Snapcase on 08-15-2000 by Asped Emin

With their emotianally charged lyrics and a music filled with genres ranging from hardcore/punk to metal, it's no wonder that Snapcase are breaking through to the mainstream. With their latest release "Designs For Automotion" they have finally perfected their sound. Headlining this years Snojam and having a spot at Warped Tour it looks like that this is just the begining for them. I had chance to talk with Snapcase's very own lead singer Darryl Taberski over the phone about their new release, future plans and Victory Records.

AS: What was it like back in 1989 when you were only 18 playing bass in Solid State ?

DT: It was fun, we weren't a band yet at that period our guitar player was only 14 or 15. We were these young kids trying to play on instruments and try to imitate our favorite bands.

AS: If you listen to the lyrics in any Snapcase song you can tell that you guys are trying to shed a positive light on people and saying be yourself and things like that, and the way you guys pull it off is in a loud, energetic way, with intense guitars and yelling. The question is do people ever think you guys are yelling about killing yourself and the devil etc. just because of the style of music Snapcase is?

DT: Not that I'm aware of, I mean there probably are a lot of people who assume that because the music is aggressive that it's about negative things or violence or something like that but the people who follow the band know that it's not true. They know that our message is positive.

AS: You guys seem like the type of band that doesn't really want to be classified under any certain style of music but if you had to place Snapcase under a type of music these days, what would it be ?

DT: Our roots are in the hardcore scene, that's where we all come from. We all met each other in that scene. But I think musically now we're not so concerned of being categorized as a hardcore band because it can be very limiting. People have a definition of what they consider hardcore and we don't really fit in into that definition it doesn't bother us at all we just wanna write music that's new and creative you know.

AS: Do you think because you're on Victory Records that limits you as a hardcore band ?

DT: Yeah I think so. Not as much as it would've a few years ago because Victory has expanded to different styles of music and reaches out to more kids not just in one scene.

AS: You've played twice in Canada this year headlining Snojam and as part of Warped Tour, what do you think of the crowd here compared to the States or Europe ?

DT: Right now it's very exciting for us to play in Canada because we haven't toured in Canada a lot in the past and now we're starting to build up a strong fanbase, a lot of new Canadian listeners. It's really exciting for us to tour anywhere in Canada we can't wait to headline there again.

AS: I've read you wanted to be part of the Tattoo The Earth tour...if they'd asked you which one would you choose between the Warped Tour and TTE?

DT: There was some mention of TTE but weren't that interested in it. We felt really comfortable with Warped Tour we had a lot of fun with it and I'm very glad that we were on the bill.

AS: You've toured with the Deftones in the past and they recently mentioned they'd like to tour with you again...is this gonna happen?

DT: AH ! I'm not sure you know I haven't really spoken to any of those guys in a while but I love their new record (White Pony) I think it's amazing and for us to tour with the Deftones again would be really good.

AS: Do you think Napster should be shut down or stay 'cause it helps lots of underground and indie bands, or you don't feel implied in the debate?

DT: It either should be shut down or allowed only to share only a few songs by a band. That way they would be introducing kids to new bands but not giving away the whole album.

AS: I heard you are looking for fans footage of your past concerts, for a future home video about the history of the band...when can we expect this ?

DT: We are currently working on it and we'd like to get it out early next year I suppose.

AS: What do you prefer...to be on stage and perform for your fans or be in the studio recording new stuff?

DT: I like both of them because with the combination of both you keep things interesting and if you can take some time off to rehearse and write new material and work in the studio...it's fun but you get tired of it after a while. Then it's time to go on tour, same goes for touring it gets boring after too long and it's time to go home and write new material. I think you really need both of them.

AS: You've worked with Steve Evetts on your last 2 albums...did he have an impact on the evolution of your music ?

DT: Certainly he has on a production level but I think we really stand alone as a band how we write songs and music. We really like working with Steve he's done a great job. He's a real perfectionist (laughs) he helps us to give a little bit more attention and be more careful.

AS: You're one of the biggest names in the hardcore scene right now... how do you feel about that?

DT: Being a big name is not important to us at all but being respected and influential to other bands that's what is important to us. We wanna be a band that kids will continue to listen to for years to come and not be a popular band for a short period of time.

AS: What CDs have you been listening to lately and what bands do you respect in today's music world ?

DT: I'm looking forward to the new At The Drive In CD, Death By Stereo, Cave In etc. There's many of them I can't think of them all now.

AS: Have you worked on any new songs?

DT: Individual members of the band have come up with new ideas for songs but we haven't gotten together and worked on it yet. Actually this week end we're planning too.

AS: What can we expect of the next Snapcase record ?

DT: It will be more creative than anything we ever done before. Hopefully it's gonna sound very unique and maybe change the way other bands write music. We wanna write a very influential album and we wanna make it a conceptual album rather than a few songs on a CD.

AS: Which bands would you like to tour with?

DT: We'd always love to tour with Fugazi that would be extreme or play a gig with Bad Brains. Were gonna be touring with Death By Stereo it's a Californian band, they gotta new album out on Epitaph we are also gonna tour Europe with Avail. Then we'll see... there is also Cave In it's a band that we like to play shows with.

AS: Darryl thanks a lot for the interview on the ending note any comments or shout outs ?

DT: Thanks a lot for the interview Asped, see ya soon.