Interview /// Not Sorry (Seattle, WA)

Brand New straight edge band from Seattle, WA (Former members of How We Are) This interview was conducted with John Twentyfive via email over the course of a week or so.  

How have you been? What’s been up lately for Seattle Hardcore?
John Twentyfive: I’ve been great, man. My life in the NW is awesome. I have a cool apartment, an awesome girlfriend, a chill dog and solid crew to hang with. As for Seattle Hardcore, I don’t want to speak about it as if I’ve been apart of it for longer than 6 months, but as of this moment I think it’s pretty stellar. There are some great, great bands from Seattle, and the NW in general. I’m psyched to be doing a band out here right now because I think some of the new bands that are starting up are going to make a great impact on kids. So I’m glad we’re a part of that.

How did Not Sorry come about?
Well my friend Alan (guitar player in From The Ground Up) moved out here from Burlington, VT in September ’07 for school. A year later I moved out here with my girlfriend for her to go to school. Alan and I talked about doing a band when I moved out with me playing bass. He hung with this dude Andrew and had jammed with him once or twice on drums. I moved out, we practiced, but we were unsure about who was going to sing. We kind of had an idea of what we wanted, but not knowing a whole lot of people we were not sure who to ask. I suggested that I try singing. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a little bit, so we learned “I’ve Lost . . .” to make sure that I was comfortable doing it and here we are. Adam V (from How We Are) moved out here in January and he was the obvious pick for bass as Alan and I were already friends with him, so it was an easy addition.

Where did the idea come about for the band name?
It is totally 100% taken from the Black SS song “I’m Not Sorry.” Everyone in the band loves BSS. We had tossed around a couple names, but nothing stuck or was liked well enough by everyone. At practice one night, I told them that I was going to get “I’m Not Sorry” tattooed across my wrists, and one of them joked we should call the band that. It was one of those moments where everyone looks at each other and it just clicked. We decided that Not Sorry was a great band name. The next day I asked Chuck SS about it and he enthusiastically gave us the ok. Said he felt honored and all that. Also, that song has personal attachment for me as well. I’ve sang it for BSS on a couple different occasions, which I think is where the singing idea came from. Anyway, in 2004 my Dad passed away and while at a show that Black SS was playing, Chuck gave this little speech about me being the kind of dude I am and not really apologizing for it, they then played “I’m Not Sorry.” Pretty much from that day, that song has meant a lot to me and always reminds me of my father. Honestly I think it’s the perfect name for us, and especially a band I’m singing for.

I know you are originally from Rochester what made you decide to move out to Seattle and start up a band?
The main reason is my girlfriend was coming out here for school. She really wanted me to move with her, but I was apprehensive as the last half of 2007 my life was a total wreck and moving cross country wasn’t something I thought I was ready for. Regardless, Alan and I had talked about doing a band in case I did move. I wanted to have something going on out here, besides just a relationship. I talked to my Mom about it and she really encouraged me to just do it. She said the worst that can happen is you don’t like it and you can come home, haha. I’d been to the NW before while on tour and definitely knew I could live out here. So I took the plunge. Got rid of a bunch of my stuff, packed up my stereo, clothes, records, bass, and dog (the things I can’t live without obviously) and here I am. I couldn’t be happier.

In your previous bands you were involved in you played bass, what made you decide to sing for this band? Has the transition been difficult to handle from being behind a bass to fronting the band live?
I touched on this previously, but it was more we had this idea of what we wanted and weren’t totally sure that someone else would represent us the way we wanted. I figured I’d made a couple other big changes in my life by moving out here, so why not make another. We learned a cover and I felt like I could handle it. I already had some stuff written for a project band I was going to do with some friends with me on vocals, so things moved along relatively easily. Overall, the transition wasn’t that hard. I talked to my friend Rory about it and he was really supportive. Gave me some tips as he’s been singing in bands forever. I have some herbal throat spray that I use, drink lots of water and take some herbal throat lozenges. Besides the occasional headache, I think I’m doing pretty well. I do miss playing bass though, so hopefully I’ll find another band to play in.

