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| Interview Ben Cook & Matt Delong No Warning |
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| "Video Games Are For Nerds!!" |
| The guys in No Warning aren't into playing video games, nor are they into working out in between shows; they're in the business to make music and live life to the fullest! These five young kids from Toronto (one is from Philly), are tough, hard-nosed rockers that take no bullshit from anyone. In this interview Matt Delong (guitars) and Ben Cook (vocals) talk about running from the police, Avril Lavigne, and of course they're new EP entitled Suffer and Survive, which drops Tuesday, October 19, 2004. |
| Sharita: So tell the viewers who you are. Ben: I'm Ben and this is Matt. Matt: I'm Matt, yeah. Sharita: So I read that four of the band members are from Toronto, one is from Philly, give us a little background about the band. Matt you actually started the band and went looking for a singer and it just came together after that right? Ben: Yeah that's pretty much how it goes, we were just your typical fifteen year old kids, out of high school starting a band. We were already in bands with other people, but just wanted to do another. It started in the basement and five years later, skip all the fuckin' bullshit and we're here [at] only 22 years old. Matt: 21... Ben: A lot of bands don't start out that way, [start out so young and still together] so that's real cool. Sharita: I read that you guys were in punk bands first, then decided to get more into hardcore music. Why did you make that decision? Ben: It wasn't a conscious thing, I mean we just do what we're into [at the time]. [I had] my first punk band when I was fuckin' 12, and it doesn't even matter 'cause we weren't that good. We're into hardcore so we're doin' that, we're into rock so we're doin' that. Sharita: I'd read the band went on tour with the Cro-mags, Sick Of it All and Bane which influenced your music, are there anymore bands? Matt: I think we have lots of influences like the Cro-mags, a lot of the New York hardcore bands especially a couple of years ago, that was all we listened to. Now, we listen to a lot of different shit like me personally I like Motorhead, AC/DC, Slayer... Ben: I think we all listen to bands [that] have stood the test of time. We still listen to bands that influenced us to pick up a guitar when we we're 10, like Metallica, Guns 'n' Roses, like Cro-mags and the New York Hardcore bands. Now, I think we take everything [from] what we fuckin' jizzed over the past few years and we're not afraid to bring in [the sound] of what influenced us [back then]. Sharita: Your second EP Ill Blood, give us some background on it. Ben: Ill Blood came out two years after we recorded our first 7", which got us signed to Bridge Nine records. [They're] out of Boston. We always wanted to do an LP that sounded like we it from New York, [but] we're a like a bunch of fuckin' tourists from Canada. I think we pulled it off though. Matt: We we're in New York to record it. Sharita: And was that the one that was on the $500 dollar budget or... Matt: No, that was the 7", [the EP] cost us, we had to go back from New York to Toronto a couple of times actually cause shit happens. Sharita: The new album, due out Tuesday, was recorded under Linkin Park's label Machine Shop did they work with you guys on the record? Ben: They definitely didn't work with us, I mean it's our record and their label. We didn't know too much about their music besides what we saw on TV. That's not the type of music we listen to. We didn't sign to their label because we love the band [nor do] we want to be Linkin Park. We thought they were really smart guys and we like the fact that it is a band run label and they know what we're going through, not just some old-foggies in suits in an office. So we thought that was cool and it was the best decision at the time. Sharita: Let's talk a little about touring, do you have any funny stories to tell us about? Matt: On this one, shit always happens though. We had a lesbian show in our dressing room the other night. Ben: Yeah, we had a couple of ladies gettin' down, but that's typical for every tour isn't it? Sharita: [Laughs] Matt: On this tour a lot of the shows have been canceled so we've been driving a lot. Sharita: I heard it was canceled the other night. Ben: Just your typical shit trashin' hotel rooms and hangin' out with brods. Sharita: Yeah, there's a video on your website where you're being chased by a police officer? Ben: Yeah, we were partyin' with some chicks and they couldn't handle it, they got too drunk. One of them got carried out on a stretcher and I was filmin' it 'cause it was so fuckin funny. We had been drinkin' all day, this was on the Projekt Revolution tour. I was just filmin' the paramedics taking care of her. After they put her in the ambulance they had noticed it and the cops just started runnin' after me. I was actually hangin' out with one of the dudes from Ghostface and I was [thinking] what do I do. He was like "you better run, dude." So, I just ran and I ended up hiding in my hotel room all night, they had been looking in every room and thankfully they stopped four doors before mine and the next day I had to sneak out of town. Sharita: Tell us about the new album Suffer, Survive that's due out this coming Tuesday? Ben: Yeah, it's an eight song EP, with two bonus tracks on it, total of ten songs. I'ts fuckin' cool, we've been workin' hard on it for about a year [to] two years. Matt: We started recording it last December. Ben: We're pretty much sick of all the songs on it before it even comes out. We're ready for the next one, so hopefully we will release the next one in a couple of weeks. [laughs] It's a little different than Ill Blood, i'm sure that will bum out a lot of