Interviews: Junkowl

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Stoner Metal/Hardcore/Groove Metal band Junkowl from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

We wanted to include an animal in our band name, but we also wanted something dirty. Through trial and error, we landed on Junkowl. Owl’s represent the night… and well, ‘junk’ speaks for itself.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We like lots of different kinds of music but there’s just something special about the heavy metal / hardcore scene. It’s so hands on and interactive. Nothing really compares to it.

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

Sam and Dom had a rock band together prior to Junkowl, and me and Dom became friends just before the start of Junkowl.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jesse- Every Time I Die Dom- Clutch Sam- Faith No More Marco- Alice In Chains  

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Everything and anything, I think we’re creating moods first and foremost and once we establish a mood or a feeling the song kind of writes itself.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Katacombes with Chronolith, Venomenon and The Listener. It was the second to last show at Katacombes RIP.

7. Where would you like to act?

Honestly, everywhere. We just want to be on the road and play as many shows as possible

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There’s a ton of bands we’d love to play with, I guess two right off the bat would be Every Time I Die or Cancer Bats.

9. Whom not?

No one comes to mind.

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

I think that all of us have suffered with it in one way or another. When I first started singing it was at open mic nights and open jams and I always had a problem facing the crowd and then when I played my first real show with my old band The Superstitions, I just went for it and ignored all of my fears and insecurities and it just felt right. Since then I never really had a problem with stage fright. So I guess my advice would be to just go for it, always give 100% regardless of the turnout and let your art speak for itself and just try to get in the same headspace you had when you were creating the songs alone with your bandmates and just have fun, if you're not enjoying yourself how could you expect your audience to enjoy you?

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The list is endless but every time I die is definitely a big one for us, not only their music but their work ethic. They just don't stop. Faith no more are also a big influence for us, the way that they don’t seem to feel the need to adhere to a genre but instead just make good music, on the same album you could have a soft pretty song and then the next track is just a schizophrenic nightmare.

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

Since we haven't been around too long there hasn't been anything that really stood out, but just that fact that people wanted to take pictures with us after our set at Heavy Montreal was pretty crazy to us.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love our fans and if you were to ask us 8 months ago, most of those fans would be our friends and family but we have actually been noticing a lot of people really digging our stuff and coming out to shows to support us and that honestly means the world. If we’re able to give just one person the same kind of feeling that we get when we listen to one of our favorite bands or see them live then mission accomplished.

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathing the core is a great place to discover new bands. We really appreciate all the work they do to give underground bands a chance to be seen/heard.