Okay, so I was cruising the mighty MySpace one day and stumbled accross one of my newer favourite bands by the name of MINDSET from Maryland in the US. I hit them up to do an interview because basicly, I believe more kids in Australia need to know who they are. Their singer, Evan, was kind enough to take afew seconds to do this interview for me and I am really greatful.
This band is about to do big things, and honestly. Which for me is the most important thing. Enjoy it...
MindsetMaryland is on the east coast of the United States of America, right at the line that once separated the north and south, and it basically surrounds Washington, DC. Maryland is the birthplace of Edgar Allen Poe, David Hasslehoff, Tyrone "Muggsy" Bouges, Babe Ruth, and Montel Williams. The official state sport is jousting. Maryland bands you should check out are Brick, Coke Bust, Bad Habit, Blind the Thief, Wild and Crazy Kids, Control, Trapped Under Ice, Ruiner, Pulling Teeth, Lion of Judah (DC), Police & Thieves (DC) and Reignition (close enough.)
I know this is typical, but not many kids from Australia are lucky enough to have heard Mindset yet. How did things come about? What’s the story?
The band you now know as MINDSET started out sometime in 2006 as Anti-Wasteoids. Only one member remains from the original line-up that recorded the 'Heck Yes!' EP, that member being our guitarist/ songwriter Mike. After a few initial growing pains, a revolving door of members and much discussion, the MINDSET record was written and recorded by The Anti-Wasteoids with Mike on guitar, Phil on drums, original member Josh on bass and myself on vocals. Eventually Josh left the band to pursue a glamourous tattooing career and our long time friend Chad took over on bass. During this transition we decided to change our name to MINDSET. The summer of 2008 brought in the legendary Chris Bavaria on bass, allowing Chad to move to second guitar. We are currently a five piece straightedge hardcore band.
‘Anti-wasteoids’ has been on a constant rotation for me lately, this record got me enthusiastic about straight edge hardcore again. Are you guys siked on the response you’re getting?
I am siked on making music and making friends. We've been getting a pretty good response lately, and we hope to keep the momentum going with future releases. Knowing that there are people like yourself who appreciate the effort and emotion we put into our music makes it all seem worthwhile. If one kid takes the time to listen to and think about the things I have to say, I feel that this band has been a success. We love punk, we love hardcore, we love the straight edge.
What’s it like to be a straight edge kid in Maryland? There seems to be real community vibes between kids that we don’t really get here, I could be wrong?
Maryland straight edge is awesome. You are not wrong.
MINDSET live: Aussie kids, take notes?
MINDSET is an emotional outlet for my frustrations, so naturally my lyrics may come off as aggressive. To me, hardcore is about anger and discontent, but not anger and discontent as an end in themselves. Rather, I see anger and discontent as a catalyst for change and progress, for personal and social growth. I don't feel it's worth mine or anyone else's time for me get on stage and complain about how terrible things are without providing some sort of solution. The world is an incredibly beautiful place, but is often tarnished by ugliness. Hate, greed, ignorance, self-destruction... I've had people come up to me after a set and ask me why I'm so angry; my question to them is why they aren't. We all have a small (some smaller than others) piece of us that is frustrated with the world around us, I'm lucky enough to get the chance to release that part of myself in an environment where people might listen. This is how I feel, I can't comment on the rest of the Maryland scene. I will, however, say that there is generally unity between those who are straightedge and those who are not. 'The Troof' is about a situation where the respect we normally experience within the scene was absent, although this didn't happen in Maryland. 'Self-Respect' is about being generalized and labeled by a society who either doesn't understand where I'm coming from and what I beleive or doesn't seem to care enough to try to understand. 'Tradition Dies Here' is about stepping outside the context in which we exist and the roles we're assigned and examining life from an objective perspective. I think your critique of our atmosphere is pretty accurate.
Everyone has a life outside HC man, tell me what you’re about, any hobbies? Pottery? Arts and crafts?
