine.

Interview by: Carina
carina@defyunlearn.com