Chuck Treece: The RAPstation Interview

Pro-skateboarder and musician Chuck Treece came up in the Philly music scene, drawing influences from both punk music, hip-hop and practically everything in between. He founded '80s skate punk band McRad, was sponsored by several major companies, including Santa Cruz Skateboards, Powell Peralta and Airwalk and spent years touring with bands like Underdog, Bad Brains and Urge Overkill. Throughout his entire life, skateboarding and music have always been his foundation. These days, he's a father and is tasked with molding the young minds of his children, a responsibility he takes extremely seriously. When he's not hanging with his kids, he can most likely be found on his skateboard, behind a drum kit or in a studio. Treece took a moment to discuss the first time he heard hip-hop, playing with McRad and some of his favorite hip-hop artists. RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Do you remember the first time you heard hip-hop? Chuck Treece: The first time I heard hip-hop was listening to WDAS and Power 99 FM. I lived in Philly and Delaware at the time with my parents. All the early Philly hip-hop - Schoolly D, Jazzy Jeff, Fresh Prince, then groups like Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, and the Beastie Boys. East and West Coast was in the midst of being creative, while still being hassled by the media. Did you gravitate towards it at all once you discovered or was punk rock more your thing? What I discovered about my musical choices was basically I like music, so I listen to all sorts of music as much as I can. As long as the energy is right in the music, I will always keep learning. Tell me about playing with McRad. Was that your first band? My first band was formed in Delaware with a friend who I skated with. We called the band Jerry's Kids. Once I moved to Philly in '82, I met up with Zeke Zagar and we started working on some new ways to put a band together. We talked to some friends and we found the right people to start McRad. It ended up being my first serious band in the Philly punk-reggae scene. I learned the most while in the first stages of McRad. I was age 19, Zeke was 14, Ethan and Tristan were 16. We worked on all the music we listened to. We wanted to make sure to create from every source of music we could understand. How has skateboarding played a role in your musical tastes? Skateboarding gave me the energy to move forward thru all the changes in life. I relate everything through my skateboard. What are your top five favorite hip-hop artists? Alkaholiks, King Tee, Schoolly D, The Roots, The Goats, Nas, Casual, Tupac, Biggie, and Busta Rhymes. I listen to their sound first and foremost. There are so many creative artists within hip-hop music. I'm stoked that young people have their own music. I had my own music when I was growing up and that's all I wanted to listen to; the music that inspires me. How did you end up playing with Bad Brains? I met the Bad Brains while I was playing guitar with Underdog. Dr. Know showed up at a show in NYC and we talked for a bit. I had met HR in '84 when McRad opened for HR and company in Washington, D.C. I first worked with Bad Brains as a vocalist then I returned a year after my audition to play drums in '95. I toured with Bad Brains for six months and they have been friends and mentors of mine since I was a youth. Now that you're a father, what do you think of the rap young kids are exposed to these days? I am a father of some musical kids. Regardless of what they choose to listen to, they have been around all types of people in the industry. They all love hip-hop and it's their time to have their own heroes. I am glad that music sounds powerful now. The lyrics are for young folks or folks who wanna live that hip-hop lifestyle, whether they are true to it all or not. Are you still playing with the Plastic Eaters? I only played a few shows with them. A good friend of mine, Andy Morris, was their main drummer until he took the long vacation in life. Plastic Eaters are a great band. Andy will always be missed. Chuck D knows all about Andy. Andy also played drums in McRad. You've done so much in your life already. What's up next for Chuck Treece? McRad’s Lion Pure LP is out and going into its second pressing on Not Like You Records. I am working on a new project called Dub Sabbath with Dave Woodman and members of Fat City Reprise. There's also a new McRad EP in the works. I have a McRad Skateboard Wheel on Paradise Wheel Company. I have a signature skateboard deck with Pocket Pistols and a Nike SB sneaker I designed with Juergen of the Skateboard Museum from Berlin. Too much to list.