Punktuation-Name of band?
Red Animal War.
P-Where are you kids from?
RAW-Arlington, TX.
P-How long have you been together?
RAW-Matt, Jamie and I have been playing together for about 3 years. We've been playing with Jeff under the name Red Animal War since October of '98.
P-Who thought up the name for your band, and was there any meaning behind choosing this particular name?
RAW-The name comes from Stephen Crane's book, "The Red Badge of Courage". It's a good book. Very descriptive. Kind of like that movie "The Thin Red Line". You should read it-if you weren't already forced to in grade school.
P-How would you describe your style of music?
RAW-Rock. We like to play hard and loud.
P-Do you have any influences? (if so, who are they?)
RAW-We have hundreds of influences. Some big ones are Jawbox, The Foo Fighters, Don Henley, Shiner, Def Leppard, Don Cabellero...The list goes on and on. I've got Traindodge in my tape player right now if that says anything.
P-What did it feel like to be put on the Deep Elm compilation, "Emo Diaries IV: An Ocean Of Doubt"? Were you guys excited?
RAW-Yeah, we were excited. We were an extremely young band and to get on a big comp like that so fast was really great. Especially since it was the first song we ever wrote as a band.
P-What is the meaning behind the song 'Backbreaker' and why was this song chosen to be on Emo-Diaries?
RAW-We sent John a three song demo and he liked that song the most. The meaning? I'd say it's that you really get to know someone in times of dischord. And that's usually when you end up showing your true colors right back.
P-Upon releasing your E.P., what does the band hope to accomplish? (ie. any particular goals)
RAW-We want to release as many records as we can and do some serious touring. I'd also like to find out what happened to John F. Kennedy...although I'd say that's more of a personal goal rather than a band-oriented goal.
P-When you play a live show, what thoughts are going through your head? Are you guys ever nervous?
RAW-None of us really get too nervous. I mean, I've never seen anyone throw up before a show or anything. Matt says he usually thinks about extra-terrestrials, whatever that means.
P-What show has been the most memorable?
RAW-Probably the show we played not too long ago at the Curtain Club with our friends Lewis and [DARYL]. It was pretty packed and everybody played really well. And it sounded like heaven.
P-Is there any band that you yourselves would like to play a show with?
RAW-I'd love to play with The Foo Fighters.
P-Why would you like to play with them?
RAW-Well, for starters, about a million people come to their shows, so it would be massive exposure. But they're also one of the best rock bands playing right now. Did you see them last night on David Letterman? Rarely does a live band sound that good on a late night talk show.
P-Well Justin, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Do you have any comments or advice that you would like to give?
RAW-Advice? No, not really. Take as many chances as you can.