Hardcore/metalcore punks The Banner from Bloomfield, New Jersey has been one of those act's that is like a light switch coming on at times then going off at times. Over the course of their 13 years together they have gone on to release several EPs and full-length albums with a whole lot more material underway already. When it comes down to an act like The Banner there one of those types who do it when they feel like it and everyone who enjoys them is quite fine with it. Frontman vocalist Joey Southside took some time to discuss some historical info on the band and what the future has in-store for them.
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Joey: We started as a hardcore band in 1998 called XConstrictorX, that changed to Bruce Banner which became The Banner when we discovered a pre-existing band in Sweden or someshit had the same name. If they sucked we wouldn't have cared because we're American and thats what we do, but they were kind of awesome so we changed it.
2. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Joey: Our lyrical themes are usually about self loathing, depression, anger, that drivel in that sort. I don't want to send any message, I write what I am feeling for myself, if people relate and ejoy it then I think that's awesome.
3. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Joey: Like I said prior, we were originally Bruce Banner, so the name change kind of worked out with us in wanting to embrace the darker aspects of the band.
4. So tell me why does The Banner keep acting like a light switch when it comes to breaking up? What keeps causing this to happen?
Joey: We really only broke up once, maybe twice? That one time only lasted about two weeks. When I don't want to do The Banner then I don't, when it needs to happen it does. It's not really breaking up.
5. You guys have been around for over 10 years, what have you done to celebrate or do you plan on celebrating in any shape or form?
Joey: We have been around for 13 years actually and our debut EP Posthumous was recorded in 1999, we have no plans to celebrate really, it's kind of shocking people still care enough to keep us doing this after all these years.
6. Aside from being together for over 10 years, your debut release "Your Murder Mixtape" is in it's 10 year run, do you plan to do any showcases or touring with playing it in it's entirety?
Joey: We don't tour, we do weekend trips and things like that but anything longer than a week or so really doesn't appeal to us. We're all too crazy for that to be successful. But we probably would play it if that's what the fans wanted.
7. "Reflection In The Shadow Of The Beast" was an unreleased album, why was it not released and will it ever see a release?
Joey: We ended up releasing it on the internet. We were on label that was kinda crappy and we wanted to go do a record with our friend Carl. But the owner of that label thought Carl was going to get a payday and wanted us to hold onto our contractual 30 minutes of recording time. Unfortunately for him we were on a Neurosis kick at that time, and banged out a 30 minute track in about 48 hours. I think he didn't release it because the label folded. But I'm not so sure. It's been available on the internet for free with a little bit of searching.
8. "Born to Ruin I: Ill Will" is your newest release and is an EP release to top it off, what can you tell me about it?
Joey: Not much its basically a cleaned up glorified demo. We thought the songs were killer and wanted to get them out there to the people who wanted new music.
9. Where are you in the process of the new EP?
Joey: The EP has been done and out for a while and is available at Melotov Records.
10. Where did you record the EP?
Joey: It was recorded at the Stained Glass Studios in Hoboken.
11. How would you describe the overall sound of the new EP? How does it compare to Frailty?
Joey: I'd say it's more of a violent record sound wise. I hope so anyway. I think it's a pretty rational progression from our Frailty release. But my brain is stupid so who knows, I think it's good and heavy and dark that's the shit I like best.
12. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this EP?
Joey: Well the majority of the writing and stuff is done by me for the most part, this record was almost entirely me. No real other process than it was time to put out more stuff.
13. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Joey: We did some more digital stuff than we have done before, I've been leaning a lot towards my industrial roots. I'm looking forward to exploring that canvas of sounds search further.
14. When did you start writing for this EP? How was the songwriting process different/similar to previous releases?
Joey: A lot of these were written before Frailty, the next two EPs and the full-length were taken from a bank of about 40 or so songs, I've written in the down time.
15. "Frailty" was a sizable critical success. Did you feel any pressure to follow it up?
Joey: Not really, I'm my biggest critic. I usually only care what Garret our guitar player and co-founder thinks. He's usually nice enough to blow smoke up my ass to get me to want to release new stuff.
16. It's been years since we've heard material from you guys. Why such a long time period on getting material out there?
Joey: I write shit, then love it, then hate it, and throw it out and write new stuff all over again. I do this over again and again and again until someone demands I release something.
17. Which label do you call home as of today, you've have a track record of being apart of Blackout Records, Ferret Music, Warmachine Records, and Melotov Records. Whom is your calling card or do you guys prefer the DIY approach?
Joey: None really, Mel at Melotov is family and we do stuff with her because she gets my process and is supportive and awesome. We're doing another full length with Carl at Good Fight who started Ferret because, he's a good friend and he loves the music and understands how I am and is ok with it. It takes a special kind of masochist to want to work with me.
18. Can you go into one or two tracks on the EP? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?
Joey: Hmmm I'd have to pick....
Negative Zone - I suppose it's about taking in how shitty your life has become and dealing with your responsibility for it.
Lilith - I suppose it's a love song? It's about being attracted to a person in a self destructive relationship while you yourself are being the negative love interest of someone else. Someone who is probably way better for you. It's my version of the Eagle's "Desperado".
19. How was the vibe in the studio?
Joey: Awesome, Jeremy is a little dweeb but we work well together. He's disappeared somewhere again so who knows if we'll work together again.
20. When can we expect the new EP to be released?
Joey: It's been out for a while now go pick up a copy!
21. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Joey: Records, shows,and asinine tweets via our Twitter follow us!
22. Any final words of wisdom?
Joey: Theres not a germ of wisdom in my entire body.
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