Immoral Discipline released some classic tracks back in the day, but unfortunately it just stayed at tracks, no classic albums or even a full-length in the band’s heyday. But Immoral Discipline is back since 2011 and a debut album (if you don’t count the band compilations) is in the works so I thought it was about time to ask both Shawn and Len a few questions!
 
First of all thanks for taking your time to do this interview. How’s everything going?
 
Shawn: Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this interview, and thanks also for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your Promote & Provoke Vol. 1 compilation. You did a great job on it and we consider ourselves  lucky to be a part of the project. Things are going fairly well right now.
 
Let’s talk about the past first. Did you guys play in any bands prior to Immoral Discipline’s formation back in ’86?
 
Shawn: There were several different line-up changes that took place in the band from '86 to '89, so I'll focus on the very first line-up of the band. I had been singing in various hardcore and punk bands in L.A. and Orange County in CA since '83, and prior to moving to the D.C. area in '85. Some of them included: Kontraband, Wasted Mentality, and Aggressive Youth. Bill Gerber (Guitar) had been in What Happened?, and Chouse. Bryan Kelly (Drums) played in What Happened? with Bill, and also played in a Rush cover band with Todd Greene (Bass).
 
Len: As far as the current members, we’ve all been in DC punk/hardcore bands since we were kids, dating back to the late-80s. Initial Reaction, National Allegiance, D.U.I.., The Screwballz, and Dynamite Fisherman to name a few.
 
When Immoral Discipline was formed it still took about two years before the “Boots And Braces, Stars And Stripes” demo was released. How come it took so long to get this release together?
 
Shawn: The band formed in November of '86 and we released the demo in November of '87, so it was actually one year. During that time period, we did what most bands do when they're first starting out: wrote new material, practiced quite a bit, and played shows/parties as much as we possibly could to introduce more people to our sound. We also needed to take that time to be able to generate enough money to go into the studio to record the songs for the demo. That studio session was financed by the money we made from playing shows and the sales from our first t-shirts.
 
Soon after the demo both the “Battlefield” (’88) and “S/T” (’89) EP’s were released and then it was over… What was the reason to quit the band back then?
 
Shawn: Well, Bill decided to move to NJ with his girlfriend, Jen (now his wife) because that's where she was originally from and had decided to move back home. Around the same time, Chris Bodeen (Rhythm Guitar) had gotten accepted to Tufts University, where he had always wanted to go for their journalism program. Todd had decided to go to school at St. Mary's College. Losing 3/5 of the band was a heavy blow, especially since Bill and Todd had been in the band since the very start. The band would not have been the same without them and we decided just to call it a day.
 
Are there times you regret hanging up the boots back then? You guys wrote some classics songs and recordings for a full-length album were on the shelf which could easily have become a classic in America’s history of Oi! music.

Shawn: I definitely regret that things worked out the way they did, when they did. Our best years were ahead of us and there was so much talent in the band that I believe we could have gone very far had the band stayed together. Everything happens for a reason though and looking at the positive things that came out of the situation, I cannot help but be happy for everyone involved. We still made our mark on the scene in that three year time period that we were together as a band, Jen and Bill are still happily married with two kids, Chris is now a writer for the Associated Press, Todd got a college education and is happily married with two stepchildren, whom he adores. Everything worked out for the best and that's all that matters in the grand scheme of things.
 
You guys reformed in 2011, correct me when wrong but your “live debut” was at the 2000 Tons Of TNT Festival. How was it to play on that festival and how were the reactions on the band who got back together again?
 
Shawn: The band reformed in June of '11 and we actually played 2 shows at Fat Tuesday's in Fairfax, VA prior to playing at the first 2000 Tons of TNT. Playing TNT was a memorable experience and we were happy to be a part of the very first one. The crowd that was there during our set seemed to enjoy us and were definitely enthusiastic about the fact that the band was back. What made the whole experience that much more special was the fact that Bill (Gerber) decided to play with the new line-up of the band for that show, so we had three guitarists on stage throughout the set. It was a very cool experience being able to play with Bill again for the first time since '89. The guy is an amazing guitarist and hasn't lost a step.
 
Is the current line-up the same as back in the days? Could you introduce your band to the readers?
 
Shawn: No, I (Shawn Leahy) am the only member of the current line-up of the band that was a part of the line-ups back in the '80s. I'm still on lead vocals, John Schmitt plays lead guitar, Len (Bannach) plays rhythm guitar, Nick Thompson plays bass, and we're currently going through a change in drummers. Bill from Patriot has expressed interest in taking over on drums. If that works out, we'll be happy to have him, and grateful to Eddie and the rest of the boys in Patriot for being willing to share their drummer with us.
 
Len: One of the things I really appreciate about this band is the true sense of family. There isn’t any resentment or drama or any nonsense like that between the original and current members. Had the original members all lived in the same area I’m sure they would have jumped at the chance to reunite. With that said, both Bill and Todd have been nothing but supportive of the current lineup which is awesome. As Shawn mentioned, Bill was able to play 2000 Tons of TNT. And more recently we traveled down to Miami for a show and Todd (Greene) jumped on stage and played bass for a few songs. So they have been more than welcoming to us. And for that we feel both grateful and honored.
 
Currently you guys are rounding up the recordings for a new record right? How is that going?
 
Len: It's been a slow process, working around everyone's schedules. And there have been other delays that were unfortunately out of our hands. But we're in no rush at this point. We just want to make sure it's a good record before we throw it out there. After 27+ years this band deserves a proper, hard-hitting full-length.
 
Shawn: We started the whole recording process in January of this year ('13) and like Len said- it has been a slow process and there have been several setbacks along the way. It's been kind of a testament to the band's tenacity though. Nothing has ever come easy for any of the line-ups of this band and we have never been happy taking shortcuts. We've stuck to our guns, worked hard doing what we do, and that has eventually paid off in the long run. The new CD is no exception to that pattern and while it has taken longer than expected, it will be well worth it when it's finished.
 
Can you give our readers a spoiler of what to expect of it?
 
Shawn: It will be 14 songs and called "Tried, Tested, Strong and True!" Without giving too much away, it will feature the artwork by a very prominent artist within the Punk/Oi!/Hardcore world. It's also going to be a nice blend of classic Immoral Discipline songs that we've re-recorded, new material, and some of the covers that we've been playing over the past two+ years. It will be well worth the wait.
 
And what are your own expectations of what the record will do when it comes out?
 
Shawn: I think it will surprise quite a few people that have had doubts that the band is truly back. I'm pleased with the way this line-up of the band has kept the integrity of the band's original sound intact. We play the classics pretty much the same as they were played back in the day, while putting our own (subtle) stamp on those songs also. The new material fits in well with the classic stuff too. I think the new CD will stand the test of time. It has been a very cool experience not only playing again for those that remember the band from the mid-'80s, but also introducing new generations to our sound too. I'm looking forward to that continuing to be the case.
 
Len: Aside from that, hopefully it brings us more opportunities to travel. We love the East Coast, but there's a whole country out there with a tons of cities we'd like to see.
 
Okay, that’s it! Thanks again for your time. If there’s anything you would like to add to this interview feel free to do so!
 
Len: Thanks for the support, Mano. You got a good thing going here. Keep it up! Love and respect to all our friends and family who have always been kind, loyal and supportive. You know who you are.
 
Shawn: Thanks once again for everything. You're doing a great job with the website and Facebook page. Keep up the good work! For anyone interested, here's where to find us: for general info.- www.facebook.com/ImmoralDiscipline, our merch.- www.immoraldiscipline.bandcamp.com, and contacting us- immoraldiscipline@gmail.com. Cheers!