Q&A with You Say Party! We Say Die!
Self proclaimed punk slash new wave band You Say Party! We Say Die! is poised to bring the party to Halifax with their first ever Maritime tour. Keyboardist, Krista Loewens and drummer, Devon Clifford sat down over the cyber-waves, to answer a few burning questions and set to clear up confusion and dispel a few myths… or not.
Gazette: Your band bio is creatively elusive, “You Say Party! We Say Die! are a catalyst on the edge of a scene brimming towards explosion,” and “Time and circumstance have since streamlined YSP! Into its reigning, laser guided incarnation…” but what is your back story? How did the band form and get to where they are today?
Clifford: We were forged in the great fires of the earth’s molten core and have got to where we are today by slowly digging our way through the earth's crust and emerging victorious into the cool night air.
Gazette: YSP!WSD! are on what seems to be the brink of a new genre of post-punk disco, what innovations are you using to bring your experimental sound to the stage?
Loewens: My instrument of choice is a Bontempi keyboard. It is basically a plastic children's toy, but has the most unique sound that I love!
Clifford: I have worked for years with an Indian guru who has taught me how to hypnotize people by striking circles with sticks.
Gazette: Why do you take a political stance in some your music?
Loewens: We don't like to call ourselves a political band, but some songs do have a political message. I don't want to speak too much on Becky's behalf as a lyric writer, but lyrics that come from a personal place are bound to be political once in a while, if you're writing about what's important to you.
Clifford: I think a political stance is a pretty bad ass looking one and I'm pretty into looking bad ass. I actually own two leather jackets.
Gazette: What reaction did you have when Hit the Floor rose to #1 on campus radio? Did you expect the album to be received so well, and did you do anything to celebrate?
Clifford: I was pretty upset by it and celebrated by smashing my radio to pieces then sitting in the shower and crying until the water ran cold.
Leowens: We were excited and honoured to reach #1! We're big fans of campus radio, and are lucky to have had so much support.
Gazette: What is the over all theme or statement you wish to bring forth with your latest CD?
Clifford: I’m not really into overall statements, or bringing things forth, so for me this album was more about not doing things more than anything. I don't even like talking about it actually and would appreciate if you never brought this up again. You have now enraged me, and when I become enraged I just fall asleep, so it's not like you have to watch your back when I’m around or anything like that. If I ever see you I’ll probably just fall asleep at your feet and the worst that will happen is I’ll drool on your shoes.
I’ll be sure to wear my old shoes to the show.
Gazette: What are your future plans for the band?
Clifford: We've been thinking about using our music to promote our worm farm chain which we have recently opened up. The flagship store is in Moose Factory and we are currently opening up worm farms in St Louis de Ha!-Ha! And Goobies. We currently have over seventy types of worms to choose from at bargain basement prices.
Loewens: Just to keep touring and making music!
Gazette: Why should people attend your Halifax show? What’s special about your live show? What do you want the audience to know about you?
Clifford: I would like to bring a tiger to the show in Halifax, and unleash it on the unsuspecting Haligonians (kind of a funny word). I want the audience to know how cruel and uncaring we are and I think that unleashing one of the world's greatest killing machines upon them is one of the best ways to achieve that.
I’m sure that would go over well…
Loewens: We're just really, really excited to be playing in Halifax. Some of us have never been out there at all, and we've heard only wonderful things about it!
The band refused to make a statement about their ban from the US, the petition that is circling cyberspace to get them back into the States, or the specifics of their new CD. Their ambiguity and defensiveness could perhaps intrigue enough to fill The Attic, but maybe the Haligonians will be scared off by the threat of a potential tiger attack.
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