Garrison has just released on Revelation Records their new album “Be A Criminal” , one of the most intense rock album heard lately, with a lot of harmonies, intense lyrics and powerful chords. I was able to ask some questions to J.Morrisette, the drummer for the band, and he told me a lot of interesting things on the band ( also, where they get their name from ), their music and also some really funny tour-stories. Not to mention, he is real fun and he gave me the most “unexpected” answer … just read the first question and you’ll get it.

Interview with J. Morrissette by Carlo | carlo@staff.truepunk.com

Carlo:Hi ! What’s up ?

Garrison: Webster’s American English Dictionary defines “up” as follows: 1 a (1) : in or into a higher position or level; especially : away from the center of the earth (2) :from beneath the ground or water to the surface (3) : from below the horizon (4) : UPSTREAM (5) : in or into an upright position <sit up>; especially : out of bed b : upward from the ground or surface <pull up a daisy> c : so as to expose a particular surface 2 : with greater intensity <speak up> 3 a : in or into a better or more advanced state b :at an end <your time is up> c : in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement d : in a continual sequence : in continuance from a point or to a point <from third grade up> <at prices of $10 and up> <up until now> 4 a (1) : into existence, evidence, prominence, or
prevalence <put up several new buildings> (2) : into operation or practical form b : into consideration or attention <bring up for discussion>.

Carlo: Can you tell us a bit more about Garrison ? How you formed, started playing and got signed to Revelation Records ?

Garrison:Joe and Ed, old friends, started the band as both of thier previous bands had started to disintergrate. After sending a demo to Revelation and getting some guidance from Brian McTernan, Rev took interest and signed the band.

Carlo: You have just released your new record on Revelation Records, “Be A Criminal”. How do you feel about it ? Do you think it is your best ever ?

Garrison:This is by far the best record we have done. It is far more focussed and less self indulgent than previous efforts.

Carlo: Is your new record different in any way from the older album “A Mile In Cold Water”? Did you have the same approch in writing the music and the lyrics ?

Garrison:Everything about it is different. First, the rythem section is different. With the new rythem section came a more unified idea about the direction that the song writing should take. The lyrics are still written by Joe and Ed but they bear a more politcal overtone than before.

Carlo: I think your old record was much more “hardcore”, while this new one is more “rock” or “pop”, some one would call it “emo”. Do you agree with this ?

Garrison:The general concecus is that the new record is definitely more “rock” and some say more “pop” but it is definitely NOT more “emo”. Almost every review has talked about how much more focussed and less emo it is. Many have compaired it to the Pixies and the Foo Fighters.

Carlo: You are releasing stuff on Revelation records, which is one of the most important punk/hardcore label in the world. How do you feel about this ?Would you ever leave it ?

Garrison:Releasing records on Rev has been great. But it is also hard sometimes because many of the Rev fans expect you to be hardcore in the way that “Gorilla Biscuits” was or like “Drowningman” is. These are some of our favorite bands and we are honored to be on the same label. But sometimes it is hard when people are so closed minded that they pan what you do because the are stuck on one genre. If Rev and Garrison mutually fealt that another label would be a better channel for getting our stuff out there, then we would consider leaving. But as it is we are currently working well with Rev and they are pleased with the results.

Carlo: I saw The Movielife left revelation to go to Drive Thru Records. What do you think of what they did ?

Garrison:Drive Thru was a good option for The Movielife. They fit well with the other Drive Thru bands. Keep in mind that they did not just “leave” Rev. Rev, Drive Thru and the Movielife worked out an arangement that was mutually beneficial for all parties- and for the people that want to see the Movielife.

Carlo: Which are your main influences, where do you get your ispiration from ?

Garrison:We draw inspiration from everything. From all experiences and situations. As for musical
influences, we have a wide variety of interests. Between all the members of the band we have just about everything covered- from Converge to Death Cab for Cutie, from Miles Davis to Jeff Buckley, from The Breaders to The Wu Tang Clan- we like alot of music and draw influence from it all.

Carlo: Are you a staright edge band ? Or is some of the member of Garrison a sxe?

Garrison:Garrison is a long way from straight edge. Although I personally don’t do too much, I can’t speak for everyone. I mean… everybody has got their hang ups. I think if you were to classify each member of the band, Ed’s a degenerate, Joe is a pervert, Ethan is a sleaze and I’m an asshole. You can draw your own conclusions about what those things mean.

