Hey guys good to hear The Fire Still Burns a visceral assault on the senses, refreshing straight edge anthems that would appeal both for fans of the youth crew genre and Until The End / Cast Aside style hard hitting approach to hardcore.
Fill us in on a little background info, the bands history, who you all are? & Any previous bands youve been involved with? (Other current bands)
First, I would like to thank you for contacting us about this interview. Force of Change started in the later part of 2005 with our demo titled The Bond We Share. We put out a few hundred copies ourselves and then This Blessing This Curse Recordings formally released it. We then began work on out new full length titled The Fire Still Burns which was released courtesy of Indecision Records in the later part of 2006.
Force of Change is Dave (vocals), Ryan (guitar), Scott (guitar), Eric (bass), and Marc (drums). Now lets start with the previous/current bands Dave did vocals for In Reply, As Hope Dies, and Nuns With Guns. I (Ryan) also play guitar for xDEATHSTARx. Scott was previously in Buried Alive and Stand & Fight. Eric was previously in Cast In Stone and currently does vocals for xDEATHSTARx. Marc was previously in Throwdown and is currently doing drums for Cold War as well.
Outside of the band where do all your interests lay? Are any of you in college or have interesting jobs for example?
We all have jobs outside of the band. I personally work as a screen printer with Eric when Im home. Dave works at a record store. Marc is a tattoo artist. Scott works in human resources for a door-to-door jewellery company. He is a real adult.
I think I am the only member of Force of Change that went to college. I graduated last year with a degree in Business Information Systems (E-Commerce and stuff like that). I got a minor in Biblical Studies.
What are your aspirations firstly for the band? And also in life where do you think you are heading?
As for the band, we just want to do as much as we can with our schedules. We cant be a full time band because of other things in our lives, but we still plan to make the most out of things. We are hoping to get to Europe in September of 2007 and get out to the East Coast sometime this summer.
I can only speak for myself as far as life goes. I plan to do music as long as I possibly can and stay away from females as long as humanly possible.
Many bands throughout hardcore instil values such as friendship and family through the power of spoken word, hardcore has always had a devoted following how have you found the stage as a platform to vocalise your ideals? How empowering is that feeling when all the kids are setting off?
It is one of the best feelings in the world when the crowd is identifying not only with your music, but with your message as well. Although we do have more than one song about straight edge, we have songs on other topics as well. A big part of hardcore is being able to talk about what you feel strongly about. I guess you could say that the stage is a platform (in a physical sense) that we like to use to speak our message, but being in a band is just one of many roles in the hardcore community.
What motivates you to be a positive inspiration by standing for something such as the straight edge?
If we help one kid better his or her life then that is inspiration enough. That is why we are doing this. We want kids to know that there is much more to life than getting high, drunk, etc
The result of Force of Change should be positive. If it isnt then we are doing something wrong. The world has enough problems. We arent here to add to them.
Okay so the obvious question are they any talks at the moment of a European tour? Have any of you been to Europe or even a Euro HC show?
Yes, we definitely plan to come to Europe very soon. Hopefully in September 2007 with our good friends in xDEATHSTARx and Too Pure To Die. We have heard so many good things about Europe and we really want to experience it for ourselves.
Scott has been to Europe with Buried Alive and Marc has been over there with Throwdown, but the rest of us are really looking forward to the new experience.
Funniest practical joke to play in a van is (farting in a confined space doesnt count lol)
Haha, Force of Change isnt too big on the practical jokes. We got some serious dudes in the band I guess. Thats why I do xDEATHSTARx too.
From the album I personally adore the lyrics to The Bond We Share the last track on the album a sort of call to arms. Quite a few close friends lost there way so to speak last year, which in turn made me, want to draw away from the scene. Sincerity had always been top of my agenda and it felt to me that my friends had betrayed themselves because although obviously my respect for them is still strong my main concern was for their health.
People have the right to make a choice; to live a certain way but why take for granted something that Bane commented on in their song Count Me Out
But here I'll remain refusing to change remembering
when we were the same I support your decision,
I believe in change and hope you find just what it is that you are looking for.
But when you sit around and talk shit about everything
that you once based your whole life on,
well that is where you can count me out.
