Carson and his band mates Joel, Tarek and Tye, recently sat down for an interview to discuss the Winnipeg band's success since stepping out on the scene. Seeing as they consider their first 'good show' to be on a Supernova.com stage, Against Belief is the perfect band to bring home for bragging rights as our latest Featured Artist.
So Carson, how does each individual fit into the band?
I'll do this in alphabetical order.
Carson Mouth - That's me! I sing, play one of the two guitars, I've written most of our songs, and hell, I'm writing this questionnaire.
Joel Bedard - The second guitarist to have been in the band. Once our old guitarist, Greg (who still appears in all of our pictures), decided to go his own way, we realized that our old friend, Joel, played guitar. He's mostly in the band just because he kicks ass.
Tarek 'Drum Terrorist' Rashwan - This is the guy who, along with me, started Against Belief. If it wasn't for his shed and his drumset, then there would be no Against Belief. Good thing, or bad thing? I don't know.
Tye Sitar - Bassist supreme. The first, and only bassist we've had in the band. Why change a good thing? The man does backing vocals, and has written some music as well.
I delved into our history a bit with the previous question, but now it's time for the history lesson.
The year was 2003, or 2004, I can't remember. Regardless, Tarek, Tye and I were into Bad Religion and The Offspring. We eventually learned how to play a couple of their songs, and wrote a couple of our own (Trends Are Cults being the first).
We played them horribly, played infront of our old elementary school, then finally recruited Greg Giesbrecht into the band. Greg's guitar skills were what made early-Against Belief listenable at all, since none of us but him knew what we were doing. Soon though, Greg finished his work with us, and started his own band which pretty much consists of the same members. We shortly picked up Joel to play guitar for us, and had to teach him the rhythm of punk, since all he had been playing was death metal.
Against Belief poses with Greg Hetson of Bad Religion and The Circle Jerks
How would you describe your band’s sound?
If anyone asks me this question, and I'm in a hurry, then I'll usually reply with 'an early Bad Religion with a less vocally talented voice'.
However, when I wish to go into detail, I'll usually say that we are a combination of the early 90's melodic punk, and Winnipeg's trademark hardcore. I don't know, though. You tell us what we sound like.
Was there any particular moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue music full time?
I remember back in the year 2007, we had our first 'good show', which coincidentally was a Supernova show.
The feeling I took from that was that if you deliver with your music, then good can only come from it. Since then my grades have been slipping and I remain without a job. Thank you, Supernova!
Heh, you're welcome... what brought you to Supernova.com?
I believe Kade from the now defunct Relentless Generation recommended Supernova to us in our early stages of musicianship. It gave us a good place and stage to learn and develop our skills, so of course I would tell other artists about the site!
What is the most rewarding thing about being in a band?
Certainly not the revenue, that's for sure. However, no price can ever beat the feeling of people watching you on-stage who are fixated with what you're playing and doing. A sense of knowing that your voice is being heard, and that someone is paying attention.
Then again, when you get a bad show, or recording, then it just feels like crap.
What makes your band unique?
I'm very fucked up and inconsistent when it comes to song-writing. I write whatever I feel like writing at a certain time, then put a song together. In turn, Against Belief produces some strange and weird music, all the while keeping that good ol' punk attitude!
Also we're constantly getting better and better. Don't like us now? Check us out next year.
Who would you most like to tour with?
It has forever been a wet dream of mine to share the stage with Bad Religion. Unfortunately, though, that will never happen. So, I guess I'll say... my bandmates?
If you had to listen to one album on repeat for the rest of your life, what album would it be and why?
Anything else new listeners and loyal fans should know?
Today, we are just leaving high school and are about to part ways. We have many songs up our sleeve, though they remain with the band name itself. So, though it sucks, the band will hopefully continue on even with the absence of a couple of members. But until then, we'll get in as much recordings and shows as possible.
Furthermore, I put up a new song, Edification exclusively for Supernova. Fuck the Myspace page!
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(LOL, thanks Carson!)
Fans should also check out some of the hilarious videos (starring Carson) that these guys have up online... like the Multiplayer Swine Flu rant or any one of their video game covers like The Dark Crystals (FF3) video... Punks at their finest!
"Greg's guitar skills were what made early-Against Belief listenable at all, since none of us but him knew what we were doing". Only productive thing said in this whole questionnaire.
