When did you decide that a career in music was for you?

JP: Age 16 after I played a school assembly

Caden: I didn’t

Jared: Career or wanting to play music.  As a career it would likely disappoint.

 

Who are your musical inspirations and why?

JP: Ramones, Beatles, Johnny Cash and others too countless to name

Caden: Zepplin, Deep Purple

Jared:  The Who, Cliff Burton, Rush

Why?- why not.

 

Can you tell me 3 things about yourself that people might not already know?

J.P.- I like to read, at home I’m mostly quiet and keep to myself, I keep more to myself than people realize. 

 

What song of yours best describes you and why?

J.P.: My life story, semi autobiographical.  Lyrically I like to sprinkle lots of inside insights or jokes about myself into them.

 

What has been the best gig you have done to date and why?

Opening for the Sonics, Teenage head, Forgotten rebels- treated well, good crowd and positive feedback.  Any gig with good sound and stage that you can really enjoy just playing the songs.  Bridgeworks in Hamilton was like that both times we played, this ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton, the Danforth music hall, the bovine.  The sound and feel was fun to play.  Band was firing on all cylinders.

 

If you could perform a gig at any venue where would it be and why?

A big stadium show or arena because we never have and likely never will have that opportunity

 

What has been your best achievement to date and what would you like to achieve in the future?

Our current album “The Green Door”.  Very please about the songs, the sound and the overall finish product.  We’d like to continue writing and recording songs we think sound great and are good catchy songs.

 

Tell me a story from backstage or after a gig?

We’re pretty boring backstage.  Like to rest up or have a beer/food and talk to each other or another musician from another band. 

 

What do you like best about being a musician and why?

Playing music together.  It’s a rush to create and play music together.  Anyone in a band should tell you that.  I like to look at it as, who know maybe this is the last time I’ll get to do this.  So, enjoy it.  Very satisfying to make music and do that on a stage.

 

If you were not in the job you are now what would you be doing?

Making a living, paying the bills, groceries, laundry, dishes. Make enough money so I could finance doing this.

 

What has been the best gig you have been too as a fan and can you tell us about it?

The Jam, The Ramones, The Cramps, Nirvana in a smaller club, Green Day, Buzzcocks, iggy pop:  I was upfront for those shows and at smaller venues.   

 

What would your ideal festival line up be and why?

Bands I like and us- ha!  Because I’d like to see those band and get to play with them.

 

What would you say is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Do it for the joy of the music, fame is fleeting. Like the music you play and don’t chase a sound that is not yours.

 

What things make you happy and what things annoy you?

People (friends/family) and then people (stupid, annoying, low IQ people).

 

What things do you like to do when you are away from music?

Hang out with family and friends.  Hang at home, write, read, watch a movie, tv, watch a hockey game (the other band members would say game online)

 

Do you think social media and the internet are a good thing in the music industry?

Yes in the sense that it’s an avenue to get your music out there.  But mostly, No in the sense that it has flooded the market with anyone who wants to put something out.  It has cheapened music to the point where everyone doesn’t buy it, it expected to be free from the artist/band and only the platforms and big names make any money.

 

How important do you think your look and image is when it comes to being in the music industry?

It is too important when it shouldn’t be.  To the point where the image and hype often overshadows the music.  Style over substance.  Like the music is merely the soundtrack to all the other nonsense.

 

Can you tell us about any tattoos you have and the significance of them to you?

Our band logo…errr it’s our band.  And on my back a big one of my initials in an egg with my children’s names around it and my parents names and DNA spiralling towards the egg. Because- family is the center of my world.

 

If you run the country for a day what would you change about it and why?

Kindness, compassion and intelligence are valued and used in greater good/service to the population, Instead of ego, a thrust for power and catering to rich donors that got you there.

 

What would your ideal day consist of?

Get up when I want, coffee, good food, play music, hang with people I love/like.

 

If you could say one thing to your fans what would it be and why?

Tell your friends they should be fans too! (Ha!)

 

How would you answer the question Who are The Discarded? Also what are the differences between you as a music artist and you away from music ?

The Discarded are a band that plays very high energy, punk inspired rock n roll.  They write their own music and can play it very well.  We also happen to be a father and two sons and now one of their friends.  We are the same people just when we are in the band we are playing music.

 

What was the first record or song you purchased and why?

Earache my eye- I thought it was funny and had a heavy riff.

 

What would say to someone thinking about becoming a musician and getting into the music industry?

Get into music and not a music industry.  We aren’t making widgets we’re making music.  Become a musician, care about music, your craft, playing, writing and recording.  Be excited about that and the joy of playing.  As far as the industry, do what is necessary but stay true to yourself and music.  Be kind and create joy, don’t be an asshole or primidone.  Maintain integrity and you can always hold your head high regardless of what level of fame you attain.

 

 

If you could collaborate with any other band/singer or musician who would you choose and why?

A big famous one to see what that’s like but literally anyone who has a similar vision of creating music and making that an enjoyable experience with a cool output at the end of it.

 

If you could have written one song from history which would it have been and why?

Anyone that’s a cool rocking tune that was a #1 hit strictly for the monetary payoff and that I would enjoy playing/singing it.

 

What things make you uncomfortable?

Drama, violence, shitty attitudes and negativity.

 

If you wrote a book about yourself what would it have in it?

Everything, what happened, what I think and what would like to see the world like. 

 

What has the rest of the year got in store for you?

Well, it’s mid December as I write this but continued reviews and articles about the album and  band.  We like to hear what people think about songs we’ve written or talk about that.  January 3,4,5 we are heading back into the studio to lay down the beds for the next record.  Then we’ll work on that over the next year.  We like to play shows that are enjoyable.  Good sound, room, experience so we are down to do a few of those as well over the next year.