WITHIN PUNK ZINE INTERVIEW WITH
BEN SIR
WORST DAYS DOWN
APRIL 08, 2017 BY EMAIL
COURTESY OF MELANIE KAYE PR
J.B: So okay let’s talk about this latest release titled “Elsewhere” you started out as a one man band usually doing acoustic and now this release is a full on full band? BEN: It sure is. I started playing acoustically when a previous band broke up, but I very much wanted to continue playing music. I took a volunteer position in Guatemala in 2010 and being on my own I started plucking acoustically. That way I could keep playing and touring until I had another group of friends to start a band with, despite not knowing what the hell I was doing with an acoustic guitar. J.B: You’re also referred to as Edmonton’s “Super group”? BEN: That is very kind of people to say, and we are very lucky to have so many creative and talented friends here in the city. I personally feel lucky to play with people whose other bands I’m a genuine fan of. When I first started playing solo I was just discovering Audio/Rocketry and fell in love with them. To have two of their members, as well as Kevin who also plays in Fire Next Time, be a part of Worst Days is really cool. It also makes touring together quite practical. J.B: Of course that previous album was “Money, God and other drugs” how do you view that creative writing to “Elsewhere” I know that you just came back from some humanitarian work that may have left you inspired? BEN: Absolutely. At the time my band broke up, a relationship ended and I just finished University. I wanted to do something positive and productive so I started searching for wildlife volunteering positions. Growing up and listening to socially conscious bands like Good Riddance and Strike Anywhere has always lodged in my brain that there are so many things bigger than ourselves. I wanted to participate in that. It was a challenging position to work
with threatened, injured and confiscated wildlife. To see death on a daily basis was heartbreaking, but necessary in order to help in the small way that I could. J.B: Doing an extensive tour that was opening for some iconic bands like Lagwagon, The Flatliners , and Brendan Kelly did any of that Influence the feel of it from the iconic folk/Americana writing styles? BEN :It’s a bizarre feeling to become friends with people that you grew up admiring. The Flats guys I’ve known for over a decade due the tried and true tradition of putting up bands and providing a place to crash. I enjoy doing that and it makes touring a lot easier when you know there’s a place you can be comfortable at. Especially in a city like Edmonton that is far removed from many places, and in the winter especially, not the most desirable location to play. Brendan is a sweetheart that I fly in once a year and he’s really become an ambassador for Edmonton. I don’t think it’s necessarily an influence thing, but a quote of theirs I think sums it up well is ‘look to your friends for your inspiration.’ J.B: The scene has changed and evolved to be so various how do you view the scene where it is today? Do you still view it as being socially aware and political? BEN: Not every band has to be overtly political, but for me punk rock is always going to be involved with social awareness. There are so many subgenres and subscenes now, some of which I’m sure I’m not aware of. But between playing in a band, but also running a bar and venue in Edmonton, I think I’m able to keep informed of what’s going on. I may not understand everything, but it’s
encouraging to me that social norms are changing. Things aren’t perfect, particularly with the current rise of far right ideologies, but I am optimistic about the amount of opposition apparent within music. J.B: On “Elsewhere” you have tracks like “Anchor” that has a perfect match of solid bass lines interesting tonal chords and vocals that punch and not over power the feel with that lyrical content of hard times but looking forward and keeping your roots strong? BEN:It’s s funny to me. I set out wanting to right an upbeat positive song about a great day I had on tour in Vancouver, and of course it took a darker turn. But it is optimistic, acknowledging how your friends keep you grounded and get you through difficult times. It’s pretty representative of most of the lyrics, finding the optimism and silver lining within the black clouds. J.B: the recording almost sounds live off the floor what you hear is what you get almost analog like it was back in the day? Where was it done? Was it done on an A.P.I? BEN: A fella named Brad Smith recorded and mixed the album here in Edmonton. We were thinking of recording in Vancouver, and I’d really like to record an album (excuse the wordplay,) elsewhere someday, but this album felt like a byproduct of Edmonton so it made sense to do it here. Brad is a lovely guy and has a studio called Velvetein Audio. He’s not really a punk rock guy, so it was a welcome