Justin: In don’t know…amazing! [Beams] It’s kind of hard to put into words really. I don’t know, we’re honored you know that they would even consider us to be on a tour like this, you know. I don’t know, every band is absolutely amazing when we saw the whole lineup it was…quite the feeling. My jaw hit the floor and we found out by seeing a show poster.

Karma: Really? They didn’t even tell you first? Wow!

Justin: No, we kind of knew the Slayer thing was in the works and we were really excited about that and then there’s obviously the Johnny and Tom connection...

Karma: Right.

Justin: …which kinda put our foot in the door but we had no idea what it was going to be about.

Karma: True enough just because Johnny is Tom’s brother, in truth your band is able to stand on its own merit.

Justin: [Modestly laughs] Yeah, I guess so!

Karma: So has the tour been everything you hoped it to be?

Justin: [Beams] It has been yeah, everything and then some! Everybody’s actually so cool. Probably out of all the tours we’ve done, the bands have been the nicest and the most helpful like the crew and everybody. [Smiles] Everybody knows we’re like the underdogs of the tour doing everything on own still so everybody’s more than willing to help. It’s been awesome! The fans have been far too kind for Slayer fans as far as I’m concerned. We’re doing all right, you know! I couldn’t be happier really!!

Karma: That’s awesome! Speaking of fans, since you already spoke on how great the crowd response has been, which song has been the biggest crowd pleaser thus far?

Justin: Actually, I think people are kind of liking our new stuff I think a little bit more. I don’t know if it’s because I stop and talk to the crowd before we start it but I don’t know, I think they’re taking a liking to the new stuff. It’s pretty upbeat and fast; Slayer fans are into it.

Karma: Yes, that works.

Justin: [Smiles] Yeah, it works!

Karma: I think you guys fit very well as far as genre wise in with the rest of the bill.

Justin: I think it’s a really solid bill, you know and I think it’s awesome that they gave a band like us a chance to take that next step. Everybody's been where we’re at and everybody on this tour has worked their way up. So it’s kinda like breaking some new ground for us, so we’re stoked! 

Karma: Not to mention you having been picking up new fans from what it seems.

Justin: It seems like it so far, as long as they come and see us next time around then you know, we’re happy. The fans have been amazing; we haven’t been Slayered off stage just yet! I’ll knock on wood. [He then knocks on the wooden table] I think our live shows are proving a little bit more than a point now just because we have toured for so long. I just want them to see us; we just kind of come out and try to kick everybody's ass, kind of non-stop thrash action! We want people to be like, "who the hell was that?" You know and hopefully that is happening on this tour because no one really knows who we are, you know. As long as they come home with that curiosity, "Remember that first band? Who the fuck were they?", you know, then we're happy!

Karma: Please share your views on the IEMF [International Extreme Metal Fest]….

Justin: [Sneers] Hahaha!

Karma & Erika: Oh, my!!

Justin: [Raises eyebrow] Oh, you mean the International Extreme Music Flop?

Karma: Well that about sums it up!

Karma: I see! [Smiles] Always good to support awesome bands…

Justin: I love those guys.

Karma: So… [clears throat]

Justin: Yeah, what about it… [Chuckles]

Karma: What happened? I mean I know that it was a riddle-filled tour, and if not mistaken it was your first major tour, correct?

Justin: No, we had actually done a bunch of stuff for a few years before that.

Karma: Oh, okay.

Justin: Well like I said, we did touring before that, and I mean it was just as tough you know, playing for 5-15-20 people a night. Playing anything and everything, we just made our laps and our rounds around the country. And then we were told about the IEMF tour and it was supposed to be a bigger tour for us with all of these bands. It was the real first booking agency and that we were stoked and it just turned out to be a total disaster!

Karma: It was such an amazing concept…it was an amazing bill.

Karma: Did it really all boil down to lack of promotions?

