Interview with Rhys Williams of Balance, DSM, True Intentions
Please introduce yourself and name the bands you’ve been in past and present?
I’m Rhys Williams and I’ve played in:
Balance
DSM
Roger Miret and the Disasters
Nickel
Alligators
Running Like Thieves
Liberty and Justice
Logan’s Run
Currently I’m in a band called True Intentions.
Tell us a bit about the Auckland scene in the late 80s - 90s. What bands were around, and who would you say were the pioneers of A.C.H.C as we know it?
The Auckland scene was Bygone Era for me. Amazing band. They really started it all for me. Second Child, when they started, were great, too. Chris was a huge guitar influence on me. Then when Bygone Era split up it was Salad Daze who were our heroes. They were what Balance dreamt of being like. Just pro. Great songs and playing. They set the standard. I’d also add Phobia too. Just miles ahead of everyone else.
The HC scene in Auckland/NZ in general was great. Lots of great bands. The AKLD and Hamilton scene was really strong. We used to play there a lot. We’d all hang out and stay at the same place after shows, etc. Just great times. Awesome people who loved HC as much as we did.
It's the 25th anniversary of Balance’s ‘One Existence’ album this year. How much did playing in Balance impact your life and what keeps the fire burning all these years later?
Those early years in Balance literally shaped the person I am today. I’ve been friends with those guys for so long. They’re all amazing people. I think just the way we did things as friends and as a band was indicative of how we live our lives today. We never let anything hold us back still. I’m so proud of all my friends in the scene. I think we’ve all achieved amazing stuff.
You have been in bands with members from Bold, Insted, Agnostic Front, The Bruisers, Will To Live, and more. How did this come about and what is it like being in bands with such HC legends?
All the bands I’ve been a part of has been due to pure luck, haha.
I think being from New Zealand helps a lot. I’ve always had a pretty positive attitude and worked hard to get what I want, etc. Coming from NZ, I think we have a very high standard so I like to think that comes across too. When I’ve joined a band, I’ll literally learn as much of the music as possible. So, I’ll hit the first rehearsal already able to play a show. That impresses people, I think. That’s the NZ thing, we never take anything for granted.
Also, literally everyone I’ve been lucky enough to play with, regardless of how popular they are, etc., have been awesome. Most are just regular HC kids like us.
True Intentions has played a lot of great shows with killer line ups since you started doing shows. Can you list some of the bands you have played with, and how did the feature with Terror’s Scott Vogel come about?
True Intentions is a great, fun HC band. We play for fun, it’s awesome. All the guys are amazing people. I’ve known Johnny for 20 plus years. He played bass in the Disasters on the first LP. Rob and Mke are from Will to Live. Basically, the Balance of Houston.
We’ve been so lucky to play some great shows. AF, Sick of it All, Madball, Terror, Slapshot. Just so happy to be even in the mix really.
When we recorded our EP, we really wanted to include people who meant a lot to us. That’s why we had all the NZHC guys. That meant so much to me. We had Scott from Terror and Daryl from Snapcase. These are just heroes of ours who we’re lucky enough to know.
Logan's Run was New Zealand's first all straight edge band, Can you tell us about that band and who your influences were at the time?
Logan’s Run was also just a pure, fun band. Balance had kinda stopped for a minute and we wanted to do something more in the straight up HC style. We wrote a few songs pretty quick and recorded. We only played a few shows, from what I remember. Pretty sure without Amber Easby’s help we’d have no lyrics too.
I remember kinda rehearsing at Jay’s parents’ place because they had a fancy house, haha.
As far as influences for Logan’s Run, I’d say Sick of it All and Minor Threat. Plus, Salad Daze. Most of my guitar stuff was robbed from T-Bone. Still is, haha
Favourite NZ show you attended or played at? Can you tell us why it stood out from others?
So many great shows. Bygone Era’s last show was amazing. I’d actually say Balance’s last show was a huge highlight, personally. So many really fun Balance shows, we played above the Burgerie on K Rd. We thought the ceiling was going to collapse. State of Grace’s first show out west was amazing.
Shinkasta were amazing too. Hamilton had something really special.
I caught up with Ben Lythberg (Balance) in L.A. in 2018. He also went on to doing some great things, like playing for Snapcase, and got offers to play for some big bands back then. How often do you guys keep in touch and did your bands cross path back then?
I speak to Ben at least once a week. He’s just a great person. That’s why he’s been so successful.
We never played with Snapcase, but he was drum tech for Rancid when the Disasters toured with them, so I spent a few months with him.
I see him when he’s in Houston on tour, too.
Top 10 bands or albums that influenced you the most over the years?
The Clash
Agnostic Front
Madball
Cro-Mags
Sick of it All
Youth of Today
Dag Nasty
Inside Out
Minor Threat
Uniform Choice
Most of the Hamilton and Auckland scene from the 90s went on to achieve amazing things. From being world famous tattooists, to being famous photographers; from playing in great bands to becoming managers of huge bands. Would you say the whole DIY attitude has something to do with it and how has the DIY attitude helped you along the way?
NZHC kids have a really high standard. I think we naturally stand out for our drive. I think all my friends from the scene have been so successful because of their realness and honesty. They’re just talented beyond belief. I’m really so proud of all my friends. We’ve achieved more than most could dream off and it’s well deserved.
Any words or advice for the up and coming bands in NZ that might help them along the way?
My advice would be just play from the heart, and the same for anything you do in life, then you’ll succeed.
Balance was a small local HC band who shaped the lives of a few people. We never thought we’d even play shows. We were literally just excited to rehearse and hang out. To think it had an effect on anyone apart from us in the band is so humbling. Beyond anything we could have hoped for.
Thanks for your the interview