Post by Chastity on Apr 28, 2005 1:29:05 GMT -5
Matt Smith plays guitar in Strike Anywhere. I love Strike Anywhere. I have a shameful crush on Matt Smith. I have a shameful crush on Sweden.
Put all that together and you got one hell of a memorable interview (well for me, maybe not for you)
I hope you enjoy (and check out Strike Anywhere--every song is a good one!) I also threw in some comments.
Strike Anywhere is a band which I compared to Offspring mixed with straight edge. Why don´t read this first and then go out and find their records and buy them. Matt Smith is the one who plays guitar and he is the one who answers my questions in January 2004
History?
-Strike Anywhere formed in the spring of 1999 in Richmond, VA.
We played locally for several months and then planned our first short tour.
We went down to Florida to play at a festival called "Gainesville fest"
and met Chuck from Hot Water Music.
When they came through town later in the year, they asked us to play with them in Richmond. Var (owner of no idea) was with them and offered us to put out our first record..It's just kind of progressed from there.
Please tell me a little about every member, age, family, interests, work and something bad about every one?
-Matt Smith: guitar
I'm 25, live in Baltimore, Maryland. I run a recording studio, and
skateboard in my free time... I once accidentally burned down a couple acres of woods..
Matt Sherwood: guitar
30 years old. Fixes video games when we're not on tour. He skates a lot and his dungeon master name is "zon".
Thomas Barnett: sings
Also 30, married, and lives in the woods of Vermont. He sells organic
produce at some hippie market. He thinks he's Bob Marley, but doesn't smoke weed..
Garth Petrie: bass
24 and lives in Richmond, Virginia. Moves furniture when home from tour.
He also burned down a bunch of woods as a kid.
Eric Kane: drums
23 and lives in Richmond, Virginia. He parties and drinks cheap wine with his friends when home..Lives in a closet.
Previous bands and bands on the side of the group?
-Thomas was in a band called Inquisition for a long time in the mid '90's...
Garth was in Count Me Out..
I was in Liar's Academy, Eric and I were in the Exploder...
Strike Anywhere, how did the name come up,?
-We robbed it from an old Inquisition song.. We had a really hard time choosing a band name...
Jade Tree seems to be a good label or??
-The Jade Tree guys are great.. Really down to earth guys who have a lot in common musically with us. Fun guys. Darren (one of the owners) toured Australia with us last summer and it was a blast.
What do you like the other bands there?
-The Jade Tree bands I'm into are Jets to brazil, Pedro the lion, Kid
Dynamite [Chas' note: Love them!], Lifetime, From ashes rise and Milemarker.
Have you done anything more than the latest album, if you have how can get it?
-We've done an ep called "Chorus of one" which is now out of print, and two LP's.. "Change is a sound" and "Exit english". Both can be bought direct from www.jadetree.com, or downloaded from itunes.
What do you know about Sweden?
-It's really cold and dark all winter.. We passed through once several
years ago, and it was really cold.. And everyone was really hot.. I'd
like to go back during the summer. Oh, and all the bands are really good musicians.
Have you heard any swedish bands worth to mention?
-Well Refused.. Final Exit.. In Flames.. INC.. The Crown, At the Gates, Fireside, Starmarket, Last Days of April, This Beautiful Mess.
What is typically swedish do you think?
-Meatballs and Ikea.
What other groups are you being compared with?
-We got compared to CIV with the last record.. That was cool. Minor
Threat, Good Riddance, Ignite.[Chas' note: Minor Threat?! I'm in heaven!]
Do you care about reviews, do you believe a good or bad the most?
-I try to get stoked on the good ones and laugh at the bad ones.. They don't really matter that much do they?? I don't let reviews stress me out.
Which is the most peculiar review you ever have got?
-In a magazine called While you were sleeping (a grafitti culture mag. from Washington DC). It said absolutely nothing about us. I just talked about Richmond (our hometown) and how it used to be the capital of the confederacy during the civil war. They're famous for absurd reviews.
How is good gig with Strike Anywhere? Is it much people on stage? [Chas' note: That question automatically made the interview feel authentically Swedish, which is okay because it somehow brought cuteness to the interview. I can imagine Petter having a field day with the grammar in this one.]
-Most of our best shows have a lot of people stage diving, getting on stage, or singing along. We definitely give a better show when we get energy in return from the crowd...
What is the most peculiar which have happened on stage with the group or in the audience?
-Thomas knocked one of his front teeth out with the microphone once. He caught it in mid-air and we had to take him to the dentist the next morning.
Is there any good groups in USA right now?
