John Twentyfive, Wyld Punx, Not Sorry, How We Are, The Disaster, Break Of Dawn

John and I have been friends for a very longtime, we see eye to eye on most thing's involving this wonderful world we surround ourselves in. That doesn't mean we don't disagree and have our moment's, but that's the beauty of being friends for over a decade. John is a very compassionate, honest, and stubborn person and I truly value that in him. Never afraid to be the person to tell you how it is, espcially in a world where people are always trying to water down the truth. Currently singing in Not Sorry and formerly playing bass in a crap load of bands. John lives in Seattle,Wa and still inspires me to this day and I'm very pleased to have him in my life and to be one of my best friends. Wyld Punx always!

1. What was it like leaving XHead OnX while on tour? (i figured this would be interesting because i really don't have any type of reference for this situation and well i was there and want to know your insight. plus it's been long enough and i think it's a cool story, although you don't have to tell the story)

That was a strange event. Jeff (our singer) and I were not really getting along around that time. Between the band and living together, on top of both being stubborn bullheaded people, it finally came to a head. Looking back on it, it was childish and I was in the wrong for bailing, but it's what I needed to do. I put a lot of time and effort into that band and to have him say, "I've been faking it for months and you haven't noticed" (something to that effect), really hit me hard. I took a bus from South Carolina up to Rochester, NY. It was a 24 bus ride, as well as 24 hours of my life I'll never get back. Ugh, it was the worst.

Though it did allow you guys to meet some cool people and make some cool friends. It could've been worse. Though I'm sure at the time, it was incredibly awkward.

(Editor's note: I was on this tour and not in the band, it was a very awkward moment seeing your good friends argue and have a band that you loved break up right before your eyes.)

2. You've been in band's that have played the same city a few times, can you tell me what it feels like to keep returning to a city and realizing it's just not the same anymore?

It's a total bummer really, but it happens. We both saw it living in Rochester, the turn-over rate of hardcore and punk kids is like a revolving door. But hopefully you've made some long standing friends in those towns and at the very least, they put you up for the night. So you get to see them and hang out, catch up, and talk about old times. I love meeting up with people I haven't seen in a long time and just bullshitting.

3. What insight has touring given to you in the bigger picture of life?

Hm, good question. It teaches you how to deal with people, both good and bad. It also allows you to think on your feet. While touring may not be as hard now as it was in 1982, shit does happen and sometimes you have to make decisions that aren't easy. But having that time to get to know the people in your band, learning to take things with a grain of salt, how to share space when you have very little, is all priceless. If touring doesn't make you a better person in some way, you're doing it wrong.

4. If you could choose one thing about tour and be able to change it what would you pick to change?

Feeding bands. Plain and simple. Now if you are doing a local show and ask a band from an hour away to come play your town, or they asked you for a show, there's no need to roll out the red carpet and fix them a 6 course meal. But for bands that have traveled most of the day and have been on the road for weeks at a time, throw some pasta in a pot, put some sauce on it and you've got an instant meal. If you've been in a van for 6-8 hours eating only gas station junk food, having some warm food waiting for you really hits the spot and does not go unappreciated. If it does, fuck'em and don't fix them food ever again, maybe even consider letting someone else book them next time.

5. Worst place you ever stayed on tour? As detailed as possible please!

The worst place I can remember staying on tour was this dude in New Mexico. We drove like 12 hours overnight to get to the show. It was summer so we didn't want to drive during the day, we ended up arriving at his house at like 5 or 6 in the morning. He told us we could have the house which was fuckin' dirty and stunk like shit, mainly due to the cat poop that was everywhere, along with a weed/stale beer combo. It was hot, 6 in the morning and there was not enough room for the 5 of us. He took a sleeping bag and slept under the hot sun on a plastic folding chair in the "yard" which was little more than dirt. It was so hot in his place, so that made the stench extra tantalizing. And to top if off, the show turned out to mainly be a party . . . cool.

Ryan "Hex" Canavan a writer, show goer, band member, show booker, lifer

As long as I can remember Ryan has been a staple in the Syracuse Hardcore Community, his zine Hanging Like A Hex was the lifeline for those of us in the western/ upstate, New york area. Ryan has had his hands involved in many different projects over the years, zines, bands, shows, events, and a label. I have the utmost respect for Ryan for making his passion something truly resonating to me. He's a wonder in this world of lazy assholes and poor me attitudes. Ryan has also always told it like it is and I respect that more than anything. Without further ego boosting here ya go! Hex Records, Mistletoe, and Westcott Community Center.

