Interview Rewind: Carrie Nations
November 4, 2007 by walkallday
To say that Carrie Nations blurred the lines between pop punk, indie pop and punk rock is quite an understatement. CN beat the hell out of those lines and topped off the brutality with one of the most energetic live shows you could ever hope to see. Carrie Nation’s album Be Still will always have a place in my top ten and filed under “perfect pop record”
Of the many times I saw Carrie Nations play live the first was the absolute most fun. The show took place at a hidden spot called Hobo Beach in Pensacola, Fl. After parking your car (or riding your bike, of course) and making your way up a steep embankment, you walked along the railroad tracks for about a quarter mile, hoping with all your might that a train didn’t come while crossing the rail bridge across the bay. Once across the bay you had to find a tiny little path leading through the woods that opened up to a small half-clearing right on the water.
What’s a half clearing? Nothing really, just a spot with five or six feet between the trees. This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb kicked off the gas-fueled generator show, playing for the 30 or so kids crammed between them and the water, peeking out from behind and from up in trees and trying not to dance ourselves into the water.
If you’ve ever seen Pipe Bomb play live you know they’re quite possibly one of the funnest dance party inducing bands imaginable. After that I didn’t think CN could top em. I never should have doubted their pop-dance party skills, though. CN rocked that tiny crowd on that tiny beach so hard we nearly couldn’t stand to continue dancing.
When they finally announced “This is our last song” and ripped into a quick 45 second pop gem, strumming the last note on the guitar at the absolute very second that the generator ran out of fuel, killing their amps and the tiny bare light bulb that had been illuminating the dark wooded spot. Standing there in the darkness, weak-kneed and panting, smiling like all hell, I knew this band was special.
Interview with Andre by Rich
Photograph take by Rich at Orlando Fest 2003
Please introduce Carrie Nations a give some background behind the band..
we are forrest, ian, jon and andre. we got together around 2001 summer-time in our fair city of athens .
Can you tell us a bit about the women the band is named after for those who don’t know?
Hatchet carrie, axe in one hand, bible in the other. she was a teetotaler last century, also its the name of a fake band in a really bad movie. that band was awesome, and we are infamous whistle wetters. so i guess its a joke sorta to us.
What does Carrie Nations mean to you?
its an addiction, but more chocolate than cocaine. we all get dts when we arent playing together.
What were the original goals and have they been met?
The only goal in the beginning was to play rock music in a way that wasnt trendy or bloated, real tight and to the point. i think we have accomplished that. everything else is just fate laziness and ingenuity.
What are the current goals of the band?
currently under renovation, permanently .
What are some of the things you try to communicate through the music?
we just tell stories, sometimes its unintelligible fact and fiction .
Do you think that politics and ethics are necessary for a punk band these days?
I think its obvious that it isnt necessary, but its important. respected bands have good ethics. but we arent in this band to tell anyone right from wrong, and weve never sung about it either. its really all about personality, as far as music goes, not dogma. i mean we are in this thing because we have certain ethics. so maybe its a matter of a band fitting into this comm-unity or not. we dont play punk or come from that background really, but the community is important to us because of how we live and where we feel we belong. punk cant only be about oppresion and capitalism, it has to rely in lifestyle choices and all the shitty and beautiful things that happen cuz we’re alive.
What drives you to play music as a band ?
its so fuckin fun. best thing in the world, aside from any artictic necessity to playing music, live rock and roll is the greatest celebration ever invented. sweat blood dancing….shows for us are like throwing an awesome party. complete realease and reckless abandon.
What inspires you?
everything imaginable.
What do you think sets Carrie Nations apart from other bands?
musically, we take it all lightly. let everything just happen, no genre limitations, just the creation of four people.
What bands influence you?
we are definitely an influenced band. from 60s and 70s rock like the who and thin lizzy, punk bands, every power pop band ever, lots of replacements-esque college rock, the country jangle pop of our hometown, but mostly early nineties indie rock, all the shit we heard growing up, and every band we have played with .
What is you musical background?
we’ve all been crazy about rock and roll since we were kids, we’ve lived in athens for a long time, its a huge music town, so it surrounds us.
What band made you want to be in your own band?
shit man, ive been wanting this since i was a little kid, its my life long dream, so i guess it was poison or motley crue .
What would have to happen for you to think that Carrie Nations should not play together anymore?
anything could happen, we grow up, we change. being in a working band is hard…on relationships, dreams, bank accounts. its difficuly to balance your dreams in music and working on that career daily, especially as a diy band, and trying to feel safe and secure with the rest of your life/ kids, debt, anything could happen. but never because we dont love it anymore.
What’s your favorite dance party song?
land of 10,000 dance by wilson pickett .
If your cd somehow got into the bmg catalogue, how would they describe Carrie Nations?
a superchunk cover band .
What plans are in store for the future?
lots of new recordings and a west coast tour in november 2004 .
Any final words?
no, i’m so smart i never shut up .
How can kids contact you?
carrierox@hotmail.com
www.carrienations.net
649 N. Milledge Ave
athens, ga 30601
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