Bye Week!

We're taking a short break this week due to all of the crazy shit we've been up to, including two shows with Crashed Out and City of Vain just this past Monday and Tuesday, and getting ready to rock San Francisco with Rancid and Cocksparrer.  The blog should be posting again on a regular basis next Tuesday!

Member Highlight: Matt Henson

Everyone else in the band pretty much grew up on the west coast.  What was it like being into punk and oi and all that in the south?

I grew up in Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. The Atlanta punk and Oi! scene in the mid to late 90s was the best in the country. Easily. Having said that, it was also the ONLY scene I experienced in the late to mid 90s.......but as a true American, my experience is the only one that matters. We had bands like the Anti-Heros, Terminus City, Man's Ruin, Time Bomb '77, APA, the Breakaways and many more, which meant there was always a show going on. Some of the best times of my life were at the Masquerade, where my friends and I used to go to the Kroger across the street  and get people to buy us beer, then go to the parking lot and drink before the show. We'd go to the IHOP down the street afterward (usually drinking water and coffee, having opted to buy a band shirt rather than eat) and recap the show the way guys in Afghanistan do after a mission. Pretty funny now, looking back. There were hardcore matinees at the Point in Little 5 Points along with record stores like Criminal Records where we would spend hours going through albums trying to carefully select the one that was really worth your last 10 bucks.........a difficult decision made even harder when you're reliant on album art, the liner notes and the endorsement of a buddy who hasn't heard of the band your asking about, but doesn't want to lose punk rock points by admitting it. There was also Crash and Burn, where we would go a hang around the older guys and wish we had enough money to buy the stuff  Frank had at the shop. Those were awesome times.


Part of the appeal of the band's songs seems to be the fact that they don't sound like a lot of what's being put out right now.  Why do you think this is the case?

There is never an effort by anyone in the band to play or write to fit a specific sound. I write songs around riffs or hooks that stick in my head and I think those songs are a bi-product of extremely varied (and weird) influences. The influences of the rest of the band are equally varied (and weird) so once everyone puts their spin on a song that Nate or I bring to the table, you get something pretty unique (at least we like to think so). We recognized that the sound we had was a bit different from the onset of the band, and we really didn't know how it would be received once people heard it. Nate and I just decided to make music we would like to listen to and if people dig it, cool. If not.........well, we really didn't get that far. As you know, getting Nate and I to focus on anything for more than 2 minutes is an incredible challenge. The reception of our music has been a really pleasant surprise and we've been really humbled by it.


You're an Army Jump Master.  Did you always want to be a paratrooper when you were younger?

My grandfather was a paratrooper in WWII. He broke his back on the jump into Normandy and was one of the only in his platoon to survive the war (though he spent the year after D Day in a German POW camp......and later a gulag after he was "liberated" by the Russians). As soon as I learned what my grandfather did, I wanted to be a paratrooper........right up until I was about to jump for the first time. For some reason it didn't dawn on me that being a paratrooper involved actually jumping out of an airplane until it was my turn to do it. Almost 100 jumps later, I still love it and still get the same, awesome feeling every time the door is opened.

What are some of your favorite Noi!se songs?

Idle Action is my favorite, I think. That song really illustrates how a song I write evolves into something better once everyone in the band puts their spin on it. That is something I have always loved about Noi!se. I'm really blessed to be in a band with guys I consider brothers and talented musicians to boot. Warrior Down and On the Outside are my favorite to play live, I think.

What's been your best experience in the band so far?

When we did that guest spot on Scooby Doo......wait, I think I may have dreamed that. No, there have been so many it's tough to choose. I think being in Afghanistan and finding out we got put on the bill with Cock Sparrer and Rancid would have to be the best so far, though.


Finally, give me five bands/artists that you're playing regularly right now.

You know what the first one is going to be.....
The Beatsteaks
Criminal Damage
Marching Orders
Green Room Rockers
The Broadsiders
Adele
Suedehead
Eric B and Rakim
Old Firm Casuals
Everything on Yo Gabba Gabba
Champion
The Jam
Thats more than 5.....but I'm a rebel, Dottie. A loner.

Member Highlight: Nate Leinfelder

You're always telling these hilarious stories from various points in your life.  It only takes a few hangouts to realize you've had some, uh, colorful experiences in a few decades.  Where did you grow up?  What was it like?

I grew up in a trailer park in a suburb of Portland Maine, until I moved to Boston, then San Francisco at age 16. It was poor, but friendships were tight. In Boston I lived in a storage shed in a subway tunnel, San Francisco was crazy.

You're definitely one of the most animated and expressive members of the band on stage.  You've also been in several bands and played various positions on the stage.  Can you think of any shows or experiences with bands that made you think "I want to do this shit"?

Luckily in 1986 my neighbor was a punk rocker. It goes back pretty far for me-I was raised on classic rock though. The first time I heard the dead boys, it blew my mind. Influence evolves as you dig deeper into what inspires your favorite bands-for example first hearing the dead boys, they're punk rock without a doubt, (but) they also had a real classic rock feeling without me having to admit I liked anything my parents did. Then,  I discovered that Stiv and Cheetah Chrome loved 60's garage rock, as did some of my parents favorite classic rock bands and there's the connection!   I closed myself off for many years because some music wasn't in a specific genre. Now I listen to almost anything, besides jazz and pop punk...listening for a hook, a tone or melody or even something to avoid haha.

 There was a guy who was instrumental in this. My best friend and I were schoolmates. We were trying hard to be punk. We didn't know shit. Shawn played bass and I was in marching band. (percussion). This guy Dave owned a record store-he let us practice in his basement, showed us records, and got us involved. We knew we didn't fit in at school, (and) Dave showed us the way. We were booking bands ,making zines, going to shows and I was like "fuck yeah" I'm home. The punk and hardcore shows in the northeast in the late 80's were awesome. Ask Rob Hoyt. It was inspiring.