1. The biggest mistake you have ever committed on tour?

Attempting to drive through a mountain pass between Oregon and Northern California in January... not expecting snow. The highway was closed and we had to cancel a show because of it. Total bummer. I'm sure there have been much worse atrocities- almost allowing a bum to knife us in NYC by engaging in conversation with him while in the van, going to the next show a day early when we could have relaxed in Vegas for an extra day, forgetting some of our gear at a show and not realizing it until the next day when we were 200 miles away from it (by some insane stroke of luck it was still where we left it). This is what comes to mind right away. I may have blocked out worse things.

2. With the vast amount of bands touring now, what are a list of reasons for bands to not tour?

There are so many. Seriously, most bands should just not tour. If you're a band, and you're itching to play out of town, stick to just playing some places where you have friends... preferably not too far away. Make it easy on yourself at first. Get good. Maybe record something, then give it a go. Don't bother touring in the summer unless you are certain that all will go well. By and large most bands aren't good. Also, you probably won't break even, so if you're already broke touring is probably not a good idea unless you're extremely crafty. If you're an obnoxious asshole who has an issue with being respectful in other people's town/homes/venues you probably should not go on tour. If you have a serious issue with showing up to anything on time ever touring is probably not a good idea (you'll just piss off promoters trying to run a smooth show). If you're in any band that takes more time to do their hair than they take to learn their instruments you probably shouldn't tour. In fact, you probably should just break up and spare everyone a boatload of misery.

3. What is one routine you get into when you're out on the road?

I've noticed that I tend to consolidate my stuff into a little zone wherever we stay for the night. Some people leave stuff in the van or whatever. I take everything, keep it right around me within easy reach, and essentially make a little nest for the night. I get real protective of all my things because I absolutely hate the idea of losing anything remotely necessary on tour. I guess it's not too weird, but when compared to my bandmates I feel like I might be a little obsessive in that regard.

4. You just committed to a long over night drive what is your first musical selection you go for?

Something that is both lengthy and interesting, so I don't have to change it up a lot and time goes by a little quicker. Perhaps Rush, "Chronicles"?

5. What are some of your favorite things to do while on tour?

I like being in a place that may not be too familiar to me and has some places to explore that are walking distance. It's better than the typical, 'show up, wait, play, find some cheap place to eat, watch a movie, sleep, repeat.' I like all that stuff too, but being in a new place with some interesting facets to the town/area is always really cool too.

Nov. 10th - Dec. 6th

We are hitting the Road again in a couple weeks. This time we are going out with Outbreak from Maine. This is one of the first time's since I've been in the band where we aren't booking this tour ourselves. We'll see how things go, we are hitting up some of the same spots. Hoping to see some familiar faces and looking forward to playing some warm spots and some new places. Come hangout and show us around your city!

Tue, Nov 10
Albany, NY @ Bogie's

Wed, Nov 11
Rochester, NY @ Dubland Underground

Thu, Nov 12
Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class

Fri, Nov 13
Dayton, OH @ C-Space

Sat, Nov 14
Springfield, MO @ Club Neon

Sun, Nov 15
Lincoln, NE @ Knickerbockers

Mon, Nov 16
Denver, CO @ Blast-O-Mat *pizza deal spoken for*

Wed, Nov 18
Reno, NV @ TBA

Thu, Nov 19
San Francisco, CA @ Sub-Mission

Fri, Nov 20
Fresno, CA @ The CYC

Sat, Nov 21
Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction

Sun, Nov 22
Riverside, CA @ Pharaoh's Den

Mon, Nov 23
Phoenix, AZ @ The Phix

Tue, Nov 24
Midland, TX @ The Ground Floor

Wed, Nov 25
San Antonio, TX @ Ten Eleven

Thu, Nov 26
Corpus Christi, TX @ Zero's

Sat, Nov 28
Jacksonville, FL @ The Pit *pizza deal spoken for*


Sun, Nov 29
Lake Worth, FL @ Club Eclipse

Mon, Nov 30
Tampa, FL @ Transitions Art Gallery

Tue, Dec 01
Atlanta, GA @ PS Warehouse

Wed, Dec 02
East Ridge, TN @ The Warehouse

Thu, Dec 03
Louisvlle, KY @ Skull Alley

Fri, Dec 04
Harrisonburg, VA @ Festival Conference & Student Center FREE SHOW

Sun, Dec 06
Worcester, MA @ London Billiards (Club Oasis)

