KNOW YOUR SAINTS
By John B. Moore
Interview with Lucas (vocals and guitar), Austin (bass and vocals) and Connor (drums)
What started as simply a 2 a.m. conversation between two buddies about music has quickly morphed into one of the most exciting DIY punk bands to come out of the Northwest in years. The result of that early morning talk is KNOW YOUR SAINTS, a straight forward punk rock band stripped of all pretention and pose. Comprised of Lucas (vocals and guitar), Connor (drums) and Austin, the band plays punk rock with no agenda of fitting into a specific camp, drawing just as much from THE CLASH as they do from a band like THE THERMALS. The trio, with the just released EP Escape Artist already on their merch table, has plans for a full length sometime in 2011. The band took time recently to talk about how they started, finding time to tour and keeping in touch with friends.
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So how did the band first get together and when?
Lucas: KNOW YOUR SAINTS was actually conceptualized in Sept 2009 around 2:00 a.m. one night as a project/different musical outlet by Connor and Myself. We were just hanging out late after a show and were talking about wanting to be busier playing music and starting something new in addition to what we were doing at the time (ANCHOR DOWN, THE DAMAGE DONE). It wasn’t until later that January/February that we actually followed through with actually writing songs, practicing, and being a band. We originally started the band with our buddy Chase from SLC playing Bass on our first EP and in April Austin joined full time on bass and has been with us since. It was crazy because it instantly was a “real” band and not just a project or idea anymore. Things have been going great and we just keep staying busy and inspired. We have been a “real” band about 5 months now.
Connor: Yeah, KNOW YOUR SAINTS is most definitely a result of a late night conversation had between myself and Lucas. We were hanging out at my apartment one evening conversing on the matter. We would then proceed to talk about playing together for about three months before we actually got together and worked some songs out (laughs). Our buddy Chase helped us out on bass and we recorded an EP at Two Sticks Audio by way of Mr. Jackson Justice Long. Unfortunately Chase had to return to Salt Lake City to take care of personal business at home and our friend Austin has taken up bass duties full time. Everything has really come together quickly in the past few months and we’re all really excited about how things are going!
Austin: All three of us had been playing in bands sharing stages and basements with each other for quite a few years before they got KNOW YOUR SAINTS rolling. My band at the time (SUCCESS!) was deciding to take a hiatus at the same time that Lucas and Connor were looking for a bassist for this new project, so they asked me to play and it was an easy transition for the three of us already being friends to then start making music together.
Are you all three from Seattle?
Lucas: I am not originally from the Northwest and am actually from the Bay Area (Oakland/East Bay to be specific) of CA and moved to the Northwest about two-and-half years ago, first to Portland OR. And then to Seattle. This most likely explains the heavy East Bay 90′s punk influence on the music we make. I brought some of my hometown sound with me to the northwest for sure. I tend to be a tad nomadic and am open to trying out/living in new cities. Seattle is beautiful and the northwest is a great place to live…It really hits me every time we leave and travel to other cities and towns or when we are returning from tour. I am not saying it’s the BEST…but it’s pretty damn close to the best place I have been. Can’t say I will always live here but it’s good to be here now.
Connor: I’m a Seattle-ite through and through. I’ve actually never lived anywhere else which some might see as a detriment but I rather enjoy the Pacific Northwest. It has all your climate and scenery needs in one little corner of the country.
Austin: Born and raised! I have a few other places that I absolutely love, East and West Coast that I am constantly scheming about relocating to, but at the end of the day Seattle is probably where I’ll always hang my hat.
Obviously the Seattle music scene has a solid reputation: plenty of clubs, labels, bands, etc. Is there much of a punk rock scene there?
Lucas: There is tons of great music in Seattle from underground hip hop to “DIY” metal/thrash to folk/Indie/Pop and it has a very artistic community that is supported by the city/people in many ways however the punk scene here is far smaller and seems to have more challenging elements than that of a larger population say, New York City but…there are quite a few great people/bands/house venues/venues and a real growing scene thanks to the efforts of all involved. There is a real desire to have a time-stamp of memories as well as a contemporary punk presence and a place that is comfortable and inviting for national touring bands and people from all over the country. A real sense of pride comes out of here and we are always inviting others in to participate and see and experience the new NW punk scene! We love where we live, the music, and our bands and friends!! Plus, the weather really inspires some solid “Gloom Rock” and plenty of time indoors to create.
Austin: There is a small but strong group of punk bands here in Seattle, and there is no shortage of great houses and DIY venues/clubs here that make the scene what it is. The blurred lines between “DIY” punk and indie is a little more prevalent here than anywhere else, which I think is pretty awesome, and allows for a unique opportunity for booking and collaboration between artists in different genres that wouldn’t normally have an excuse to get together.
You mentioned the EP; do you have any new records or 7 inches coming out?
Lucas: We just finished a West Coast/South West Tour for our first EP, Escape Artists, and the 7 inch vinyl version of the EP has just been co-released via Solidarity Recordings/Machines With Problems (A NW Distro/Label ran by my buddy Frank Barber and I). We have a new song on the upcoming Plea For Peace Compilation (Solidarity Recordings) and we are just starting to work on our first full- length record tentatively titled The Grey Estate to be released early 2011.
