Scrap metal reigns supreme with Quebec’s raging rockers Barn Burner. Missy spoke to lead vocalist Kevin Keegan, about their upcoming release “Bangers II – Scum Of The Earth” and keeping the dream alive…
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Tell us about this “Scrap Metal” genre the band coined recently (on the facebook fanpage). If anyone else could fit into this niche alongside Barn Burner, who would it be?
KK: It started out as just another one of our goofy t-shirt ideas. Taylor (drums) has a weird obsession with scrap yards so we started coming up with all sorts of funny scenarios involving us as a band running our own scrap yard. Scrap metal as a moniker for our sound just came conveniently with all of the scrap yard talk. The idea of scraps of different styles and influences made sense along with the constant confusion over what genre we belong too. I don’t want to classify any other bands as Scrap metal just in case it bums them out. They might think its something on par with nu-metal, which would be a disaster! Any band that defies specific genre classifications but just loves all that is metal could probably be considered Scrap Metal.
Your touring schedule has been nothing short of eventful; the band is always trying to reach new cities, what’s been the wildest ride to date?
KK: Our European tour was probably the wildest. There is a totally different standard for bands in Europe, the basic notion that a band should be fed and given a place to stay is the standard, which for a band like us seemed like heaven on earth. The sort of fun that having those basic fundamentals covered opens up really makes touring easier.
And how has this tour with Cancer Bats and 3 Inches of Blood been so far? It must be cool to tour with friends as opposed to just other metal dudes?
KK: Yeah, the friend aspect makes it really smooth. There isn’t a buffer period where you are still getting to know each other, you just pick up where you left off.
Is there a different vibe when touring with fellow Canadian rockers; are the crowds more receptive to your tunes?
KK: Well, it’s only been a couple of shows so far so I’m not sure yet how its going to be overall. In general I think there’s enough familiarity with our stuff through having played shows with these bands before that the crowd is more receptive.
Your debut album, Bangers, launched last year – did you anticipate that the days of sleeping on your mom’s couch would finally come to an end with its release?
KK: haha, most definitely not, I think since its release I’m more likely to move back in with my parents and take up permanent residence on a couch. Touring and making ends meet is a constant battle and in no way is it financially beneficial. It’s what we love so we put up with the financial ruin and squalor.
With Bangers II – Scum Of The Earth being released later this summer, is that dream still alive?
KK: Yup, if we are still putting ourselves through the ringer to do what we do, the dream is very much alive.
Where did you find your inspiration in writing lyrics for Bangers II?
KK: It’s usually anything that sparks a fire in me, whether it be something that makes me sad, angry or excited. Everything from broader themes about war and famine to personal stuff about my family and friends. Religion is also a huge one for me, not that I am religious but more about my qualms with religion.
How have your inspirations changed since the last time your focused on writing?
KK: I got a bit gloomier on this one probably, a lot has happened since the first record, somethings for the good and others not, but seemingly darker.
Would fans be able to find a moral or message within the new record, or is the release simply about raging and partying it up?
KK: There’s always a superficial fun vibe with everything we do, we want that to be the first thing that strikes people about us, the fact that we are a fun band and play tunes that are conducive to doing so. If anyone wants to go beyond the initial layer of debauchery they will find that lyrically the songs are often pretty serious. The moral message is a positive one though, something that has always been latent in a lot of the lyrics is the notion of never giving up what you love to do. \m/
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Bangers II Scum Of The Earth released by Metal Blade Records is available in stores : June 7th, 2011
