A:Wester started at the beginning of this summer but it’s only been in
the last 3 months or so that we’ve been pushing this band. Skins originally
had the idea of starting the band and he soon gathered Chris and Lewis
together(all 3 go to the same school) to write music. I had been in a punk band
with Skins before and he asked me to come along to some practices and try
singing for them, so I did. They then asked me to join the band permanently and
I initially did as a side project but then my other band Soap Box Derby
split up and it became my full time band. We pretty much recorded straight
away.
Q:so whats the punk scene like where you live?
A: the punk scene here can be good at times, but it lacks variety. There
is quite a lot of support for local bands and regular gigs and all-dayers
so that’s good. There’s 2 bands that I think are great, The Goons are a
wicked hardcore band and there’s a ska band called Stamped Out that I really
like.
Q: how would you describe your band's sound?
A: erm…I’d say its usually dark and melodic, a mix of punk, post-hardcore
and ‘ghoul rock’ with a touch of metal maybe….pretty varied. I don’t think
we sound like any particular band but we all have different influences
that I think show - (AFI, Alkaline Trio, Thursday, Misfits, The Used to name
a few)....People can listen at www.mp3.com/xwesterx
Q: has anything crazy happened at any of your shows? (ex: police, ice
cream fights, burning rubber, etc.)
A: we haven’t played enough shows yet but a funny incident happened at our
first show. after we finished the set this stoned guy who claimed to
work for a record label tried to offer us a record contract and then later
on in the night tried to sing for my other band and refused to leave the
stage. He was a loser and we eventually told him to fuck off and he looked really
upset after that....haha
Q: what are you trying to accomplish with your music?
A: I guess we’re trying to do something a little different to what most
bands are doing round here. Most bands are playing old skool punk or pop
punk……me and skins were once in a standard punk band and it quickly got boring.
At the moment we just enjoy making music and hope that people like
listening to it.
Q: do you guys have any pre-show rituals/video games/candle burning
sessions?
A: Nothing in particular, but we usually end up getting lost on our way
there or turning up late. We blame Skins for it….he spends too much time
doing his hair.
Q: what do you guys do in your spare time?
A: We all like drinking and laughing at Skins when he’s drunk after 2
pints of Strongbow. Erm, I like staying up all night and doing geeky things, as
does Skins, or watching films and stuff. Lewis plays a lot of classical
guitar and performs for money and me and Skins work at a restaurant/pub. Chris
is the big pothead of the band, and we all like going to shows.
Q: do you think girls should be in punk bands?
A: Of course, why not?
Q: what bands suck ass, and why do you think so?
A: I really hate all these new commercial “grunge” bands like Puddle Of
Mudd, Nickelback and The Vines. They all try and sound like Nirvana. I
especially hate The Vines, I’m sick of people saying he’s the “new Kurt
Cobain”…..there isn’t a new Kurt Cobain, what’s the point in that?
Q: do you like canadians?
A: I’ve actually only met one Canadian before, she works with me and
Skins. I have to say that Avril Lavigne is very hot.
Q: do you plan on being on a band in the future as well?
A: Yeah definitely……being in a band is my favourite way to spend my time.
None of my previous bands have lasted that long though.
Q: who in the band has the worst hair?
A: Some people would probably say me but I’m gonna say Lewis because he
looks like a hobbit.
Q: who in the band gets the most girls?
A: I dunno about this, Lewis is the only one that has a girlfriend at the
moment though. I get dirty foreign men thinking I’m a rentboy in
London.
Q: have you ever done anything illegal?
A: Of course, nothing serious though. We regularly break the law, I think
it’s impossible not to.