Justin: I think it was, I’m going to say it too because I really don’t care…It was Digger International Booking. I don’t know, I don’t believe a word the guy says and I think he screwed over a lot of the bands. The tour showed for it; there were nights where we were driving fifteen-twenty hours and we show up and the promoter doesn’t even know the show is happening. There’s eight bands sitting in the parking lot with NOTHING!

When you’re only getting paid $100 dollars a night, [scoffs] which really doesn’t cover anything anyway, you know [said in unison] it hurts! Yeah! So I mean it was a disaster; we had more van problems that we’ve ever had. We blew our whole engine and we were stuck in Oklahoma for seven days with a $3000 dollar bill, [eyes fill with emotion], and we had no money. So I mean it was a nightmare all the way around both “organized” and show wise, and band wise and everything. I think that was the final “paying your dues” tour maybe before things picked up a little bit. [Laughs light-heartedly]

Karma: Yeah, I can understand. Having said that, how important is it for you to "make it" in this ever changing genre? First on a professional level then on a personal level?

Justin: Well they are two different things. First on a professional level, things are always changing all of the time and the more you tour and the more you tour with bands that are professional and have this and that, you see and you learn. You want to become more professional yourself and that is kind of an ongoing thing. As far as “making it”, I don’t think you can ever be too worried about it when you’re in a metal band to start with. It’s very rare that a metal band is really going to like really break out and you know… I mean a lot of bands actually live off of it and do their thing, you know. It’s really tough, but we’re not expecting this and that but just to be on a tour like this with these guys is amazing. [Smiles] That’s kinda like “making it” for me, you know. [Chuckles] Not eating at McDonald’s everyday and having some chicken cooked for me. [We both laugh] I guess I’ve made it and the showers too, how about that! [Chortles] No more truck stops, it’s nice.

Karma: And that would have been an additional seven dollars per truck stop coming out of your profit margin if you didn’t have the showers in the venues, so yes, I’d say you have made it!

Justin: [Laughs] Yeah!

Karma: What inspired you during the creation of In the Wake of Separation?

Justin: Musically?

Karma: Musically and lyrically.

Justin:  Uhm, those songs were actually the first songs we put together as a band. We started this band as a side project. As friends meeting each on the road, and a few of  us were from the same city. It kind of came together pretty well and people really liked it and so it kind of took [off from there]. Writing wise, we just kind of sit down and everybody collaborates their ideas. We just kind of put them into songs; there’ no real sole songwriter in the band, it’s kind of everybody which is cool. [Smiles] Lyrically for that album, I write all of the lyrics but during that whole year and a half, two years, [voice gets softer as his eyes drop] I was actually kind of watching my father slowly die of cancer.

Karma: I am sorry to hear that.

Justin: That’s okay, but uh, my writing was directed towards life and death dealing with that and that was the thing. That’s where the whole album scheme kind of comes from.

Karma: Well thanks for sharing that with me Justin.

Justin: Well, it’s okay. [Reassuringly smiles]

Karma: I am sure that it must have been therapeutic for you to be able to release your emotions in such a creative way.

Justin: Yeah, it was definitely tough, you know but yes, this helps it. It’s kind of a release for me. It’s all good! [Smiles]

Karma: And the fact that you had enough time to make your peace…

Justin: …definitely! We had kind of a weird relationship anyway so…

Karma: It’s all about timing and being able to say the things that need to be said to the intended party.

Justin: Exactly! There’s no regrets.

Karma: That’s beautiful! Well I wanted to talk about the artwork; it’s truly gorgeous not to mention dark! It’s just as dark as the music/lyrics.

Justin: Thanks!

Karma: Was the artist, Geoff Mack, left to his own devices or was it more input from the band in regards to the layout/artwork?

Justin: Yeah, we kinda left it up to him…but we definitely had a say in it; we kind of gave him the idea. But we really just wanted him to do his thing; we really didn’t want to be too specific. He actually went through a few different designs of things that didn’t work out. We were like “….No!”, we gave him a bit of an idea but we had to give him so sort of direction. He was on it and what he gave us we were like, “Wow!” He’s a starving artist just like us, you know. He’s one of our best friends from our home town. We’re trying to help him as much as we can. He actually did our banner on this Unholy Tour. We couldn’t hang it tonight because of the venue.

