Rock Fist Reviews

Interview with Pour Habit 2.4.10
~Kris Melton
Photography by Susie Ceruto of Shock & Awe

The last time Pour Habit visited Atlanta they came with some amazing bands, The Flatliners and Strung Out (both are must sees with must buy albums). During their set that night I was interviewing Jake Kiley, guitarist of Strung Out, and unfortunately missed their entire performance. The guys gave me their album “Suiticide” and upon reviewing it, I became totally hooked on their energetic and catchy punk meets metal sound. Thankfully, these talented musicians returned to The Masquerade and I was able to catch their amazing live performance prior to our interview. They opened for Iration, Passafire, and The Expendables- more noteworthy, must check out bands. Pour Habit’s front man, Chuck, is unforgettable with his repetitive crowd interaction, enthusiastic stage dives, and crazy T-Rex dance moves. These guys know how to fire up a crowd and entertain. We met after their set backstage and I had the opportunity to interview the two brothers in the band, Eric and Colin, joined later by Chuck and Steve. Sweat still dripping from their brows, the brothers crammed into a single chair next to me to discuss their upcoming album, touring plans, and the taste of sweet success.

Pour Habit is signed to Fat Wreck Chords, the label owned and operated by Mike of NOFX. How did this come to be?

Eric: We got signed to Fat (Wreck Chords) from Jordan of Strung Out hooked up shows with NOFX in San Diego and Anaheim. And he made Fat Mike watch us, like he physically held him down.

Colin: No he didn’t! That’s not what happened at all.

Eric: And then Chuck beat him at thumb wrestling so we got signed.

Now see that I believe.

Colin: No, what happened is that we had bands like Strung Out, The Expendables, Authority Zero always helping us out, and they would play with NOFX and mention us. So Jordan from Strung Out got us a show with them in San Diego and Mike watched the show. And then he was like, eh.

I think he was a little more than, eh.

Colin: Mike is always like, ehhhh. (laughter) So that’s how it happened. And now he has regretted it everyday since.

I seriously doubt that after just seeing you perform. Shawn recently left the band. Can you give us some insight on what happened to make that decision?

Colin: Touring’s hard. Our very first tour, I mean we had done some small like 2 week tours, but our first tour was with NOFX in Europe. And we had some tough tours, ya know, van and trailer. The four of us that are in the band now have all been so close for so long and he was just kind of new to the band and I think he just never really grasped the dynamic. And we’re hard people to work with. We only function by being dysfunctional. If we have to do normal sh** then we’ll explode. We like lose things, break stuff, and don’t write play lists, we never care.

Typical musician stuff, right?

Colin: No, I don’t have herpes. Just find out. Got a letter.

Eric: Did you?!

Colin: Yeah, so kinda not typical.

So ladies he’s clean.

Eric: How do you know ladies? (laughter) Shawn was kind of irreplaceable. We were bummed cause he’s such a good friend. It sucks that he decided to do normal person life.

Colin: We heard Dave Mustane was interested.

Really? Like Dave Mustane from Megadeth?

Colin: Uhhmmm, but we’d have to change our name to Mega Habit, so we were like nah I don’t think it’s going to work. (laughter) No we haven’t really looked for a new person. We feel like… it’s like when you’re looking for love. You can’t look for it you just have to find it.

So you’re not actually looking for a replacement guitarist, but if you come across one that might fit then you would consider it?

Colin: I want like a… panda bear. That would be awesome. A shredding panda that drinks. Has a temper, but is clean.

You release “Suiticide” in 2007 and I heard that you’ve been working on some new material. Do you have plans to go back to the studio this year?

Eric: That’s the first thing we’re going to do when we get home. Probably have one band practice with all the new songs and then get in the studio with our boy TJ Rivera, and he’s going to make us sound way better than we should.

Colin: It’s been hard cause we’ve been playing the same… we released the CD and then we were about to do our own CD on our own and then we got signed so everything kind of got pushed back. So it’s hard for us cause no one’s ever heard of it, but we’ve heard it for so long and we’re so excited for the new album. It will be delicious.