You guys recently just put up a demo for download on the internet, any plans on a label putting it out or do you guys plan to put it out yourself?
As of right now we’re looking into recording 2 new songs and trying to release that with the demo as a 7″. I have never really gotten to put out a record myself, so it’s something I’d like to take on. I know it’s a ton of work, but I think it’ll give me (and us) some perspective as to what goes into actually running a label, at least in some very small way. We also don’t want to wait around for someone to ask us to do a record. Hardcore in 2009 has gotten incredibly lazy and kids feel entitled to things they are sure as shit not entitled to. If you do a band, put some effort into it. Write some good songs, get a decent recording and if you want to do a 7″, save up some money and just put it out yourselves. Sitting around, waiting to be asked by a label is ridiculous. Throwing some half-assed songs up on myspace, that a friend recorded for you in his bedroom, does not mean you deserve anything. Same goes for shows, tours, merch, etc. Hardcore is about using your resources and making things happen on your terms, not waiting for someone to give you theirs. If people don’t ask you to play shows, set up your own. If you want to tour, book it yourself. The idea that someone else is going to put up the money and do the work for us is presumptious. We want to make this our own!

What do you try to bring across with your lyrics? What fuels you to write songs and to bring forth the overall message that the band is about?
Mostly normal every day life types of things. I have strong opinions on lots of topics and there is a lot that infuriates me to no end. As a band we are all straight edge, 3 of us are vegan, and the other is vegetarian. Lyrically, I would like people to empower themselves. There are tons of things that we have very little power to change, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and it definitely doesn’t mean we shouldn’t change the little things we can. Being conscious of what we eat and put into our bodies is one of the most vital things we need to be aware of. Food is life. Without it we die, and everyday we’re being sold garbage in place of food. I don’t care if you eat meat or are vegan/vegetarian, if all you eat is junk, you aren’t doing anyone any favors, including yourself. There are tons of healthier and sustainable options for everyone, regardless of dietary choices. It’s time we start paying attention to those things. I like to think that we (as human beings) will start doing whats right for ourselves, for future generations so they don’t have to clean up our messes or make things worse, and for life in general. It comes down to respect, and that we need to be giving more of it to the things we take for granted. Does that answer your question or did I just ramble and come off sounding crazy?

Yes it does and believe me i ramble on at times, you brought up some very interesting topics. Now moving on, what else is in store for Not Sorry in the future? Any plans to tour?
We’d for sure like to tour. Mainly West Coast for now, but we are planning on coming out East in November. We got asked to play a show in Pennsylvania called “A Time We’ll Remember” with a bunch of youth crew styled bands. We’re hoping to make a weekend out of it, hopefully with Mindset (from Baltimore) and possibly a band or 2 from the NW. We are going to try and hit up Syracuse and one other city while out there. It’s still a few months out, so we’ll see how that pans out. Hopefully have our demo 7″ out by then too. After that we hope to have a new 7″ out in early 2010 with all new songs.

Thank you for doing this interview, any final comments/shout outs?
Thank you Pat, I appreciate you doing this. Thanks to all the people in the NW who’ve been so welcoming to a bunch of kids from the North East. We’re psyched to be a part of whats happening out here. There are tons of awesome bands and people from here, and not all of it gets hyped up on the cool internet spots, so I hope people take the time to look into what this area has to offer. Shout outs to all Wyld Punx!!! (http://notsorrycrew.blogspot.com/)

Interview /// Unholy (Syracuse, NY)

Unholy have been hard at work for many years creating their own sound and unique style, finally that are starting to get the credit they deserve. Their new record on Prosthetic records titled “New Life Behind Closed Eyes” is out now so be sure to pick it up!

So to start off, how’s everything been with unholy lately? How does it feel to be home from a long tour this past month?
JD: Everything has been good. Started writing some new songs, they’re coming out awesome. Trying to keep busy to avoid going stir crazy while being home.

How did unholy come about? Who all was in the original lineup and how did the name ”Unholy” come about?
Unholy has been a long work in progress, i won’t go through all the line up changes. The line up now is the line up that it was meant to have. The name unholy was inspired by a fictional piece an author named Thomas Ligotti wrote called Unholy City, something about it really hit me.

Your new record “New Life Behind Closed Eyes” just dropped on Prosthetic records, how did the deal go down with Prosthetic?
A long story short, between our management and knowing people at the label things happened to get us signed. Prosthetic is one of the few labels out there in metal that still respects bands that have there own identity.

Knowing that this record was going to be put out on a major label,was the recording process and production for this record a lot more intense and nerve racking than previous records?
Not really. If you think too much while song writing it gets too easy to have them sound unnatural and forced. New Life Behind Closed Eyes was pretty easy going in the studio.