hardcore kids who fuckin' shit in their pants when they hear someone sing a note, they can suck my dick. Matt: Yeah, there has been some kids that come to our shows that had left before we played because we said we wouldn't play any older songs, but those guys they were fuckin' nerds anyway. Ben: You either support our band or you don't. If you don't to hear us, stay home and listen to the records you do like. Sharita: Tell us about the bands writing style, do you just gather in a room and throw ideas at each other? Ben: It usually just starts with a riff or an idea for a song, either Matt or Jordan will come up with a chorus or a main verse. Everyone will build around [that idea] and they have their say [about the song]. Sharita: Ok, so here's a speed round of questions for you, these you should answer with the first thing that come's to mind ok? Ben: A speed round? Do we have time to think about it? Sharita: Yes, but think fast. Ben and Matt: [Laughs] Sharita: If stranded on a desert island who would you take with you? Ben: Matt Matt: [Laughs] Any person? I take fuckin' Bin Laden with me. Sharita: [Laughs] Why? Matt: Because, no one else can chill with him. Ben: I'd take George Bush so I could fuck him in his ass all the time. [Laughs] Matt: No, I'd take...that girl. I can't think of her name. Ben: C'mon! Sharita: [Laughs] If you were stranded on this same island with your band, who would you eat first? Matt: Oh man. I wouldn't touch me because I'm fuckin' nasty, I probably would eat Ben because I know he'd be clean. I wouldn't touch Jordan because he's full of vitamins and shit, Jesse , would be a good meal but, I don't know if I want him. Ben: Jesse would be the most disgusting meal of all time, that's why we call him Junkyard Jesse becasuse he's a dirty fuck! [laughs] If you eat Jesse it will probably be a lot of pubic hair and shit. I'd probably eat Matt, because he's clean. Sharita: If you were in a drinking contest who would you have on your team? Ben and Matt: Jesse! Sharita: [Laughs] Why? Matt: Because he can drink more than anybody! Ben: I'd like to see somebody try to drink Jesse under the table, he's a fuckin' maniac! All these bands that try to be Motley Crue and party with cocaine that are (scr)emo, Jesse would [put you away]. Matt: Jesse's been drinkin' for about five years or so... Ben: Jesse is not a hardcore kid or a (scr)emo kid he's just a fuckin' psycho. Sharita: What three cd's would be with you if you were stranded? Ben: Ah shit! 3 CD's? Matt: 3 CD's? Wow. Ben: You know, for me it doesn't really matter because I'd get fuckin' sick of it anyways. Matt: I'd bring a guitar and make my own music. Ben: You could play something from every CD ever made dude! Sharita: X-Box or Playstation? Matt and Ben: Neither! [Laughs] Matt: Video games are for nerds. Ben: With that being said, I buy all these Alternative Press magazines and shit and this bands talk about playing video games all day and workin' out. I mean there's no fuckin danger, there's no fuckin' attitude, just a bunch of fuckin' nerds playin' video games! I beg everybody to live a little. Matt: Maybe if they play their instruments instead of fuckin' video games, they'd write good songs! Sharita: So what does the band do on the bus? Ben: There's sleep, sex, and we talk shit about bands that play video games on the bus, [laughs] and work out. Sharita: Burn a CD or buy? Matt and Ben: Buy. Ben: I'll burn a CD if the band is broken up or old. Any current band I'll buy. Sharita: Whats your favorite sports team? Matt: I don't really watch sports. Ben: I don't either, I like English soccer, our bass player is from Philadelphia, he likes the Eagles so shout out to the fuckin' Eagles. Sharita: A nickname that your best friend has given you. Ben: I might have already been giving a couple. My nickname on tour is the Kid. Our manager gave us all nicknames. Matt: I'm Frenchie. Sharita: Why do they call you Frenchie? Matt: Because I make out with all the guys in my band. Ben: [Laughs] Sharita: [Laughs] Ok, I wasn't expecting that. Matt: I'm french and really romantic, so I like to kiss. Ben: He likes to french kiss. Matt: No, i'm not french I was just fuckin' with you. My last name is french but I'm not. Ben: His last name is french and we're always rippin' on him. [Laughs] Jordans' nickname is Chico cause he's cool, Jesse's nickname is Junkyard obviously because he's a slobby ass. Zach's nickname is Wolfie. Sharita: Ok so tell me about their Avril Lavergne thing, are you seeing her? Ben: Yeah, it actually started as just a band joke. Sharita: Did you meet her? Matt and Ben: Yeah. Ben: She lives two doors down from our managers house. So everytime we have a party over our managers house we just go drop all the empties (empty cans or bottles of liquor I assume) in front of her house so she can get in trouble. So all that stuff is a rumor we started. I could make up a rumor from this interview though. Sharita: Go on right ahead! Ben: How about this, Avril Lavigne has a small dick. [Laughs] Matt: [Laughs] Sharita: [Laughs] Well we look for a little fun in interviews so that's great. Ben: Fun is my middle name. Sharita: Ok, well I appreciate you guy interviewing! I really enjoyed this interview. Ben and Matt: Thank you Thanks to the band's Tour Manager, Andrew and to Matt and Ben for the interview |
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| Lineup: Ben Cook - Vocals Matt DeLong - Guitar Jordan Posner - Guitar Zach Amster - Bass Jesse LaBovitz - Drums |
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| Go pick up No Warning's new release Suffer, Survive!!!! |
| Check out No Warning's review from their performance at the HOB in Chicago on 10/17/04 here. |
| Sevendust No Warning Travesty Theory HOB 10/17/04 Interview: Sharita Lumpkin |
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