About to tour Australia for the 3rd time in as many years, Pour Habit have just released an Australian exclusive single ‘Punisher Mansion’ which is available for free download with the purchase of a ticket to any date on their Australian tour. Get on it now if you haven’t already. Tickets available [Here]. This week in The Hotseat we catch up with drummer Colin Walsh. Expand this post for his answers and a reminder of all the tour details.
THE BASICS
Name : Colin Fucking Walsh
Band : Pour Habit
Job In Band : Professional Canyon Yodeler, ATM technician, Drummer
Website Address : pourhabit.com
HOME
Hometown : Long Beach, California
Hometown is best known for : Bad ass bitches, blunts, beer, beaches.
Best venue in your hometown : That would definitely be a toss up between The Roxy on Sunset and DiPiazzas. Both venues treat you like family.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : The Weird Al Yankovic concert I just saw was amazing. My best punk show was probably Strung Out at the House Of Blues. Well, that was until I realized I was tripping on acid and was staring at a tree, still a great show though.
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : I think maybe NOFX at the House of Blues with Lagwagon and No Use for a Name. Place was packed to see punk rock legends as well as NOFX, Lagwagon, and Nufan.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Pour Habit was started by Steve and Chuck waaaaaay back. They just loved to get together and talk shit and make music about whatever. The three of us were best friends but I had my own band and they had PH. After a while we just decided to start doing it together. I brought my brother in and Pour Habit started to become what it is today. I think we have an awesome dynamic because we all have different music tastes. Basically, my taste rules and theirs suck. But I am fair and let them have some choices when writing songs. We pretty much spent a lot of time at Chuck’s house (thanks to the legendary Mr. GREEN) practicing and having fun. Those were some of the best days.
How long has the band been going? I guess you can say it has been going for about 7 years. Still feels brand new
Any particular story behind the name? There is an amazing book by Dave Eggers called “What is the What” it is an Autobiography based on the real life story of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee and member of the Lost Boys of Sudan program. Follows him on his journey of escape from Darfur and a transition to living in the States. The name Pour Habit has nothing to do with that book, it is because we drink a lot, but that book rules.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our most recent release was ‘Got Your Back’. That has two meanings. The first is because we are very loyal and so ya know….we got your back (if you are someone we care for) The second has to do with Steve. This fucker would always say this to make it seem like it was all good when he fucked up, and for some reason it worked. For example, if he borrowed your car and crashed it he would say….”damn…don’t worry about that playa…I GOT YO BACK” Oh ok, thanks. I like the album. Definitely a learning experience and us exploring more technical music and stuff. Actually, I really like the album.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? The best achievement is the fact we have stood by each other for this long. I can’t believe I have not been kicked out at least 5 times for my let’s say irresponsible and questionable life decision making. Also, getting to travel the world and see all sorts of cool shit and drink.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? Eric and my Dad is a drummer for a living. He used to make us sit in a room for 8 hours a day and practice. If we did not play that days lesson perfect, we were forced to sit in a pile of dry rice until the next day. Actually, our dad did not want us to be overly involved in music. He really supported us but now I see why he did not want us to pursue music for a living, mainly because we have no talent. I was in a high school band and played the lame ass sax. We needed a drummer and one of the other dudes was like “hey colin…you just play drums” I was like “I dont play drums” and he was all “you have a drum set!” and I was like touche. I started playing along to Rage Against the Machine and have not stopped.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? I remember when I was growing up all the rock on the radio was shitty ass Gin Blossoms or Collective Soul. The rap was cool though. Then my friend gave me The Survival of the Fattest comp and that was it. I found the music I needed. That was how you found music in my day. You had to hang with stoners and skaters. Rotten Apple by Strung Out…never heard anything like it before.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? My First band was called The Bears. We ruled. We played hardcore punk when everyone else was playing pop punk. People would look at us on stage because we were playing. It was awesome. We had to choose between coathanger abortion or anal leakage for a band name, so we went with the bears.
Most prized music related item you own? I don’t own shit anymore because on April 22, 2011 all of our gear got stolen!! As a small band, you are always in debt. You go on the road in debt from buying merch, fixing your van etc. For the first time, we did not owe any money and had two Album release shows in our hometown. Everything we owned music wise and every merch item, vinyl record, cd, and instrument was in the van and trailer and it got stolen. They did leave a cooler full of beer in the van when it was recovered. I had this old school beat up gretsch bass drum that everyone used to give dirty looks until they heard it. Thing was my baby. Really miss that.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Pretty much waiting to do band related stuff. I had a shit job at a porno shop that had jack off booths and sex toys. Really boring. I got robbed at gun point once. He was a pretty good robber, in and out rather quickly. We all just do normal stuff I guess.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… I thought about this question for a while until I noticed the word ‘least’ Makes much more sense now. Definitely least look forward to waiting to leave. I just want to get my butt on the road.