I know on previous records there was a concept behind the lyrics and art, what is the concept for this new record and how does the art tie in with the lyrics?
The story in a nut-shell is about a curse that has been placed on humanity from a burned out sun, a curse of immortality. The human species at first saw it as a gift from the heavens, but later after time has passed they realize that they have no purpose in life and they want to die, but can’t. Finally someone figures out a way to bring and end to the madness, a hole is ripped into the sky where a disease outbreaks. The towns people drink the blood and eat the entrails from above, they wait for death but only a lust for blood prevails. You will have to buy the record and read the rest for yourself. I think the art really captured the tone of the record.

The artwork for the new record is very intense and depicts the story behind the lyrics and concept very well, who is responsible for doing up the artwork and the layout for the record?
An artist named Aeron Alfrey from Indiana. He went above and beyond for the end result, I couldn’t be more pleased about the turn out. A graphic designer named Carson Slovak threw together the layout and brought it to another level as well.

You guys just recently got back from a tour with Earth Crisis, how was that experience? What were some of the best shows/moments from that tour?
The tour was great. Met a ton of fans and made some new ones. Some of our better shows were ones that we didn’t have any expectations for.

I know that you guys are good friends with those dudes and I’ve been hearing people talk down on them a lot recently for coming back and doing a new record. What are your thoughts on their return and the new record?
Earth Crisis in my book are the single most important band that has ever come out of hardcore. They are the only band in hardcore history that still hold to their values just the same as they started off. They are the only band that promotes a message that rivals mainstream life to the fullest extent, without veganism and straight-edge you are no different than any other participant in any trend.

What are your thoughts on the current state of Syracuse hardcore and hardcore in general?
Hardcore for me has died years ago. I still love bands like Madball, Death Before Dishonor, Death Threat and Terror… these bands are played by musicians who are well grounded in their roots. There are no roots with many bands today. Current hardcore is much like a recycling center of re-hashed riffs and lyrics. The hardcore I was brought up into was not influenced by other hardcore bands with the exception of maybe Bad Brains or Cro-Mags, bands just kept it fast. At one time a band had to incorperate some originality to stand out. Don’t get me wrong, hardcore is something that will always run through my blood, I am hardcore. Simply put there’s nothing to get excited about anymore. For Syracuse the only band in years that is worth a dime is Forfeit. Syracuse hardcore is a ghost of the past. There’s no difference on what we have here and what anyone else has in their small town anywhere in the U.S.

What does unholy have going on for the rest of the summer/early fall?
We hit the road again in July with Acacia Strain, Evergreen Terrace and more, it’s going to be awesome. When we get home we’re going to work on a music video and more song writing, then tour again.

I know you are a big fan of H.P. Lovecraft and other exotic horror films/stories, do you incorporate that with Unholys overall message and theme?
To a certain degree. HP Lovecraft is one of a few characters that i am inspired by. Other important visionaries are: Thomas Ligotti, Joe Coleman, Al Columbia, Suehiro Maruo, and Toshio Saeki to name a few, all of these named have created beautiful nightmares.

What are some bands/artists that you listen to that most people would not expect you to be into?
Oh man… there’s a ton. One of my favorite bands is Jimmy Eat World. I love a lot of rock stuff like: The Hellacopters, Turbonegro, been listening to a ton of Failure lately. I think the new Guns And Roses record is awesome too.

Musically, where does unholy come from? where do get your influence from when writing?
I would say my roots stem from bands like Carcass, Entombed, Testament, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Crowbar, Metallica, stuff like that. The 90′s was the peak of metal for me. As for song writing I keep my head clear of outside music and try to let the music come out on it’s own.

Everyone's music taste changes over the coarse of their life, what were you listening to when you were 15, then at 21 and currently?
Good question. In my teens I loved Youth Of Today, Agnostic Front, The Accused, Napalm Death, Carcass, Cryptic Slaughter, Killing Time, lots of West Coast hardcore, anything Revelation put out. Now days I can’t listen to much older hardcore that doesn’t have a rock edge to it. When I wrote the Promise stuff the big influences on that was later Turning Point and Bold – Looking Back. I still love much of the stuff I grew up on with the addition of lots of rock. I can’t listen to Youth Of Today anymore, Earth Crisis took their place.

This might come off as a vague question but i know you are a political person to some degree, what is your opinion on our current economical and political state that are country is in?
Since so many americans can’t look past our biased/ liberal/left-wing/ mainstream media system and can’t read between the lines, there is not much hope. To say the least we have a media made president pushed in office by dirty people and dirty money. Our trouble with our economy is just as real as poison in Halloween candy, another media scare. Not to say there isn’t trouble, let failing businesses fail.

