About this interview
In a 2007 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, Ryan Primack of Poison The Well shared insights into the band’s early days, his personal journey into music, the challenges of DIY touring, and navigating the unpredictable music industry.
Ryan talked about growing up in a musical household, with his father being a classically trained French horn player who strongly encouraged him to pick up an instrument. At age five, he started playing trumpet, but by the time he hit his teenage years, skateboarding took over his interests. Eventually, when his family moved from Philadelphia to Florida, he picked up guitar at 16, and that quickly became his new obsession.
He reflected on how Poison The Well came together, explaining that Florida didn’t have a huge hardcore scene at the time, so they all met at the same handful of venues, like Club Q, Cheers in Miami, and Happy Days in West Palm Beach. They didn’t set out with a master plan—the goal was just to play a show outside of Florida, and they had no idea what would happen after that. However, just two months after forming, they played in Atlanta, which made them realize touring was something they wanted to do as much as possible.
Their early days on the road were rough, especially since the hardcore scene was skeptical of bands that mixed melody with heaviness. When they first started playing outside of Florida, audiences didn’t know what to make of them, reacting negatively to their mix of singing, screaming, and melodic guitars. At one show, a fan who had praised them weeks earlier completely turned on them after hearing their new record, claiming they had “sold out” and “ruined his life.” Ryan found it hilarious how quickly some fans change their opinions based on expectations.
Their first real tour was a two-week run with 12 Tribes, where they played only seven shows, with half of those being unplanned, last-minute gigs. They worked multiple jobs for three months to save up just enough money to rent a van and drive to Vermont, fully embracing the DIY grind. Despite the financial struggle, it was one of the most fun and defining experiences of their career.
Ryan also revealed that he briefly quit the band for four months to go to college for jazz, thinking he needed to pursue a “serious” music career. However, two months into school, he regretted it and quickly rejoined Poison The Well. Looking back, he saw that experience as a reminder that following passion was more important than following a traditional path.
Discussing the music industry, he described it as one of the strangest, most cutthroat industries he’s ever encountered. He said that while people in the industry often act like close friends, as soon as business comes into play, loyalty disappears, and it becomes purely about money. He estimated that 60% of people in the industry are two-faced, putting on a friendly act while making business decisions that don’t align with personal relationships. Despite this, he acknowledged that it’s just the nature of the business, and bands have to learn how to navigate it without getting caught up in the drama.
He also shared thoughts on Hollywood, comparing it to the music industry—a place where appearances and networking often matter more than actual substance. He found it bizarre and detached from reality compared to where he grew up, but he accepted that entertainment industries thrive on connections and image.
Looking ahead, Ryan was unsure what the future held, both musically and personally. He described himself as not much of a planner, preferring to let things unfold naturally rather than trying to control his career trajectory. The band had tours lined up in the U.S., Japan, and Australia, including a run with The Dillinger Escape Plan.
Despite the ups and downs of touring life, Ryan emphasized that he wouldn’t trade it for anything. He acknowledged that he could have pursued a more traditional career path, but ultimately, he was doing what he loved, and that was what mattered most.