A few days ago, I received a cool message on discogs by Joe who was curious about to know from how long I owned this record...
Then, he wanted to know where I did buy my copy ! It's really cool to get in touch with people like him after 25 years. Joey was in that band.
By the way, Joey got in touch with me cause I've contributed the discogs release for this 7"
http://www.discogs.com/Decisions-What-Do-You-Say/release/2646627
I've explained to him that I've bought this release in 1989 to "blacklist mailorder", the MRR's distro... I've bought a lot of records to this now defunct distro. The prices were really cool with always exact postage rates amount (Nowadays, too many sellers on EBAY or DISCOGS are trying to win more money with shipping, they're clowns !).
This release is a 3 tracks single-sided one. Only 250 are made, it's hand-numbered. The records are with white labels, each is personalized by the band itself... There are three different covers but I've got only 2... LOL !
Their music is traditional but fast and tight straight edge hardcore punk from the end of the 80's. The tracks aren't boring at all and the mosh parts are well done, not really original but efficient and a classic SE HC release from the East Coast in my opinion, so sad that this band didn't played gigs or didn't release more recordings.
This New Jersey band was totally unknown in the 90's and nowadays, nobody speak about this band in the SEHC scene and that's the reason why I thought to make a small interview of Joey to pay tribute to this excellent release...
So, lets go :
VIOLATION : Ok, Joey, tell us any background information you think is needed. Who was in the band, where did you from, etc.
JOE : Mark (singer) and I are both from New Jersey. I played drums, guitar & bass on the record, Mark did all the vocals.
VIOLATION : Decisions was a short-lived project, so explain how did you decide to do this band ?
JOE : Mark and I both wanted to put out a 7" record (mostly for fun!), so we got together and wrote/recorded 3 songs.
I played drums, guitar & bass on the record, Mark did all the vocals. Kinda a studio project.
VIOLATION : You seemed to be in the East Coast Straight Edge HC scene so, why didn't you catch the attention of the kids (They were so much people into SEHC in that area and this time...) ?
JOE : Being a studio project, we didn't gig after the record came out. I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and Mark formed the full Band, and they went on to sell the record and play gigs (they played several times at CBGB's). We were only a band for a few months.
VIOLATION : Did you get any troubles with Mark (singer) or is it another reason why the band did stop ?
JOE : No trouble, we are still good friends. I moved to Las Vegas, so we had to break up. Actually, nothing unusual happened. The band started and finished very quickly.
VIOLATION : Is there anymore recordings or bonus tracks from the session ? Did you save any rehearsals or practices tapes ?
JOE : These 3 songs are the only recordings, we never practiced (being a studio project), so we don't have any practice tapes.
VIOLATION : Why did you release the 7" if you never practiced ?
JOE : Mostly for fun, and because its the coolest thing in the world to be a teenager and have a record out!!
VIOLATION : Did you really pressed 250 of your release or did you pressed more and used only 250 ?
JOE : We actually pressed 300, but 50 copies have no labels, no covers, no nothing.. I've got those stashed away (not even sure what i will do with them).
VIOLATION : Any (funny or not) anecdotes about the release ?
JOE : One funny thing, the test pressing has some weird spanish song on the B-side (our record is only 1-sided)
VIOLATION : Were you into tape trading ?
JOE : Yes!! traded tapes from all over the globe.
VIOLATION : I guess LUNKHEAD RECORDS was your self-released label, did you released anything else on ?
JOE : No, that was the only release.
VIOLATION : Did you played in any bands before, in the same time and after DECISIONS ?
JOE : I've been in a bunch of bands over the years, I'm in 2 band right now (I play drums in The Marquees & guitar in Poster Life)
VIOLATION : I've bought your release in 1989 via BLACKLIST MAILORDER (the great now defunct MRR's mailorder), do you remember if you sold a lot of 7"'s by them ?
JOE : I think we sold around 100 records thru Blacklist.
VIOLATION : How did you sell the other records ?
JOE : Mostly thru record stores around New Jersey & New York, I also sold some here in Las Vegas.
VIOLATION : Were you happy with the record ?
JOE : Yes! for a studio project (and NEVER practicing before we recorded), I think it turned out Great. I'm still very proud of it.
VIOLATION : Did you get a lot of articles in the hardcore scene ? Fanzines, interviews, reviews...?
JOE : We got maybe 5 or 6 that I can remember, we also had a review in Maximum Rock n Roll magazine.
VIOLATION : What bands were you influenced by ?
JOE : CAUSE FOR ALARM, AGNOSTIC FRONT, DR. KNOW, stuff along those lines..
VIOLATION : Did you were surprised when you'll see that DECISIONS has been contributed on DISCOGS by an italian and a french guys (Two europeans guys) ?
JOE : Yes, being a big record guy, I was greatly surprised to see our record made it halfway around the world!! and it was on Discogs.com for sale! That is WAY COOL.
VIOLATION : What are you doing by now ?
JOE : I'm married with no child, I'm still into music and I will be in a band until i die...
Ok Joe, thanks for the time and for the great music you gave us at the end of the 80's !
I hope this article will help the copies you still have for sale to find a good home...
HERVE (VILE76).





































