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Interview by James Walkley<\/p>\n
1). \u00a0When did Eddie Brock first begin as a band? \u00a0Were any of you in bands before this one? \u00a0Please share a little bit about those early days.<\/i><\/p>\n
There were a couple early bands before we officially became Eddie Brock.\u00a0 I wanted to start a band again\u00a0because\u00a0it was years since my high school punk band broke up.\u00a0 So I asked my friends Brian and Tom if they were interested \u2014 and that is how the first phase of E.B. started.\u00a0 It was called Discourse and that started in \u2026 I wanna say \u2026 2008, maybe.\u00a0 At the time, we asked a kid we all knew, Nick, to play bass.\u00a0 He only played for a little bit.\u00a0 He runs Photobooth Records now.\u00a0 But\u00a0that band was more of a Ceremony rip-off band.\u00a0 Then Nick left and\u00a0we changed our name to Choptank and got a little bit heavier and a bit faster.\u00a0 We also picked up our friend Kelin to play bass.\u00a0 That lasted a few months and then Kelin left.\u00a0 We had been practicing without Kelin for a while so we decided to just not have a bassist.\u00a0 That was when we decided to “three-man” it.\u00a0 Being the nerds that we are, we used one of our favorite comic book villains\/characters to name our band.<\/p>\n
2). \u00a0Eddie Brock are a three-piece, with a vocalist, guitarist, and drummer, but no bassist. \u00a0Your recordings have a lot of low end, however, which seem to make a bassist superfluous. \u00a0Do you ever miss having a bass player in a live setting, where the sound can be hit-or-miss and extra low end helps? \u00a0In the future, do you think you might add that position in the band?<\/i><\/p>\n
See the previous answer for why we don’t have a bassist.\u00a0 When we record and play live, our guitarist Brian plays through a guitar amp and a bass amp.\u00a0 So the low end is achieved through his bass amp set-up.\u00a0 He also tunes down a bit.\u00a0 We have never really discussed adding a bass player, but I don’t think we want to, anyway.\u00a0 Brian likes his set-up and he is always buying more gear to make us even louder.<\/p>\n
3). \u00a0Magrudergrind are a well-known fast hardcore\/powerviolence band with three members, but sonically, Eddie Brock are more reminiscent of Weekend Nachos, particularly in your vocals. \u00a0I’m certain you’ve played with Weekend Nachos (including at one of the A389 fests, if memory serves); please describe what that was like. \u00a0Weekend Nachos are an insanely energetic and devastating live band, and Eddie Brock are ripping on vinyl, so I’d imagine it would have been nuts! \u00a0Also, what was the A389 showcase earlier this year like in general?<\/i><\/p>\n
Weekend Nachos rule and so does Magrudergrind.\u00a0 We rip them off too much.\u00a0 But the A389 set was fantastic.\u00a0 Both bands killed it \u2014 but they always do, so I expected nothing less.\u00a0 It was a complete honor to open that night.\u00a0 So many good bands.\u00a0 But let’s talk about the next A389 bash.\u00a0 It is gonna be insane!<\/p>\n
4). \u00a0The Charm City Art Space is a pretty legendary venue in punk and hardcore circles, and it’s located in Eddie Brock’s home base of Baltimore, MD. \u00a0Evidently, that space went through some renovations and now has a greater capacity. \u00a0Is Charm City one of your favorite places to play? \u00a0Please describe it to readers who may be unfamiliar with it and let us know why it rules!<\/i><\/p>\n
The C.C.A.S. is a collective-run venue similar to Mr. Roboto in Pittsburgh and 924 Gilman in California.\u00a0 We play there every so often.\u00a0 A couple years ago it literally moved next door to an empty garage.\u00a0 The old space was a basement and could host all types of bands, but when larger, more well-known acts came through, it sometimes became too crowded.\u00a0 But the new space is pretty cool.\u00a0 Punch just recently came through and packed that place.\u00a0 It was awesome.<\/p>\n
![\"eblive\"](\"http:\/\/tolivealie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/eblive.jpeg\")
