By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) Your music is often described as punk/punk rock. How would you describe your sound?
A) I’ve always thought of us as a punk band. Technical, sure, but I’ll let someone else put it in the right category.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) my bandmates and classic rock
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Crimson.”
A) A desperate feeling of loneliness. You know that things aren’t right in the world, yet the voices of media, government and sycophants supporting them tells you the opposite. Terrible injustices pile up in front of your eyes, but these visualizations become a sea of echoes that are loud and disorientating. You’re not alone.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think we’re all just trying to figure life out and clearly the world is not being run by people that care about the general population.
“Brandy Wine” has always been a nice singalong.
Q) Your album Seven Years of Bad Luck is out here this month. What are some themes you explore on it?
A) Hope and unity good. Bad guys – really bad.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Music first and vocal melody next and lyrics last
Q) The album was co-produced by Casey Lewis and Steven Rawles, but much of a hand/say does the band have in the production of your music?
A) All of it
Q) My favorite of the eleven tracks on the album are “Great Expectations” and “I Hope This Email Finds You Dead.” Which of the songs on this album holds a special place in your heart?
A) “Crimson” really hit home for me. It was the last song. I finished and struggled with the most. It ended up being my favorite song on the record.
Q) What songs off Seven Years of Bad Luck are you looking forward to performing live?
A) “Crimson,” “I Hope This Email Finds You Dead,” “Liability” and “Dormitory”
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
A) Man, we gotta get together and fix this world. Stop playing with our phones and see the world is being sucked out right underneath us and our future generations.
Q) You’re recently back from a big tour. What can fans expect from a live Belvedere performance?
A) Just got back from Canada tour and flying to Europe right now. Old guys jumping and making jokes and still loving what we do.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) Italy, Japan, Brazil, Belgium and Quebec. All wonderful fans and extra excited at the show. But there’s too many rad places: I just love being out here.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Ratsalad is my new favorite band – from Perth area in Australia. Super fun.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Love you! See you soon!
All Questions Answered By Vocalist/Guitarist Steven Rawles