-Some bands we're really into right now are The Exit, Fifth Hour Hero [Chas' note: Quebec pride, baby!],Darkest Hour, Tragedy, Cursive, Ted Leo and Engine Down
How much does a group of your caliber sell?
-UHHHH. I don't know. We've done better than I'd ever hoped,
considering we're a hardcore band.. I think It's because we've worked hard and made a conscious effort to tour outside of the states. The European punk scene is amazing and it's great to be a part of it.
How would you describe your music in three words?
-Fast, Pissed, Fun.
What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?
-I think it's both. To me, it means a way of thinking more than a fashion statement.
Does music and politics goes hand i hand?
-I would agree. Most of the subjects of our songs have political themes.
The best political group ever?
-Rage Against the Machine tie with Billy Bragg.
If you could choose five group to make a really good concert with, which 5 groups are you choosing? Dead and alive groups..
-Led Zeppelin, Gorilla Biscuits, The Smiths, Oasis and The Replacements...
Please rank your five favourite records, five favourite concerts and five most important things in life?
-Five fav. Records
1. The Smiths - hatful of hollow
2. Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today
3. The Beatles - Revolver
4. The Lemonheads - It's a shame about ray
5. Minor Threat - first album. [Chas' note: Sigh sigh sigh. I'm in love with that album too.]
Five fav. Shows
1. Nirvana in Williamsburg, VA 1994
2. Billy Bragg in Baltimore
3. American Nightmare at CBGB's
4. Jeper fest in Belgium 2003
5. Pete Yorn in Washington DC
Most important things in life
1. Having fun
2. Friends
3. Travelling
4. working to live, not living to work
5. Passion [Chas' note: Oh Matt, what exactly do you mean by that?]
First, last and most expensive record ever bought?
-First was a 7" of a local punk band called Action Patrol.. Last was the new Blocko LP (from England), I've never spent more than $20 on a record.
How is it to live in USA today, politically?
-Tense. Hopefully the next election will bring some change.
What about Bush? Is he planning nay new war?
-Let's hope not.
What does the american think about all this warthings and that USA want to be everywhere and "help" when it´s a war?
-I think the majority of the American public supports anything that makes them feel like we are a powerful country. The average American doesn't even think about it because it doesn't effect their daily life.
Future plans for the band?
-Tours this winter/spring in the US, then back to Europe/Japan for the summer, Australia in the fall!
For yourself?
-To travel other than with the band.
Wisdomword?
-Positive.
Something more to add?
-Nope!
Put all that together and you got one hell of a memorable interview (well for me, maybe not for you)
I hope you enjoy (and check out Strike Anywhere--every song is a good one!) I also threw in some comments.
Strike Anywhere is a band which I compared to Offspring mixed with straight edge. Why don´t read this first and then go out and find their records and buy them. Matt Smith is the one who plays guitar and he is the one who answers my questions in January 2004
History?
-Strike Anywhere formed in the spring of 1999 in Richmond, VA.
We played locally for several months and then planned our first short tour.
We went down to Florida to play at a festival called "Gainesville fest"
and met Chuck from Hot Water Music.
When they came through town later in the year, they asked us to play with them in Richmond. Var (owner of no idea) was with them and offered us to put out our first record..It's just kind of progressed from there.
Please tell me a little about every member, age, family, interests, work and something bad about every one?
-Matt Smith: guitar
I'm 25, live in Baltimore, Maryland. I run a recording studio, and
skateboard in my free time... I once accidentally burned down a couple acres of woods..
Matt Sherwood: guitar
30 years old. Fixes video games when we're not on tour. He skates a lot and his dungeon master name is "zon".
Thomas Barnett: sings
Also 30, married, and lives in the woods of Vermont. He sells organic
produce at some hippie market. He thinks he's Bob Marley, but doesn't smoke weed..
Garth Petrie: bass
24 and lives in Richmond, Virginia. Moves furniture when home from tour.
He also burned down a bunch of woods as a kid.
Eric Kane: drums
23 and lives in Richmond, Virginia. He parties and drinks cheap wine with his friends when home..Lives in a closet.
Previous bands and bands on the side of the group?
-Thomas was in a band called Inquisition for a long time in the mid '90's...
Garth was in Count Me Out..
I was in Liar's Academy, Eric and I were in the Exploder...
Strike Anywhere, how did the name come up,?
-We robbed it from an old Inquisition song.. We had a really hard time choosing a band name...
Jade Tree seems to be a good label or??
-The Jade Tree guys are great.. Really down to earth guys who have a lot in common musically with us. Fun guys. Darren (one of the owners) toured Australia with us last summer and it was a blast.
What do you like the other bands there?