Does everyone play a part in writing new material?

Colin: Have you ever watched old school Jerry Springer? That’s how we write music. Chair throwing. There’s always like one calm guy, like kind of instigating, and then a song comes out of it somehow.

Eric: As Charles (Chuck) says we’re a bunch of monkeys sorting out bananas. (laughter)

Pour Habit has been touring heavily for the past year. Do you plan to continue doing so or will you be taking a break?

Eric: F*** no. You are a different breed of person to be doing this. Like seriously, you live in a van… like this isn’t even weird cause I’m always this close to him (points to Colin who is squished in the same chair next to him). No we want to be on the road as much as possible, hopefully with The Expendables. Those guys rule.

You’ve performed with bands such as Strung Out, Authority Zero, and Bad Religion. So, how cool is that?

Colin: That was amazing.

Eric: We wouldn’t be anywhere without these bands. We don’t ever get jaded or take anything. We just try and take it in. The thing is, is that they’re all nice people. That’s what’s cool. Like all these people you grew up watching are great people.

Your dad is friend’s with Strung Out right?

Colin: Yeah, he started Strung Out, but he was too crazy so they kicked him out. (laughter) Nah, but Jordan grew up close to us, and my dad is a drummer and would like go and help him tune his drums, so Jordan’s always been cool with us.

What other bands are on your “Must perform with…” list?

Eric: Slayer. That’d be cool.

Colin: That would be way cool. We get to play with a lot of those bands. We got to play with Bad Religion, NOFX, that’s always been cool, Strung Out, it’d be cool to play with some bands out of the genre. I’ve always been big into Avenged Sevenfold. We’re like into metal, me and my brother are. What other bands?

Eric: I want to tour with Wesley Willis if he was here.

Colin: Dude, I wanna tour with Lil Wayne. I do, I really want to tour with Lil Wayne. I think that’d be awesome.

Eric: We’re training.

Colin: We’re putting out to get on the next Lil Wayne tour.

Do you want him featured in one of you songs?

Colin: If Lil Wayne was in one of our albums, I don’t think we could put out another album.

Eric: I think we could afford another chair.

You guys have been together for over 5 years now. What are the best and worst parts about being a touring band?

Colin: Sitting in one chair being interviewed. We get to meet awesome people and see family that you would never get to see. We have family in Atlanta that’s good to see, that I would have never seen.

Eric: We got to stay with some family in Buffalo. Cool stuff like that.

If you had any advice for other aspiring artists what would it be?

Eric: Just keep playing no matter what. The mission is to just keep playing, seriously. No matter how shitty you are.

Colin: I’m still shitty and I get to play.

I’d hardly classify you as “shitty” after just seeing you perform. Well I loved the album you put out. When can we expect the new one?

Colin: It better be out this summer, or I’m just gonna seriously cry.

Eric: I don’t know, probably June. Let’s shoot for June. The songs are done we just have to record them.

After Eric and Colin’s chair almost broke I thanked the guys for their time, and who should walk through the door but the band’s radical front man Chuck and bassist Steve. To my delight they insisted he answer a few questions himself.

What’s your favorite part about performing?

Chuck: I get to be myself. And my nipples are getting hard!

(Laughs) How are you enjoying Atlanta so far?

Chuck: Sick. Awesome.

Steve: You guys need to check the thermostat.

Chuck: Ask some random stuff.

Okay, so have you ever ended up in a Motel 6, hammered, with some fat chick next to you?

Chuck: I have ended up in Motel 6 with Steve’s big head next me, yes.

Are you seriously going to The Clermont later tonight?

Steve: Yeah.

Chuck: If our bus call allows.

It’s a landmark in Atlanta. You have to go.

Chuck: There are some 60 year old big ass titties there.

Have you heard of Blondie? She can crush beer cans with her boobs.

Steve: Yeah I’ve seen her!

Chuck: Was that her? I have seen her!

Is that why you want to go back?

Steve & Chuck: Yes!

Big thanks to all the guys in Pour Habit for a fun interview and an unforgettable show.

