Interview with Scott Wade / Comeback Kid on 12-21-04

I´ve just watched the DIE TONIGHT video on the FACEDOWN Records Homepage and had to think about how great the shows have been that you played here in Europe. The shows have been smaller like in the States, I bet so, but the atmosphere seems like to be the same everywhere: EVERYBODY LOVES Comeback Kid, everybody is totally fascinated by this band. So after 4 weeks Europe...how do you feel? Was it good to come back again?
Yeah, it was wonderful to come back. The first time we hit Europe we were still a new band, so it was great to come back and have kids know our songs a whole lot more. As for being bigger in the US, thats not completely true, I mean the Die Tonight video was shot all over Florida and California, with footage from FD fest and it appears that we are larger than we are, but those are strong areas for us to play in.

What did you like most about Europe? Did you get the chance to see anything, I mean all this tourist stuff?
Yeah, I saw a ton more stuff this year because of motivation and money. I was so broke last year, I couldn't afford to do anything! But this year I got to see the eiffel tower, the tower of pisa, the sistine chapel, Anne Frank's house, a concentration camp, took a ride on a gondola in Austria to "heaven" So amazing. Had such a good time.

Europe second time together with Champion- both bands fit together quite well. Do you like and appreaciate each other a lot? Will there be further tour plans together? One day a sideproject with members including both bands?
I love those guys to death. We spent the summer touring the US with them and then we did Europe so we got to know each other quite well. As for future plans we hope to release a split 7" together, and maybe start a family... what?

Hahha, what was the funniest happening on tour with the Champion guys?
Damn, that's tough. Hmmm. One night we got ultra gay and were going to streak the club we were staying at for the night, but as we were about to go running through the doors we opened them and the club owners were standing right there. Andrew was the only one who still yanked off this underwear and ran through while the rest of us, including our driver Balazs, ran back upstairs. It was hilarious.

Back to Europe: what did you like most about Europe? What did you miss here in comparison to Canada?
I really liked how there wasn't any fights at shows out there. There isn't so much of a problem here in Canada but it's getting bad in the US, it was nice to see everyone getting along haha. I miss the little things like some of the food, the great vegan food we got fed so often. They treat bands a whole lot better as far as food and such go, in Europe.

Are you vegan? What was the most shocking / aggressive thing you experienced at a show? A sidenote: I´m really astonished that you mention this "fight" thing because what I experience here in germany is that shows are becoming more aggressive and violent dancing is on the advance.
That doesn't suprise me because I find that Europe picks up a lot on the US trends, as do a lot of scenes outside of the US. By the way I am not Vegan, but I love the food haha. But as far as seeing terrible things, I saw people get beat with chairs and such this past summer at a fest. It was so out of hand.

Seems like more and more anger and hate is reigning on the shows....what do you think: why did this change?
I have no clue. I guess things evolve one way or another and it's trying to become more extreme. If it carries on this way I can see there being a backlash and kids going against it. It´s always that way. Things go in circles.

That`s true. Do you think that the hardcore scene is like every subculture- rise and fall? And if so, at what point are we now?
I think we are a point of division. I hate that there in a division is such a small scene already. But were also at a rise because of the current trends and that more and more kids are searching the underground for music, and kids are getting into hardcore to avoid all the pop none sense out there.

What are your wishes? Do you want hardcore to stay small and underground or hardcore to grow and become an accepted lifestyle by everyone?
I don't know. I don't think like that. I basically want to play music and have it available to all who want to hear it. I have no illusions of grandeur, to be huge and famous, I think that menatlity itself is not for Hardcore.

Ok, let´s change subjects: you mentioned that Europe picks up a lot of US trends...did you meet any Euopean band that makes a difference- their own style?
Not on this trip, but I mean in general theres not too many places you can go with HC. Refused was the last band to set the bar higher.

