Apr 1 2010
Going into The Veer Union's tour bus, I was a bit apprehensive. I wasn't sure what to expect of the band.
Surprisingly, they were extremely down to earth and inviting. I had to wait a few minutes as the band was filming a video greeting. Afterward, The Veer Union and I discussed their upcoming tour opening for Puddle of Mudd and
Saliva. We also discussed their influences, the band's history, and how it feels for frontman Crispin Earl and rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Eric Shraeder to return to Port Alberni, their hometown.
Here's how Crispin answered my questions on behalf of his band.
Which bands influenced you guys when you were younger? Guns N' Roses, Sound Garden, Tool, Alice in Chains and Led Zeppelin.
Have you ever played in Port Alberni before? If so, when? Not as The Veer Union. We once played at Capitol Theatre with the band name June.
How does it feel coming back to Port Alberni? It feels great. We've been meaning to do it for a long time. We kept saying over the past six years that we'd have to go back to visit Port Alberni but it never happened.
Where are the other band members, James (Fid) Fiddler, Marc (Roots) Roots
and Neil Beaton, originally from? The others are from Surrey and Langley, B.C.
How long have you been together as The Veer Union? [It's been] four years, as of St. Patrick's Day.
What does "Veer Union" mean? Veer - to change direction or change from one
course to another. Union - a number of persons joined or associated together for some common purpose. Every song we write about is about hope, whether it's about hoping to get the girl back, being in a better place or not being spiteful or cynical. Veering away from the dark and into the light.
How does it feel to have an upcoming extensive tour of the U.S? We're stoked! We've had our down time, and now we're ready to get back on the road. We love the connection with our fans, and it's an amazing feeling
having people sing along to our songs.
How have you adjusted to your [recent] fame? Nothing has changed. We still eat the same stuff. The only thing that's different now is that we have brand name mac and cheese and proper condiments like barbecue sauce. (At this point, front man Crispin Earl, reached into the fridge, grabbed a bottle of personalized hot sauce and said, "We even got our own hot sauce!" Sure enough, the bottle had The Veer Union's TVU logo on it with a set of tattooed knuckles.)
What is your favourite track on your latest album? Darker Side of Me is our favourite. It's actually our latest single that we're currently promoting.
Do you have any words for aspiring musicians? If you're going into the music business to score chicks or for money, you're doing it for the wrong reason. You have to do it out of your love for music, or else it won't work out. For more information, check out the band's website www.theveerunion.com or add them to Facebook (www.facebook.com) or Myspace (theveerunion www.myspace.com/theveerunion).
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