What do you look forward to the most when going out on the road? Putting aside playing shows and having a good reaction, what sort of activities do you enjoy to do as a band and on your own?
It’s a chance for me to think, read, be creative. I love seeing old friends and seeing new places. It’s fun being a vagrant. You truly live for the moment on tour.

Musically unholy and your previous band santa sangre have similar qualities, both being more metal than the other bands you were in. Is unholy a continuation of the music you were writing playing in santa sangre? or did you go for a new approach when starting up unholy?
Unholy is what I Santa Sangre would have progressed into had it still been around. Santa Sangre was my proudest band from that time and Unholy is who I am right now.

Most important hardcore band in the past 20 years?
Earth Crisis

Through my observations over the years I feel like with some exceptions that the only good metal bands are the ones from overseas (manly Sweden) could you attest to this?
For sure in recent years I think The Haunted is one of the better bands. I still enjoy In Flames, Entombed died when Nicke Anderson left. For America there’s not too much, I think Soilent Green is a great band. The new Mastodon record is also awesome. Oh, and I can’t wait for the new Crowbar record.

Carcass recently did a reunion tour, i know you were their along with a few others from syracuse at the Boston show, how was it and was it what you expected?
They played awesome. I was lucky enough to see them a couple times during the Heartwork album cycle, I remember them being darker live. I saw them in New York recently and they played all the hits, it was not a let down.

Like you stated before there are few hardcore bands out doing their own thing right now and being original, but are their any newer bands that have struck you by surprise lately?
Absolutely not.

Haha fair enough, well the record is finally out now on CD format, any chance of releasing it onto vinyl?
For sure. A label called Closed Casket Activities just release a limited picture disc of only 666 copies made, it looks so good!

I know you are a big fan so i’ll go ahead and ask, what is your favorite Alejandro Jodorowsky film?
Santa Sangre

So to close this up thank you for doing this interview, any shout outs or final comments?
Thanks for the interview. If you haven’t picked up the new Unholy record yet, get that shit! (http://www.myspace.com/unholy)

Year In Review /// Best Records Of 2009

A lot of great records came out this year, and a lot of time was spent on my part listening to them. Many were surprising and unusual and others were well anticipated and widely appreciated. Below i ’ s a our Top 25 records of 2009 in order. It’s hard to imagine that all of these records came out this past year, I feel like i’ve been listening to them longer than I have. Needless to say you should go and pick these records if you haven’t already.

25. Oak & Bone – s/t (Hex)
This is the debut 7″ from Syracuse, NY’s Oak and Bone. This record is very unique blending queens of the stone age riffs with post hardcore melody and structure. This was a very surprising first release and all of the songs on this are really easy to get into. I almost find myself mad when listening to this at how god some of the riffs are. This is not a stereotypical hardcore band needless to say.

24. Moutheater – Ornament (Thrashed)
Take a time machine back to the early 90′s and mix Nirvana with the Melvins, then put them in a practice room with Cursed and Neurosis and you will get the Virginia Hardcore/Metal and Punk band, Moutheater. This is the bands first full length and it has a really unique sound to it overall. A lot of great influences blended with a fierce pissed off hardcore vibe.

23. Naysayer – No Remorse (Reaper)
Fast paced and aggressive hardcore from Richmond, Va. This is the bands first release on Reaper and is a great first release. This record is filled with thrash and groove oriented riffs, and it definitely reminds me a lot of early Madball, especially the vocals. This is a great sounding first 7″, it’s not to overdone and really raw which is how a band like this should sound.

22. Downpresser – Age Of Ignorance (Triple B)
Some of the hardest riffs of the year can be heard on this record. There is a strong merauder influence on this record, every song is heavy and well written. This band blends hardcore and metal great without sounding to cheesy or overdone. The lyrics are really awesome as well, don’t sleep on this band they are the next best thing coming out of Cali.

21. Cave In – Planets Of Old (Hydra Head)
This release was an overall surprise to me along with the Cave In reunion earlier this year. I was unable to attend but I am however siked on this release. Like any Cave In record it is unique and different than the last. This record has a lot of newer influences, some southern rock and experimental jams, much like Steven Brodysky’s other side projects. Cave In fans wont be bummed, thats for sure.

