On the Line W/ Hardcore Front Runners: Slaughterhouse
The Evolving presence
From Basement Shows to International Stages, Slaughterhouse Show No Signs of Slowing Down.
Emerging from the South Bay hardcore scene in late 2017, Slaughterhouse swiftly forged a distinctive sound, a potent collision of Cali hardcore with unique goth sensibilities. Rooted in a fierce DIY spirit, the band commands attention with Meriel O'Connell's compelling vocals, anchored by Eddie Cairns on bass, Taylor Ramirez's incisive guitar work, and Nick Aguilar's drumming. Their music, a vibrant blend reminiscent of classic Los Angeles punk, fearlessly confronts lyrical territory. With a growing arsenal of releases, including their self-titled EP, the acclaimed "Fun Factory" LP, and their recent "Sick and Tired" EP on Pirates Press Records, Slaughterhouse has become an undeniable force, sharing stages with punk and hardcore titans and relentlessly touring, solidifying their position as a vital and evolving presence in today's global music landscape. We appreciate them taking the time to answer a few questions for our On The Line Q&A series.
Where did you grow up and where are you currently based?
Meriel: Durham, NC // LA
Eddie: South Bay born and raised. Redondo Beach, CA
Taylor: I was born in Redondo Beach but lived in Bend Oregon from the ages of 4 to 12, then moved back to the South Bay and have been here ever since.
Who was the person that got you into music? What bands/artists did they turn you on to?
Eddie: Both my parents were punk rockers from the 80s, my mom followed a lot of the 90s stuff too. Soundgarden, Jane's Addiction, and my Grandpa always had music cranking in the house. I gravitated towards people who were also interested in music at a young age. My mom was probably heavy in my early music introduction though.
Taylor: I grew up in a house where music was always at the center of everything. My parents, aunts and uncles got me into all the music I love now. They were all South Bay/Hollywood punks in the 80's, and as far as I can remember, there's always been music being played loudly, living room jams, and guitars everywhere. I love that my family and I will always be sharing music with each other, whether it's an obscure band from the 70's or a brand new band that is badass.
Meriel: My dad got me into music. Every night when I was a baby he’d put me to sleep with “One Headlight” by the Wallflowers, and one day I sat up and sang that song and that’s how I started talking. He called me Blondie as a little kid and I grew up listening to her music, we’d watch all the Beatles movies together, he’d play guitar and give me a mic, and we’d record Taylor Swift songs on our mini dv camera. I’d go to all of our family friends’ parties and sing Gorillaz.
What was the first show you saw?
Meriel: Elvis Costello with my dad. The first concert I ever chose was Hannah Montana & the Jonas Brothers in 5th grade. My first date was an Avril Lavigne concert and the first show I ever went to without parents was the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Eddie: Music was played everywhere around town as a kid; bar bands, concerts in the park, parties, but the first concert I remember going to was maybe KROQ Weenie Roast. I started going to DIY punk shows in 7th grade though. All local punk bands.
Taylor: When I was 12 or 13 my Dad took my Sister and me to see X and The Pretenders at The HOB Hollywood (I think). I remember seeing the principal of my middle school there and my sister and I thought that was hilarious. It was really exciting to see those bands play live after listening to them my whole life, thanks to my parents.
How was the Refused / Quicksand show?
Eddie: It was a blast. killer venues, great bands, Awesome fans. L.A. was the best though. they really turned it up. Non-stop motion and crowd surfing all night. The guys in Quicksand and Refused couldn't have been cooler and more hospitable.
Meriel: Super fun. Feel so lucky to have played with such a legendary band as Refused for their last official run. And Quicksand was inimitable. Such great guys
Taylor: Those bands are so fucking good live and are very inspiring to watch how they captivate an audience. The L.A. show was pretty surreal.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the tensions that I feel exist in me, about asking for what I want versus asking for what I need, like a prayer or a curse. ” - Meriel
What's been the biggest non-music inspiration for you lately?
