| Formed back in 1990, CMU favourites Converge drew influence from a range of bands, from Black Flag and The Accused to Slayer and Black Sabbath, to create a sound blending extreme metal and hardcore punk, and are often credited with helping define the 'metalcore' scene that grew up in the mid-nineties. In 2006, the band turned the whole genre on its head with their sixth album, 'No Heroes', and on 26 Oct they release the follow-up, 'Axe To Fall', via Epitaph, which proves they're still very much on top of their game after twenty years. We spoke to frontman Jake Bannon to ask our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
My first instrument was a bass guitar when I was about ten years old. For me it was the easiest instrument to immediately pick up and figure out. I later taught myself how to play drums and guitar, just enough to be able to hack through songwriting, etc.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Life. Our songs are about life experiences. We use our band as a positive outlet for the things we experience in an altogether negative world.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
It varies from song to song. For the most part, one of us has a musical idea that is formulated, then we get together and refine it as a band. At that point I work to fit my writings in as lyrical content for the song.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Not many these days. We have been a band for almost twenty years. In that time we've become a bit introverted. We'd rather pull from our own pool, than others.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Expect kinetic energy and emotion.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
We just enjoy sharing our music and art with people. Aside from that, we have no ambitions. We are just genuinely appreciative of what we have.
published october 2009 |
