Interview : Strain

1. Hello Jody. How are you doing? Can you give us a brief history on how Strain was formed?

Jody : Strain was conceived in the summer of 1992 by Sean and I in his bedroom. We wanted to start our own band and play music we loved. When we first started we asked our friends from the bands Sparkmarker and BNU if they would like to join and with the addition of Eric Strain was formed.

2. What does the word 'Strain' mean to you?

Jody : Strain to me will always be about great memories with my brothers in arms. To this day we are still great friends.

3. Do you still remember the first band rehearsal? How about Strain's first show? 

Jody : Yes, i still remember our first rehearsal. We practiced in a very small room in the basement of Seans parents house. The neighbours hated us! Our First show was in Bellingham, Washington in a barn. I was so nervous that i was hoping the rest of the band was detained at the border.

4. How old where you when you first started listening to hardcore-punk? Who or what influenced you to listen to this type of music genre?

Jody : I was 13 years old when i heard my first punk rock record. It was S.N.F.U. and the record was And No One Else Wanted To Play. To this day they are still one of my all time favourite bands. In 1986 skateboarding and punk rock went hand in hand so it was a combination of both that shaped my roots in punk rock.

5. What's your most memorable show? Why? 

Jody : In Vancouver my most memorable show was a large show at the New York Theatre with the Dayglo Abortions. It was amazing because the crowd was huge and we managed to get the punks dancing with the hardcore kids. Very fun show.

6. How's the current hardcore scene in Vancouver? 

Jody : I am very far removed from the scene today as i don't live in Vancouver anymore.

7. What's your day job? How does hardcore-punk affect your daily life? 

Jody : I work as a Certified Utility Arborist for the city of Vancouver. I help maintain all the trees that are on city property. I'm a punk at heart so my eyes are always open from the moment i wake until i sleep.

8. Top 5 hardcore-punk records of all time: 

Jody :  

SNFU- And No One Else Wanted To Play
Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today
The Accused - More Fun Than An Open Casket Funeral
Bad Brains - Rock For Light
Integrity - Those Who Fear Tomorrow

9. Strain will be playing in Rainfest 2012, what are your plans after that? Will you guys be playing shows on a regular basis? 

Jody : We really have no plans after Rainfest as we are all very busy in our lives and finding time to dedicate to Strain would be to hard. We would love to play Europe again but that is a pipe dream.

10. Thank you so much for your time and interest Jody. Keep safe man. 

Jody :  You are welcome! Cheers!