Interviews: T-Rex Marathon

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Hardcore/Pop Punk/Alternative Rock band, T-Rex Marathon, 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?

So, the funny thing about this is Alex and Jeremy were both there when the band name came to be, and they both remember it differently. What they both agree to is that it took place at their school’s coffee house play in their final year of high school, where a classmate was playing an obnoxiously long song on the piano and another classmate, nicknamed Dragon, leaned in and said “this sounds like *something-something* T-Rex Marathon.” So we might never really know EXACTLY how the name came to be, but we know where, when, and more or less the why.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

We never really decided that we wanted to play this genre, it just sort of happened. Alex, Jeremy and Darien at the time all listened to bands such as Alexisonfire, A Day To Remember and bands like that, so it was natural for us to want to emulate that sound. Later down the years, we changed styles here and there, experimented with different sounds, instruments, etc, but we always came back to the sound we loved when we first started playing music together.

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

Alex and Jeremy have known each other since they were 11-12 years old, like 2006, due to school, and Darien joined the picture around 2011 or so. The band officially started in 2012 with us three plus another dude who left later on. Then through University, we met Adam who joined in 2015. Finally, we met Aaron through friends of another band and he joined in 2017.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Aaron: Dream Theater

Alex: Coheed and Cambria

Jeremy: Alexisonfire

Adam: The Decemberists

Darien: blink-182

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Honestly, we each have our own motivations and inspirations that drive us to create, but as a band, it would have to be the music we listen to. We are all huge fans of new music (not too surprising) and we always get really excited about sharing it with one another. For example, one of us might enter the jam space like “wow guys check this song, I’d love to write something like that!” and then we’ll have a go of taking our favourite parts of that one song and mixing it with someone else’s idea or whatever. One of us does bring a different angle to our inspiration bucket though, and that’s Adam. He is a prolific reader and always brings ideas that he took from his books. For example, we have an EP planned that is entirely based on a story that he read.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played at Babylon, which is a nice little club located in downtown Ottawa.

7. Where would you like to act?

Specific spots would be M Telus (formerly known as Metropolis, in Montreal) and the O2 Academy in Brixton, England. But we would love to hit up anywhere in Europe or Japan.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Obviously, any artist we mentioned in our “favourite band” column would be incredible. We have been compared to Billy Talent and Silverstein a bunch, so featuring with those guys would be awesome! Also, having Carley Rae Jepsen feature on one of our tracks would be a dream come true to Adam.

9. Whom not?

Trapt for sure. Also Celine Dion either; she’s just too good. We would never be able to keep up with her majestic voice.

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

We all have at one point! It usually happens after a long break. If we’re on tour, by the third or fourth show we don’t feel it at all anymore! Breathing exercises are always a good way to go, and most importantly, finding your happy place before the performance. Try and take time for yourself, do something that makes you comfortable, relax, and bring those good vibes on the stage! We all have our own little rituals and we make sure to practice them before every set.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Alexisonfire, blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Billy Talent, and a myriad of other bands! Like we mentioned earlier, we inspire ourselves most from the music we listen to. There was this rad local band in Ottawa called forest., and we got to play with them a few years back. Their performance had a giant lasting impact on us, so mentioning them feels appropriate.

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

A dude came to Jeremy after a set once and asked for his pic (which isn’t too weird) but then proceeded to smell it. So yeah, that was pretty weird.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re the best! Honestly, over the years they’ve had to go through so many lineup changes, drastic sound changes, sub-par quality EP’s, cold musicless winters, and yet they still stuck around. They truly are the best.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s amazing! It’s so nice to have a platform entirely dedicated to heavier music. It doesn’t take much digging around to see how much you guys truly care about the music and artists you promote. The pieces are so well written, updates are frequent and the services you offer are so varied. Honestly, we couldn’t be happier to have had the opportunity to work with you guys! 

15. Something add?

Our first album, Days Without Incident, comes out on October 16th! Make sure to visit our social media to stay up to date. We will have a few singles coming out so make sure to check those out too!