Karma: Oh wow! How cool is that! There are other cities.

Justin: Yeah!

Karma: What's so interesting about the album is that the majority of the songs vary from one to another especially "Cold Victim"; it definitely stands apart from the fold. Was it a conscious effort on your part or was it something that just came about.

Justin: Yeah, it’s a little more rocking. I don’t know, it wasn’t really done on purpose. I mean there’s the song, “Live to Die” and there are some clean vocals. I think it was a “leave a few doors open” kind of [thing]. We’re still a new band and that was our first album and we actually had it done a year before we even released it; we did it on our own and just toured, trying to get signed to get it out. So I mean it’s pretty old to us now. It was kind of just a whole bunch of ideas and just kind of left a few doors open as far as direction in which way we want to go which has helped us now decide in what we like and what we don’t like on our last album. It’s nice to have some diversity, you don’t want everything to sound the same.

Karma: How far along are you on the new album?

Justin: We have about four to five new songs. We’ll get a little break from this tour and gonna write in between and then afterwards, hopefully finish up the new album.

Karma: Any projected time?

Justin: [Laughs] I have no idea! We we’re on the road three months before this. We had a week off, where we actually had to replace a guitar player [Derek Ward] in that week off.

Karma: You’ve been extra busy then!

Justin: [Laughs] Yeah! It’s been pretty hectic and now we probably won’t be home until Christmas.

Karma: Oh my god! It always sounds so severe when you put it in those terms.

Justin: [Nods head] Well we might be home for a week or two, we’re not sure but there are some other things in the works for September where this tour might go somewhere else but this tour is going to Europe in the fall. So, that’s kind of filling it all up. We have a chance it might go world, we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

Karma: Definitely! If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be? Musician, Producer, engineer, etc…

Justin: I don’t know, that’s a tough question. Uhh…there’s a few producers in mind that we have for the new album which is based on some of our favorite bands that we’ve heard come out. Collaboration wise, I’ve actually excited because I’m doing a song with Mastodon in the next few nights.

Karma: Sweet!

Justin: [Eyes light up more] Yeah!...which is flattering because they are one of my favorite bands. I’m actually gonna have Troy come and do something on our next album. We have a friend in Cephalic Carnage that I’m gonna ask as well. Nobody knows this yet!

Karma: Well they will now.

Justin: Play in a band?

Karma: Yes.

Justin: I don't know, I've been playing in a band [Acacia] since I was twelve years old, is when I first started. I've been recording in the studios since I was thirteen, all heavy metal and that. I don't know, like I said I was inspired by one of my older cousins was always in a band playing in my grandparents’ barn, in a metal band. [Happily walking down memory lane a smile a mile wide crosses his countenance] They used to Sabbath, and we were so little. [Laughs] I have an older brother that’s still really into music and kind of steered me in this direction, in which I’m thankful for. He got me into listening to Slayer and Pantera at a very young age.

Karma: And thanks to him, now you’re here!

Justin: Right! I was kind of steered into music that way and we also have a bit of a musical background in my family. There was always that thing but I was in another band for eleven years before this one. Those guys just always wanted to get together and jam on weekends. We’d go out to the high school dance, you know, that’s all I ever really had done asides from working a part time job to cover my ass.

Karma: But there's something to be said for following your dreams at all costs, going after what you believe in.

Justin: Yeah, it was just something I believed in and I have so many friends that have worked their way up to the point where they’re comfortable, on tours like this, you know! [Laughs] I just believe in it and here we are.

Karma: If it wasn't for this I’d be doing… what? What about your bandmates?

