Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Up in them Guts. . .


I think when your traveling with a group of people for a certain period of time you create this unspoken bond. It's pretty cool, the push and pull of everyday life is a bit different because no matter what you have to be around each other at some point through out the day. When your touring with a band I think that is maximized because your together most of the time unless you decide to go off on your own, which happens less than you would think. You take mental breaks from each other, but other than that you don't really manage to get tons of alone time.

Today is a day I would rather slip away from a lot of things. I would like to be alone, but I can't. Not because of anyone in the band, things are great in that regard. I am just used to being by myself a lot and we'll I haven't had much of a chance to do that. I also just really need to think about a bunch of things going through my head right now, I feel confused and lost within myself sometimes and well, today is one of those times. Without an ipod I feel like I can't put on my favorite record and slip away. Time to try and focus on my thoughts and sort my head out. Only if I had "Life of a Spectator" by Silent Majority.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Q&A #1 - Chris Browne of Polar Bear Club



1. So being on tour is pretty much like being in a relationship with four or five other people. Who do you find yourself spending the most time with while on tour and why?

Hmm...that's tough because most of the time we're sort of traveling in a pack, but I guess I'd say our drummer Emmett. Not even really sure why. We piss each other off plenty, but we also end up sticking together alot of the time and generally enjoying each other's company. I guess it probably has to do with the fact that the two of us handle most of the "planning" type stuff with the band, so we have a good deal to talk about. Although the real answer to this question is definitely myself. It's crazy how quickly touring can become your comfortable routine just like school or work if you give yourself enough alone time -- it's also really to spend TOO much time with everyone and get sick of each other, but as much as we joke about it, I consider us to be about as close as a band could get. Those dudes are my family, whether we all like it or not.

2. When your on the phone how many miles do you think you walk while talking?

Obviously it depends on the length of the conversation. It probably ends up something like this, according to who I'm talking to:

Rob Antonucci - 0 miles (some day we'll remember to return each other's calls)
A catch-up sesh with Rory - 8 miles (about a solid hour of constant pacing in a parking lot, most likely)
My mom - 0.1 miles
A hot babe - 37 miles

I know your readers can't possibly be educated types, so to spell this out, the joke here is that I frantically pace back and forth whenever on the phone and it annoys the hell out of Rory. Good one, Rory. Tell it again.

3. Who's the first person to fall asleep when you get in the van to drive and how long does that take?

Definitely Goose. He's asleep before the van even moves; it's just an instinct of his. The kid is like an infant. All he does is eat, sleep, take dumps, and not shower.

4. How is touring in PBC compared to touring with Achilles, the Breaking Project and or your small stint with How We Are?

It's always been a lot different, but it's more different now than it's ever been. It used to be that PBC was the only band I've been in that really "partied" non-stop when we had the rare chance to tour, and none of the other bands were big drinkers or anything like that. These days we still do our fair share, but it's especially different because touring has become the norm rather than the break-from-the-norm. I always wondered what it would be like to tour full-time, and now I'm finding out. Luckily it's still as fun as it's ever been, but I definitely take it easier and don't treat it like a vacation anymore. And just in general I think every band has its own dynamic and is fun to tour with in its own way -- Achilles had Rob's personality to entertain us, Proj were childhood best friends, and HWA was a totally different style and group of dudes than I'm used to, and also a cool opportunity to just enjoy the ride rather than being the planner or business guy of the group. I've loved every band I've been a part of for very different reasons.

5. (this doesn't have to be PBC, out of any tours so far) Most memorable tour moment?

I almost just took the easy way out and named a few of them because there are just so many and it's hard to choose. But I think I like this question because it forces me to really think about all the amazing experiences touring has given me, and actually reflect on it all for once. And that's something I don't think people do enough (or at least I don't). That being said, if I really had to choose just one, I'd say probably The Fest 7 this past October. Our set specifically was easily the most fun I've ever had playing a show, and just the whole weekend was great and filled with old and new friends from around the country and the world. That's almost cheating because I feel like the fest is just this giant conglomeration of everyone's best tour friends and moments, but it was definitely special. Either than or Fat Chicks At The Snack Table from Columbus, Ohio.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Q&A #1 - Ben Krueger of Like Wolves

We recently played some shows with Like Wolves
from Rochester,NY. I've liked this band from the first note I heard when I saw them play. The energy and the passion these guys put in their music shines through with every note. One of the best kept secrets in punk and hardcore in my opinion. Here's the vocal and skateboard shredder Ben.