From The Bond We Share the themes in that song are very similar with lines like This X on my hand will never wash away; For I still believe will no doubt resonate with many people for years to come.
Are there any songs in particular that appeal to you from the album above any others? How does it feel to have an album out & in peoples hands & What sort of response have you been receiving?
The Bond We Share is definitely the crowd favourite, which makes it a lot of fun to play. I personally like This Is Goodbye. I feel like that is one of the better songs we have written, but no one else seems to think so haha.
It is a great feeling to have an album out that is available for kids to pick up. I think we have been getting a positive response for the most part. I know that we should be touring more than we do, but we are doing what we can. Hopefully the new album will continue to pick up some momentum.
At what age were you all introduced to the Straight Edge? Over the years how has it helped to develop the person that youre maturing into? & Why should someone choose to live straight edge?
I think we all pretty much decided to live with the straight edge between the ages of 14 and 16. I personally made the decision when I was 16. Here in California, 16 is an age where a lot more responsibility hits. Straight edge helped me stay away from things that could potentially bring harm to me.
I turned 22 about a month ago and I can honestly say that straight edge has helped me accomplish a lot and live life responsibly. Once you start making good decisions it is easier to stay on the path of making good decisions.
I think other people should consider straight edge for several reasons. Obviously, health reasons are a big thing. We all know about the potential negative effects of drug abuse and what not. Also, the straight edge life style helps a person to respect themselves and others. Although there are exceptions, many people fall in to complete carelessness when they are under the influence of intoxicating substances and it brings harm to more people than they realize.
Whats California Straight Edge like at the moment and generally what is the California hardcore scene doing with itself these days?
The California hardcore scene is huge. I would say it is one of the biggest in the country. In places like Orange County, the scene is huge. Hundreds of kids will come out for shows on any day of the week. There are tons of new up and coming bands.
To which websites can I go to find out more? Any local acts you could recommend who we may not have heard of in Europe yet?
Most of the kids from the Southern California area are active on websites such as notpopular.com and bridge9.com. I would recommend checking out the following bands if you havent already: Cold War, xDEATHSTARx, Time For Change, Like It Or Not, Stick To Your Guns and Hammerfist.
How have you found the internet as a tool to promote your music? Dos downloading diminish what you are trying to achieve or has it helped you to move forwards? (There are probably both positives and negatives to that one!)
The internet is an amazing tool for bands these days. It is the ultimate promotional tool really. However, downloading (as you said) has positive and negative effects. The positive side is that bands can gain exposure and pick up some new fans without even really having a CD out. The negative side is that independent record labels can get harmed or put out of business because of downloading. If a label is putting a lot of money in to their releases and kids are just downloading the releases instead of buying them then you can see where the problem comes up. This has had a big negative effect on our newest release on Indecision Records. It can ultimately hurt the band as well. If a band isnt selling records then it is going to be hard for them to get on bigger tours and what not.
What bands or particular lyrics made you sit up and say you know what, I'm a kid, just like them, I can start a band what advise would you give to younger kids coming through? and in your opinion what is the best way to support hard core?
Resistance in a time of mass self-destruction makes the few who walk the straight edge a growing force of change. Strife
To the younger kids:
There are a lot of trends and attitudes that come and go with time. Try not to get caught up in all that. Just figure yourself out. You will be stronger by doing that. Hardcore is meant to be there for you regardless of your likes, dislikes, religion, etc. You dont need to always fit in with the changing scene around you.
There are many ways to support the scene. No one way is the best in my opinion. The big ones would be buying records/CDs and going to shows. There are tons of other ways as well such as doing scene related websites, taking pictures/video, printing merch, etc.
Finally - If there was one piece of advise; a quote or a memorable experience with the band that formed a part of who you are that you would want to pass on to someone reading this, what would that one thing be? (Aside from yo go purchase the new Force Of Change record lol)
Be compassionate. Help people in the hardcore scene and in your every day life. Treat each other with respect and kindness and maybe things will be a little better for everyone.
I just wanted to extend my hand and say thank you for what you have contributed to a scene thats always moving forwards and in a time where bigger companies are trying to wrangle a foothold on underground niche markets thanks for standing for something & for having a message that will appeal to impressionable kids looking for an answer and hopefully provide all of you with a bright future within the hardcore scene!
