Published: April 30th, 2008 09:50 PM
Last Modified: April 30th, 2008 11:41 PM
Ferret Records
36 Crazyfists includes -- from left -- guitarist Steve Holt, bassist Mick Whitney, singer Brock Lindow and drummer Thomas Noonan.
Brock Lindow knows all about contact sports. He's a fanatic hockey fan and player and also the singer for the mosh-pit-inciting 36 Crazyfists, Alaska's most successful rock 'n' roll export.
But when asked to explain the feeling attached to his band's current hard-rock highmark -- two new albums, a new record label, a big national summer festival tour and a huge homecoming concert at Egan Center tonight -- after 13 years in the game, Lindow threw out an unexpected sports metaphor.
"It's kinda like being the last kid picked for the kickball team," he explained in an e-mail. "(But) there is a weird glow around the band, and people have taken notice to the work we have under our belt.
"A lot of doors have opened up lately. ... It's pretty exciting in our camp right now."
Play caught up via e-mail with Lindow, who discussed new music, big gigs and wild beards.
Q. What's up, Brock! How's life?
A. Life's excellent; just landed back in Anchortown. Just finished two months (of touring) with Devil Driver and the legendary Napalm Death. (Before that) I had probably the longest stay at home in years -- played on three hockey teams and had the weekly Thursday night skate. I was in heaven.
Q. The rest of the band?
A. Everyone is great: (bass player) Mick (Whitney) just had a baby girl with his wife, (drummer) Thomas (Noonan) is in the process of moving back from Portland with his wife, and (guitarist Steve) Holt is farming one of the greatest beards in metal!
Q. Yeah, what's up with you guys rocking beards in the new publicity photos? Do you have a "first guy to shave his beard buys a round of beers" competition going?
A. Ha ha! Nah. I think we have just gotten lazy in our old age. But it is (NHL) playoffs time, so the beards go well with that!
Q. The band has been off the radar for a minute, but suddenly things are heating up in a major way. How's the energy around the band?
A. I would say the buzz is better than it's ever been. The label (Ferret Music) has breathed new life into us on many levels with their commitment to the band. And the overall vibe with them is so much cooler than we had experienced in the past.
Q. You guys have been through crazy stretches like this before, though. Is it still exciting or does it eventually just turn into handling your business?
A. I guess on some level it all just runs itself and we tend not to think about it that much -- it's just the job and all the craziness that comes with it. But I would say the excitement is definitely there. It has only gotten bigger and better for us as a band and I guess that was always the plan: a slow and steady the upward climb!
Q. The band has two new albums -- an EP, "The Oculus" (currently available), and a new full-length, "The Tide and Its Takers" (out May 27). From the EP and your Web sites, we've heard quite a few tracks from "The Tide ..." Some of it sounds like business as usual for you guys, but it also shows the band leaning toward a more melodic sound. Was that intentional or the songwriting progression?
A. The melodic side of the band is super important to us -- we have always tried to have equal parts of the heaviness and the melody on all the albums. This was really no different other than just trying to progress in those two areas and being as extreme as we could on all levels of those two qualities.
Q. Give us an album rundown: Songs? Producers? Favorite moments? And what's the biggest heavy-hitter?
A. There are 11 songs, and our guitarist, Steve Holt, was the producer. It was mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap over in England. Holt and Andy have been a great team for the past three records. I was really happy for Holt to have full rein on this one -- he cracked the whip on me a little harder than I initially thought he would, but ... I'm really proud of how well Holt did on this thing.
The heaviest jam is a tough one: There (are) some riot starters on this thing. I'd say maybe "Clear the Coast" or "Absent Are the Saints," or maybe "The All Night Lights." It's a tossup.
Q. The last time the band headlined at Egan Center, it was a near sellout. Talk about memories from that show, the anticipation for the upcoming show and your general thoughts on playing in Alaska.
A. The first time blew my mind. I never would have thought we could have that much love, but our people came through for us that night. I truly love the smaller shows ... playing at Chilkoot Charlie's is one of the most amazing, chaos-filled nights we have ever had. But filling a place like the Egan Center is pretty dang priceless -- it's the real deal. It's what you aspire to as a young kid, to have 3,000 people with their horns in the air and moshing their hearts out. It's absolutely mind-blowing.
Q. Speaking of big gigs, you guys are signed on to a huge touring festival: the Rockstar Mayhem Fest (featuring Slipknot, Disturbed and Mastodon, July 9-Aug. 19, www.mayhemfest.com). How did that come about?
A. Through our manager and record label -- they threatened someone with their lives, I believe.
Q. Seriously, you guys have done some U.S. touring and been involved in some pretty big festivals overseas, but how cool is it to finally be attached to a major summer festival in America?
A. To be honest, it's about dang time! ... We finally got the nod this year after submitting to Ozzfest for umpteen years. ... We are extremely thankful for this.
Q. You guys are all in your 30s now. How are the bodies holding up? How about your voice?
A. The voice feels great. We definitely aren't the young bucks we once were, but we have experience on our side and every night we throw down like it's the last night.
Q. How about mentally? Rock 'n' roll isn't an easy career, and you guys have had some serious ups and downs.
A. I have learned it is one of the shadiest businesses around: The people who do the most work get the least amount. But as we got older and surrounded ourselves with the right legal team and management, things got a little less lopsided. As far as mentally, I'm solid. I think I am the camp counselor ... which also is therapeutic for me. It's a weird thing leaving loved ones for so long and living out of your suitcase for a year-plus every time a new album comes out. Then again, I never thought we would get out of the garage in the first place so I guess things are working out just fine.
Q. On a personal note, we heard that you got married recently. Congratulations. How has married life meshed with your rock 'n' roll lifestyle?
A. Married life rules and I couldn't be more content. ... She is pretty much the greatest woman I've ever met.
I have never been much of a rock star; I mean, there really is no flash to our band. Were just the good ol' Alaskan boys. We stick out like sore thumbs on some of these tours with all these dudes wearing girls jeans and eyeliner. We would have to kick our own asses if I ever saw us like that. It'll never happen.
• Find Play editor Josh Niva online at adn.com/contact/jniva or call 257-4328.
36 Crazyfists
Also featuring Kallahan, The Lost Concept and The Hoons
When: 6:30 p.m. today
Where: Egan Center
How much: $28.50-$35, www.ticketmaster.com
Web: www.36crazyfists.com, www.myspace.com/36crazy fists
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