-The Jade Tree bands I'm into are Jets to brazil, Pedro the lion, Kid
Dynamite [Chas' note: Love them!], Lifetime, From ashes rise and Milemarker.
Have you done anything more than the latest album, if you have how can get it?
-We've done an ep called "Chorus of one" which is now out of print, and two LP's.. "Change is a sound" and "Exit english". Both can be bought direct from www.jadetree.com, or downloaded from itunes.
What do you know about Sweden?
-It's really cold and dark all winter.. We passed through once several
years ago, and it was really cold.. And everyone was really hot.. I'd
like to go back during the summer. Oh, and all the bands are really good musicians.
Have you heard any swedish bands worth to mention?
-Well Refused.. Final Exit.. In Flames.. INC.. The Crown, At the Gates, Fireside, Starmarket, Last Days of April, This Beautiful Mess.
What is typically swedish do you think?
-Meatballs and Ikea.
What other groups are you being compared with?
-We got compared to CIV with the last record.. That was cool. Minor
Threat, Good Riddance, Ignite.[Chas' note: Minor Threat?! I'm in heaven!]
Do you care about reviews, do you believe a good or bad the most?
-I try to get stoked on the good ones and laugh at the bad ones.. They don't really matter that much do they?? I don't let reviews stress me out.
Which is the most peculiar review you ever have got?
-In a magazine called While you were sleeping (a grafitti culture mag. from Washington DC). It said absolutely nothing about us. I just talked about Richmond (our hometown) and how it used to be the capital of the confederacy during the civil war. They're famous for absurd reviews.
How is good gig with Strike Anywhere? Is it much people on stage? [Chas' note: That question automatically made the interview feel authentically Swedish, which is okay because it somehow brought cuteness to the interview. I can imagine Petter having a field day with the grammar in this one.]
-Most of our best shows have a lot of people stage diving, getting on stage, or singing along. We definitely give a better show when we get energy in return from the crowd...
What is the most peculiar which have happened on stage with the group or in the audience?
-Thomas knocked one of his front teeth out with the microphone once. He caught it in mid-air and we had to take him to the dentist the next morning.
Is there any good groups in USA right now?
-Some bands we're really into right now are The Exit, Fifth Hour Hero [Chas' note: Quebec pride, baby!],Darkest Hour, Tragedy, Cursive, Ted Leo and Engine Down
How much does a group of your caliber sell?
-UHHHH. I don't know. We've done better than I'd ever hoped,
considering we're a hardcore band.. I think It's because we've worked hard and made a conscious effort to tour outside of the states. The European punk scene is amazing and it's great to be a part of it.
How would you describe your music in three words?
-Fast, Pissed, Fun.
What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?
-I think it's both. To me, it means a way of thinking more than a fashion statement.
Does music and politics goes hand i hand?
-I would agree. Most of the subjects of our songs have political themes.
The best political group ever?
-Rage Against the Machine tie with Billy Bragg.
If you could choose five group to make a really good concert with, which 5 groups are you choosing? Dead and alive groups..
-Led Zeppelin, Gorilla Biscuits, The Smiths, Oasis and The Replacements...
Please rank your five favourite records, five favourite concerts and five most important things in life?
-Five fav. Records
1. The Smiths - hatful of hollow
2. Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today
3. The Beatles - Revolver
4. The Lemonheads - It's a shame about ray
5. Minor Threat - first album. [Chas' note: Sigh sigh sigh. I'm in love with that album too.]
Five fav. Shows
1. Nirvana in Williamsburg, VA 1994
2. Billy Bragg in Baltimore
3. American Nightmare at CBGB's
4. Jeper fest in Belgium 2003
5. Pete Yorn in Washington DC
Most important things in life
1. Having fun
2. Friends
3. Travelling
4. working to live, not living to work
5. Passion [Chas' note: Oh Matt, what exactly do you mean by that?]
First, last and most expensive record ever bought?
-First was a 7" of a local punk band called Action Patrol.. Last was the new Blocko LP (from England), I've never spent more than $20 on a record.
How is it to live in USA today, politically?
-Tense. Hopefully the next election will bring some change.
What about Bush? Is he planning nay new war?
-Let's hope not.
What does the american think about all this warthings and that USA want to be everywhere and "help" when it´s a war?
-I think the majority of the American public supports anything that makes them feel like we are a powerful country. The average American doesn't even think about it because it doesn't effect their daily life.
Future plans for the band?
-Tours this winter/spring in the US, then back to Europe/Japan for the summer, Australia in the fall!
For yourself?
-To travel other than with the band.
Wisdomword?
-Positive.
Something more to add?
-Nope!