20. Propagandhi – Supporting Caste (G7 Welcoming Committee)
The legendary trash/punk canadians are back again with one of their most developed records to date. This record shows a lot of progress but still maintains the style and structure that they went for on their previous record. The production is top notch and the riffs are distinct and very fast. This band blends thrash metal and punk very well and I never thought that I could say that about a band before.

19. Title Fight – The Last Thing You Forget (Run For Cover)
Who hasn’t heard of this band yet? Probably the most hyped record of the year and there is a reason for that, and thats because its fucking good. It took me a while to finally pick this up and listen to it, but eventually I did and I feel stupid for not checking it out earlier. This band will blow up before you know it so get into it now!

18. Polar Bear Club – Chasing Hamburg (Bridge 9)
One of the most anticipate records of the year, PBC’s debut LP on Bridge 9 is a fast paced and poppy record with a strong post hardcore rock sound. This band has developed a lot over the years, starting off as a side project and now a full time touring machine. Check them out on the road and pick up this record, one of the best punk/post hardcore bands out today.

17. Mother Of Mercy – III (Six Feet Under)
This is the bands first full length having done two EP’s before this. This band blends together many elements to their sound, from 90′s alternative rock bands to thrash metal (in the vein of Megadeth). This record is by far their best yet, they have a unique sound going for them that not many bands are doing, this record definitely stands out amongst many that our out today.

16. Thrice – Beggars (Island)
This record is what you would expect from a thrice album, at least their later sound. No it is not a concept album this time, instead it is 10 songs that all blend greatly together. This band has evolved into a song writing machine within their past few records blending experimental progressions and indie riffs. Do not pass on this, if you are a thrice fan you wont be disappointed.

15. Gypsy – s/t (Six Feet Under)
This is the bands debut EP featuring members of cold world, blacklisted and other notable bands from PA. Blending influences from bands such as Archers of Loaf mixed with Jawbreaker, you can see why everyone has been freaking out about this band. And the fact that they are off the radar with any form of internet media (myspace, facebook) is aiding in the curiousness towards the band.

14. Shook Ones – The Unquotable A.M.H. (Paper + Plastic)
If you haven’t heard of this band by now than something must not be right. One of the best pop punk/hardcore bands out right now. The current state of pop punk sucks but these guys and a slew of other bands are doing the right thing. Kid Dynamite mixed with Lifetime, two similar style bands but very influential to the Shook Ones nonetheless.

13. Soul Control – Cycles (Bridge 9)
This is the bands first full length on Bridge 9 records and also with their new singer Rory Van Grol (How We are, Achilles). Having re-recorded the four singles they put out last year and with a slew of new songs this band is one of the few bands out still doing the 90′s hardcore sound. This record reminds me a lot of 108 mixed with some quicksand riffs every now and again.

12. Paint It Black – Amnesia (Bridge 9)
PIB is back with the first of two ep’s this year, this record is their first for bridge 9 as they decided to mix it up with different labels for these releases. This record is very fast paced and pissed off, this record is nothing to different sound wise for PIB but it is definitely a progression for the band. Dan Yemin’s voice is a lot more pissed off it seems and the music has a raw feel to it.

11. Baroness – Blue Record (Relapse)
Baroness is back with their 2nd full length, and a hard one to follow up to the “Red Album” but I think they got it done right. Is it my favorite? I am not to sure but maybe after listening to it for a few more months I will love this record more than their previous LP. Either way this record smokes and the riffs are cool and they have progressed a lot as a band.

10. Foundation – Hang Your Head (Six Feet Under)
Foundation’s first 7″ on Six Feet Under and it is the best thing they have done to date. This band just keeps getting better and better with time. This reminds me a lot of mid 90′s upstate new york hardcore (another victim, buried alive) with a twist of their own sound. This is a band to watch out for in 2010, go pick up this record!

9. Rise & fall – Our Circle Is Vicious (Deathwish)
The long awaited and well overdue LP from Belgium’s hardcore/metal act Rise and Fall is by far one of the most unique records in hardcore today. This band has evolved into a monster blending evil riffs and strange guitar patterns. This record has proven that R&F is consistent in what they do, and they do it really well. If your looking for a heavey and unique metal/hardcore record this is up your alley.

8. Paint It Black – Surrender (Fat Wreck Chords)
Two records in one year, and both of them are on my top 25 of the year. I consider them one record due to the fact that they were recorded at the same time and if you play it back to back it sounds consistent. This is my favorite of the two EP’s but both are awesome. This record is a lot more raw and pissed off, and not as melodic as the Amnesia EP. One of the best hardcore/punk bands out today.

