Talking with . . . Borgo Pass
Interviewed 8/1/2005 by Brett VanPut
Interview with guitarist Tom Crane
Long Island's Borgo Pass is the area's best kept secret. The band combines doom, sludge, and stoner rock for a sound that would make fans of Black Sabbath proud. Their career has been one of independence as Borgo Pass have released three full lengths (1996's Borgo Pass, 1999's Power by Sludge, 2005's Nervosa) and an e.p. (2002's Slightly Damaged) on their own while playing out live shows and building a dedicated fanbase. We featured an interview with guitarist Paul Rosado after the release of Slightly Damaged and it is an honor to cover them again thanks to these interview questions answered by guitarist Tom Crane.
What was the recording process like for Nervosa?
Nervosa was a lot of fun to record. We recorded on 2" reel to reel, which we perfer to use on all of our recordings. We all took turns playing this time instead of the usual live recording we used to do. We recorded in Freeport which is on Long Island NY at Crispy Chicken's Coupe Studio. We were the last band to record there. He closed down that studio in Freeport after we finished. He did build a kick ass studio in his house which is where we'll go next time. Crispy saved us a shitload of money (no, not by switching to Geico) because he is a good friend of ours for some years now. We are grateful for his time and his expertise.
When you were writing this album, did you want it to have a certain sound or was it written the way you usually do?
Since Jimmy joined the band back in 2001, our sound naturally got heavier. We always had a somewhat heavy sound but Jimmy just makes it that much heavier. We always write the music first. We jam, we riff, we play and Jimmy usually sings over whatever nonsense we are playing at the time and it then becomes a song. So basically the writing of the music remains the same.
You've been around for some time and have several independent albums out, what are some difficulties you face being a band which works this way?
The only difficulty we encounter is we haven't been signed yet. Not to say we are not having fun. Oh yeah, did I also mention the money that comes out of our pockets to self finance Borgo Pass. It's hard when you do stuff on your own but then again- if we were in it just for the money, we would have quit a long time ago. It's just great to create music.
Have you generated label interest or have you been reluctant to sign with a label unless they blew you away with an offer?
We have generated some interest in some smaller labels. Although they offer us stuff that we can do on our own, plus we don't owe anybody shit. We havn't been blown away enough yet to leave our day jobs. We are all blue-collar hard working dudes who some have families, kids, tons of bills and shit like that.
I see your record release party was a great success, does it feel like things are working out better than ever for Borgo Pass these days?
Yes, things are the best they have ever been for BFP. We have created an even bigger buzz and bigger recognition with Nervosa. We are not famous by all means, however we are infamous. People all over the world have either heard Borgo Pass or heard of BFP, so yeah things seem to working out purdy damn good.
Why do you prefer to play Gibsons? How would you describe the sound they offer for your playing?
There is nothing like playing a Gibson. They offer the best tones and sound quality I have ever had with any guitar. I smell an endorsement deal. But we love our Gibsons, Les Paul is the most crunchy.
It's odd that a New York band would have a southern sound, where did your sound originate and how did it evolve?
We kind of just have that sound about us. We dig what we play and we don't want to conform to what the fucking crappy radio stations push. We have a love of that old Southern sound- bands like (old) ZZ Top, Skynyrd, Allman Bros and many more. And we just incorporated that with our love of Black Sabbath and others.
I know you're all big Black Sabbath fans, are you going to see them at Ozzfest at all this year? What is your opinion of the festival?
Funny you ask that. I heard that Jimmy just went to see Ozzfest (for Black Sabbath) and guess what? They fucking cancelled. I will not be attending. It costs too much fucking money. You can't even bring your own water to drink and they want to charge you like six bucks for a small water. Some bands I really could not give a shit about, and I've seen Black Sabbath many many times over the years. I think it's our turn to be heard out there.
What are your plans for this year?
Our plans for this year (which is half over) are to do some regional touring, some weekend trips in the Boogie Van with trailer, and maybe a trip out west- we did promise alot of people we'd head west. So anyone in a 200 mile radius of New York give us a shout. Have sludge, will travel.
Final comments?
Final comments are shameless so here it goes... buy our fucking records man so we can quit those day jobs and get out there where we belong. www.borgopass.com is the place to be. Borgo Pass is pronounced, Borgo Fucking Pass. We sludge you long time!
Discography:
2005... Nervosa
2003... Slightly Damaged
1999... Powered By Sludge
1996... Borgo Pass
Current line-up:
James Tamarazzo... vocals
Paul Rosado... guitars
Tom Crane... guitars
Y.T.... bass
Joseph Wood... drums
Borgo Pass
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