BLACKLIST UNION – A COOL CONVERSATION WITH TONY WEST

By Ralph Beauchamp

Tony West of Blacklist Union is an energized frontman. He captures the true essence of the band. Like Tony, Blacklist Union delivers crushing grooves that shatter the norm. West’s vocals discharge melodic fire while the band’s guitar riffs distribute chunks of galvanized energy. Blacklist Union powers through a pulverizing sound yet still remain brazenly accessible. Every song is an avalanche of dynamic songwriting. Blacklist Union is currently in the studio working on their sixth full length entitled Slay the Dragon. In the meantime, they have released a new single, “Mississippi Moonhound”.

“Mississippi Moonhound” is a swampfest of crushing rock & roll. The cadence reminds one of an out of control freight train. West’s vocals are scorching. The guitar riffs are full of divine tension while the backbeat lets out sonic explosives. The entire song bristles with ferocious inflections and bold statements. “Mississippi Moonhound” is an aggressive banger of a track. Try to sit still while the tune cascades through your soul. Can’t be done.

Blacklist Union is comprised of Tony West (Lead Vocals), Raf Ransom (Lead Guitar), Dee Hayes (Rhythm Guitar), Larry Harwood (Bass) and Justin Perez (Drums). West states: “I formed Blacklist Union because I wanted to play music that I wanted to hear, and we put out the first Blacklist Union record, After the Mourning, in 2006. The band’s name comes from getting the best musicians with the worst reputations in town. With a shamanistic blend of Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N’ Roses, Warrior Soul, The Cult, and Mother Love Bone… Blacklist Union was born.“

Tony West was kind enough to sit with AMP for this cool conversion.

AMP: Can you give us a brief background of the band?

TONY: We formed in 2005. Our first record came out in 2006. Slay the Dragon will be our sixth full length. My songwriter partner, who you may know since you’re from NYC, was Todd Youth. We wrote the Back To Momo album together. When he passed away, for a while I didn’t know what to do with myself. I knew he would of wanted me to carry on. Todd had other bands and projects but we had a special friendship and writing relationship. I wrote the last two albums with our producer, Christopher Johnson. He knows both my voice and writing style better than anyone. the last few years have been very rewarding.

AMP: What is the band’s creative process like?

TONY: I hear music and then I write melodies to it. I have a plateia of lyrics that I can choose from. Usually, it starts with the music. Then I add the melodies and lyrics.

AMP: As myself, you were born in the Bronx and was influenced by bands like the Ramones and The Dictators. Do you feel that your New York state of mind influences your music?

TONY: Oh man, yeah! I wasn’t too up on The Dictators but I knew of them and Handsome Dick. I believe he owned a bar on the Lower East Side. But the NYC thing is a major influence. I grew up on those streets. I’m from the Bronx and I went to high school in Yonkers. I was hanging out in Manhattan every chance I could. When Thompson Square Park wasn’t even a thing, I was there. I was totally into the hardcore scene and the NYC downtown music community. It shaped my life. I came to LA as a teenager thinking this was the place to be but I probably should have stayed in NY.

AMP: Your new single “Mississippi Moonhound” is a swampy winger. Can you give us a little insight into the track?

TONY: After Todd died, I started travelling to the Amazon jungle in Peru visiting the Shipibo Indians and doing Ayahuasca. I began healing myself and my soul. This gave me insights into my last two records. “Mississippi Moonhound” is actually about me and my observations on life. The funny part is that the title came from an episode of Sanford And Son I was watching. The phrase definitely caught my attention.

AMP: Do you feel your upcoming album Slay the Dragon is an evolution in musical style from your previous material?

TONY: As a human, if you are not evolving, you’re doing something wrong. To remain stagnant and living in the same space is not a good thing. Our sound definitely evolves with each subsequent record. We try to raise the bar every time we are in the studio.

AMP: You’ve collaborated with some top tier talent. Who would be your ideal collab?

TONY: I would love to work with the guys from Soundgarden. I was in the running for the STP gig. Dean Deleo’s guitar tone and their songwriting are really superb. STP knows how to get into a hook and out of a hook perfectly. They are truly craftsmen of song. Euroboy (Knut Schreiner) of Turbonegro would be a blast. In addition, I would love to work with any of the “Guns” guys.

AMP: What do you hope your listeners take away from your music?

TONY: Hope, inspiration and healing. When I was a kid, I was so inspired by music and its poignant lyrics. Today’s music seems so vapid. My daughter plays me stuff and a lot of the times I’m thinking “what the fuck.”. You’re twelve and you are listening to this. There seems to be no healing or positive messaging in the popular scene today. In the days of Zeppelin and Mother Love Bone (who happen to be one of my early influences), there was some element of spirituality and love that’s kind of missing in today’s music. They’ve dumb down music and society as a whole.

AMP: If you could change anything in the music industry, what would it be and why?

TONY: The industry is just ruthless. They’ve forgotten about real rock & roll, especially in the US. Some countries like the UK and Australia seem to appreciate music a little better. We break better and harder overseas. I would like to have a real record industry again. An industry that offers tour support and marketing help. I don’t want to sign a deal just for bragging rights. We’ve been offered those bullshit deals. What we are looking for a real partner in the business sense. All we want to is rock this shit with a company that is supportive and has some actual understanding of what rock & roll can still be.

AMP: With the rise of social media, do you feel a band or artist has to constantly submit new content in order to remain relevant?

TONY: My manager certainly feel that way! I’m not a big fan of social media. It’s just a necessary evil. As much as I don’t condone the idea, it has become a crucial segment in today’s music.

AMP: What’s next for Blacklist Union?

TONY: We are finishing up the new album. Also, we play two hometown show every year. One is coming up in July. We just did some dates with the Dead Boys. Looking at dates with Texas Hippie Coalition sometime this summer. We are continuing to carry the torch and raise the rock & roll flag. Blacklist Union continues to march forward. We are rock & roll soldiers.