7. Russian Circles – Geneva (Suicide Squeeze)
I feel like a lot of people overlook this band and its a shame. There are not many 3 piece instrumental bands out today and this band is definitely on top of their game. I listen to this record and wonder how the hell one guitar player can do this with just a few pedals, but I guess thats the answer. This has the usual sound expected in a russian circles album but with a few more twist and turns.

6. Blacklisted – NODTBHMTM (Deathwish)
One of the most surprising record of the year seeing as how it was not announced for pre orders, it just came out. Blacklisted is one of the most unique bands out right now and they have evolved from a more simple hardcore band to something much more. Nirvana/Archers of Loaf meets Only Living Witness is how I would describe the influences, weird for a hardcore band but awesome at the same time.

5. Trapped Under Ice – Secrets Of The World (Reaper)
Probably the most anticipated record of the year, Secrets of the World is TUI’s best work to date. Every song on this record is gold and when I first put this on I distinctly remember moshing in my bedroom after the second song, so that alone should telly ou this is a good record. Very unique song structures and some of the best vocal patterns in hardcore today.

4. Iron Age – The Sleeping Eye (Tea Pee)
This record was leaked well before a proper release but eventually the record came out on CD and Vinyl. This record straight up sounds like an earlier metallica record, but recorded today. Some hardcore bands have thrash influenced riffs but I would consider this record a straight up metal record. This is by far one of the best records i’ve listened to in a long time, production wise and musically.

3. Dinosaur Jr – Farm (Jagjaguwa)
Dino Jr has been one of the most consistent bands in the independent music and this album is proof of that. They have one of the most defining sounds in their genre even to this day. This has the usual formula for a Dino jr record and its nothing to outside the box for them, and it doesn’t have to be its just straight up awesome. Pick this up, you will not be disappointed.

2. Brand New – Daisy (Interscope)
Brand new has molded into a totally different band, losing all of their pop punk riffs and adding more elements of post-rock and experimental into their song structures. Some people hate this record and others like myself love it. I guess if you were not into the last album and were more into their older stuff than this isn’t for you. However you should check this out either way, maybe you will dig it.

1. Converge – Axe To Fall (Deathwish)
The most anticipated record of the year for me, Converge brings forth a full force metal record. More than 20 years into the hardcore/punk scene and they can still write and record an amazing record, you can’t say that about most bands today. This record flows as if they were playing the songs live, every song pretty much goes into each other and its meant to be listened to as a whole.

Honorable Mentions:
Maximum Penalty – Life & Times /// Reaper
Creatures – I, Lucifer /// Eulogy
Tigers Jaw – Self Titled /// Photobooth
Power Trip – Armageddon Blues /// Double Or Nothing
Backtrack – Deal With The Devil /// 6131
Dead End Path – Demo 09 /// DIY
Them Crooked Vultures – Self Titled /// Self Released
Minus – Demo 09 /// DIY
Earth Crisis – To The Death /// Century Media
Isis – Wavering Radient /// Ipecac

…im sure there is more that I’m forgetting, but thats good for now.

Interview /// Polar Bear Club (Upstate, NY)

I did this interview in the spring of 09 with Jimmy right before they headed into the studio to record their latest full length “Chasing Hamburg”which is out now on Bridge 9 records so go and buy it now!

To start this off id like to say congrats on signing to Bridge 9!
Jimmy: Thank you very much.

Tell us a little bit about polar bear club.
Well, we are a five piece from upstate NY. We’ve been a band for about three and a half years and we play rock music.

You guys have been around doing other bands way before polar bear club, who all was in what bands and how did you guys meet and eventually start up this band?
This could get confusing so I won’t name absolutely every band. Nate and Emmett were in Marathon before PBC, I was in a band called the Disaster, Chris played drums in Achilles and Goose was in some Syracuse hardcore bands one being Merrimac. Those are the major ones but we all have been in at least a dozen others. Chris and I were in a band together and new Nate just from going to shows. Nate was our connection to Emmett through Marathon and Emmett was our connection to Goose ‘cuz they were friends. The band originally started with Chris and myself and some other guys who have since left. It really started out as a side project for Chris but as it gained momentum it sort of took the front seat in everyone’s lives.

