>>PREVIEW
THE CASUALTIES
Tuesday, September 12
Underground
Who says you don’t need math to be in a band? Music revolves around one of the simplest albeit dumbest of mathematical equations – cries of "sellout" increase exponentially with the success of a band.
No one knows this better than New York’s The Casualties. Currently touring Canada in support of latest effort Under Attack (Side One Dummy), singer Jorge, guitarist Jake, bassist Rick and drummer Meggers have been hard at work – in various incarnations over the past decade –to make this street-based, primal punk rock outfit, well, survive. But thanks to an ever-increasing profile based on hard work and reliably confident, strong albums, they truly have come under attack as of late, mistakenly cast-off as scenesters chugging along for the almighty dollar.
As Jake relates though, people may be right in the context of The Casualties’ quest for a dollar… but it never comes from where it’s expected.
"When I got off the last tour, I went back to work in a coffee shop. I couldn’t just sit around… and I did need to make some money," he says. "You have to be in a band to really understand that you have to work fucking hard to tour, but not burn out your fans. And when you’re on the road, you probably have less money than the people calling you out for being a ‘rock star.’ But whatever… you forget about that when you’re doing what you love – playing."
Yet another frontal assault replete with brash guitars, unending chant-alongs, hyper beats and Jorge’s unmistakable throat-tearing growl, Under Attack rides that perfect Casualties line between dirty gutter and ear-catching melody. And as expected, Jake says that the album’s lyrical content is the preferred blend of political awareness-meets-personal reflection.
"We do have a political nature in us like most people," he notes, "but we’re not a totally political band. These days, people think you have to sit on either side of the fence but we find that boring. You don’t always want to hear someone spouting off their political views, but at the same time you’d like to learn something from music. Other bands can do what they want, but for The Casualties, we need that balance."
To that extent, Jake shares that the album title – somewhat odd given that The Casualties are generally the ones doing the attacking–is a direct nod towards their personal feelings about the U.S. political climate.
"We’re under attack as a whole. Not just the band… everyone. (The title) is about power, not terror. We’re endangering ourselves more than terrorists are with all of the laws and surveillance that’s going on these days," he spouts vehemently. "Our freedom here is going down the toilet because of a president no one wanted (and) nowadays, it’s like, ‘You can only protest in these areas at these times.’ They’re cutting away at our rights and no one seems to really notice it. That’s disgusting. Maybe if we make a point of showing it, some people will listen."
Thanks to the raw power of Under Attack, one would be hard-pressed to avoid the barrage. Recorded yet again by Bill Stevenson (Descendents, NOFX, Rise Against), the album bears that familiar Casualties relentlessness. Jake chuckles.
"That’s kind of the point. Look at us. We’re not one of those overproduced bands. You wanna sound good, but you’ve gotta be able to deliver it. That’s what we’re all about: the live show. I’ve noticed that Canada has been growing as a fan hold for us and hopefully once they really get into Under Attack, they’ll be ready for it. It’ll make these shows even better." |
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