Connor: All the aforementioned plus we have a four-way split 7 inch that should be out soon! Including a track from ourselves, BREAKER BREAKER ONE NINER from San Diego CA., TUCK & ROLL from Bend OR and now defunct DANGER DEATH RAY from Portland, OR by way of AK. As well as a couple other splits we are talking over.
So what can you tell me about the songs on Escape Artists?
Lucas: Escape Artists thematically is about self- observation/ideology/evaluation of those ideas/introspection/failure and its relationship to a person’s changes and growth as well as its influences in our day to day goings-ons. The title was meant to display this concept as well as point out the fact that sometimes the only way we survive these heavy things and life experiences is through artistic escapism and turning our darker thoughts and experiences into a positive creative outlet. Lyrically, I like to leave my lyrics up to translation from the eyes and ears of the listener so I usually just write thematically or in moods and pull from my own experiences/surroundings and sprinkle them throughout the songs without forcing the listener to see things exactly the way I do/have. I want our songs, art, and music to be smart and challenging much like some of my favorite novels…and really I just want to stimulate a feeling and a mood connection between all of us…as well as build visuals of characters/roles in this one act we call life.
Connor: I don’t feel I can add anything intelligent to Lucas’s answer (laughs). We had a really good time writing these songs as it was our first experience creating music together. It’s always an enlightening ordeal to learn the ins and outs of each other’s techniques and quirks and I can honestly say that the three of us have a cool chemistry when it comes to musical creativity.
Because you all have day jobs, is it difficult to find time to take off to tour?
Lucas: I find it harder to take the time off for touring in this kind of field but I also think it makes it that much more important to me when I am able to tour. (Editor’s Note: Lucas is a district sales manager for a beverage company). I feel like I work really hard to balance both in my life and to earn the time to tour and play music the way we do. When we do get out there it’s not only a tour for me but it’s my vacation. I love touring and seeing all of our friends in other states but on the other hand love being able to not stress my bills and not having to quit a job every few months and scramble to find one when I get home like I have in the past. It’s all about the balance. We tour when we can and we always make efforts towards it.
Connor: It can be rather difficult to get time off to tour but I haven’t hit any major obstacles just yet. As the restaurant has a fairly small staff there is only so much room for people to cover my shifts without it putting strain on their lives. As I said before, management is supportive and willing to make tour a possibility & for that reason I am a loyal employee!
Austin: Taking time off to tour is like providing food for your family or a shoulder for a friend in need. If you give shit at all, it just has to happen. If you’re broke, eat Ramen noodles for two months and save your coin. If your job doesn’t allow it, it’s time for a new job. If you’re scared, jump. For me, making the time/money/preparations necessary to tour is sometimes tough, but absolutely necessary, and always worth it.
What’s the toughest thing about being a DIY punk band?
Lucas: The toughest thing about being a DIY punk band is definitely financial…from recording to booking tours/merch production to the manufacturing of records I have to say the hardest thing we encounter is trying to fund these things properly and also cut financial corners due to our small budgets but still provide high quality recordings, records, art, merch, and live shows. I always joke that the second you call your band a “punk band” you can pretty much guarantee you will have a harder time getting shows and breaking even on your costs as a band and will most definitely have more criticism. We are always up for the challenge! The other hard thing about being a DIY punk band is that no one ever wants you to grow… you get criticism for the moves you may make or moves you never actually make. Your words seem to be held under more of a microscope by fans/friends/press and so do your decisions as a band. I get it though, you make a very strong connection with people and they hold it dear to their hearts just like we do. The idea of it changing and becoming more popular or more available or part of the hype machine or the idea of someone they dislike becoming a fan of it cheapens the connections individuals have made. It scares/threatens people much like the conversation of having an open relationship would for a monogamous couple. Everyone loves to have those bands that they hold secret and feel like only they know about them. We want to remain as connected as we can to people at all times. I can’t say we will always be a DIY band in every action we make but I can say we will always put 100+ percent of ourselves into our music/records, we will only work with people/labels we respect and hold the same values, we will put 100+ percent of our passion into our songs/live shows and will always be available to our friends/fans for any conversation/debate. I feel that is all we can really promise… I know I will always be real and sincere and think about not just our band and the music we make but also remain conscious/respectful of our friends/family/fans. Fair enough?
Connor: I’d have to agree with Lucas in and of the finances being the most difficult part of making DIY punk rock. There is so much to putting music out there in a way that will accurately paint a picture of your band and that you’re proud of and money doesn’t always allow you to create a final product that stands up to your own standards. Despite this obstacle I feel like I have been lucky enough to be able to put art on this earth that people appreciate and I’m very thankful for the ongoing support of my friends, family and community.
Those are all the questions. Anything else you want to add?
Lucas: Yeah…I just wanna stress these points: support the bands you love by going to their shows, share their music with others, buy merch/records from the bands directly on tour and if someone is passing around a hat for donations for touring bands pay it forward and throw a few bucks in. Start more Venues/Zines/Bands/Community radio Shows/distros. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be conscious of who it is you are making rich off of your support. Always be good to each other. Love more often! See you soon friends!
Connor: Be sure to inform the bands, artists and friends that are dear to your hearts of the impact they have made on your lives make the connection. It’s the greatest gift one can give! Don’t believe the hype!
Austin: Go to shows! Buy merch from touring bands! Start your own band! Tour! Invent a van that runs off of beard trimmings! Be someone’s hero!
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