Who all recorded on the demo? What did you guys set out to do when you began to write and record those songs? Did you guys set out to sound a certain way and to differentiate yourselves from other bands?
The demo was Me, Chris, Josh Dillon on bass (from Achilles) and Bob O’neill on drums ( ex-member of Another Breath). I think we really set out just to be a band we wanted to hear. Maybe incorporate some of our influences into modern music that weren’t being represented as much these days.

Unlike most bands you guys have been around for a while working hard playing locally as a part time band. What made you decide to keep the band going full time?
I think we really did as much as we could as a part-time band. We started to get all this undeserved press and attention all around the world and we got to the point where we either had to break up or go full-time and we sure didn’t want to break up.

I know that being on the road can be stressful at sometimes, what do you do to keep yourself in check on a long boring drive to the middle of nowhere?
There is only so long that you can listen to an ipod or play a nintendo DS. So when those things stop working I usually start annoying everyone else in the band. Or we make fun of each other.

Your guy’s last album on Red Leader Records “Sometimes things just Disappear” was a very anticipated record. I know a lot of people were very excited to hear it, did you feel any pressure when writing and recording the record?
No not really. At that point we were still a part-time band and so there really wasn’t much riding on the album to be honest. I think our newest album that we are working on now is a bit more anticipated and there is some more pressure this time around but it doesn’t really effect our song writing. We want to write the best record we can and not the record we think people want to hear.

How did you guys come up with the name for the record?
It was a quote from this really young and sly manager at a taco bell. He gave us free food one day while we were recording and it made us all laugh so we thought that was a pretty good representation of our time spent recording the album.

How do you go about writing lyrics? What influences you to write the lyrics that you do?
Anything can influence my lyrics. Books,movies, other songs. They are mainly based on the emotional experiences from my life. There is no real trick or formula to doing it, every song is written a little bit different and if there is a formula that’s it. Knowing that there are a lot of ways to write a song and staying open minded to them all.

How do you guys go about writing the actual music? Is there one particular member of the band that writes all of the songs, or do you guys all sit down and work on a tune together?
Me, Chris and Nate write a lot of the parts but we all come together and hash out the structures as a band. No one really sits out on song writing we pretty much work on it all together.

You recently went on a Full European Tour with Frank Turner and The Gaslight Anthem, that is such a huge tour to go on being your first time over there, how did everything go? What were your favorite places to play and hang out?
We really were very lucky to be on such a big tour our first time overseas. It went really well. Germany was really good to us. In terms of hanging out, Stockholm was awesome. The cities are so nice in Sweden and I can’t wait to go back.

What new and upcoming bands have you been getting into?
Let’s see. Defeater is awesome. Hour of the Wolf is pretty cool. Dead Swans. I’ve been listening to that band The National, not sure how up and coming they are but they are really good.

What is the most important record in punk and hardcore in the past 15 years?
That is a really difficult question i think American Nightmare’s Background Music was really important. It opened up a lot of doors that hardcore had not seen before. At the Drive-In and Glassjaw are in there as well. This question is too hard. For me personally, it’s Kid Dynamite self titled. The timing of that album was perfect. I was just starting to get a little sick of saves the day (what was wrong with me?) and Kid D made me sing along like i did with STD but it also shredded my face off in exactly the way I needed when I was in High School. All my closest friends, we listened to that album thousands of times together. A lot of good Kid D memories.

I’ve alway wanted to ask this and Im sure many people are curious also, where did the name “Polar Bear Club” come from?
Polar Bear Club is the name of an awesome Silent Majority song of the album “Life of a Spectator” and this album could easily go into your question about most important punk record of the last 15 years. This band was hard, melodic and emotional and these were things PBC wanted to be since the get go so we thought it was the perfect place to pull a band name from.

What bands do you feel have been overlooked that are currently active today?
It depends, because most hardcore and punk bands are overlooked by the masses so you could say all of them. But then there are the bands that hardcore and punk kids overlook for whatever reason so I’ll answer for both categories. An awesome punk band that is overlooked by mostly everyone is Attack in Black (although they are more of a rock band then anything). Their album “Marriage” is incredible. Nowadays they are pretty quiet and folk-ish but still worth checking out. Now, a band that punk and hardcore kids overlook, Thrice. This band rules and it’s incredibly uncool to like them in the punk hardcore community. Whatever, I love ‘em and “Vheissu” is amazing. Secondly, MGMT. Most kids into punk and hardcore completely dismiss this band ‘cuz they dress like goofs and are adored by hipsters everywhere, which is all true. But if you listen to the album “Oracular Spectacular” and listen in the context of like The Doors or The Beatles when they got wierd and you really listen to the lyrics, this album completely earns the hype.

