Dom Romeo "Whether a band is old or new doesn't matter to me. Good songs have a timeless life to them."

(Live photo by Julia Lofstrand)

11 Questions with Dom Romeo of Pulling Teeth and Integrity
(Slumlords, Hatewaves, Day of Mourning)

1. Where are you from?

I grew up in a suburb outside of Toronto Canada called Malton.  Sandwiched a few blocks between

the airport and railroad, it was pretty noisy most of the time.  It was boring suburb, but luckily we 

had good public transportation that could get us downtown to Toronto within an hour.  From there

a world of record stores and venues were at our disposal...until the last bus back to Malton left 

the station.

2. What do you think about chaos magic?

I don't .

3. When and why did you start playing music?

I've been blessed / cursed with a lifetime of multiple sounds playing in my head at all times.  

The moments of clarity where I can extract what's in my head and bring it into the real world 

are when the real magic happens.  Kinda like in Nightmare on Elm Street when Freddy gets 

pulled out of the dream realm into reality, but with music.  My parents helped me facilitate 

this when I was in sixth grade by sending me to guitar lessons with a purple BC Rich Bich 

which I still have.   

4 What was your first show?

Iron Maiden and Anthrax at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1991.  It was a life changing experience for me 

and I still love those bands to this day.  I remember having nosebleed seats and thinking Frank Bello

could actually see me up there and was yelling at me to get up on my feet.  I actually have seen both
bands perform again somewhat recently ,and they even better than memory served.  

5. How did you get into the genre(s)?

I always grew up around music but it really came to fruition In sixth grade when this kid showed up to 

first day of class with a mullet and a white Def Leppard 'Women' t-shirt.  His name is Jason 

Kehoe and we became best friends immediately.  He already played drums at that point and I attempted
to play guitar.  We were both obsessed with any music we could get our hands on, as well as prank calls
and general mischief.  Together we devoured everything we could about every sort of sub-genre and 

tried to learn how to play it on our instruments.  I'm grateful to have had shared time with friends growing

up who loved music as much as I did. We still keep in touch pretty regularly.  

6. Three biggest influences?

Guitar: Randy Rhoads
Life Hustles: Spidey Smith

General Spiggotry: Dwid Hellion

7. How do you feel about the current state of the community or communities you’re apart of?

Thankfully the magic of creating and appreciating art / music (shout out to Pale Creation) 

at any point of your life and exchanging ideas with similar minded people is always there.  

I never really cared for any of the other aspects.  

8. What are some of your favorite new bands?

Whether a band is old or new doesn't matter  to me. Good songs have a timeless life to 

them. That being said my friend suggested the new video from that band Candy and I 

thought it was pretty cool.  I enjoy Jesus Piece and Turnstile if I'm in the mood. 

9. What is an unforgettable memory you recall from being on tour?

On the last European tour Integrity did in August some of us snuck side-stage to watch Danzig perform.
His set was fire that night, and I was totally lost in the moment rocking out.  He locked eyes with me....
and I totally thought he was gonna have security boot us, since no one was supposed to be side-stage.Thankfully he just leaned back as if he was shooting lightning out of his hands....and blasted the metal 

horns at us before he went back to rocking.  I fucking love Danzig.

10.  Three Favorite places to eat in the US?

The Land Of Kush i(Baltimore)
Panchos (Las Vegas)

Mighty Taco (Buffalo)

11. If you had to write your own eulogy, what would it be?I hope they end up reading someone else's by mistake.