Corner Boys Interview

Corner Boys

Canada’s Corner Boys are in love with ‘70’s punk and power-pop. The band pulls, most notably, from Irish bands like Protex and Rudi, but adding in Simpletones energy and a love of obscure one-release wonders. Corner Boys, like the boys dealing in The Wire, will be hanging around your brain long after listening to their brand of infectious power-pop.

by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions?

This is Patrick Bertrand.

Who is in the band and what instrument do they play?

There’s three of us. I play drums, Joel Butler plays bass, and Wade Connor plays guitar. We all sing, but I sing lead most of the time.

Give us the band’s origin story, some other bands the members have played in and currently do play in?

Corner Boys started in spring 2016 when Wade asked me to play drums with him. I hadn’t played drums in more than 5 years at that point so it was kind of like learning from scratch again. We wrote together with a few bass players and singers but nothing ever felt right, so Wade and I practiced as a two-piece for most of the first few months. Joel Butler “retired” from music after his previous band Nervous Talk ( https://hoseheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/nervous-talk-2 ) broke up, but it only took me six months of bugging him to play bass with us until he finally agreed in November 2016. We played our first show in January 2017.

In addition to Corner Boys, I play in a band called Chain Whip

( https://chainwhip.bandcamp.com/album/chain-whip ), as does Joel. Wade also plays in a band called Puritans ( https://puritansband.bandcamp.com/ ).

Describe the band’s sound in 20 words or less.

Happy sounding sad songs played by brat little brothers.

Where did the band name Corner Boys? Is the band name from the book, Corner Boys?

A corner boy is a troublemaker. It’s old slang for someone loitering, usually up to no

good. It’s in the song Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=024UcB1m7Do ).

What bands did you have in mind when starting this band?

We all love late 1970’s punk and power pop bands that released one 7” then faded into obscurity. At our first show, we covered The Speedies - Let Me Take Your Photo, and The Simpletones - TV Love. Add Protex and Rudi to that mix and those were the reference points we had from the start.

In a previous interview, the band stated “First wave Canada will always have a

place in my heart, but no one played power pop in the ‘70’s better than the Irish.” What makes Irish power-pop/punk so special?

Whenever I read about the troubles in Ireland I’m blown away by the fact that a bunch of kids could write love songs as well as they did. I think there’s a kinship between countries like Ireland and Canada. We’re both stuck beside influential countries that have all the spotlight. We’re defined more by not being something than what we are. It’s a terminal uncool that I think levels the playing field for people to write music. Check out releases on Good Vibrations Records and Rip Off Records both from Northern Ireland.

Corner Boys seemed to get noticed due to the original demo that was posted on Bandcamp. So, did Drunken Sailor approach the band about putting out the debut 7” or was the band sending the demo to labels?

We put the demo up on Bandcamp and posted about it a bit on social media. It had pretty good legs and a few labels reached out to us, but they wanted us to pay to press it as a 7” on their label. Julian at Drunken Sailor reached out a bit later and asked if we were going to record more, because he wanted to hear it if we did. We did another session with Jeffrey McCloy (Tranzmitors, Fashionism) and sent the tracks to Julian, and that became the Just Don’t Care 7”. The demo did eventually come out as a tape through Flo at Trapdoor Tourz in Germany.

How you the band hook up with Dirt Cult?

I’ve known Chris and Lizzie at Dirt Cult for a few years through doing my own label

Hosehead Records. Chris got a hold of me a few days after Drunken Sailor did and asked to do a 7” as well. Rather than do a split release we decided to do two 7”s. The next batch of songs became the Love Tourist 7”.

With a zillion digital avenues presented to musicians nowadays (Bandcamp, blogs, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) what do you feel are the best parts and worst parts of these digital avenues?

You can listen to anything at absolutely any time. It’s an ultimate convenience that makes it impossible to make any waves. 99% of the time when I listen to music it’s on vinyl at home. Unless it’s a super rare KBD single and I can’t afford it, then I just listen to it at Josh from Chain Whip’s house.

What are some the band’s favorite shows they have played?

We recently played a show with Mike Krol and Swearin’ and that was a really good time. We all like playing in Victoria, BC, which we’ve done twice now. Our US shows have been a lot of fun as well, Portland and Seattle. I’d like to play more down there.

What are some of the Vancouver bands that people should be checking out?

We often play with Sore Points ( https://sorepoints.bandcamp.com/album/dont-want-to-7 ) and Fashionism, both of which are a pleasure to see. Necking and Lié are also great.

https://fashionism.bandcamp.com/

https://lievancouver.bandcamp.com/

https://neckingband.bandcamp.com/

When not playing music, what does the band like to do?

We’re usually watching old horror and sci-fi and challenging each other to eat really spicy things. We all ride bicycles a lot too.

Where can people hear the band?

All our stuff is on Bandcamp first and foremost, but also iTunes, Spotify, and possibly Youtube. If you like it, please support Dirt Cult Records in Portland, or Drunken Sailor Records in the UK by buying it on vinyl.

https://dirtcultrecords.wordpress.com/

http://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk

What’s next?

Debut LP out 2019 on Drunken Sailor Records. Ideally a European tour to follow.

