Interviews: Handheld

This is a new interview with the Skate Punk band Handheld from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band's name?

It was a name that came up in very early highschool (mid-nineties) almost as a joke name. You know like everyone does with their first shitty highschool band, but for some reason this one took and for some reason this highschool band turned into a much bigger thing than we ever imagined.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Ever since I first heard punk rock it was the only thing I could ever imagine playing. It seemed so obtainable, you didn’t need to be a virtuoso player to write and play good punk songs. Craig- in grade 7 my friend Pat put on a disc by a band called "face to face". I'd never heard anything like it. To this day no other genre of music does it for me.

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

Not exactly, in the current lineup 3 members knew each other before the band formed. The band was formed from VERY early friendships in elementary school. Before we were even teenagers!!! 3 of us lived on the same street.

4. Each band members favourite band?

Andy: Rush (definitely not NOFX)

Craig: Propagandhi

Rick: Green Day, Face to Face, Bad Religion

Joel: Shai Hulud

Pat: Nimfo

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

As a singer I really feel like songs need to be fun. They can have severe content and cool parts, or be stupid and be about nothing, but the band has to like playing them and have good bones. I wrote 10 of the songs on this record on a piano, starting with melody after figuring out a concept or idea. I usually write stuff in my head until I have an interesting phrase or melody then I sit down at the piano and figure it out. I really like writing songs that have interest lyrically but also a catch sing along melody. For this album I had a few song ideas kicking around from the mid 2000s, some of these were centered around Canadian Tragedy. As I kept writing the idea of this concept came up and we just ran with it. I really enjoyd going in deep with subject matter and doing a lot of research on some obscure details. On this album, each of these stories is different from one another, but they all have a unique Canadian twist to them.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played our first real show after being off for about 12 years, as a “secret show” at the Pinup Arcade Bar in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

7. Where would you like to perform?

Would love to hit more of the key genre festivals, that will be our main plan going forward. Canada, US, Europe, South America, Japan, all in the works.

8. Whom would you like to tour with?

Definitely our old pals MUTE (from Quebec)

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

In the early days sure, possibly before a “big” show but not really anymore. Tips: if you get nervous have a few drinks (not too many)

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Face to Face, Bad Religion, Belvedere, NOFX, Lagwagon

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

X-rated 1” buttons, it was a request, like who would make those?!

12. What do you want to say to your fans?

We love ya!!! Seriously so great to see so much support with us coming back after all of these years.

13. Anything else you want to add?

Bananas