Pour Habit is:
Vocals- Chuck
Drums- Colin
Guitar/ Vocals- Eric
Bass/ Vocals- Steve

Below are pictures from the Pour Habit’s performance the night of Rock Fist’s interview. Click a picture to view a larger image. All photos taken by Susie Ceruto of Shock and Awe.

Review of Pour Habit’s “Suiticide” Album
~ Kris Melton

Sample if you like: NOFX, Strung Out, Offspring
Location: Compton, CA
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords

Some bands naturally have that “it” factor; that extra something special that sets them apart from their peers. Pour Habit has “it”, and their album “Suiticide” is sure to impress and catch on with those exposed to their aggressively catchy tracks. The band has signed on with Fat Wreck Chords and has been touring nationally with bands like Strung Out, so exposure and thus success are well within their grasp. This high-energy punk meets metal group has put together an album that’s gratifying from start to finish. Vocals are high pitched paired with comprehensible lyrics that are reminiscent of Dexter Holland of Offspring. “Institution” kicks off the album full force with drums and guitars that rip, combining punk and metal for an explosive opener to the album. “Against Me” is full of robust flavor packed into just under two minutes. Intense drums open and the melodically heavy guitars instantly grab the listener’s attention with catchy choruses and a mesmerizing bridge. “Misfigured” addresses the band’s diversity with a pronounced bass and chants leading into the chorus. “Bad Luck Drunk” is the band’s anthem to drinking which is sure to inspire mosh pits and debauchery. “Evolution” delivers another hard hitting song with a great hook. If having a bad day, one should turn the volume up and scream along to this track; the chorus’ lyrics seem like they were created for that very purpose. “Zion” adds reggae to the mix, which serves as a teaser into the rest of the song. You can really hear how strong the vocals are, as well as the talented guitar shredding. The title track, “Suiticide” evolves throughout the duration of the song. Instruments are solid and serve up a great delivery. Possibly the best song off the album is “Resignation”, which is sure to encourage head banging, rock fisting, and the like. Lyrics like “Liars, fakers, money makers” in its chorus make this memorable track an instant favorite. Pour habit continues touring again in January, and you can find all of their upcoming show information on their web pages listed below. Their album “Suiticide” is available for purchase now.

RFR Rating:
Both Rock Fists Up
lml lml

Pour Habit is:
Vocals- Chuck
Guitar/ Vocals- Eric
Guitar- Shaun
Drums- Colin
Bass/ Vocals- Steve

www.pourhabit.com
www.myspace.com/pourhabit
www.fatwreck.com

Pictures from Strung Out’s performance taken by Susie Ceruto of Shock & Awe (click on the picture to enlarge it).

10.12.09 Interview with Jake Kiley (Guitarist in Strung Out)
~Kris Melton

I had the pleasure to interview Jake Kiley at The Masquerade prior to Strung Out’s performance. We had been playing a near constant game of phone tag and back and forth emails for nearly a month and half, and finally the moment I’d been waiting for. Despite the success that Jake has earned over the past two decades, he is still down to earth, easy going, and a truly positive, inspiring talent. As a true fan of his band, the butterflies were flying as I walked into the venue that night. The fact that my nearly new camcorder decided to break the night of our meeting did not help matters. Sure, I had met him before and knew what an awesome guy he was, but sitting down for an interview is slightly different. However once I was right in front of him, it felt more like catching up with an old friend. We discussed the bands rise to fame, life as a touring musician, and what it’s like to live the dream.

Strung Out was one of the first bands to be signed to Fat Wreck Chords, the record label owned and operated by Fat Mike of the band NOFX. How did this come to be and how did it impact the band?

JK: Well we had been playing a bunch of shows in southern California and I had been in the band for about 6 months when we got a show with NOFX, and this was right when Mike had just started up the label. I think they had put out The Longest Line and that was like the only thing. So he was like look you guys have something that really works, keep going at it, keep in touch, send me some demos. So we would just kind of send him some stuff every couple months. Once we had a few songs together, record it, send it off to him, and we kept in contact with him a lot. That was our old bass player because he did a lot of the business stuff back then. So we kept in touch and as soon as we got like 15 songs together, Mike came down and we went to the studio with him, and it was real informal, just a word of mouth kind of thing, no contracts, just lets do this. It worked out really cool, he was super easy to work around.