It's hard to separate my Hardcore life and my non-Hardcore life, because Hardcore is really important to me. My best friends are in my band, I met my girlfriend at a show, and I love to listen to records. My fucking dog is named Swiz! I went to school to study Architecture and it's a big interest/ hobby of mine, I now do that to pay rent. Right now I'm straying from the career path to focus on the band and my youth, but I'll eventually go to graduate school and pursue being a liscenced Architect. I like building things, I love drawing... so pretty much all my hobbies consist of arts and crafts in one way or another.
There’s no doubt in my mind that you have seen a bazillion great shows being from the states. What’s your fondest memory so far for you as an individual?
Wow... I saw Gorilla Biscuits in Baltimore a few years ago. I did a backflip off the monitor as the crowd parted beneath me, landing on my head as opposed to everyone elses. I remember pretty vividly crawling through the crowd disorented and confused and then sitting on some dudes shoes because that was the only place to sit. I think I missed two songs because of that. I also saw Government Issue in DC, which was incredible. At that show i stepped on a gnarly piece of a broken beer bottle and it pierced my shoe and my foot, and I bled all over the floor on the side of the stage. Reunions and personal injury always make for a good night.
It's OK, really...
How about as a band? Played any amazing line ups? A classic story?
Any show we play with The First Step is automatically a great show, and I think a lot of it has to do with getting to see The First Step for free. Those guys are an incredible band and even greater friends, and I always have fun with them. We're lucky enough to have toured with them a few times, so most of my memories with them are within the time spent between shows. We did a weekend with them through the Midwest in March of 2008(the end of winter up here) and we did it in our busted van. I remember it being unseasonally cold and our van doesn't have heat, and we had ten dudes crammed into the van with two bands worth of equiptment and all their merch, spooning and covered in blankets trying to keep warm as we drove from Detroit to Chicago. Aaron TFS kept kicking everyone and I ended up falling asleep with his shoe on my face. We were all pretty miserable at the time but it stands today as one of my fondest memories... the shows we've played with them in Baltimore, Maryland (twice, with Get the Most, Coke Bust, Pulling Teeth, Vitamin X, and Time to Escape) have been the best shows. Those dudes know how to have a good time. We played with Agnostic Front once and I remember Vinnie Stigma pointing and yelling at our drummer Phil during their set instead of playing guitar. Wild stuff.
You guys are bestowed with the honour of playing the last TFS show, what’s it like to know you’ll be giving them a send off?
It's an honor. TFS has been a HUGE inspiration to us, and we're beyond stoked to play their last show. I know it won't be the last time I get to hang out with them, but it could be the last time I see them play and they're my favorite band to see live. Those guys are, without question, the most sincere people in hardcore. I'm lucky to be able to call them my friends.
TFS have been an influential part of a lot of kids lives throughout this era of hardcore, what’s something that’s inspired you? Whether it be about the Edge, hardcore or in general...
Wow. I would say that one of the most inspiring things about The First Step is that they genuinely believe in what they're doing, without hesitation. They live and breath their music and lyrics, there's no posturing of half-heartedness. They're the real deal. I think the greatest thing about TFS is that they don't separate what they do as a band or within hardcore from how they live their lives. I feel like they put as much thought and passion into buying groceries and paying taxes as they do their live set. They've been a huge inspiration to me as a person and to MINDSET as a band. I'll leave it at that, because I could go all day. Solid dudes.
Mindset has joined the REACT! Roster, you guys must be pretty siked. That label is making some waves early. What’s next for you guys?
REACT! is awesome, Aram is awesome. We're stoked to be able to be apart of it. We've wanted to be a part of it since we first heard about the label, before we had really gotten to know Aram or The First Step, and we were beyond siked when he asked us if we wanted to do a project together. We just finished recording our first 7" EP, which is being mixed as I type this. That includes two tracks from the demo and two new songs. It should be out in October, so keep an eye out for that. We're now writing an LP which will be on REACT! as well. The future is an exciting place.
That’s about all I’ve got, so any shameless plugs or words of wisdom?
REAL POWER.
1 comment:
That wasn't from cruising myspace! I sent you the link after Steven TFS was rating them! hahaha, good shit though.
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