Carlo:What do you think of being staright edge ? I ask you this cuz there are (or there were ) some staright edge bands on Revelation …

Garrison:Straight edge? I mean… do what you want, but get off of my ass. Really… grow the fuck up. If you have family issues and want to stay away from drugs- great for you- really that’s great, it’s admirable- but don’t even try to talk to me about what I do. It’s my fuckin business what I put in my body. I really don’t need the rhetoric. How about I give a lecture for some militant straight edge vegans? Stop drinking Coke and synthetic Sneakers and Taco Bell bean burritos. Coke support slave labor; Sneaker synthetics are made from petroleum products and thereby fuel middle eastern strife; and Pepsico, who owns Taco Bell, is involved in wide scale deculturalization and monoculture. Please please don’t lecture me- I already know the story- I know it well.

Carlo: What are the latest albums/bands you heard and liked ? Have you got any kind of advice ?

Garrison:The new albums from Fugazi, Converge, Rival Schools and Burning Airlines are fenominal. Advice? Open your mind. Do your best to appreciate quality music from all genres. Whether you like Burning Airlines and Converge or not, you should do your best to appreciate the quality in both bands. Don’t tell me they suck when your definition of good is limited to Floor Punch and Charles Bronsen.

Carlo: Have you already started touring ? If so, with whom and where ?

Garrison:We have been touring for the past month for this album. And previously we have toured the US several times and Europe. We have played shows and festivals with Burning Airlines, Boy Sets Fire, Bane, Converge, Cave In, The Movie Life, New Found Glory, Piebald, Battery, New End Original, Hot Water Music, Blue Tip, Rival Schools, Hip Tanaka, Soul Brains- there are far too many to list.

Carlo: Which is the funniest or the most weird episode that happeend to you while on tour ?

Garrison:So we were playing a show in Detroit and this girl that I sometimes see up there had come to the show. I’m not sure if she came to the show to see the band, hit on me, or buy some blow from Ed. So she’s sitting at a table talking with Ed while I’m setting up my drums and this other guy sits down next to her and strikes up a conversation. This guy totally knows that I am with this girl but grabs the oportunity anyways while I’m busy. I have to admit, I kinda find it amusing when some guy hits on a girl that I am with, especially when I know he aint got a chance- and besides, I’m always good for a fight. So I walk up to the guy and smack him on the back of the head. He turns and is like, “what the fuck?!” So I laughed in his face. Ed’s like, “dude what the fuck are you doing?” So I say, “me and cock boy got some business outside.” Ed puts his head in his hands and me and this guy walk outside. As soon as we hit the sidewalk I grab the guy by the ear, headbutt his face, knee him in the balls and toss him between two parked cars. I think he hit his head on the bumper on the way down. Anyway, he wasn’t moving alot so I went back inside. Ed walks up to me and he’s pissed. He’s like, “Dude, that guy was about to buy an 8 ball off me! I need the fuckin money asshole!”. So the moral of the story is, before you kick the crap out of some chump, make sure your guitar player gets his money first.

Carlo:How would you describe your sound and music to a person that never heard of Garrison?

Garrison:It’s rock. Plain and simple. When playing live we are energetic and loud.

Carlo: Where do you take your name ( Garrison ) from ? It sounds a lot like the name of a person, has it got some hidden meaning ?

Garrison:The name Garrison comes from a kind of belt. Joe’s grandfather used to hit his kids with a “Garrison” style belt.

Carlo: What do you think of music videos ? Have you ever made any of them ?

Garrison:Music video is a really great medium. We have not made one yet but I look forward to it.

Carlo: Which is your relationship with technology ? Do you use internet and stuff, like downloading mp3’s of your favourite bands ?

Garrison:I’m a computer technician so I am around technology all the time. I have many MP3’s but I find the sound quality of most MP3’s not to be very good. I also believe that if you are grabbing MP3’s but not purchasing the artists work eventually then you are stealing. I think MP3’s are really great for getting music out there, but you really should buy the acual albums.

Carlo: Last question : which advice would you give to a band that is starting to play and want to get heard ?

Garrison:This is a hard business. If you are doing it for money, you will be dissapointed unless you are very lucky. If you are doing it because you love to play, good luck and have fun.

Carlo: Any final comments - is there something you want to say to the people out there ?

Garrison:Get out, support independent music.

Carlo:I really thank you so much for your time, I hope I can see you some time at one show! Thanks for all!

Garrison:Thanks to you, see you soon!