Justin: Ha, and my bandmates? I have NO idea what those other guys would be doing. Music is like…well Johnny is like thirty-six years old and he’s been on the road since he was thirteen with Slayer, it’s all he knows. I don’t know what he’d do without music.

Karma: It’s in his blood.

Justin: It is. It’s kind of in everybody but Darryl works at a sports store and him and I both play hockey in Canada. He sharpens skates…and I’m a chef in a restaurant actually and I love it.

Karma: Really! What kind of restaurant do you work in?

Justin: Basically French Cuisine in a fine dining kind of place.

Karma: What type of chef, Sous, Executive…

Justin: I am actually the chef! [Smirks]

Karma: Ouuuhhh!

Justin: Yeah, I’ve been there for awhile so I am the Executive Chef and actually I have a couple of Sous Chefs below me; it’s awesome! [Smiles at his accomplishment]

Karma: What's your specialty?

Justin: Rack of lamb, that’s very nice! [Proudly stated]

Karma: Side dishes?

Justin: I make a MEAN caesar salad done the right way!

Karma: There you go.

Justin: Well no, I just got a cool opportunity to work in this restaurant and I worked my way up really quick and the owners are really cool; I really enjoyed it. I bartended for six years before that at a rock bar in town, and I loved that just as much. But, you can have enough of the same people in your hometown after a while, you know.

Karma: Indeed I do!

Justin: Who knows, maybe I’d be the next Iron Chef if I wasn’t in a metal band! [We both laugh]

Karma: Besides music and cooking what else are you passionate about?

Justin: I don’t know, I guess life in general, family, my love. I kind of changed my whole outlook on life after watching that deal with my father and that life is too short to take anything for granted. Be crazy, have fun, and love your family.

Karma: Very well said! Here's a quick Speed Round of Questions for you.

Justin: Okay!

Karma: Spiritual or religious?

Justin: Spiritual.

Karma: First CD purchased?

Justin: Oh shit! I don’t even know…I may have to say AC/DC or maybe it was Run DMC. I don't know. One of the AC/DC albums on cassette…[Laughs]

Karma: Guilty pleasure song/CD/Artist?

Justin: I love Alice In Chains!

Karma: That's not really a guilty pleasure though.

Justin: Björk… but I’m not ashamed. I love Björk [laughs] but I won't say I love her, I'm all over the place with my musical tastes.

Karma: What's underneath your bed?

Justin: A box of my old cassette tapes, my old jam tapes from my old bands, uh, my cat…[We laugh] My guitar case and I think a half drank bottle of water from the first show I played for over five hundred people. [Laughs] It's in there somewhere!

Karma: Best memory?

Justin: Uhm…I don't know in general or in the band?

Karma: In general.

Justin: I don't know, there are too many. One of the best things was going to Japan, flying over to Tokyo last year that was a huge accomplishment for us. We had a day off, the three of us took the subway, went downtown not knowing anyone and no one speaks a word of English and that was pretty crazy. We got lost for a number of hours so it’s something I will remember forever. For now it’s like “Unholy Alliance”…ask me in a few weeks! [Laughs] There are so many stories and good times, most of my memories are the insane breakdowns that we’ve had. All of the shit that’s happened to us, the rough road really! Yeah, we don’t have too many great memories right now, it’s just the shit that we’ve been through and all the money spent. [Laughs] Anyone that knows us can’t say we didn’t work for it!

Karma: If you could travel the spans of time: which era would you visit?

Justin: Uhmm…I don’t know. Part of me says the 60’s but then part of me says the 80’s, for me to be young in the 80’s; I’d kind of like to be in there with the hair metal days at its prime.

Karma: I must admit it was a pretty cool period in time, I can see why you’d want to experience that.

Justin: Yeah, I was pretty young in the 80’s [laughs] but it’s what I grew up with so mean if I was this age now in the 80’s, I sure I would have appreciated it a lot more.

Karma: Favorite comfort food?

Justin: There’s a little pizza place around the corner from my house in Canada.

Karma: How do you take it?

