The Hotseat: John Campbell of Obey The Brave
on September 16th, 2012Based in Montreal and Ottawa, Obey The Brave first emerged onto the landscape of aggressive audio at the foot of 2012, combining some ex-members of heralded deathcore outfit Despised Icon and metalcore quintet Blind Witness. Epitaph Records signed the band up and they have just recently unleashed their ‘Young Blood‘ album via the label. This week in The Hotseat, we catch up with guitarist John Campbell. Expand this post to check out his answers. ‘Young Blood‘ is in stores now through Epitaph on CD and Vinyl, you can order a copy online [Here].
THE BASICS
Name : John Campbell
Band : Obey The Brave
Job In Band : Lead Guitar
Website Address : www.obeythebrave.com
HOME
Hometown : Osgoode, Ontario
Hometown is best known for : Farming, The Red Dot, Shoveling snow and a bit of drinkin’!
Best venue in your hometown : The Osgoode Legion is the only venue, and I’m actually the only one to ever put on shows there!
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : My first metal band “Epocholypse”, and Stevie and Gregs old band “Darkness Rites” played together, those shows were awesome.
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : Every show I went to in Osgoode I played at and organized, and those were some of the best shows ever!
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Everyone’s prior bands fell apart roughly around the same time. I knew Miguel from my band “Blind Witness”, which played and came from the same scene as Alex’s band “Despised Icon”, and I had known Stevie and Greg for years as well. So the pieces fell easily into place from there, and knowing each other already made the musical connection almost instant.
How long has the band been going? We played our first show as a band in February of this year, and announced the band one month prior.
Any particular story behind the name? We were going for something fresh and original, but also something that represented what the band stands for, not just something that sounded cool.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our debut record “Young Blood” was released last month via Epitaph Records worldwide, and Distort in Canada. Seeing something come so far from talking about starting a band, to getting signed, to actually releasing a record is unreal. We are beyond stoked to be a part of both labels, and are looking forward to what the future holds!
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? In the 8 months we’ve been a band, we’ve managed to get signed to Epitaph, and Distort. We have a full length released, along with 3 music videos. We’ve toured Canada, America, and are finishing up the year with making it over to Europe. Its been an unreal year so far!
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I was, and still am a huge AC/DC fan, and Angus Young was my idol. I convinced my mom to buy me a guitar because of him, and sooner or later I actually learned how to play. Once I started getting into punk and metal, starting garage bands, and playing shows I realized that I was pointed in the right direction, and never looked back.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? I got into bands like Metallica, Pantera pretty early on, and then found bands like Korn and Slipknot down the road, there were a lot of bands that made an impact, but Slipknot’s self titled record, and Iowa really stood out, they found ways to mix the old with the new, and still put their own unique stamp on it. That was something that always stuck with me.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Asterix, it was myself on guitar and vocals, my best friend Sean on drums, and occasionally our friend Graham on bass. It was really grungy, punk, and whatever we could play, we were really young. We never played a single show, or released anything, but we spent hours and hours covering songs, making up sets to play for nobody in Sean’s basement, and it was absolutely the coolest.
Most prized music related item you own? I collect vinyl, and I have some really awesome old Beatles LP’s and singles. Even some of my old LP’s that aren’t rare at all, just the fact that at one point, someone bought it when it very first came out, and it changed music forever, for them and everyone else. thats cool.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I live with my girlfriend and our pug Kingsley, so when I’m not doing band stuff, we’re usually together, going for walks and playing outside at the park. I also stay busy playing sports, I play soccer in a league, and hockey on the outdoor rinks with the lads in the winter.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Checking out all the cities we’re going to be going through on tour, and looking for cool places to visit while we’re there!
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… Having to leave family and friends is always pretty rough
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Nice cold beers!
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? So far I’ve only done Canada and the United States, but both have their own appeals. Canada will always be home, but its fun to visit
different cities in the U.S.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Obey The Braves first show, it was totally packed, and none of us could believe it! we weren’t that tight yet haha, but
it was tons of fun and everybody was really into it!
Got a favourite song to play live? I honestly love to play our entire set front to back, each song has something different about it that makes it fun to play live.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? “Whats up we’re Despised Ic….I mean, we’re Obey The Brave” haha it was bound to happen once!
Any pre-show rituals? not really, we just giv’er!
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Trying to eat well and stay healthy on the road is always a challange.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Killing Time, by Pennywise
Last album you acquired? Picked up Stick To Your Guns newest record Diamond
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Pantera
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Theres a sweet new band called Slayer. You’ve probably never heard of them before but check them out!
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? We are about to start a Canadian tour with Stray From The Path, and Counterparts, and after that we head over to Europe
to start the Never Say Die Tour.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Vulgar Display of Power, by Pantera. Heavy as fuck!
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Drake, because it would be hilarious
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? The Beatles
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Scotiabank Place in Ottawa! go big or go home!
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Foo Fighters, would love to play guitar with Dave Grohl
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Foo Fighters, and Alice in Chains!
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? Our debut record “Young Blood” is out now!
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OBEY THE BRAVE – Young Blood
Instores now via Epitaph Records.
Buy Online [Here] CD and Vinyl available.
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