Long Overdue

Things are always moving forward or setting us backward in some sort of fashion, after all that is life right? Well this picture sums up me getting a little McGyver on the Nugget. We were driving north on our way to Winnipeg when we had to pull over because something was scrapping underneath the van. I was just oping that it was the muffler because well we can deal with the loud noise and not miss any shows and spend money we don't have. So we pull off onto the side of the road and jump out of the van to check to see what the issue is, and I guessed it the muffler was dragging. Waiting for the muffler to cool, we see this older couple also pulled off the road smoking a cigarette and they decide to notify us "oh yeah you've been dragging that for a longtime". Thanks for letting us know something we figured out on our own, could of used some help before hand though. Once the muffler is cooled I use some of Eric's old bass strings and tie up the muffler so it no longer will drag on the ground. As I'm taking on this task and under the van some of the other guys decided to play kick the water bottle around while I'm under the van. As I'm finishing up a knot on the bass strings I get a water bottle kicked into my temple. Great timing and a wonderful shot, needless to say I yelled because a) it fucking hurt and b) I couldn't move when I got hit. Finished the knot and finished up that process. The strings are still holding the muffler up and the nugget is still cruising along just fine for our liking.

We've been playing some new spots on this tour and that's always exciting for me, I like seeing what and how people react with each other in different communities. We played this house show in Boise, Idaho and it was pretty funny to me. You could tell that the people at the show felt so awkward being there, in my eyes if that's the case break the wall down. It doesn't have to be nail biting silence and nerves, you don't have to always try and impress people with who you know and what new bands your into. Let that guard down and just be for a moment or two, it'll make things less tense in the long run. So I found that very interesting and we also ate some of the best pesto pasta ever that night.

Seattle and Vancouver were both collectively awesome, in Seattle we got to see and hang with so many friends. It seriously feels like home on the West coast. Mighty O Donuts, WOW bubble tea, and quality people made it just a wonderful time. Plus the show was fucking great. Also after show siting of Jeffery Ross( that comedian on Comedy Central). As we shredded down to California and met up with Dangers for a few shows I got excited. They are seriously one of the best bands playing hardcore music right now. The new songs they have are great, keep an eye out for that record.

We've come across an issue at two separate shows on this tour. The excessive drunk dude. What do you do when there is someone getting into your band, but in a very destructive manner. Bumping into/ knocking over gear and smashing into you as well over and over again. After some verbal warnings and so forth where do you go from there? Where is the line we draw in order not to be a dick, but still want people to enjoy what we're doing. I feel like the responsibility isn't just on the band our the people doing the shows. If you don't want security at shows then we have to be the security. If you see someone being a total annoyance, maybe we collectively take care of it. Both times on this tour it's gotten physical and that just bums me out. I guess this will always be something we have to deal with, but we should be able to find a middle ground. Excitement doesn't mean we disrespect and break a bands expensive gear.

Currently in St. Louis, Missouri hanging at Tony from The Effort's place. It's been a pretty chill day which is nice. Watching football and eating food, I can't really complain at all because well I love football and food. Plus last night we explored this crazy City Museum complex. It was pretty amazing, they created this park out of scrap from all around St. Louis and they had planes, buses, crazy slides, and wild spots to crawl through. It was awesome! So much fun, plus we snuck in so that makes it even more exciting.

More later.

So I thought I had forgotten my camera until two days ago, not that I'd be going crazy with it, but since I've already lost an ipod and am without that I need to fill my technological void with something right? Well now that I have it I may just put it to more good use than previously sitting in a small pocket of my shoulder bag. As I wait for people to finish showering I figured I would throw up a quick update, It'll be the first time we've really had access to the internet and time to do so.

Well we have been loudly chuggin along in the Nugget the past 6 days now and well she's starting to get louder. I hope she holds together for this tour, I think she'll get through because I have some love there. She's made it this far and has gone 205,000 miles that's a hell of a lot longer than I ever expected her to last. The pillow palace has been a great addition to the riding in the Nugget, plenty of laying down and leg room, this is what happens when you don't bring anyone on tour with you, you have some extra room. But then again you have to do everything else the other person would, like merch, loading in and out, driving, organizing our messy lives, you know that sort of thing. Somehow we can manage ourselves though and it's going pretty well. Sure I may have to do merch covered in my own sweat and have to sit through bands that need to practice a lot more, but hey I could be home laying in bed listening to Frat parties out of my window.