Justin: I usually just get the cheese pizza with chili flakes in the sauce, makes it a little spicy. It’s a little Italian guy that’s been there for years and years. There’s no other pizza like it.

Karma: Yeah, I can see why!

Justin: I had one the other day; we had a day off in between Toronto and Detroit. I’m a chef in a restaurant but there’s just something about me that just craves pizza.

Karma: What’s the first thing you do when you get home from touring?

Justin: Ummm…kiss my girlfriend, pet my cat, and then usually smoke a joint and lay in my bed. [Hysterical laughter ensues] I usually hit my bed pretty quick, cause I sleep sitting up in the front seat sitting up for months on end; I like to lay down.

Karma: Role reversals: If you could hear a TEB song covered by anyone, who would do it and which song would they cover?

Justin: Oh shit! [Pauses] Wow, I have no idea how to answer that question. Who would do it? I don’t know who would do it. That’s crazy, I can’t think of any band that would want to play one of our songs. [Laughs] But I would like to hear anybody on this tour do one of our songs. Somebody like “SLAYER” [said in his best death metal voice]. I don’t know, I could actually see Mastodon doing one of our newer songs that we call “Dark White” it’s kind of a little slower or I could hear Lamb of God doing “Corpse You Up”, it’s kind of more chugging, you know.

Karma: Very thrashy!

Justin: Yeah, more thrashing, that’s a crazy question. [Laughs]

Karma: If you could interview a band, name one that you would love to find out more about and what would be the one thing you'd want to know?

Justin: As far as people I’d like to meet and talk to, I’d like to meet Mike Patton and sit down and talk to him.

Karma: Very interesting, he’s very popular amongst musicians, especially the ones we’ve talked to as of late.

Justin: He’s huge! Now it’s crazy, he’s doing a million projects at once, you know I don’t know how he has the time to do it; it’s unbelievable. It’s just somebody I’ve never met and I’ve met a lot of idols and childhood idols, just some on this tour. [Smiles] It’s one person I always wanted to meet…I don't know specifically what I’d ask him but I’d probably just ask him a lot about the Faith No More days because that was a huge inspiration to me. I’m just excited to meet Scott Kelly from Neurosis who’s coming out in a couple of days, that’s a band I’ve respected forever. He’s coming out to sing the part I do with Mastodon, because he originally does it that’s why they asked me to do it because I’m a huge fan.

Karma: More role reversals, do you have any questions for me?

Justin: What did you really think about our set tonight?

Karma: Honestly I loved it!

Justin: Do you think we can keep up with fans like this?

Karma: Definitely, you can hold your own anywhere I think. You could feel the crowd getting into you very early on into your set. As you touched on earlier, there’s something to be said about “not getting slayered off the stage”, and that’s because you have talent, period! You came out the chute commanding the crowd, that’s pretty impressive! The crowd noticed that.

Justin: You could see that. We tried to come out and we kept it real.

Karma: That you did!

Justin: There’s not a lot of bands that’s just coming out and letting everybody have it!

Karma: Oh they are, it’s just in a bad way or many are doing it in the same bad way. It refreshing to see a band do what you do, your own thing, not settling!

Justin: Yeah, we’re just writing what we want. We’re not gonna settle and slow things down with these catchy commercial hooks, break it down for the radio or anything like that.

Karma: As well as you shouldn’t.

Justin: Yeah, we’re gonna write what we want. We’ll there might be a song that slows down here and there but I mean you know…

Karma: It was awesome, you have very little to worry about. I loved it when you stepped out into the actual crowd. It was a great connect you had.

Justin: Well we’re trying to get used to the big sea of people rather than a hundred or a hundred and fifty [laughs] so it’s cool to get a reaction like that, it’s a huge energy. We have a lot of energy as it is but to see it like that kinda gets you going more.

Karma: Any special messages for your fans or final words?

Justin: STAY METAL!!

Karma: Thanks for the interview Justin!

Related Links