Follow @AAmmunition

-->

September Reviews

Back To Basics – Shaded Eyes 7” (Secret Mission)

If you have been paying attention to Secret Mission over the years, you would know they are all about Japanese punk. Recently, they’ve re-issued both Firestarter LP’s and now have given Back to Basics their first exposure to the U.S.. Back To Basics, featuring members of Louder and First Alert, has been around for over a decade, but only releasing Japanese releases. Shaded Eyes leans more to First Alert than to Louder. Back To Basics is punk with rough pop edges. “Shaded Eyes” is the punker of the two songs on this release while “Not Different” showcases more of the bands poppier side.  – Ed Stuart

Chain Whip – Chain Whip 7” (Dirt Cult/Neon Taste)

Chain Whip is members of Corner Boys, Fashionism and Nervous Talk playing like early D.O.A.. What? No, that wasn’t a misprint. Originally, Canada’s Chain Whip released Christmas Demo last year, which contains three of the songs on this self-titled 7”. The opener “Self Destruct” is no frills hardcore, but the band shines more on songs like “Overstimulated World” and “6 Day Weekend” where they find their Circle Jerks/D.O.A. roots and play harder punk that relies more on ’77 than hardcore. – Ed Stuart

Character Actor – S/T 7” (Dirt Cult)

Character Actor is Jeff from The Ergs! and Brian from Night Birds playing upbeat Lookout style pop-punk. The genesis for this Character Actor is both Jeff and Brian had become fathers in a recently short span of time and both of their bands were on a temporary hiatus. In the meantime, Character Actor was born and this 7” is the result. Four songs in as many minutes that could have fit at home on Lookout’s roster before the label imploded. – Ed Stuart

Dark Thoughts – At Work LP (Drunken Sailor)

Ramones mania meets Spits with a touch of Marked Men and Queers. At Work, is the follow up to 2016’s well received S/T LP. Honestly, Dark Thoughts hasn’t changed that much, but either did the Ramones and they have legions of fans. These Philly punks know where their bread is buttered and don’t stray far from it. Dark Thoughts play short songs with minimal chords and catchy hooks, which is always a good recipe. – Ed Stuart

Dfactor – Nostalgia For Now LP (Self-Release)

The one man Anthemic Pop Wonder or better known nowadays as Dfactor is back with Nostalgia for Now. Most recently, Dfactor Dave has led the Action Jets from Phoenix and he might be the one of the only of the power-poppers in the state. Nostalgia For Now is where Dave plays all the instruments and pulls from all his influences. These influences range from The Kinks, Guided By Voices, ‘60’s garage and ‘70’s American rock n’ roll to create a more personal vision.  – Ed Stuart

Mad Caddies – Punk Rocksteady LP (Fat Wreck)

This is definitely one of the more accurate LP titles you’ll ever read. Mad Caddies take Fat Mike’s handpicked 12 covers and remake them as if they had originally written them. Punk Rocksteady features covers/re-workings of Bad Religion, NOFX, Against Me!, Descendents, Misfits, Operation Ivy and Propaghandi songs. Mad Caddies play the songs with more of a ‘90’s ska sound than their original predecessors, which makes sense they have been around 20 years now. Mad Caddies have shown with careful rearranging any song has another version hidden inside. – Ed Stuart

Outer Spacist – Illness Is A Creepin’ On A Come-Up LP (Heel Turn)

Outer Spacist is writing the lo-fi soundtrack to the alien abduction. These Columbus, Ohio band plays psychedelic space proto-punk. Illness is A Creepin’ On A Come-Up pulls from ‘70’s proto-punk like Pere Ubu, Captain Beefheart, Electric Eels and ‘60’s psych like 13^th Floor Elevators. – Ed Stuart

The Ringleaders – Bi-Coastal Blasphemy LP (Hound Gawd)

Larry from Candy Snatchers and Born Loose has a new ‘90’s influenced punk rock n’ roll mayhem outfit. If you are familiar with Larry’s previous bands, Ringleaders will not be a surprise at all. Larry enlists members of Death By Stereo, Hollywood Hate and Hellbenders. The Ringleaders remind me more of early Humpers, New Bomb Turks and Electric Frankenstein on Bi-coastal Blasphemy. – Ed Stuart

Aaron Troyer – Lone Offender LP (Self Release)

Ex-Day Creeper and current Outer Spacist member, Aaron Troyer has released his solo LP, Lone Offender. Troyer, in his solo career, focuses on ‘70’s rock n’ roll in the melodic Stooges/Velvet Underground/Television style. Troyer, on Lone Offender, you’ll notice he doesn’t strive for volume, but melody on tracks like “Store” to get his point across. Sometimes being in a band can be a collaborative experience and sometimes it can be pigeonholing to live and die by a recognized sound. Now Troyer can spread his solo wings to show what he can do when he is on his own.  – Ed Stuart

Various Artists – Wassup Rocker Radio Presents: Sick Sounds Digital (Self-Release)

Wassup Rocker Radio a radio station run by Alex Kish out of Ohio that plays bands like Crazy Squeeze, Criminal Kids, Faz Waltz, Devious Ones, Gino and The Goons and much, much more. Alex and Wassup picked thirty-two songs for this compilation and made it a free download for your ears. For fans of ’77, power-pop, punk, and garage from all over the globe are covered are available for free. So, if the bands I mentioned are ones you listen, go ahead download it. – Ed Stuart

Follow @AAmmunition