Interview with Albert from Don't Trip

Mike: Please state you name, band role, and your favorite kind of m&m's?

Albert: Albert or beast whatever you like. Loud speaker and crispy m&m’s. Bring those back now.

M: Sorry man, those things were disgusting. Peanut butter all day everyday. So who else is in Don’t Trip?

A: That statement is untrue. Well we have Jack who plays guitar. Ed plays the other banjo, Frank slaps the skins and Justin hits the low tones.

M: Different strokes for different folks. So for the uninitiated give us a little rundown of your history including releases?

A: Hmmm, so we been a band for almost 2 years now, we just started as a 4 piece and just came together to have fun, record some music, play shows and see where it goes. Frank and Jack wrote the tunes, then brought in Ed and myself and it really just went from there. We started off with a demo in June of 2007. We recorded a full length in winter of 2007 and released it in the spring of 2008. Our split with What Life Is was put on tape in the summer of 2008, so we have been keeping ourselves busy and will be having more new things to come.

M: From my understanding Frank and Jack are also in Sick and Tired. Are you or your other band members in any other projects?

A: Yes they are. Ed plays bass in Grace Alley. Jack and I will be starting a side project in next few weeks called River Bed. It’s a harder, more fast paced vibe but you can still party hard to the tunes.

M: Speaking of partying hard, some of your lyrics convey that you like to do so. Would you like to make statement on the subject?

A: Yea, you only live once so live life to the fullest. No regrets.

M: Sick. The bay area seems to be a breeding ground for awesome music. Bands like Comadre, Sabertooth Zombie, Ceremony, Skin Like Iron, and Annihilation Time have put the bay area hardcore/punk scene under a microscope. Has this put any pressure on you or you’re band members to create something great (which in my opinion and many others you have already done)?

A: You know, not really. All those bands are amazing and I respect them. But for us, were just dudes playing music and the fact we have even made it this far is awesome for us. I won’t lie, you always want to write something great and it puts some pressure on you but if the pressure was immense it wouldn’t be fun and not worth pursuing. I feel whatever we write is something that we all came together and put effort into, so no matter what it is, it’s important to us as a band.

M: Sounds awesome in theory and practice. Well, while I’m on the subject of bay area hardcore, what’s your favorite hometown venue?

A: For our hometown shows, it has to be the Oddstad or the Jungle. Both don’t do shows anymore, rather lame. As in all time venue, I wish the Pound was still around. Miss that place.

M: Okay, last question about bay area hardcore. Well, actually not a question. More of an opinion. You’re vocals sound a lot like Connor’s of Lights Out (rip). I know this cant be the first time someone has told you this.

A: No it has not been the first time, and I have no problems with it. My goal was never to sound like him, but it just came out that way and you really cant be bummed off people comparing you to one of the best bay area hardcore bands.

M: Truth. You hinted at new material earlier and I’ve spoken to you before about a possible 7" release. Any details?

A: All I can say is late spring or summer. Keep an eye out for Don’t Trip in 2009.

M: Super secret 7” I see. Can a Lights Out cover be expected? hah.

A: Haha, nah. Just not much info yet, just expect it to be some good tunes. We have a unreleased Nofx and Descendants cover. We will be departing on a full us tour in may. Our 7” will come out on DTC.

M: Nofx? Seriously my all time favorite band. First CD that was given to me was "Ribbed". I didn’t even have a CD player and I had to beg my mom to buy me one. Which song is it and who's the Nofx fan in Don’t Trip? On a similar note, what album got you into the whole punk thing?

A: “Stranger than Fishing“. The whole band is into Nofx, there one of my biggest influences. We also cover “I’m Telling Tim“. What album got me into punk, hmmm I’m gonna have to say (Nofx‘s)“Public in Drublic” or “The Decline” when I was in 7th or 8th grade. Pretty much changed how I feel about society. I went to a catholic school and never really felt like I believed in god in the 7th and 8th grade. Listening to punk made me realize there are other people out there like me that choose to think otherwise.

M: It’s pretty ridiculous that I’m listening to “So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes” in my car while I read that. Don’t trip just got a lot more awesome in my book.

A: My favorites, shits hard. So next time we are in Fresno I think the party needs to rage dawg.

M: For sure. You guys should play Visalia instead. Its about 30 minutes south and there’s a pretty decent pizza place/venue here. I think Full Blown Chaos is playing this month or next. I’ve seen the flyers for shows their and they usually say “buy beer” so you know it would be a rager. This is pretty much turning into a conversation so I got a few last questions for you. What would you like to see more/less of in the California hardcore scene?

A: Lol yea... just not giving a fuck dude. Everyone should just accept each other no matter who they are. That’s it really. Bands need to keep playing, kids need to keep chilling hard and live life.

M: Awesome words. What up and coming bands (besides you guys) should we be on the lookout for?

A: Oh man so many.... Farley Overdose, Skin Like Iron, Grace Alley, Creatures, Downpresser, Plank Walk, Street Walkers, so many more...

M: Fuck yeah, all those bands are doing their thing right now. Final words?

A: Stay up.

Myspace
Download the full length - "Root of All Evil"
Download Split w/ What Life Is