Two years ago, This is a Standoff booked a debut European tour on the legs of just two demos on MySpace and their collective credibility from past projects (Belvedere, Forty Cent Fix and One Shot Left). After the success of their first record, Be Excited, and a Canadian tour with Strike Anywhere under their belts, these dudes couldn't have picked a more ironic album title in Be Disappointed. This album is a collection of some of the tightest, catchiest technical punk rock released in Canada since, well, the first This is a Standoff record was released a couple of years ago. The song "Face The Sun" reassures everyone who used to hit Legion Hall shows that members of This is a Standoff are still at the top of their game, with an anthemic chorus, punishingly fast drum beats, interesting structures and guitar work that hints equally at Belvedere classics and contemporary technical punk favourites A Wilhelm Scream. These guys have made some remarkable strides for a band with only one release, and it seems as if This is a Standoff are destined to transcend the successes of their past projects. With Be Disappointed, there's no reason that This is a Standoff couldn't become the definitive technical punk rock band of 2009 and beyond.
After all those years, having covered so much ground, do you find it tough to be creative within the genre?
Vocalist/guitarist Steve Rowles: I think the biggest thing is that we're not trying to create within a genre. I credit [guitarist] John Meloche with always keeping things fresh in the writing. It's always great to have a good writing partner and band in general to bounce ideas off of.
Is it hard to shake the successes of your past projects when you start something new?
Kids at each show yell out Belvedere songs. I see nothing wrong with it. It's a big reason why we're moving ahead as quickly as we are. I'm proud of my past band and I'm happy people all over the world know the music.
What makes you excited about the state of punk and hardcore today?
The fact that at almost every show there are punk bands opening up and not screamo bands. I got sick of that. It seems like people are really stoked on punk rock again.
(Independent)After all those years, having covered so much ground, do you find it tough to be creative within the genre?
Vocalist/guitarist Steve Rowles: I think the biggest thing is that we're not trying to create within a genre. I credit [guitarist] John Meloche with always keeping things fresh in the writing. It's always great to have a good writing partner and band in general to bounce ideas off of.
Is it hard to shake the successes of your past projects when you start something new?
Kids at each show yell out Belvedere songs. I see nothing wrong with it. It's a big reason why we're moving ahead as quickly as we are. I'm proud of my past band and I'm happy people all over the world know the music.
What makes you excited about the state of punk and hardcore today?
The fact that at almost every show there are punk bands opening up and not screamo bands. I got sick of that. It seems like people are really stoked on punk rock again.
