My general inclination is to say that J probably doesn’t as well… I don’t hear the same sonic qualities in old hardcore/metal versus new… though the new IS heavily inspired by the old stuff, it’s just pretty different. I personally like a few of these new bands, particularly Killswitch, but that’s just me. Of course, I just can’t picture J ever going for a drive down to Springfield to catch an underground show at the Fat Cats ( where many of these shows occured), or driving to Worcester for the New England Hardcore and Metal Festival. Just doesn’t seem like him… BUT he has surprised me on many occasions, so who knows. But again I’d say no as well. I’d be interested in hearing what he has to say about these new bands though, since many of them are from his (general) area after all.
One tie in: Mark Swaeber (sp?), a local musican and music shop owner who opened for Lou Barlow at the Iron Horse in Northampton, was wearing a Killswitch Engage shirt, and (I believe) collaborated with the guitarist of Killswitch on something. Mark has a sound similar to Lou, acoustic, lo fi, etc… so if Mark does, maybe Lou does, and if Lou does, maybe J does? I know it’s stretching it, but seeing this guy with the shirt was a surprise.
