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HMTV Canada: Hi Bison Congratulations on the release of
Quiet Earth first vinyl Album I can’t wait to grab my copy nothing compares to
the artwork that appears on vinyl albums.
James: thanks very much, we are stoked on the wax the
picture collage is bigger, so you can see all our rad friends better and how
retarded we all are.
HMTV Canada: Can you tell us some of the highlights of Quiet
Earth such as the guest appearing in your song tracks Wendigo Pt.1, Wendigo
Pt.2, and Slow Hand of Death any messages the band is conveying in Quiet Earth?
James: We are honored to have Jamie hooper sing on the intro
of slow hand, he’s an old bro of ours, we’ve always loved his voice also Collin
Mckill plays violin on wendigo pt. 1 and quiet earth, Cris Derksen plays cello
on those same two tracks. It’s awesome knowing all these super talented folks
who are willing to contribute to our music, ultimately adding a lot to those
songs. As far as the message of the album, I think it is doom and death, in all
of its forms; spiritual death, environmental death, economic death, death of
the soul. We are doomed. We are dinosaurs.
HMTV Canada: Quiet
Earth sounds different in sound quality than your previous digital EP
Earthbound was this Album recorded with more of a live sound?
James: It was recorded in the exact same way in the exact
same environment with the same awesome dude: Jesse Gander, the difference is we
had more time to fine tune things this time round, experiment a bit with the
sounds of the instruments. That first album was recorded in 3 days. Quiet Earth
was done in like 14 or so. I know it’s not a f**king Metallica recording
session, but those 11 extra days do make a difference. Jesse is a wizard as
well.
HMTV Canada: What motivates or inspires James, Dan, Masa and
Brad to come up with their lyrics of emptiness, desolation, destruction, death,
suffering and earths annihilation, are these themes based around social
problems, sins, ignorant attitudes that plague and pollute today s environment?
James: We live in a city rampant with social problems for
sure. We see it every day and it does
affect you, and your outlook. I have little faith in humanity, judging by the
way we treat one another. I wouldn’t use the word sin, but we are definitely
wronging the earth in a great way, which will lead to our end. Ignorance is
everywhere, myself included, I am definitely not taking a holier than thou
attitude, I am just as guilty as the next person. It’s a cliché, but around
here, the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer, and it will
destroy this city.
HMTV Canada: I dig how Bisons lyrics create imagery
descriptive vivid themes which adds the feeling in the song will you be
producing any videos from any of your song tracks from Quiet Earth or
Earthbound?
James: If we met some like-minded person who got what we
were doing, we would consider a video just are not as big as when I was a kid
watching Friday night videos on T.V. They would have to work it, so we would
not actually be in the video either, not even any live shots it would totally
turn out to be some art sh*t whatever, I like art, as long as it’s f**ked. I
can vividly see a video from the song track Stokasaurus representing Bison’s
name with great power and the fury of the beast coming out in their hardcore
riffs, vocals and drums.
HMTV Canada: I noticed the variation of different sounds in
both Quiet Earth and Earthbound who helps with the recording, mixing and
mastering of Bison s music?
James: Yeah, Stokasaurus will always be a favorite of mine,
it’s the first Bison song I wrote. We record at The Hive with Jesse Gander. He
mixes as well. We get it mastered at the hive as well. They are a long time
Vancouver studio, who are into good music and creating a community of musicians
and artists who kind of help each other out. I have known Jesse forever, and
have been working with him for almost just as long he just knows music, all
kinds of music, he gets what we are doing, like I said, he is a wizard.
HMTV Canada: Do all the band members share the same
influences for their music and do they like to experiment and try new things
with their sound?
James: We all come from different musical backgrounds. I
think that is why we work so well together, we all add different dynamics to
the arrangements and compositions. We take influence from Neil Young to Metallica
to Black Sabbath to The Police. Good song writing, it is an amazing talent, it’s
a constant learning process.
HMTV Canada: Who is the superb artist that designed the 3D
cover for both Earthbound and Quiet Earth?
James: Our friend Michelle Richard Payette. He is a genius.
He gets drunk with us and is able to sort our broken thoughts and dreams into
beautiful concise imagery. He also plays in a bitchin band called bogus tokus.
HMTV Canada: I understand the band has been touring nonstop
selling out shows everywhere, how did the Western Canadian Tour go for Bison
and did the band sell lots of merchandise?
James: Canada is very good to us; we have made some awesome
friends and always look forward to playing and traveling through Canada. Yeah,
people buy sh*t. We need them to buy us more drinks though.
HMTV Canada: Will there be any video coverage of Bison s
live performances or crazy moments of the band member s boredom of driving for
long hours on the road in their upcoming Eastern Canada and European tours?
James: There is some video up on you tube of some euro dates
we did but you can probably find lots of pics up on the inter web somewhere
wait a second. What the f**k is the Internet?
HMTV Canada: Does Bison have a favorite place town or city
for their live shows and do they like playing indoor or prefer the outdoor
music venues?
James: Playing outdoors is awesome, especially if you’re in
a valley, surrounded by splendid green mountains. We love everywhere we go and get to meet rad
people who like to have fun. We have some good friends in Calgary and Edmonton,
Montreal is always a blast New York, oh man, there are too many to mention.
HMTV Canada: Has the band shared the stage with other great
Artist s while touring?
James: We have been very fortunate to have played with
awesome bands: Children, Baroness, Medeia, Burst, High on Fire, The Sword, F**ked
Up once again, I could go on and on.
HMTV Canada: What is the bands focus for career objectives
and goals for 2009 is Bison concentrating on touring or will are they writing
and laying down new song tracks for another
James: Well, we will be touring a bunch we go away for April and May, then again in July
and August, and are hoping to get back to Europe in the fall, we were just
there in Feb/March we are working on new
material when we are in town, but right now that is a slow process as we are
away so much but we all love living in
our van, it’s our home.
HMTV Canada: Do you plan on creating a main website for
Bison soon or will you be using your MySpace page as your main website?
James: Myspace because it's free. What is a website ha-ha!
HMTV Canada: Before we wrap up our interview do you have any
shout outs to friends and fans?
James: Hey man, we are humbled by the support. We have received everything. We do is for our
friends and fans. We love them all to bits. Thanks to anyone who came out and
banged their heads with us.
Big thank you to, Metal Blade Records, and the band members
of Bison for allowing our eZine this interview opportunity. Horns High Keep it
Brutal!!! You Rock! HMTV Canada
James: Thank you for caring, it was a pleasure. Peace on earth.
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