1.Please introduce
Special Noise.
Greg plays drums, Jef plays guitar/is a singer
2. How and when did the group come together?
Amicably, in a basement, with a newly acquired $40 drum set in maybe
grade 11, i guess 4 or 5 years ago?Just two best friends that liked
music, one of which wanted to learn how to play drums, the other wanted
to play guitar.
3. What does Special Noise mean to you?
A mix of things, for the most part a good time.
4. How would you describe your music to someone that has yet
to hear it?
With regret. If there's one thing i hate it's trying to describe music.
You're never really going to be able to tell people what it's like,
and your own view of your music is skewed with the fact that you think
about your part in the song, not the band as a whole, also skewed
by whether you want that person to like your band or not. Most of
the time i just say something like "it's indie rock or math rock,
we play strange chords and use strange time signatures". To some
people that means "good band" to others that means "wtf?".
Also sometimes you can tell people what you like to listen to and
that gives them an ok idea.
5. What inspires you as a band?
Other good bands as far as the music part goes and then everyday life.
Stuff like kids talking about who would win a fight - a unicorn or
a pterodactyl. That kind of stuff.
6.
Youth Club Records released your debut cd. How did this relationship
come about?
It was a split release with Out Of Touch (also a Halifax based label)
but basically we met Andy and Tyler through shows, they're good guys
on a whole and really awesome musicians. Andy was thinking of starting
up the label so he asked us and a few other bands in Halifax if we'd
like in. For us it was perfect timing because we already had a record,
we just needed the ability to have it manufactured. Andy pulled that
together and we had them ready for our first tour which was just about
beautiful.
7. You have an upcoming tour in August, what is your ideal show
situation?
Warm is always nice, any venue can work it's mostly a matter of if
people want to hear what you have to offer and if you're in a good
mood to present it nicely for them. We like to be close to the audience
and as a two piece that's pretty possible. It's nice to play with
bands that get us excited to. We're really stoked for this tour since
a lot of it is going to be shows with friends. Really just the fact
that we get to go across the country and maybe get some folks excited
is exciting.
8. Any interesting road stories from past tours?
Hmm, if I've got to think about it this long (it's taking me a few
minutes) I guess not. Our only other out of province tour went really
well, actually hold on, I just remembered something. The first time
I ever went to Montreal, Greg and I were going to meet up with my
brother's band Radarfame and play a show. Greg and I got into Montreal
late at night, we're not supposed to meet Radarfame for a few days
and all of our couches to sleep on were not answering the phone. So
we were kind of up all night in the new city trying to figure out
where was not sketchy to sleep and after checking inumerable roofs
that weren't climbable, sleeping in a park and having some sketchy
guy take a dump in front of us, ended up downtown in front of a shop
half asleep at 6 am while the business folk rolled in on buses. Then
Radarfame didn't show up for the show because their van died halfway
between Toronto and Montreal but somehow the people at the Electric
Tractor (RIP) just found enough gear for us to play a set and it was
fun as hell. I was most impressed that they had a lefty guitar i guess.
Those guys are nice guys.
9. What
is your musical background?
Well I grew up going to shows in the Halifax music scene, so sort
of all indie rock, then bands like The Plan and North of America brought
in mathy, punk, whatever and after that we listened to out of town
bands that were doing the same kind of things. We both listen to the
same music and whenever one of us is told about a band we tell the
other. If you want names - Thrush Hermit, Eric's Trip, Soaking up
Jagged, The Sycamores, Weights & Measures, Rockets Red Glare,
Rumah Sakit, Hella, Don Cab, etc. Also all of the bands we were playing
with were the same kind of things, not to say they were at all the
same styles, but they all kind of gave us something new to hear. (The
Burdocks, This Message Will Self Destruct, Radarfame, The Hold, Yellow
Jacket Avenger, Museum Pieces, Lighthouse Choir, Dog Day, etc).
10. What have your experiences been as a part of the Halifax independent
music community, both good & bad?
Mostly good I would say, everyone is supportive and inspiring, People
actually get things done, and really get things done, like put out
a cd and then it hits the top of the national charts. When we started
out people were always helping us with shows and stuff like that so
I'd say it's a really good community. Most of the bands and labels
are friends and everyone is basically excited about what the rest
are coming up with.
11. When do you think the best moment to listen to a Special Noise
record is?
When you feel like it? For me it's after a while of not hearing it,
I like it in headphones, big headphones. But also I think outside
with a pretty good boom box would be good too. I think you could probably
put it on when you're doing something, like cooking or fixing a bike
or building something. Those are good times for music.
12. What is your favourite dance party song?
Whenever someone throws on a beach boys song that's alllright. Lately
"Be true to your school" is in my head, I like when he says
"on Friday we'll be hoped up on the football field and I'll be
ready to fight, we're gonna SMASH em!" it sounds pretty meathead
violent removed from the song, but I just like how puts that little
emphasis on smash. But also for Greg and I it wouldn't have to be
a "dance party" song. If "Five Percent of Nothing"
from YES's Fragile came on during a party we'd probably both loosen
up. Greg is a pretty good party dj so really anything he throws on.
13. What's coming up next for the band?
Tour, and tour merch. It's right around the corner and we're still
trying to get shows, trying to know what we're doing and trying to
feel ready. We're hopefully going to have a quick little ep ready
and I also want to make tshirts but I don't know if both or either
will come together in time. We've got songs recorded, I've got designs
mocked up, but it's a tight schedule. Cross your fingers and I'll
cross mine.
14. How can ppl get in touch with you?
specialnoise@gmail.com, myspace.com/specialnoise,
write us a letter, knock on our door, flash the bat signal. (send
pie).
15. Final words?
When you’re alone and life is making you lonely // You can always
go downtown // When you got worries, all the noise and the hurry //
Seems to help, I know, downtown // Just listen to the music of the
traffic in the city // Linger on the sidewalks where the neon signs
are pretty // How can you lose? // The lights are much brighter there
//You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares // And go
downtown // Things’ll be great when you’re downtown //No
finer place for sure, downtown //Everything’s waiting for you.
