The Role Models rock hard — and drink harder
It’s not every day my interview subject takes a break mid-quote to down a Jagerbomb — but it’s not every day I interview a band like the Role Models. When I was setting up a chat with the hard-rockin’-but-harder-drinking local trio about the release of their debut album, Suck at Life, I can’t say I was too surprised they suggested a neighbourhood watering hole with cheap pitchers — not that I was complaining.
After a warmup round, the three Role Models — drummer Braydan Mynott, bassist Virgil Belknap and guitarist-singer Luc Goodson — loosened up and started talking about the group’s aggressive brand of punk rock.
“We just play really fast, ugly, basic rock and roll with really vulgar, explicit topics and lyrics,” says Goodson.
“Basically, three or four chords and you’re off to the races,” Belknap chimes in.
They’re not kidding. While Suck at Life has 14 tracks, the disc clocks in at under 30 minutes, with tunes about heavy drinking, drugs, posers and politics. “You look at mainstream music these days and everybody wants to sing about having a five-car garage and sleeping on a pile of money for their bed,” says Goodson. “We might not sing about the most glamourous things, but at least it’s real.”
Says Belknap, “It’s a running social commentary on basically ourselves.”
Suck at Life is one of the first albums to be released on Absolute Underground Records, the new label from Ira Hunter and the folks at Absolute Underground Magazine and TV.
“We were stoked to have some help from Ira because we were basically a poor band,” says Goodson. “We’re all working-class people, so it was nice to have somebody who could give you a little boost.”
The band does seem to be getting a few boosts these days — and the guys couldn’t be more content.
“We’re amazed and happy that we’re getting as many shows as we are,” says Goodson. “I don’t think any of us thought we’d be sitting here releasing a full-length album with a record label and looking at plenty of options for what we’re doing.”
The present has indeed been treating the Role Models well, but what about the future?
“I think our biggest goal is where we’re going to get our next beer,” the quiet Mynott pipes in. M
The Role Models(with Bradys Problem and the Mutated Earthlings)Part of the Absolute Underground Records launch party9pm Friday, March 25Logan’s, 1831 CookTickets $10250-360-1832