You guys have been oversees to Europe and the UK twice now, how is different over there? Is the same vibe relevant at a show in the UK as it is in the States?
It’s a little different. They don’t get to see us as much as the kids in the states (even though we are going three times this year) so they appreciate it a little bit more I guess. We love going over there.

You guys are hard at work writing new material, how do you feel everything is coming along? Is the new stuff on a different level as the last record or have you guys mainly just progress forward as a band?
It’s hard to say. I think PBC has always been a band that’s hard for people to classify. Somewhere between, punk and hardcore and indie and rock. Those elements are definitely in our new songs but there are some songs that play the ends of the spectrum more. Some songs are a bit harder or a bit more punk rock. I’m interested to hear what people have to say about it when it’s all said and done.

Any news on where you guys will be recording this new album?
We are recording in Seattle with Matt Bayles. He did Minus the Bear and Mastodon and a lot of other stuff. We’re all really excited.

Thank you for doing this interview, any closing comments/shout outs?
Squints baby Squints (http://www.myspace.com/polarbearclub)

Interview /// Violent Side (Syracuse, NY)

New band out of Syracuse, NY. Members of Black SS, Forfeit, and My Way. Bringing a new style to Syracuse more along the lines of faster Boston straight edge style bands (Slapshot, Stop & Think etc…) New 7″ out now on Reaper Records/Violent Side Records. .

So to start off, who all is in Violent Side and what other bands has everyone been in?
Brian: Violent Side includes: Dan K, Tomcore, Myself and my brother Pete. Dan is actively involved with the Syracuse straight edge heavyweights Black SS and has been in a slew of various Syracuse hardcore bands including Hit the Lights and My Way. I myself play guitar in Forfeit and Tom’s last effort was also with Dan in My Way. As far as my brother I think he has been recently been spotted in Scandinavia playing drums for that Worchester rock outfit I Rise. I can neither confirm nor deny this.

How did this band come about?
Me Tom and Dan have been throwing ideas of starting a band for ages now. Since Forfeit and Black SS don’t really play Syracuse very much for various reasons, we were looking for something to do in the meantime. There was a time when there was a plethora of awesome fast hardcore (re: 2004-06) and we all I think had a collective mind state to bring that back. I myself am just trying to be as productive as I can as far as my input into the hardcore scene. The problem we kept running into was we couldn’t find a drummer and I think one night I was watching Seinfeld with my brother and it hit me, “well shit, Pete plays drums”, so we were set.

Who writes all the music for VS?
I think due to the fact that we were all so psyched to start this project we all had a song or two written by the first time we practiced.

What are your main influences?
Rev:1-10

You guys recorded a demo on to a cassette tape, how many songs are on that and are their any plans to release it?
The only actual recording we have of this band is a recorded practice at the North Syracuse space that we taped over one of Dan K’s straight edge mixtapes. This summer is real crazy for Forfeit but once I get a minute we’ll record a demo and get it out to the masses.

First show was Black SS/TUI/Backtrack at the WCC, how was that show like?
Im not sure if you can call that a first show, we hopped on before BSS and played 4 songs lasting a lengthy 4 minutes. Our first show was at Castle Rockmoore with Baltimore’s straight edge outfit Mindset.

Any shows lined up for the summer?
I think our only show this summer was the Mindset show, hopefully we’ll be playing more in the fall when im actually around to play shows, I think we are focused I getting our demo out asap.

How fucking straight edge is violent side? (asks Steve H.)
Violent Side is 3/4 edge, Petey is a well known drugger but we don’t dare hold that against him.

Favorite AF song?
Ill go with Society Sucker today, frequently changes.

Favorite Boston SXE band?
Stop & Think

What are some current hardcore bands out right now that you have been into?
Step Forward/Free Spirit/Foundation/The Rival Mob/Power Trip/Backtrack

Best record to come out in 2009 so far?
The Rival Mob-Raw Life

Any plans to play out more in the future and to possibly tour?
Im sure we will play out plenty more, id love to do a weekend or a short tour. We haven’t even covered straight ahead yet, cmonnnnnn.

Final Comments/shout outs?
The Syracuse Straight Edge (still alive), Reaper Records, Halo Tattoo, Starbies, ATL XXX, Dog Pound XOXO (http://www.myspace.com/violentsidesyr)