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with me. I really appreciate your support. Hopefully we will get to see you soon. Have a good day.
Ryan
Force of Change
Fill us in on a little background info, the bands history, who you all are? & Any previous bands youve been involved with? (Other current bands)
First, I would like to thank you for contacting us about this interview. Force of Change started in the later part of 2005 with our demo titled The Bond We Share. We put out a few hundred copies ourselves and then This Blessing This Curse Recordings formally released it. We then began work on out new full length titled The Fire Still Burns which was released courtesy of Indecision Records in the later part of 2006.
Force of Change is Dave (vocals), Ryan (guitar), Scott (guitar), Eric (bass), and Marc (drums). Now lets start with the previous/current bands Dave did vocals for In Reply, As Hope Dies, and Nuns With Guns. I (Ryan) also play guitar for xDEATHSTARx. Scott was previously in Buried Alive and Stand & Fight. Eric was previously in Cast In Stone and currently does vocals for xDEATHSTARx. Marc was previously in Throwdown and is currently doing drums for Cold War as well.
Outside of the band where do all your interests lay? Are any of you in college or have interesting jobs for example?
We all have jobs outside of the band. I personally work as a screen printer with Eric when Im home. Dave works at a record store. Marc is a tattoo artist. Scott works in human resources for a door-to-door jewellery company. He is a real adult.
I think I am the only member of Force of Change that went to college. I graduated last year with a degree in Business Information Systems (E-Commerce and stuff like that). I got a minor in Biblical Studies.
What are your aspirations firstly for the band? And also in life where do you think you are heading?
As for the band, we just want to do as much as we can with our schedules. We cant be a full time band because of other things in our lives, but we still plan to make the most out of things. We are hoping to get to Europe in September of 2007 and get out to the East Coast sometime this summer.
I can only speak for myself as far as life goes. I plan to do music as long as I possibly can and stay away from females as long as humanly possible.
Many bands throughout hardcore instil values such as friendship and family through the power of spoken word, hardcore has always had a devoted following how have you found the stage as a platform to vocalise your ideals? How empowering is that feeling when all the kids are setting off?
It is one of the best feelings in the world when the crowd is identifying not only with your music, but with your message as well. Although we do have more than one song about straight edge, we have songs on other topics as well. A big part of hardcore is being able to talk about what you feel strongly about. I guess you could say that the stage is a platform (in a physical sense) that we like to use to speak our message, but being in a band is just one of many roles in the hardcore community.
What motivates you to be a positive inspiration by standing for something such as the straight edge?
If we help one kid better his or her life then that is inspiration enough. That is why we are doing this. We want kids to know that there is much more to life than getting high, drunk, etc
The result of Force of Change should be positive. If it isnt then we are doing something wrong. The world has enough problems. We arent here to add to them.
Okay so the obvious question are they any talks at the moment of a European tour? Have any of you been to Europe or even a Euro HC show?
Yes, we definitely plan to come to Europe very soon. Hopefully in September 2007 with our good friends in xDEATHSTARx and Too Pure To Die. We have heard so many good things about Europe and we really want to experience it for ourselves.
Scott has been to Europe with Buried Alive and Marc has been over there with Throwdown, but the rest of us are really looking forward to the new experience.
Funniest practical joke to play in a van is (farting in a confined space doesnt count lol)
Haha, Force of Change isnt too big on the practical jokes. We got some serious dudes in the band I guess. Thats why I do xDEATHSTARx too.
From the album I personally adore the lyrics to The Bond We Share the last track on the album a sort of call to arms. Quite a few close friends lost there way so to speak last year, which in turn made me, want to draw away from the scene. Sincerity had always been top of my agenda and it felt to me that my friends had betrayed themselves because although obviously my respect for them is still strong my main concern was for their health.
People have the right to make a choice; to live a certain way but why take for granted something that Bane commented on in their song Count Me Out
But here I'll remain refusing to change remembering
when we were the same I support your decision,
I believe in change and hope you find just what it is that you are looking for.
But when you sit around and talk shit about everything
that you once based your whole life on,
well that is where you can count me out.
From The Bond We Share the themes in that song are very similar with lines like This X on my hand will never wash away; For I still believe will no doubt resonate with many people for years to come.