<\/i>5<\/i>). \u00a0To Live A Lie has a high-quality digital version of your first 7-inch for free download on their “net label” Bandcamp. \u00a0I’d encourage everyone reading this to check that out, but I’d also add that the physical EP is worth purchasing; it comes with a cool-looking obi strip that has the band name written on it in silver metallic ink, as well as an interesting lyrics insert. \u00a0Unfortunately, I did read a dismissive review of the 7-inch, though, where the reviewer seemed content to label the band as “powerviolence” and conclude the review, almost as if that was a slur. \u00a0The argument could be made that Eddie Brock didn’t fully come into their own until the Lapse split. \u00a0What’s your opinion? \u00a0Are you guys still happy with that “demo” 7-inch, or do you feel that the later recordings better represent the band?<\/i><\/p>\n
Let it be known that we do take this band very seriously.\u00a0 How we approach writing songs and the thought behind all of our actions is dealt with professionally.\u00a0 However, we are a joke \u2014 sort of.\u00a0 I love this band and one of my favorite aspects behind it is our sense of humor.\u00a0 Like I said earlier, we are total nerds and we embrace that.\u00a0 The first 7-inch was just short, dumb songs that I wrote.\u00a0 That was us getting a feel for things.\u00a0 We were totally psyched that people liked it.\u00a0 Nick put it out on his label, Photobooth Records.\u00a0 But I think that review you are talking about is from MRR.\u00a0 Even though it was bashing us, the dude used some great words to describe us.\u00a0 I believe the term “dog-shit” was thrown in there a bit, as well as some other great adjectives.\u00a0 The split we did with Lapse contains two songs that are much slower than what we usually play.\u00a0 But we liked those songs \u2014 and as a pair, those songs slay.\u00a0 Our latest record, the “Brand New Day” EP, just came out on A389 Recordings \u2014 and it contains our best songs without a doubt.\u00a0 It is fast, with a few slow riffs in there.\u00a0 The perfect blend, I think.<\/p>\n
6). \u00a0On the subject of that Eddie Brock split 7-inch with Lapse, it’s a great record! \u00a0The opening song, “Pointer Thumb Pinky”, showed a much heavier, more trudging side to Eddie Brock’s sound, but there’s also a punky “lightheartedness” to the EP, \u00a0especially in the artwork. \u00a0Your band often combines fiercely aggressive music with humorous songtitles or artwork. \u00a0I think that rounds out the band and prevents things from getting too dour or overly serious. \u00a0Please talk about the “theme” of the artwork on that Lapse split EP as well as Eddie Brock’s decision to sometimes use more playful, funny songtitles.<\/i><\/p>\n
Justin (the drummer of Lapse) and I did the artwork for the record.\u00a0 We didn’t really want that clich\u00e9 cover of\u00a0blood and gore everywhere, so we went for the complete opposite.\u00a0 No story behind it, really.\u00a0 As far as songtitles go, I usually say what the lyrics\u00a0are about and then Tom, our drummer, says our song title.\u00a0 He is good with words and at being sarcastic\/funny.<\/p>\n
7). \u00a0The lyrics on the Lapse split are far from silly (they’re quite intelligent, in fact). \u00a0I liked the statement at the end of “Pointer Thumb Pinky”: “People change; their \u00a0ideals, too\/Stubborn fucking prick, I hate you”. \u00a0Please explain what you wanted to communicate in those lyrics; I, for one, appreciated your maturity in stating that people can’t be expected to live their whole lives under one set of ideals.<\/i><\/p>\n
Thanks!\u00a0 That song, in particular, deals with edge and veg kids breaking their lifestyle choices.\u00a0 I fully support and participate in both lifestyles; however, I do not care if you start to drink again or eat meat after twenty years of abstinence.\u00a0 It’s exactly what I say.\u00a0 People change; it is inevitable.\u00a0 Sure, I may not agree with how someone changes, but that is how things progress and evolve\/devolve.<\/p>\n
8). \u00a0The most recent Eddie Brock recording is the “Brand New Day” 7-inch, which may well be your band’s best EP yet! \u00a0Again, despite the whimsical songtitles that occur from time-to-time, important words are communicated on this record. \u00a0One of the most moving segments on the EP takes place in the opening track, “Brain Squad”, where you sing, “You take away her rights and expect her to be okay”. \u00a0Please talk about why you’re outraged by the “pro-life” contingent that’s criticized in “Brain Squad”, and why Christian Right representatives in America can be labelled as “a government founded on religious animation” that so often “thrive on fear and greed”.<\/i><\/p>\n
