Björn talks with Shaun from Outlast about the band, the allmighty edge and the reasons why CDs suck in 2010! Go!
UtopiaNow First and foremost:
How are you and how are things going with Outlast at the moment?
Outlast: Things are going well. We have had a great 2010. We got to play some unbelievable shows with some inspiring bands. Just this past month we were lined up with bands like Mindset, Hands Tied, the CRO MAGS. So we're definitely stoked to finish out the year on a strong note. We're also patiently waiting for our new 7" to finish pressing. TAKE CONTROL is the title of it, and Bottled Up Records will be putting it out, and the sooner we can get that out of the oven, the better.
UtopiaNow: Have you ever played in other bands before? What was your reason to start a band?
Outlast: Each of us have played in bands before Outlast, and I think that our varied styles mix well and offer maybe a different perspective to what were doing now. I played in Passion prior to Outlast, which was a much more abrasive, loud, Catharsis/Hope Conspiracy vibe. Ian and Joe played in Petition, which was an awesome Strife inspired, Chorus style Straight Edge band. And this is Daves first hc band. He played in a pop punk/rock band The Glory Days a few years back. So we all had our feet wet, and now we're looking to push Outlast in everyones face possible.
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UtopiaNow What are your musical influences and how would you describe your music?
Outlast: Well all of our influences vary from person to person. We all could list separate groups of bands that look nothing like one anothers, haha. We can listen to everything from She & Him to Trapped Under Ice to Youth of Today. As a whole the bands we wanted to show tribute to include The First Step (their final show really got me into gear to get things going and hold out hope that one day we could put on a show that could have an impact on someone like that did did for me) In My Eyes (musically one of my favorite bands. Nothing To Hide is probably my most listened to record) and currently going Mindset (The attitude they have is 100% no bullshit, play every show, never hold back even if there are 2 kids watching) All amazing bands with very urgent and poignant things to say. I would describe us simply as a straight edge hardcore band. That may lump us in with a TON of bands that would fall in the same category, but we'd definitely be in good company.
UtopiaNow:When I think of New Jersey Hardcore, then I think of the brilliant Band Floorpunch first. Has NJ a big scene and are there other awesome bands in your area that you could recommend?
Outlast:
Well Floorpunch has a big worldwide scene haha. When they play a show, people travel far a wide to be there. We were in attendance at the Six Feet Under showcase in philly when they played their final US show and we saw our friends from Michigan, Canada, Maryland there as well. Its been weird for NJ hardcore lately. There seem to be a lot of bands stuck in the mid 2000's playing breakdown metalcore. Which is cool if thats what you your heart set on, just not what I personally want to hear in 2010. And most of our state shows have been with bands like that. We honestly seem to go over much better hundreds of miles from home for some reason.
Michigan has some amazing bands like Face Reality, Ohio housed some really fun shows with bands like Right Idea, But as for NJ, Its tough to find many bands to carry the banner that Floorpunch or Mouthpiece carried. My Turn To Win, Hands Tied to name a few. But with the lack of steady venues or kids that really care, we're kinda forced to head to other states to stake our claim.
UtopiaNow: As a straight edge band, what does straight edge mean to you? Do you see it as a movement or is it a personal thing that should be chosen by everyone on their own?
Outlast Straight edge means a lot to me personally as well as the band. I think its a little bit both a movement and a personal decision. Personally for me, it's kept me clean, healthy, and in check. It felt right to me and has ever since I first heard about it when I was like 14 or 15. A lot of younger kids may get swept up in the hype of being straight edge looking to fit in and be apart of something, anything. In turn they take it to an unreasonable degree without really knowing themselves or what straight edge truly is and can be. That's why I believe straight edge gets a bad reputation at times, by the half hearted actions and words by a few bad apples. As with everything, there are pros and cons, but at the end of the day the good outweighs the bad and I have no issue saying I'm straight edge. As a band, we're proud to X up at shows, talk about it and stand behind it, though we're not going to condemn anyone that drinks or look down on anyone just because they aren't. Some of our best friends and favorite bands are drinkers, but good people are good people, edge or no edge.
UtopiaNow: What do you think of militant edgers and bands who propagate violence against people drinking alcohol or smoking?
The militant edge is not a joke. It makes for great song/lyric content, but in reality it hurts more than it helps. You could curb-stomp a coke dealer, or firestorm a liquor store, but theres just going to be another shithead peddling on the corner, and another bigger liquor outlet down the street getting more business. If you really want to make a lasting impact, make yourself a positive example. Prove the Geraldo clips wrong, and do something to help rather than hurt. Aram from React Records said something in a interview I read that struck a chord with me, something to the effect of, "you can still wear your streetwear and nikes while helping your community."
UtopiaNow What about things like veganism or vegetarism? Is anybody of you vegan or vegetarian and why or why not? Do you support any political organisations or groups?
Outlast: Some of us are, some aren't. I myself am a vegetarian going on 7/8 years. Simply put, I needed a change around my 18th birthday, and gave it a shot. I started feeling generally better, noticed I would get sick less so it stuck. We have pro vegan/veg songs, but dont try to be preachy, same with being straight edge. Plus had I not made the change, I'd probably still be eating the same boring cheeseburgers and never felt compelled to try some of my current favorite Indian/Thai foods haha.
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UtopiaNow: What do you think about the d.i.y. ideals in our scene? Is d.i.y. the best way to hold the scene alive or is it not effective enough because you can’t reach a lot of people this way?
Outlast: DIY all the way. Its probably a little more difficult but its the only way to ensure your Bands deals and convictions wont be compromised. I've played some larger venues in other bands in the past where they make you sign a contract that you wont use profanity, or speak against the venue's religious beliefs. I understand why they did it, but it just felt wrong. I'd be more content and satisfied having less people hear us but having the final product be exactly what we want without any compromise.
UtopiaNow: Which hardcore/punk record stoked you at last and why?
Outspoken: Most recently Mindset - Time & Pressure, NAILS - Unsilent Death and My Turn To Win - No Challenge
UtopiaNow: Your personal top five hardcore/punk releases ever: That's a tough one. Though they may change in an hour, right now I'd say:
1. Kid Dynamite - S/T
2. Bane - Give Blood
3. Sick Of It All - Take A Look Around
4. The Promise - Believer
5. In My Eyes - Nothing To Hide
UtopiaNow: Which are your favourite hardcore/punk bands from Europe? True Colors were great, I really enjoyed Raised Fist, The OG Outlast is awesome, and I'll say Refused too.
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UtopiaNow: Do you prefer vinyl or cd and why?
Vinyl all the way! CDs are a dead format in 2010. They have been for years. Vinyl sounds better, its way less expensive to produce and press, and it feels much more valuable.
UtopiaNow: What are your future plans and are there any plans for a new record?
We have the new 7" TAKE CONTROL coming out soon on Bottled Up Records. We're really excited to get that out and incorporating those songs into our set. A short tour heading down south in January, and hopefully out again in the spring summer!
UtopiaNow: Thank you very much! Any last words or comments?
Outlast: Pre Orders are now up and being handled at http://bottleduprecords.bigcartel.com/ Support worldwide straight edge, eat burritos, stagedives.
Thanks Brother,
Shaun
Bassist
OUTLAST
(the images used are taken from the outlast website: photo by Tailer Sladen)
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