Does Mike ever work with you on any of your music?

JK: On our first one he did. He came in, and he didn’t change any songs but he would help the vocals a bit. He’d be like why don’t you try singing it like this, try moving this there. And just a little bit but it was the first time we ever had him trying to produce us, you know direct us. And I think he did a good job, and then after that we just did it all on our own. And we worked with different producers, but that was really the only record he was involved in.

Throughout the band’s history, Strung Out has had members come and go. Why do you think as one of the original members that you’ve managed to stay with the band while others were more seasoned?

JK: Well, we’ve only had one change where we changed bass players, so we’ve actually been pretty fortunate that we were able to keep the line-up together.

Didn’t your drummer change too?

JK: No we’ve had the same drummer. Jordan has broken some bones and stuff, and we’ve had some drummer’s fill in for him. But he’s been the guy on all the records and stuff like that. And I just love it to death and I think we all need it in our lives in some way or another. So its cool that we can just come together, it’s like a form of therapy for us. And I love to travel and tour so I would make it work no matter what it takes. And if this band couldn’t continue then I’d find another group because this is why I’m here. Absolutely, I love it.

Strung Out just released your 7th studio album titled “Agents of the Underground”. What plans do you have for touring and promoting the new album?

JK: Well we’re going to Japan next month, and then we’re going to Costa Rica, and we’re going to do a lot more U.S. and Europe shows. We’re going to go down to Austrailia and New Zealand next year, and then probably come back here again. We go everywhere basically twice. We just keep pushing it, because we don’t really get like radio play or video play or anything like that.

Which is just wrong.

JK: We don’t care it’s life.

You guys have a good fan base regardless.

JK: Yeah exactly, were stoked with the fans we have, we’re stoked to go out and play shows the way we always have, the way we’ve always done it. That’s pretty much the plan for right now.

Is there any place in particular that you prefer playing or any place that you were really excited that you got to play at?

JK: It’s cool to go to new places. Like I’d like to go to Russia, I haven’t been there yet. We went to Athens, Greece, which was incredible, I’d like to get back there. And just anywhere new that we can. And as far as the other places we love going- like London is great, Amsterdam’s cool, places all over the states, lot of good shows, a lot of good cities.

I read somewhere that when you’re not touring and making music, you give occasional music lessons. How do you choose your cliental and is this something you could see yourself doing more and more in the future?

JK: I just kind of do it for fun when I’m at home and I have some time off. I have kids who email me, and I’m down with whoever can make it out. I just tell them yeah come on out to my place and we’ll kick it for a couple of hours and go over some stuff. It’s a real cool thing. I’m not like a formal teacher, I’m just trying to show people the things I’ve learned to get to where I’m at. Little things I’ve picked up along the way and how to build speed, to be a clean good player live, and just to show people that you can have a good time with it. It doesn’t have to be a serious thing. You want to give 100% to it, but you want it to be fun. So yeah, I’m down with whoever can make it over to my place.

That’s very cool for the lucky kids who figure that out.

JK: It’s on my myspace, so just write me on myspace.

Strung Out has been a band for 20 years now. What are the best and worst things about being in a band with such longevity?

JK: Well, the best thing is that we still get to do it, and it’s not like a flashy band kind of thing where you put out a couple records and then the band breaks up. That would be really frustrating. You’re trying to develop your band and keep it going and then sometimes people don’t see eye to eye and it just can’t continue. So for us it’s just been really cool that everyone’s been able to grow with each other and we’ve evolved into what we are now. And you know there’s nothing really negative about it. I think some people may only want to get into a touring career for maybe a few years because they don’t want to do it forever. But for me I love every aspect of it.

I’m imagining you don’t have a pet.