Taylor: Films. I feel like they inspire a creative spark the same way music does. I also love listening for good lines in movies to inspire songs. Fallen Angels by Wong Kar Wai is my current favorite when I need some inspiration.
Meriel: Probably film or reading. I’m reading the screenplay for Anora right now and it’s incredible; Sean Baker’s a huge inspiration for me.
What is the biggest challenge you've had to face as a band thus far?
Meriel: I think for me personally within the band it has just been developing our sound. Taking it and staying true to it but learning how to push it in a direction that encompasses all of us, since our lineup has changed.
Photo: James Duran @deathbyjames
Is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with? Other artists to appear on a song or even a visual artist for an album cover or merch?
Taylor: I think it'd be really cool to collaborate with Brody Dalle from The Distillers. She's such a good singer and songwriter. It would also be so cool to do something with Sextile. They are doing really cool shit right now.
Meriel: We have a lot of friends we’d love to collaborate with! Spiritual Cramp, etc., etc. Have to shout out one of our favorite friends and show photographers in the game, James Duran, and say Chance the Rapper!
What's been the best thing that's happened since you started releasing music?
Eddie: Getting to play with so many of the pioneering punk bands that I grew up listening to: TSOL and Social Distortion and many more. And coming up with so many other cool bands and playing with the next crop of bands of today.
Meriel: I think just getting to play really amazing shows with really amazing people
What band do you think has the best logo in punk/hc?
Taylor: Bad Religion
Meriel: Crass
Eddie: I was going to say Black Flag but those two are pretty damn good. Always a fan of DK (Dead Kennedys) or the Crimson Ghost too though.
Have you had an "it happened for a reason" moment in the recent past? Something you weren't happy about at the time but turned out to be a good thing?
Eddie: Our previous singer quitting. Meriel was already doing stuff with us on tour as a photographer, and having jumped into the lead vocal role was a blessing in disguise.
What platforms have been the most helpful with getting your music heard? Bandcamp, YouTube, IG etc.
Meriel: Honestly, instagram has been really helpful. 23punk and Punk In The Park specifically for sharing our songs, we’re really grateful for them
Eddie: Yeah Instagram and we try to stay up on our YouTube page too! Everyone, go check that out too!
Why do you think Hardcore has had the staying power that it has? It's just as great now as it was 20, 30 years ago.
Meriel: I think because people want to feel a release and come together to a place that talks freely about how fucked up the world is and how fucked up the people in power are. I also think hardcore has such a wide influence even though it’s not often talked about. I’ve really found it has such a vast fan base among lots of different people from all walks of life.
What's the biggest difference with the band between now and 5 years ago?
Eddie: We got tighter and got a new singer! lol
Meriel: And sonically we’re continuing to evolve, so the confluence of our influences and tastes has helped structure that evolution, too.
How would you define success for the band?
Eddie: Just getting to do the thing, having friends to do it with and anyone giving a fuck, but even if people don’t give a fuck. just doing it and having fun. always aspiring to make it grow. but just being happy I get to play.
Meriel: I think just if we’re all happy. There’s a lot more than that, too, and we all want to be able to survive off of something we love doing, but I can’t truly love doing it if I’m not happy.
What's one thing other than money that would make touring easier?
Eddie: a bigger van!
Taylor: So there's more room for snacks.
Meriel: If people baked us cookies every night, ha!
Can you share one of your lyrics from your songs that sums up your state of mind RN / feels representative of you?
Meriel: “Pull me closer, rip me out, take away my name” I’ve been thinking a lot about the tensions that I feel exist in me, about asking for what I want versus asking for what I need, like a prayer or a curse. Wanting to be close to someone, wanting to be far from them. I think about identity and eroded identity in an individualist society and reclaimed identity with “take away my name.” No conclusion really here, just lots of thoughts and perhaps questions to look into further.
Carousel Photos: 1-3 @samscarce on IG | The last one is @sideshowmario via Reddit
Follow the band on IG @slaughterhouse.la