experience to collaborate with someone who isn’t just an echo chamber of what we like and are used to. He’s also a great communicator so there was never any stress or difficulties with sharing differing opinions. I’m excited to work with him more in the future. I wish I could say we pulled it all off live off the floor, but it was a mixture of that and punching parts in and out. J.B: The album cover is really reflective of the feel of this album that’s reflective of the song ‘Everything you never did” A song about getting away getting lost and leaving it all behind? BEN: I’m glad you dig the artwork and name of the album. I’ve never been the best at coordinating those two things, but once I wrote that song, it became clear how well the name represented a lot of the themes on the album. And shortly after I thought about that picture which I took when driving overnight from Vancouver to Edmonton after a show with Joey Cape. The feeback regarding the
artwork has been very positive. As for the song itself, it’s been interesting to hear people’s interpretations. It’s actually about a specific instance of a friend confessing some traumatic experiences they endured growing up, and holding that in for over two decades. Some of the lines are literal and taken from our conversation and attempting to overcome those traumas. J.B: Entropy has to be one of the best tracks that pounding snare and kick beats hard along the bass lines and up chords the perfect feel good song with backup vocals that have that classic punk feel is this the possible new direction of things to come? BEN: It was one of the last songs we wrote for the album and certainly one we enjoy playing live. It’s a banger. It’s funny to be on Gunner’s roster now as a couple of the lines are quotes from him. When I toured acoustically in Europe two years ago, I met him for the first time and after my set he said ‘no death, no girls, no heartbreak, you need a party song.’ But it is a pretty dark song at times, so I included those words. Thankfully our relationship worked out and he thought it was funny. We are currently cracking into writing the next album and there certainly will be some energetic songs in that vein. J.B: You guys are going out touring again starting in Edmonton then ending up at Pouzzafest? Are you stoked for Pouzzafest? And is there any chance perhaps of a secret acoustic set? BEN: Ah Pouzzafest you magnificent harlot. I’m very excited to get back to Montreal, it’s a great festival in a great city. I would love to do a secret acoustic set, but being a smaller band on the roster, I’m not sure how much attention will be devoted to us. All we can do is work and play our hardest in support of this album, and hopefully people are intrigued to check us out. I just hope we’re not playing at the same time as Iron Chic because that would break my heart. J.B: How awesome is it to be part of the infamous Gunner Records? BEN: Within these answers I realize I’ve used the word ‘lucky’ a lot, but it’s a mixture of pride and luck. I’ve never had label backing before and we are very proud to be on a roster alongside so many bands we adore. The relationship started due to hard touring and work, but it still feels a bit foreign to have a knowledgeable and dedicated team putting their faith in us. We will certainly
do all we can to not let them down. Provided natural selection doesn’t pick me off soon, I think I’ll still feel like a little punk rock kid even when I’m a crusty old fossil, and little punk rock Ben can’t believe we’re putting out records on the same label that released Gaslight Anthem, Mischief Brew, Red City Radio etc. Feels good. J.B: If you could tour with any band who would it be that inspired your sound and someone that just make the perfect lineup? BEN: My ideal tour would be opening for The Flatliners, Strike Anywhere and Rancid (or The Bouncing Souls.) The Flats because they show you can be a great band and people simultaneously, and all that a group of friends can accomplish together. Strike Anywhere for their passion, intelligence and positivity, to so poetically and aggressively articulate that there are so many things bigger than ourselves and that it is our job as human beings to overcome injustice. And Rancid because they’re the band that changed everything for me and turned me into a punk rocker for life, as cheesy as that sounds. J.B: We always end with a famous book or quote that inspired your life anything come to mind? BEN: My favorite movie of all time is Disney’s Robin Hood. The next time I play in Nottingham in The UK I plan on getting ‘Oodelaly’ tattooed on my knuckles. ‘Oodelaly Oodelaly golly what a day.’ That’s how I feel after a good show or tour. You got to connect with people and see a part of the world with your friends, making stupid jokes and listening to music you love, all because we fell in love with punk rock.
A SONG FOR DAVID / ANCHORS UNMASTERED