>>PREVIEW
CHOKE
Friday, June 8
Broken City
The rock ’n’ roll axiom that it’s better to burn out than fade away is a crock. It’s disrespectful and selfish. Still, as bands continue to "live the dream," we hear daily reports of groups meeting their demise in one explosive bout of ego, never to be heard from again. Well, until the shitty reunion tour, at least.
However, like children from a broken home, fans are left upset and wanting. What the fuck happened to that band we championed and whose records we shelled out hard-earned lawn-mowing dollars for? We’re left wondering and hurting.
Rarely do bands come to the mature conclusion that it’s time to hang it up. Even more rarely does a once-great band’s original members do so under conciliatory terms.
Such is the case with seminal post-punkers Choke who are currently wrapping up their final stint. Realizing that after 13 years of influential albums and unforgettable tours they just don’t have it in ’em anymore, the band’s calling it quits. Unlike most bands, however, bassist/vocalist Clay Shea, guitarist/vocalist Jack Jaggard, drummer Stefan Levasseur and vocalist/guitarist Shawn Moncrieff are doing it with style, grace and respect for those who kept them in gasoline and truck stop food for over a decade.
"We all realized that we just don’t have the means to put the effort into a new album that it would deserve," admits Shea. "Life is getting in the way and if we truly wanted to equal or surpass Slow Fade Or: How I Learned To Question Infinity, it would take more effort than we can give it. We just realized that it’s time to close this chapter in our lives."
Facing burnout, the quartet came to the conclusion that life as Choke just could not continue. With various personal endeavours from school to new musical projects and inevitable day jobs superseding the band, Shea and crew decided to close the doors for good but not without a heartfelt goodbye. "It’s not a bad thing, though," he continues. "We’ve accomplished a lot more than we would have expected with five albums and everything else. I’m just glad that this was a collective decision instead of someone bailing out and we’re left wondering what to do. But when you haven’t rehearsed together for 11 months, it’s kind of obvious that there’s no point in continuing."
Yes, a year of inactivity does foreshadow the inevitable. Still, Shea chuckles that despite a few bum notes, the core was still there.
"It was weird to rehearse for the tour. We were a bit rusty. I think that was kind of obvious on the first couple of shows, but people didn’t mind. It’s strange though, because once we realized that we didn’t have anything to prove, we relaxed. I think that’s actually allowed us to be even better."
Shea also admits that this tour has wound up being the band’s best for surprising reasons. Despite impressive turnouts and the inevitable emotional moments, he feels the most rewarding element is not having anything to prove anymore.
"In the past, when we were on tour, we were happy to be there but you’re worrying about making people happy or doing a good enough job to make sure you can come back again. We aren’t coming back so we can just enjoy. This is probably the most fun we’ve had because we’re all joking around enjoying the ride – the pressure is gone. We’re still playing our best and I think people are enjoying it. It makes for a nice cap to it all. Besides," he jests, "what are they gonna do if they don’t like it? Not come to the next show?" |
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