JK: I have a dog that I share with my mom, it’s like a family dog. And I’ll have him over at my place sometimes. But yeah it’s impossible to have really a lot of commitments back home when you’re gone half the year. Having something like a pet or a relationship, a family, all of that stuff is really a challenge when you’re out on the road and travelling. But for me, I promised myself music, that’s what I dedicate my life to. So I don’t mind, I’m not missing anything.

Do you feel you’ve accomplished your musical goals, or is there still something on the horizon that you’re hoping to achieve?

JK: I think I’ve accomplished the important ones. Everything I really wanted to do with it, I’ve been able to do. Some people would look at it like ‘you need a gold record or something’ and that would be kind of cool but to me that’s not as important as a lot of the other things. The things that really affect people’s lives, and played some of the shows that we’ve played, and to see some of the places in the world that I’ve been. It’s hard to really top that. I’m definitely content with it.

I ask this question to everyone I interview, especially since Rock Fist namely focuses on local bands. If you could give any advice to other aspiring artists, what would it be?

JK: Just always love what you do. Do it on your own terms and write the music and play the music that your stoked to play. Don’t just try to fit into something. Don’t try to say this is what’s big right now so we’re going to be this type of band because if you’re not really into it, it’s not going to last. It’s too hard to do if you’re not loving what you’re doing. Always keep it fun, and keep control of your music. And don’t listen to what people say, just as long as you enjoy it.

Go after the dream.

JK: Totally, do it for yourself. You have to make yourself happy, you have to live with it at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for the music you’re creating. If you put out something that you don’t believe in and it bombs you’ll always think maybe I could’ve had a shot if I had just done what I loved. And even if you have success with something you don’t believe in then you’re just known for that, and its almost like a curse. Your famous for something that you’re not even that into. So just do it on your own terms and then whatever comes from it will be something to be proud of.

Pictures from our interview taken by Susie Ceruto of Shock & Awe below (click on the picture to enlarge it).

To see when Strung Out is coming to a venue near you, check out their scheduled shows below:

Oct 12 2009 8:00P
The Masquerade w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Atlanta, Georgia

Oct 14 2009 8:00P
Jesters w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Oct 15 2009 8:00P
Volume 11 Tavern w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Raleigh, North Carolina

Oct 16 2009 8:00P
Peabody’s w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Oct 17 2009 8:00P
Eleanor Rigbys w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Jermyn, Pennsylvania

Oct 18 2009 8:00P
The Basement w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Columbus, Ohio

Oct 19 2009 8:00P
Frankies w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Toledo, Ohio

Oct 20 2009 8:00P
Turner Hall w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Oct 22 2009 8:00P
Pops w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Sauget, Illinois

Oct 23 2009 8:00P
The Marquee w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oct 24 2009 8:00P
Launchpad w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Oct 25 2009 8:00P
Black Sheep w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Oct 27 2009 8:00P
The Aggie Theatre w/ Flatliners, Pour Habit
Fort Collins, Colorado

Oct 28 2009 8:00P
Downtown Grill w/ Pour Habit
Casper, Wyoming

Oct 30 2009 8:00P
V2 w/Pour Habit, Nations Afire
Salt Lake City, Utah

Oct 31 2009 8:00P
The Clubhouse w/Calabrese, Pour Habit, Nations Afire
Tempe, Arizona

Nov 1 2009 8:00P
Karma w/Pour Habit, Nations Afire
Victorville, California

Nov 22 2009 8:00P
Club Vertigo
San Jose

Nov 27 2009 8:00P
Shimokitazawa GARDEN w/ Authority Zero
Tokyo

Nov 29 2009 8:00P
F.A.D. Yokohama w/ Authority Zero
Yokohama

Nov 30 2009 8:00P
Daikanyama UNIT w/ Authority Zero
Tokyo

Dec 1 2009 8:00P
Club Quattro w/ Authority Zero
Nagoya

Dec 2 2009 8:00P
Club Quattro w/ Authority Zero
Osaka

Strung Out’s official website: www.strungout.com
Strung Out’s Myspace: www.myspace.com/strungout
Strung Out’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/STRUNG-OUT/49909229975