Let´s talk about your upcoming record “Wake the dead” that will be in stores on february 22nd (same here in europe I guess) what do we have to expect? What is it about? How was the songwriting process? Did you write during touring, because you`ve been quite a lot on tour the past 2 years and what about the title? Who is dead? Who do you wanna wake up? Is it a very personal record?
I guess my expectations with the record was to top the last one. It was a hard process cause we had the burden of our last record being well recieved that we weren't sure what kids would want or expect from our latest offering. But we just ended up writing the record we wanted to, and hope kids like it. basically 'Wake The Dead' is an outcry to our generation, the kids I know who feel like they have no direction and are the living dead. Zombies in their jobs. Ou r records will always be personal.

No direction? Do you have direction? What is the message? How to get rid of that “zombie lifstyle”?
It's kind of hard to figure that out, I think we all feel that sense of usless-ness. I still feel that way but I won't just give up, im searching for my own personal truth. A sense of purpose.

So you`re still in search of it?
Absolutely.

I think it´s rad that you`re gonna release on Victory records now. Is there anything bigger? I don´t think so. What´s next?
We're hitting up Australia and Japan in January and we'll be hitting the road in the US with Bane in support of our new record.

You`re looking forward to this? Any further plans for 2005? You`re touring all the time...don`t you miss family and friends?
I miss my family and friends a whole lot, but I understand I am lucky to be able to do this now, and it won't last forever.

So what will you do when this comes to an end? Have you ever thought about that or is it just too far away and you relax and enjoy the good times you`ve been given to now?
I have been thinking about going back to school even while doing the band. I have a passion for art and I would like to pursue that, perhaps in graphics as well.

How did you get involved in music? When did this start?
Comeback Kid started around 2001, but I've been going to shows since I was 16, sneaking into 18+ clubs to check out all the bands I loved at the time. I just love music, not just hardcore.

Who inspires you?
I dunno. It's hard to say. I actually wrote a song on the new record about idols and how we build people up and put these huge expectations on them and they always fall short of them. Basically people are people, them being in a band or not, and you can't expect them to change your life, thats up to you. We build people up only to watch them fall. I think my heroes and idols are dead.

I agree with that. people still remain people. But are there any bands / singer who inspired the job you`re doing now in Comeback Kid?
Hmm. I love Nas and Morrissey. They help inspire me.

Lyrically?
Yes.

What is your favourite Morissey song? Angel, angel down we go together?
I love that song! That actually is probably my favourite Morrissey song... ah you love MySpace!

Hahaha, I read that on your profile and besides of that: I love Morrissey too.
Awesome.

Before you`re heading over to Australia there is Christmas. Will you be with your family? Does Christmas time have any meaning for you,or is it just buying presents, being stressed and hanging out with family?
It`s all of that basically haha. I get to hangout and eat with my family, only my immediate family lives in Winnipeg so it's not a big thing, just my sisters, my mom and stepdad and me.

Now let`s make some word association. Do you know what this is?
Yea, lets do this!

Okay, I say a word and you tell me what comes in your mind!
HATE
Viva.

LOVE
Hate.

VOID
Voivod.

BEER
Cherry.

BANE
Probably the most important band in hardcore of our time.

BUSH
League.

PURITY
pretty mis-spelled.

Is this the answer?
Haha yea. I dunno why, but that was the first thing that popped in my head

Ok, one more: GERMANY
Smoking.

MEH
Meh.

CHAMPION
Best dudes ever.

And one last: BOOBS Let´s say depending on the spirit.
Real over fake. what?

Can you make a short characterisation of your band...who is the “band-hitler”, the so called “bandnazi”?
Depends on what topic.I dunno what you mean?

Like who is the choleric,who is the clown, who is the ....blabla...you know what I mean? In every band there are certain roles.
Hmm, Jeremy is master of politics, Andrew likes girls, Kyle likes young girls and I'm an idiot. Kevin our new bass player likes to caulk.

So Kevin is now permanent member of CBK?
Yes.

Thanks for taking time doing this interview. Any last words, shoutouts?
Shout outs to you, Guideline, all our friends in Europe.

Thanks. Many ex/ohs to all the comeback kidssss, love you guys
Thanks!