D Generation’s Jesse Malin Talks Queens, NY and Why the Band Reunited

"I remember hanging out on the corner, listening to heavy rock music – getting into trouble on Halloween – that sort of stuff. The neighborhood had a teenage wasteland kind of energy to it. There was something really special about that place that I really cherish," D Generation vocalist Jesse Malin says of Queens, the New York City borough that he grew up in till his teen years, during a recent chat with Noisecreep.

"I had to go live with a family in the suburbs of New Jersey after my parents divorced and I couldn't wait to get back to Queens and hang with my friends. Another thing I remember was getting into KISS and before that it was Fonzie from 'Happy Days' and that '50s thing. Then I found out that Gene and Paul from KISS were from Queens, as were the Ramones, and it made it even cooler," says the singer.

Even though we're reminiscing about Queens (I grew up there too) Malin is on the phone to discuss the return of D Generation. Formed in the early '90s, the band originally featured Malin and guitarist Danny Sage – both of New York hardcore outfit Heart Attack – along with Richard Bacchus, John Carco and downtown glam-punker Howie Pyro (guitar). After releasing three well-received albums and one modern rock hit in 'No Way Out,' D Generation called it quits in 1999.

Watch 'No Way Out' From D Generation

"We were fighting against grunge and rap the time. D Generation always seemed to be a little too early or late, when it came to what was accepted at radio and in the press. We were also in that nu-metal era, which didn't work for me. I wanted people to hear my songs and not be in a mosh pit, or whatever. Unless we were in a major city, we felt like outsiders. So all of that finally just got to us and we split up. It wasn't that much fun anymore," says Malin of the breakup.

Earlier this year it was announced that D Generation would be reuniting and hitting the road for shows in Europe and the States. "Every year another promoter would contact us about playing a reunion show. They came in from places like Spain and Sweden. It just happens that everyone in the band is getting along now, so it made sense to do it this year.

"I've been out on the road doing my solo stuff for over nine years now and I always have people coming up to me saying that they never had a chance to see D Generation live. I'm talking about younger people. So yeah, it's been fun so far. I think we finally got the timing for D Generation right this time."

D Generation will be playing at this year's Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX on Nov. 4th.