We've had the chance to hit some awesome new spot's on this tour so far and we are excited about that. It's nice to play new places you've never been and have people excited that you came. So I would like to thank those wonderful people and places without naming them, well because you can check our tour poster and do the checking yourself. I will say this we did get to hit up the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago for free, our pal Pat hooked us up with that. How could we say no to that? We arrived with plenty of time to walk around and checkout all of the sea/ocean/river/amazon life we could want and still have time for the Dolphin show. I got to see some crazy seahorses and my favorite of the day was the river otter, to bad their was only one because I think if their was another that would make them a lot happier. So a part of me was a bit bummed about that at times, but I tried to not let it sour my experience. Aquatic life was pretty cool although the Dolphin show was lame, I'm very glad that I didn't spend any money on it, because if I had I would have been furious.

I almost lost my sacred Rochester Red Wings hat in Milwaukee. I left it hanging on a fence outside the venue after we played and I was changing out of my sweaty show clothes, hopped in the van and took off. I realized later that I left my hat hanging on the fence, I said fuck it we'll go back tomorrow morning and see if it' still there. If it was cool if not, oh well, chalk it up to another thing I've lost on tour. But it so happened that as we pulled around the corner of the venue my hat was still on the fence where I left it and I was really happy. I know it's a dirty peace of shit, but I love it.

Off to Winnipeg!

U.S Tour. . .

I know I didn't update much from Europe. Not as much access to the internet as I thought I might have. So I wasn't able to give you all the juicy details while on the road over there. I will say this, we had a blast despite having to cancel some shows because of border crossings and impossible drives, and we got some shows canceled on us as well which sucked, but we tried to make the best of any situation given to us. The Balance guys are a bunch of sweethearts and were very kind to us the whole tour, so I'm glad we got to meet and become friends with those guys. We also meet a ton of wonderful people from all over Europe, people that housed us, cooked us food, played tour guides, so many gracious smiles we can't thank you enough. So in between getting really sun burnt to the point of sun poisoning and spending 30plus hours in a van on a certain drive, plus some other long haul drives our spirits weren't broken to bad.

I ate plenty of Falafal, some good some awful, I ate plenty of bread and drank lot's of water. The rest of my band ate more vegan food than they were used to normally. Mushrooms were picked out of meals so I could eat. No big allergy flare ups. We got to hang with our friends from home a few times, Outrage, The Effort, On, Trash Talk, Polar Bear Club, and Wait In Vain. I will say this, that new Outrage is damn awesome and I want that band to conquer the world ASAP. We got to play with some sweet bands like Oathbreaker, True Colors, and Rythem To The Madness to name a few.

So with the very condensed Europe wrap up comes the new found U.S tour we are about to embark on. We are back in Providence,RI for a short time and hit the road again very soon. Come hangout if we are in your neck of the woods, We will actually have our new LP with us this tour, very happy about that. We will be using our own gear and I have lot's of hope that our van "The Nugget" will make it the whole tour.

I'm going to work on some new interviews and put them up, until then I'll update from the U.S tour more frequently most likely do to WIFI and more accessable connections to this wonderful technology.

Also I got to swim in Europe alot and I was very happy about that. Thanks for all the sick oceans and lakes, plus the fucking bath house in Budapest, Hungary. See you again soon!

Europe 2009 post #1

We're in Europe, Currently in a town outside of Ipswich, England staying with some suckers. They told us we smell like feet, but hey hat do you expect from 9 guy's in a van, although it is only day 2 of playing shows. Eric decided to purchase this awesome hat for this tour, sometimes I forget he's wearing it and I'll just start laughing. So good! The Balance guys are stand up dudes, stoked to be sharing a van with a bunch of nice swedes.

We stayed in the red light district in Antwerp, Belgium that was pretty interesting and entertaining in some regards. We had balcony access so we got to watch some action from above and we got some snears from the ladies. One woman of the night yelled to us " This is not a cinema!" We didn't think of anything snappy to say until after the fact. It's just totally wild being in a a different country and they view sex as something total acceptable even if you pay for it. Just makes you think and wonder about how we Americans do things. I don't know it's always nice challenging your own thought's on things espcially when you're surrounded by it. Well thats about it for now. Who know's when I'll have access to the net again.