 You seem to have a preference for all things modified-bikes, cars, guitars, tattoo machines-so much so that you often tinker and make your own.  Did you play with Legos or an Erector Set a lot as a kid or something?

I just really like making things. Being different was a negative thing growing up, and I was dirt poor and couldn't afford much, so if I wanted something, i learned how to do it myself from necessity. Now I try to pursue a higher level of function or aesthetic, and I like it.

 What are some of your favorite Noi!se songs?

 I'm really enjoying On The Outside right now. I knew what Matt was going for in Aires and Graces, and it's great to be able to play that song the way I think we both wanted to hear it-him as the writer and me as a fan.  I'm really excited about our new material also.

 What's been your best experience in the band so far?

 We have had so many incredible experiences in such a short period of time, it's hard to nail one down, but Matt told me there are soldiers in the middle east, doing their jobs in the worst possible conditions, risking their lives putting food on their families tables, and they're listening to Noi!se to get pumped for their dangerous missions. That means a lot to me-can't take that for granted. Punk rock never made my world less harsh, but made it much more bearable.  I'm grateful to be able to give that back.

 Finally, name five musicians/bands that are on your player right now.

 Sharp Objects, Criminal Damage-No Solution, The Slaves, The Gestalts, Night Birds-Other Side of Darkness.  But that's just right now, and subject to change regularly.

The Story So Far

Nate, tattooer par excellence and crowd-worker

There's something about Noi!se and tattoos.  In the summer of 2009, Nate Leinfelder and original drummer Miko Mueller were both plying their trades as excellent tattooers at Tsunami Tattoo in Tacoma, WA.  Nate, a Bay Area native who had grown up playing in numerous bands, had songs and riffs that he wanted to lay down as tracks.  Miko had experience playing drums in a few bands, and decided to get down on this project that Nate had cooking on the back burner.  In the meantime, Tsunami customer Matt Henson was busy making music in a band of his own, while still managing to be a full-time paratrooper with the US Army.  Nate found out about Matt's bass and singing skills, and hit him up with an email.  With Matt's old band on the rocks, the three ended up jamming together and laying down rough versions of what would become half of Walk Beside Us, in a converted fabrication shop.

Matt, the calloused crooner

One night, while watching a soccer game at a local bar, Matt was approached by Justin, a guitar player who had just moved home after a few years in upstate NY and a couple of deployments with the 10th Mountain Division.  Justin originally hit Matt up about a Trojan Records tattoo that he had on the back of his arm (again, with the tatts).  They started talking, and Justin said that he was looking to start a band.  Matt explained that he was in fact working on something new, and hooked Justin up with some demos to listen to.  Justin tried out at Matt's later that week, and the rest was history.  Practices ensued, and Justin and Miko were surprised to realize upon meeting that they knew each other from years past-Miko had actually tattooed Justin before he joined the Army (tattoos references abound).  Walk Beside Us was soon recorded on a 24-track, 2-inch tape, and produced by Tony Reed of Stone Axe notoriety.  It was quickly released on Longshot/Contra.





Justin, riff-wrangler and blog writer

The band started playing shows, but upon finding out that Matt was due to deploy to Afghanistan, the focus began to shift to recording again.  This is Who We Are was written, recorded, and produced at warp speed in The Autopsy Room, a basement studio owned and operated by Jesse O'Donnell, an old friend of Justin's from back in the day.  The resulting record was released as a 10" on Longshot/Contra that was well-received by the punk and oi! communities.  Despite military setbacks (due to the fact that Matt and Justin were both soldiers), the band still managed to play shows as far away as Texas, while also opening for big names like Sick of It All, Pressure Point, and The Business.  Further releases put into motion as Matt was on his way out the door to "the 'Stan" included a split with The Gestalts, a track on the four-way Better Tomorrow split, and featured tracks on Gary Bushell's 30 Years of Oi! compilation, as well as the Oi! this is Streetpunk compilation.



While Matt was away in Afghanistan, it became more and more apparent that Miko was having trouble balancing his full-time tattooing gig, his full-time gig as a dad, and the band.  Justin and Nate talked to Miko, and it was decided by all that the band probably needed a new drummer based on the way that the tempo and demand was increasing.  Soon thereafter, an old friend of Justin's and Seattle punk rock veteran Kenny Dirkes stepped up to play drums, and the lineup has been that ever since.

And of course, Kenny had been tattooed regularly by Miko, who actually recommended him as a suitable replacement.  Miko has continued ever since to provide the band with outstanding artistic support for shirts, as well as a couple of great album cover ideas that are in the works (you just can't stop the tattoos)

So far, future plans include a "back in business" show next week in Seattle, as well as a show in Bremerton two nights later.  The biggest event in the near future is going to be opening up for Rancid and Cock Sparrer at the Warfield in San Francisco at the end of February.  The band has yet to release a full-length, but the new tracks are already in the works, and recording is anticipated no later than mid-summer.



L-R: Justin, Nate, Matt, Kenny



There's a great dynamic with the band, between Nate's roots and songwriting style in legit rock n roll and his clever lyrical manipulation, Matt's melodic style of songwriting and unique vocal sound, and the natural musical inclinations of Justin and Kenny that make it easy to toss together a decent song with good leads, fills, and backups.

We're just getting started.  Stay tuned.



Ultimately, tattoos are the glue that has brought and held this band together.  Don't ever let anyone tell you that skin art is no good, kids!