Interviews: Peer Pressure

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Hardcore band Peer Pressure from Canada. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Thinking of our band name took a bit of time... We wanted to choose something that had a meaning that would last forever. Our guitarist Etienne came up with the name “Peer Pressure” in jam one night, and we started to think about how we could all relate to this. Peer Pressure is everywhere. It’s where we want to be.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Hardcore is a genre where you can truly have a free voice and opinion. The attitude, the way of life, the brotherhood in this music is just so addictive... It’s a genre that can get you through a lot of shit, having fun and meeting new people and friends on the way.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

“Peer Pressure” started with our vocalist Victoria and our guitarist Gabriel. The two of them met through a Facebook post looking to form a band. They started composing and writing together, and a couple months after Gabriel met Etienne at the gym. Anthony, our drummer came into the band a few months after this, that’s when all of the magic started to happen! “Peer Pressure” started practicing as a (whole) band around Fall 2017.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

Victoria: My favourite bands are Comeback Kid, Get the Shot & Stick to your Guns.

Anthony: If I had to choose one, I would say Alexisonfire. This band in general has been a big inspiration to

me. Love them.

Gabriel: Classic acts such as Terror, Madball and Trapped Under Ice certainly hold a special place in my heart, but my all-time favorite band is a Jazzy, Soul band called Hiatus Kaiyote.

Etienne: That’s a tricky question for me. I love and listen to so many different bands. If I could listen to only a few bands for the rest of my life, these would be on the list: Novelists, Stick to your Guns, While she Sleeps, Beartooth, Veil of Maya, Fit for an Autopsy, Architects and Fit for a King. There’s too many great bands to pick a ‘’best one’’.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

A lot of our songs touch common world issues. Writing things that can relate to people today is extremely important to us. We know that the world is becoming a nasty place, but if we can keep this connection with hardcore music going, it helps everyone involved find some peace in today. Victoria writes our lyrics, but the band has a big say and position in this together. Even as we write this, Etienne and Gabriel are working together to write something new about a topic they both share and relate to. We inspire each other.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was on July 29 th at “L’anti Bar et Spectacles” in Quebec City with “Dirt Cannon” , “Sudden Waves” and “Taze”.

7. Where would you like to act? 

We would like to make it across Canada to see what the scene is like in our own home, but Europe is definitely on all of our minds. Germany, France, even Macedonia (our vocalist is from there). And maybe one day we will make it even further to explore the scene more! Who knows?

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Terror and Comeback Kid could be sick.

9. Whom not? 

Umm, we’re pretty open minded people!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Victoria: I totally suffer from stage fright sometimes, that feeling was and still is hard in my stomach! My way to get through it is to realize that those people starring at you are likely to be there for you… and if they weren’t, make it like they were. Put on a smile and start pretending to have fun, soon you’ll believe in it too, and so will the crowd. Those are the nights to be remembered.

Gabriel: Being kind of a lone wolf myself, I tend to stay away from big crowds and the spotlight in general. But be confident and have faith in your team and the rest will naturally flow. “Don't let fear hold you back” as they say. The stage is a truly special place to be, there's a sudden shift in your mindset once you've played your first note/beat.

Etienne: Of course, I’ve experienced stage fright a lot. My first live performances, through my teenage years, played a huge role in the way I see things on stage. I learned with time that I’m an adrenalin addict. This fear of performing in front of a crowd slowly began to feed my addiction for excitement and stimulation. Even though I’m still nervous before a show, I love that fast heartbeat, the dizziness and everything that happens to my body and mind when I play live. My personal advice for you to overcome the stage fright: Practice. Most of the time, anxiety is caused by the fear of messing up your parts. So repeat and repeat until you play your songs without even thinking about it. Also, one or two beers before a show can help (oops). Here’s a little quote that made me more confident on stage.

“The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” — Lady Bird Johnson

Anthony: It’s sure that I have stage fright before a show sometimes. I can feel it in my stomach moments before going on stage, and when it happens I just tell myself to take a big deep breath. I try to encourage myself and not let bad thoughts go through my head. Stay focused, you’ll be proud of yourself.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Comeback Kid, Terror, Get the Shot, Counterparts, Alexisonfire, Stray from the Path, Stick to your Guns

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

No weird fans… yet?!

13. What do you think of your fans? 

The scene around us is incredible, we love to see the same faces at our shows always hanging out and buying some new merchandise. As for fans further away from us, it is more than we expected as a reaction. They reach out to us quite often letting us know that our music is playing around  them! That gives us the push to want to get out there and see them quickly!

14. What do you think of our site?

Really great job, keep up the good work and thanks for connecting with us!

15. Something add?

Our first EP “Inside Out” was released to the public on August 1 st , 2018. Check it out on all of the major streaming platforms! More will be coming, stay tuned!