Residing in Winnipeg, hardcore heroes Comeback Kid have been crushing international tours and their recordings with never a dull moment. The band are signed to Victory Records and are promoting the label successfully with their high profile.
The Canadians have been slapped on Australia’s Boys Of Summer tour also featuring Deez Nuts and For The Fallen Dreams for a healthy mix of genres according to vocalist Andrew Neufeld.
“It’s been a few years since we have been to Australia and we’re stoked to be coming during summer man.” Neufeld seems familiar with the hot summers we experience and is mentally prepared.”
Comeback Kid were last in Australia playing with Architects “but my highlight experience in Australia was playing Soundwave.” He describes their experience as “royal treatment” – and not the first to say so.
It is not unusual for Comeback Kid to play with different sub-genres having “played with a lot of different bands whether it’s an older punk rock band or a newer macho metal type of band” Neufeld sniggers “so you know we mix it up no problem.
“I know JJ (Peters; Deez Nuts vocalist/I Killed the Prom Queen drummer) and those guys from the last few years” but they have never toured together or played shows “and I’ve never ever played with For the Fallen Dreams before.” Neufeld is keen to mix it up and bring something different to the lineup.
Comeback Kid have begun the process of writing a new album but are not in any rush. “We’ll probably take our time with it and have something out by late 2013.” The crazy Canadians have to fit in recording between all their shows.
“We have so many tours lined up over the next 5-8 months so it’s just a matter getting the writing sessions going in between and finding the time to do that.” The band all value the inspiration that different cities provide them while touring the world. “Hopefully we get the cool vibe that we’re looking for and write some unique and different songs.”
“I’ve been listening to way too much brand new hip-hop so I don’t know how that’s going to go down with the album .”Fortunately, the vocalist promised me that the next album would not be a Public Enemy collaboration like the popular 90s hit ‘Bring The Noise’ featuring thrash metal band Anthrax. Jokes aside, Neufeld is assuring that he is open to ideas from everyone for the next album.
The musician describes the range between albums to be different across the board opposed to having one record that sticks out from the others. “We don’t go into it with set ideas that we are going to approach recording in a particular way.”
Comeback Kid have been influenced with different experiences and variables throughout their musical career. “I’ve been listening to way too much brand new hip-hop so I don’t know how that’s going to go down with the album (he laughs) but we all have different tastes.”
Neufeld importantly notes that each individual within the band has different views, influences and experiences. “Every step of the way is just trying different things. We have a couple fast songs finished up at the moment but we shall see what the rest of the album brings.”
In between writing a new record and touring the planet, Comeback Kid will also be celebrating their 10 year anniversary for the release of their record Turn It Around.
“I must have done something right with hardcore. We have surpassed the goal of the band”“We’re going to do a few shows – maybe like a week of shows in Europe and some east coast American shows” while playing the best of Turn It Around as well as the Wake The Dead as well.
“It’s a nice time to do it and I know Scott (ex-vocalist) has been itching to come back and play a few shows with us too so it will be fun for everybody” – an interesting dynamic for the hardcore band combining the past and the present.
Neufeld insists his life surrounds the hardcore sub-genre as it is what his brother exposed to him when growing up. “I didn’t search for it, it found me and I’m glad it was my avenue to see the world and meet most of my friends” as he jokes about the possibility of being exposed to classic jazz and having a very different musically influenced lifestyle.
“I must have done something right with hardcore. We have surpassed the goal of the band” as the masses bask in their hugely successful musical expression in a sea of moshing arms with stage dives and circle pits.
Many critics outside of the alternative music circle/industry comment on how lyrics can often not even be made out in core genres. Despite some truth to these perceptions, Neufeld emphasises the importance of lyric writing. “
You can have an amazing record and then put some effortless vocals on it and it will sound awful.” A defining element to a band is the match of lyrics and vocals. “I usually have a vocal pattern but the lyrics are definitely the hardest part for me because I am so picky. Once you have a song that you wrote that is important to you, that can go so far” – a fulfilling outcome for a vocalist.
Overall it seems like the anal-retentive lyrical attitude and musical talent has paid off for the band sitting at the top of the rungs of hardcore. Comeback Kid could not be keener for the Boys of Summer Australian tour ahead.
“We are coming there to do our first shows of the New Year and we’re hoping for minimal amount of barricades. The band prides themselves to “bring our brand of hardcore to Australia and show you what we do. We are so excited so get ready to get sweaty Australia.”
Boys Of Summer 2013 Australian Tour
Wednesday, 9 January 13 Amplifier Bar, Perth 18+ *^
With: Saviour & Mandalay Victory
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.auand Oztix Outlets
Thursday, 10 January 13 YMCA HQ, Perth AA *^
With: Paradise In Exile & Ruthless
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au and Oztix Outlets
Friday, 11 January 13 The Hifi, Brisbane 18+
With: Arbor Lane
Tickets available from The Hifi on 1300 843 443 or www.thehifi.com.au
Saturday, 12 January 13 Beenleigh PCYC, Brisbane AA
With: Never Lose Sight
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au and
Oztix Outlets
Sunday, 13 January 13 The Hifi, Sydney Lic/AA
Tickets available from The Hifi on 1300 843 443 or www.thehifi.com.au
Monday, 14 January 13 The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle 18+
With: Mark My Words
Tickets available from Bigtix on 02 4968 3093, www.bigtix.com.au and Bigtix Outlets
Tuesday, 15 January 13 Oasis Youth Centre, Wyong AA ^
With: Northlane & In Hearts Wake
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au and Oztix Outlets
Wednesday, 16 January 13 Woden Youth Centre, Canberra AA
With: As Silence Breaks
Tickets available from Moshtix on 1300 438 849 or www.moshtix.com.au
Friday, 18 January 13 Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood AA
With: Free World
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au and Oztix Outlets
Saturday, 19 January 13 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne 18+
With: Trainwreck
Tickets available from The Corner Box office, 03 9427 9198, www.cornerhotel.com or Fist2Face (03) 9095 7911
Sunday, 20 January 13 Uni Bar, Adelaide Lic/AA
With: Armed With Integrity
Tickets available from Moshtix on 1300 438 849 or www.moshtix.com.au
* Hand Of Mercy not appearing ^ The Bride not appearing