Are there any songs in particular that appeal to you from the album above any others? How does it feel to have an album out & in peoples hands & What sort of response have you been receiving?
The Bond We Share is definitely the crowd favourite, which makes it a lot of fun to play. I personally like This Is Goodbye. I feel like that is one of the better songs we have written, but no one else seems to think so haha.
It is a great feeling to have an album out that is available for kids to pick up. I think we have been getting a positive response for the most part. I know that we should be touring more than we do, but we are doing what we can. Hopefully the new album will continue to pick up some momentum.
At what age were you all introduced to the Straight Edge? Over the years how has it helped to develop the person that youre maturing into? & Why should someone choose to live straight edge?
I think we all pretty much decided to live with the straight edge between the ages of 14 and 16. I personally made the decision when I was 16. Here in California, 16 is an age where a lot more responsibility hits. Straight edge helped me stay away from things that could potentially bring harm to me.
I turned 22 about a month ago and I can honestly say that straight edge has helped me accomplish a lot and live life responsibly. Once you start making good decisions it is easier to stay on the path of making good decisions.
I think other people should consider straight edge for several reasons. Obviously, health reasons are a big thing. We all know about the potential negative effects of drug abuse and what not. Also, the straight edge life style helps a person to respect themselves and others. Although there are exceptions, many people fall in to complete carelessness when they are under the influence of intoxicating substances and it brings harm to more people than they realize.
Whats California Straight Edge like at the moment and generally what is the California hardcore scene doing with itself these days?
The California hardcore scene is huge. I would say it is one of the biggest in the country. In places like Orange County, the scene is huge. Hundreds of kids will come out for shows on any day of the week. There are tons of new up and coming bands.
To which websites can I go to find out more? Any local acts you could recommend who we may not have heard of in Europe yet?
Most of the kids from the Southern California area are active on websites such as notpopular.com and bridge9.com. I would recommend checking out the following bands if you havent already: Cold War, xDEATHSTARx, Time For Change, Like It Or Not, Stick To Your Guns and Hammerfist.
How have you found the internet as a tool to promote your music? Dos downloading diminish what you are trying to achieve or has it helped you to move forwards? (There are probably both positives and negatives to that one!)
The internet is an amazing tool for bands these days. It is the ultimate promotional tool really. However, downloading (as you said) has positive and negative effects. The positive side is that bands can gain exposure and pick up some new fans without even really having a CD out. The negative side is that independent record labels can get harmed or put out of business because of downloading. If a label is putting a lot of money in to their releases and kids are just downloading the releases instead of buying them then you can see where the problem comes up. This has had a big negative effect on our newest release on Indecision Records. It can ultimately hurt the band as well. If a band isnt selling records then it is going to be hard for them to get on bigger tours and what not.
What bands or particular lyrics made you sit up and say you know what, I'm a kid, just like them, I can start a band what advise would you give to younger kids coming through? and in your opinion what is the best way to support hard core?
Resistance in a time of mass self-destruction makes the few who walk the straight edge a growing force of change. Strife
To the younger kids:
There are a lot of trends and attitudes that come and go with time. Try not to get caught up in all that. Just figure yourself out. You will be stronger by doing that. Hardcore is meant to be there for you regardless of your likes, dislikes, religion, etc. You dont need to always fit in with the changing scene around you.
There are many ways to support the scene. No one way is the best in my opinion. The big ones would be buying records/CDs and going to shows. There are tons of other ways as well such as doing scene related websites, taking pictures/video, printing merch, etc.
Finally - If there was one piece of advise; a quote or a memorable experience with the band that formed a part of who you are that you would want to pass on to someone reading this, what would that one thing be? (Aside from yo go purchase the new Force Of Change record lol)
Be compassionate. Help people in the hardcore scene and in your every day life. Treat each other with respect and kindness and maybe things will be a little better for everyone.
I just wanted to extend my hand and say thank you for what you have contributed to a scene thats always moving forwards and in a time where bigger companies are trying to wrangle a foothold on underground niche markets thanks for standing for something & for having a message that will appeal to impressionable kids looking for an answer and hopefully provide all of you with a bright future within the hardcore scene!
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with me. I really appreciate your support. Hopefully we will get to see you soon. Have a good day.
Ryan
Force of Change