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? What the hell does offer mean? Our first big tour we wanted to kill Chuck. We were in Europe and the tour manager asked us what we wanted for a rider every night. Unbeknownst to us, he told the guy we don’t deserve a rider yet. But it was cool, we pretty much just snaked all of NOFX’s stuff. They actually rule and usually just let us have free reign. If I could ask for anything foodwise, it would be tour sandwiches. Just meat bread and cheese. I don’t know why, but that stuff tastes better on tour. And also, hennessy.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? Seriously not trying to kiss ass, but Australia for sure. We always meet the coolest people out there and the bands are awesome and there are lots of sexy bitches (bitches in a positive way). Our first tour out there was massive so we experience a 5 star tour life. Our last tour was packed in a van. I loved each equally the same. But once I see one of Australia’s massive spiders, Im out.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Damn, that is a hard question because I don’t remember much. I would say Syke in Adelaide was really amazing back in 2009. Half the crowd was on stage and the place was packed. It was just so much fun with all the energy. Plus we got to see one of the most massive bushes ever. It was awesome, straight 1700’s style.
Got a favourite song to play live? I always like Institution because that was one of the first songs we all wrote together. When Steve says “Haro Haro!” in the beginning, that used to drive me crazy. Chuck and Steve went to a sushi restaurant and I guess the chefs said that to them upon entering and those two would not stop saying that shit. Now it makes me smile. Charles and Steve are habitual joke killers…they will laugh at something for years, I don’t get it
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Jordan from Strung Out shit his pants in Toldeo, Ohio and dripped shit from his drums all the way to the bathroom. Or maybe you mean for us….I can not really think of any. We have more funny stuff happen. Usually involving Chuck doing something awesome that results in his injury. Oh yeah, one time Eric was jumping around and totally landed wrong and sprained his ankle bad. There is actually video of it. The our Friend Tyree cam out and pantsed him and was yanking on his pants and pulling on Eric’s fucked up ankle. He did not know whether to hide his pecker or stop Tyree from killing his ankle.
Any pre-show rituals? Yes….arrive to venue. Search for alcohol and or closest liquor store. Make fun of each other. Steve no doubt has already lost his phone so will ask to borrow one of ours. Steve disappears. We drink. Then we realize we have one minute. I usually have my dump timed to take 7 minutes before showtime. Then we go on stage. Realize Steve in missing. Find him. Play
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Well, definitely just maintaining your sanity. I see a lot of people lose it because your own personal desires do not mean shit. You have to roll with the flow and just remember how lucky you are to do this. There is definitely not a lot of money for a small band on the road. Especially these days where the music industry has flipped and become ‘put out a record so people come to our show instead of put on a show so people buy my record’ So support bands do not make a lot of money. But I have never once looked at this as “oh man, no money” That is for little bitches. I have had so many great experiences and when I become completely focused on money and a career I will do it. Right now, I am happy
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? I want to say something funny, but I am actually listening to Pandora right now and it is Pennywise ‘Waste of Time’ ….
Last album you acquired? Ummmm oh yeah the New NOFX album. Fucking awesome
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? I will probably lose my credibilty but I have been listening to a lot of Senses Fail lately. I have really been on a 90’s kick though listening to Ignite, Pennywise, AFI (old school AFI) Also, at the bar I work at we have a porter who comes in and works for beer and he is an old school rocker so he puts on a bunch of Scorpions and Dio.
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Matt’s (our other guitarist) band Hit the Switch is awesome.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Well, Eric is currently on tour with a band called The Expendables subbing for our great friend Ryan who is sick. When he gets back from touring we will finish writing the new album. Then go to Australia, then go start recording the album. Really stoked on the new one. Actually, everyone probably says that. So I am hoping the new album causes tremendous amounts of orgies across the world
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Between the Buried and Me – Colors. Then we could be like all “fuck yeah bitches, we can play anything”
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Prince! That would be so bad ass.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Pantera.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? I would like to play the Staples Center. But fucking asshole Lakers keep cutting me from the team so I have not played there yet.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Oh, I think I will go with Rage Against the Machine. I loved that band so much growing up. I wrote them a fan letter when I was like 13 or 14 and one day I come home from school and there is a box on my porch for me. I opened it up and there was all this stuff like 7inch records and stickers. How sick would it be to play a RATM show!!!
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Well, I don’t think any bands would support us so how about a tour with us, NOFX, and Strung Out. That sounds pretty damn amazing.
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? In case I have not made it clear, we will be in Australia with Hightime and Totally Unicorn in November and December. Go to pourhabit.com for details or redtube.com for fap material
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POUR HABIT
With Guests HIGHTIME and TOTALLY UNICORN
NOVEMBER
28th – Rosemount Hotel, Perth [18+] w/ Chainsaw Hookers & 10 Past 6 * Totally Unicorn not appearing.
30th – Unibar, Adelaide [Lic/AA] w/ The Bennies & Irie Knights
DECEMBER
1st – FEST-MAS @ The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne [18+] [Details Here]
2nd – The Tote, Collingwood [18+] w/ Declaration & Up And Atom. Pour Habit playing their album “Suiticide” in full.
5th – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart [18+] w/ Ride The Tiger & Phat Meegz * Totally Unicorn not appearing.
6th – Crowbar, Brisbane [18+] w/ Army Of Champions & Mental Giants
7th – Miami Tavern, Gold Coast [18+] w/ Trust & Fall & Satellite Years
8th – Annandale Hotel, Sydney [18+] w/ Easy Company & Ivan Drago
9th – Valve Bar & Venue, Tempe [Lic/AA] w/ Epics & Batfoot! Day Show – Pour Habit playing their album “Suiticide” in full.
9th – The Patch, Wollongong [18+] w/ Run For Cover
—> Tickets on sale now.
—> For more information, visit [Here].
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