Politics annoy the shit out of me.\u00a0 There are two topics, though, that I am very passionate about \u2014being pro-choice and supporting gay rights.\u00a0 The following\u00a0phrase does not represent the band; it is my opinion on the matter.\u00a0 Fuck pro-lifers.\u00a0 I do not see any reasonable excuse to make abortion illegal.\u00a0 It is her choice, not yours.\u00a0 And as far as same-sex marriage\u00a0goes, who cares if two dudes or two ladies get married?\u00a0 Seriously, people deserve to be happy and enjoy the benefits of marriage and love.\u00a0 Simple as that.\u00a0 I think a lot of our elected officials claim the we are a nation founded on Christianity.\u00a0 That is bullshit.\u00a0 So we have these dumb-asses in our government trying to push laws restricting our health, bodies, and our happiness all in the name of God, a god we are supposed to fear.\u00a0 Lame.<\/p>\n
9). \u00a0The lyrics in the second song on “Brand New Day” are ones I really enjoy as well. \u00a0“The scene is a free market, so fuck your hype band\/ Here’s your fucking moshy part, you stupid motherfuckers\/ I better see you dance, because this is what you wanted, right?”. \u00a0Were there any specific incidents at an Eddie Brock show that prompted you to deliver those lines? \u00a0I will say that it only takes a couple meatheads to ruin the vibe at an otherwise awesome hardcore show. \u00a0Hopefully, that’s not a frequent occurrence for your band!<\/i><\/p>\n
No, our shows are usually pretty rad.\u00a0 You run into a couple of meatheads every now and then, but whatever.\u00a0 This song basically just sums up my frustration about bands\u00a0these days.\u00a0 It just sucks to see a band who\u00a0sounds generic and is totally lame get awesome record deals and a ton of positive feedback only because they have been hyped in one way or another \u2014 and\u00a0then the smaller band who puts so much into their music, and tries so hard, gets pushed aside.\u00a0 That’s all.<\/p>\n
10). \u00a0Do Eddie Brock have plans to record a full-length LP? \u00a0If so, would that occur relatively soon? \u00a0All of the band’s previous recordings have appeared on the EP format.<\/i><\/p>\n
We currently have two songs recorded for a split with the band Hatewaves.\u00a0 That is going to be out on A389 recordings again sometime in early 2013.\u00a0 In that year, we also plan on writing an LP and playing a ton of shows.<\/p>\n
11). \u00a0Thanks a ton for the interview, Alex! \u00a0In closing, please attach an itinerary of upcoming Eddie Brock shows, as well as let us know pertinent web addresses for people who would like to learn more or follow your band. \u00a0Thanks again to everyone in Eddie Brock for doing such a rad and inspiring band!<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thank you so much for asking these questions!\u00a0 Really appreciate the interest.\u00a0 For the remainder of 2012 we are lying low, but we hope to see some familiar and new faces in 2013!<\/p>\n
Talk to us at eddiebrockmd@gmail.com<\/a> and, if you have a Facebook, check us out there, too: facebook.com\/eddiebrockmdhc<\/a>.\u00a0 See ya!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Interview by James Walkley 1). \u00a0When did Eddie Brock first begin as a band? \u00a0Were any of you in bands before this one? \u00a0Please share a little bit about those early days. There were a couple early bands before we officially became Eddie Brock.\u00a0 I wanted to start a band again\u00a0because\u00a0it was years since my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":4,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[225,1],"tags":[208],"class_list":["post-2384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews","category-news","tag-eddie-brock"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2384"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2393,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384\/revisions\/2393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolivealie.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}