Capitol Chains: New Band, New Record & Mike Jeffers on 30 Years of Buffalo Hardcore

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Capitol Chains, which dropped its ripping four-song debut demo yesterday, is a new Buffalo hardcore band comprised of musicians who hail from several notable hardcore bands past and present including Selfish Act, Juggernaut, GOA, Herod, Sleep Lost and Dirt War. We spoke with the band’s drummer Mike Jeffers, a 33-year Buffalo hardcore veteran, about the new band and the state of today’s Buffalo scene. The band also includes Griffin Coyne, Rich McDermott, Joe Lipa, and Matt Toles. Capitol Chains will be playing its first show this Sunday, Nov. 15, at Hen House. Music starts at 6 p.m. See show poster in this story. Photo of Jeffers at the kit by Matt Smith/1120 Press. All other images provided.)

1120 PRESS: Thank you for speaking with us and congrats on the new band and record. Capitol Chains has been working behind the scenes for a few months now, and we spoke with you over the summer and you had expressed then a lot of excitement over this band. For someone who has been in numerous bands over the past few decades, what has you so pumped about Capitol Chains?

MJ: I think I’m just excited to have something new out there that sounds different from my past bands. Plus, it’s pretty cool to have a lineup that has people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. We actually bridge the gap. We’re coming from many different backgrounds and found commonality in a shared belief of what the hardcore punk community is all about.

1120: The band just dropped its debut demo. During our conversation over

the summer, you were pretty high on these songs. How do you feel about this new release?

MJ: I think it’s a fantastic introduction to the band. It’s got crazy energy and a lot of anger. This band is mean. (Listen to the new release HERE)

1120: Capitol Chains is also playing its first show on Sunday at Hen House and on the bill are two Buffalo hardcore bands — Hostile Makeover and Slam Dunk — that represent the new generation. As someone who has been part of the Buffalo hardcore scene for more than 30 years, what are your thoughts on the scene’s current state and what’s right with it? 

MJ: The scene here is better than it has been in a decade with all these younger

musicians coming into the picture. I want to say there’s genuinely some weird kids in the scene once again. Instead of a bunch of kids who all dress and act the same, we literally have a bunch of kids who aren’t afraid to be their own true selves. And a lot of these kids are utilizing influences from the entire spectrum of hardcore and punk since its inception.

1120: As a history teacher and someone who has always been interested the history of hardcore, both wide scale and locally, what are your thoughts on the fact that Capitol Chains is an amalgamation of Buffalo hardcore past and present with members from Union, Herod and Juggernaut, GOA, Dirt War, Selfish Act and Sleep Lost?

MJ: As I said earlier, we have people of all different ages. It’s cool that I’ve known Griffin forever, as well as his family. And I’ve known Joe since he was in high school. Rich and I have been friends since we met at University of Buffalo when we were 18 years old in 1993. Matt’s new to the fold, but after meeting him one time I knew he was the coolest kid and we had all these similar influences in hardcore, punk, and skateboarding. Everyone in the band appreciates the history of the movement and understands how the community works.

1120: You’re from Brooklyn, grew up downstate and came to Buffalo for college in the early 1990s. When you came to UB, you didn’t even bring your drums because you had no intention of ever playing again. Then, before you knew it, you were in a hardcore band, and now you’ve been part of the Buffalo hardcore scene for 33 years and counting. Surely, you’ve reflected on that fact. What do you make of the whole experience?

MJ: Moving to Buffalo and continuing to play in bands was either the best idea I’ve ever had or the worst idea I’ve ever had. Maybe I could’ve cured cancer. Who knows? (laughs) I’ve had the good fortune of traveling the world and releasing records that I’m proud of. There are always opportunity costs, but I’d say it’s all been worth it. I’ve made lifelong friends all over the place because of being a musician. I’ve worked with some great labels and musicians, and I’ve done it all by following my own rules. I’ve never forgotten who I am or where I came from. I don’t chase clout or conform. Plus, I met my wife in Buffalo at one of my own bands’ shows. Luckily, she is from the scene and has always been supportive. We’ve built a fantastic life together over the past 30 years. No regrets.  

1120: Thanks for speaking with us. Is there anything you want to add before we wrap up?

MJ: If you feel you don’t belong, come see us and say hello. We’re still the outsiders looking in. Plenty of room in our circle.