1. It's the morning of tour and you forgot to pack, what are the first five thing's you think of and take with you for tour?

-My skateboard is the first thing to always go in the van
- Notebook
-Cellphone
-Book I am currently reading
-Hard edge.

2. Pissing in Bottles an art form or just one more thing that could get ugly on tour?

-For me, it is an art form/comedy routine. During those long cramped van rides, there is nothing like taking all of your clothing off to pee in as small a bottle as possible. The art form comes from the 80 mph no hand pees behind the wheel while everyone is asleep.hahahah

3. The best part about being on tour from your perspective?

-Coming back home with good stories, strengthening my friendships with my bandmates, reading, seeing friends in faraway places.

4. When your not driving what are you doing in the van?

-One of three things:Peeing in bottles, yelling about bad music or reading

5. What is the first thing you do when you get home from tour?

-Tell my dog about my trip.

"Is this your party?"


We are currently watching Weird Science at our friend Kim's place. Pancakes were made and we ate them with peanut butter and maple syrup. It was pretty damn fantastic. California and pancake breakfast's are pretty awesome. The last few shows have been pretty fun, we we're surprised in Vegas by some wonderful friends from providence. We were all very shocked to see three faces that we weren't expecting to show up. We then proceeded the have fun in Vegas, some people won money, most lost money, some people got massages, and others well got drunk. Overall we had a great time.

We have now played a show in a house in Vegas with a mini ramp in the living room, an upstairs kitchen in an apartment in Emeryville and they were all pretty fun times. The places people come up with to facilitate our band to be able to play shows is awesome. Things have been a lot of fun and we can not thank the people we have been crashing with and hanging out with enough. Also I would like to send a special thank you to those that are sending us some of our belongings back to us via postal authorities. I left my ipod in Texas and Ryan left his phone charger in San Diego, So we both will be very happy to recieve both items again shortly.

I can't stress this enough when I say this, people need to checkout Rotting Out. This band has been killing it every show we have played. Great band, great guys, they really have some legit credit.

Also more interviews coming soon. . .

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Q&A #1 - 1 on 1 with Eric Anagnostis


Eric plays bass guitar and is the band loud mouth for Soul Control.

#1 Which scenario is more likely to happen Mad Max or Terminator?

E- HMMMMMMM . . . interesting, YES!

#2 What do you do?

E- Well. . . Since the dawn of time. I've seeked, I've seeked, I've seeked to stengthen my grammatical skills while simultaneously excelling in the fields of both science and aerospace technology. Given my background is a white wall and my feet are engulfed in a black sack, I continue to surpass all scientific standards of accepted logical deduction.

#3 When I say couch you say?

E- Tomato, No When you say couch I say first shower.

#4 Out of 24 hours in a day how many of those hours are you on the phone(encompassing all iphone features)?

E- (answered via text) 18 Hours per earth day

#5 Most memorable tour moment to date?

E- New Years 2008 in Rosswein, Germany. We played a show with Verse, Shipwreck, and Blacklisted. Shortly before midnight I man'd up with a down woman transatlanticly and offcially started dating my current girlfriend Ashley. Shortly after midnight my friend Alex and I aquired two massive bottles of sparkling cider which we preceded to sip, pour on our heads, and subsequently spray in the faces of nearly 100 amped up Germans while screaming Viva Germany.

Monday, January 12, 2009

West Coast Struttin'

#1

We said goodbye to The Lone Star state yesterday as we embarked on our hell drive. Already missing Lie And Wait. One of the most down to earth bands around these days, can't wait to see those guys again sooner than later I hope. Maybe we can dance together, piss in front of each other, and get violent sooner than later.

After a 20 hour van ride we arrived in San Diego, CA. We were greeted by our friend Sarah who is letting us crash at her house. Sarah also made us the best breakfast ever this morning, Pancakes, Tofu Scramble, Grapes, Potatoes, and some O.J. It was the best breakfast of tour so far.

We are meeting up with the Rottting Out guys today and we'll be raging with them for the next week or so up the Cali. coast. The sun is out and we are happy to be wearing t-shirts. Some of us are starting to come down with the tour cold, I hope it doesn't spread to everyone, because that would suck.

"Stay Classy San Diego"