Honestly I didn't plan on doing this interview for a while, but considering I like to procrastinate in class and Justin was online, I decided why not just do the interview? I mean, it's one over AOL instant messenger, but anything works. Please keep in mind that even though I am talked about in this interview, I am used in the 3rd person. Here it goes:xOMx: What were your intentions upon starting PO? Justin: My intentions? Make music, have fun, sell my records at Best Buy... the intentions of every band OBVIOUSLY.
xOMx: Haha nice.
Justin: INDEED.
xOMx: Compared to the 2007 Demo, your new EP Barren Wasteland has shown a change of sound and structure. What made you decide to do this and what does the future hold musically for PO?
Justin: That 2007 Demo was very very very limited by the abilities of our drummer at the time, not being able to handle intricate parts, but while playing we also realized, we needed to progress so we dropped the hammer on him and went through like four other drummers. Throughout that time, our guitarist, William Hirst, was writing more songs on guitar. Once we came across our current drummer, Dave Moson, everything pieced together. Still hunting for a bassist we came across Keith Freeman. Everyone coming from different backgrounds has caused us to write some music we never dreamed of coming from Western Mass, but it did and it sounds great.
xOMx: Well that sort of answers the next question, which was going to be about the process of finding an established line up.
Justin: Haha myspace. And other bands. Dave's in a band called All I've Got (www.myspace.com/allivegotx) and Keith is in a band called Alert (www.myspace.com/alertstraightedge). Me and Will are friends with the members of both bands. We asked Dave if he wanted to play drums. He said yes, and we asked Keith to play bass and he said yes. xOMx: Now I understand that you're doing a split 7" with Use Your Head! which is most likely coming out sometime in December, followed by an east coast tour, you're first tour. Are you excited about these progressions and did you ever think you'd come this far with the band? Justin: Oh definitely. I've been wanting to do a split for a while. Doing it with Use Your Head! will be wicked fun. And touring, well that's something I've ALWAYS wanted to do. Having a chance to do this is going to be a great experience and test of will for Pressure's On. We all know the hard times and complications that come with touring. I think it's going to be great.
xOMx: Alright that's great. Now as an influence, what personally has inspired you to even start a band? And what inspires you lyrically and motivates you?
Justin: Well I've been going to shows for about 7 years now and I've seen so many bands. Performing my own music in front of people just seemed like such a rush, but being really young at the time, I was busy with school so I had no time for a band. Once I got out of school I started a band and it was horrible, but right after that me and Will started Pressure's On. Me being a vocalist lets me get out a lot of emotions. That's where a lot of my lyrics come from but some, like the closer off the Barren Wasteland EP, all came from my brain. A story of a man, trapped in the desert. What motivates me is the music, the atmosphere, everything. I love playing shows, I love going to shows. Having people come out to my shows and enjoy themselves is one of the best feelings.
xOMx: Now, being a band from Western Mass, is it difficult establishing support from local kids? Do you feel it's important for the locals to support PO, or Western Mass bands in general?
Justin: Here it goes. Yeah it's difficult. People here have a different vision on what's GOOD and what's the same boring repetitive breakdown after breakdown after breakdown of the same chug chug bullshit. If you're into that, cool, but you're giving hardcore a bad name. Ask anyone on the street what they think hardcore is and they'll say "isn't that the music that goes RAW RAW RAW with the really low boring guitars?" Yeah. The locals out here, some support us, some don't, and some PRETEND to support us. I'm not going to say support your scene, but support bands trying to make a difference. Support original bands, support bands who DON'T fit the mold. Support bands that are doing this all on their own. don't support bands because some dude who's got a mightier than thou mentality supports them. Support them because they deserve it.
xOMx: Great point.
Justin at the Waterfront Tavern 2008Photo by www.returntothepit.com
xOMx: On a similar note, there are other bands emerging from Western Mass. All I've Got, Use Your Head!, Alert, Keepin' It Real, and Where I Stand just to name a few. Honestly what direction do you think this place is going?
Justin: To be honest. The quality of bands has nothing to do with the quality of the fans. No ones coming out to shows unless certain bands play. No one's really enjoying hardcore out here. A lot of the bands playing out here have got something to prove, but most just are here for the street cred. We have venues shutting down left and right and no one's opening new ones.
xOMx: So there is a lack of support here it seems. But do you think it'll continue to go on this way? What will it take for kids to get more into the music as opposed to the image?
Justin: Yeah there's a lack of support. It's a downwards trend, gas prices go up, kid's wallets shrink down. No one's got money for shows anymore. No one wants to travel to shows anymore. I'm sure once gas goes down, people will come back.
xOMx: Alright. One last question going back to the band. What do you think the future holds for Pressure's On?
Justin: The future, more shows and a new direction with the music. We're aiming for a more technical sound on the brink of 108 but still a Pressure's On feel. Heavy but still audible. Just be ready for music that people haven't heard coming out from Western Massachusetts
xOMx: Any last remarks?
Justin: Support hard working bands. Be on the look out for Siberia in the next few months featuring ex members of Conqueror, 315, and current members of Pressure's On. DIXXX
Well you have it. Exclusive interview with J-Kirk himself.
Keep an eye and an ear out for Pressure's On, and check them out this sunday October 5th at the Waterfront Tavern in Holyoke with Since The Flood (last show), On Broken Wings, The Miles Between, Outrage, Keepin' It Real, and Before The Sky.
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