The Flatliners are back and tighter than ever. We managed to grab an interview with vocalist/guitarist Chris Cresswell and guitarist Scott Brigham back stage at Edgefest ’08. It’s been a year since we’ve met the boys at NXNE 2007 where they just finished recording their album and signed to Fat Wreck Chords (the youngest group of kids in a band ever) with the Union Label Group.
The boys have been getting heavy rotation on the Edge this year, they boys have been touring the world for a streak of 9 months playing with some of the bands they grew up listening to, but not forgetting their roots with the local Toronto Punk Rock scene. As expected, The Flatliners have catapulted their careers in the music industry all the while building a family of friends, supporters, and fans as they grow into their 20′s. To which I might add, Chris Cresswell says is the blood-line of their drive. Heavy touring can takes it’s toll on your life and the lives of your loved ones, but in the end love keeps the blood flowing.
The video above includes their current single “This Respirator”… a song about life on the road with a life waiting for you back home. Here are some of the lyrics to consider
It’s just begun and our broken backs are so cold
These four wheels feel like home to me
And I feel like I never want to go home
We could stop the world and we could tear it apart
These four wheels feel like home to me
They breathe
As these notes are bellowed they’ll rip you apart
So let these flat chords just break your heart
And who the fuck said we were giving up?
Cause it’s just begun
“It’s just begun and our broken backs are so cold” – perhaps tired out and longing for the love they have back home, trying to pull off a balancing act between work and love. It’s obvious that these lyrics are related to their new deal with Fat Wreck, the 9 months of life on the road from straight world wide touring, and being faced with choosing a path. They say all good and bad things come in threes. Considering that Chris had a new record, a new label, a new girl, I think it’s safe to say that the lyrics he wrote for the bridge are in reference to someone special back home who may not appreciate the struggles of being in a professional band.
During the video interview, Chris made a point to say that your loved ones will be there no matter what, that they may not understand or be happy with the decisions you make, but if they truly do love you, they will support you in whatever you do. It’s a tough decision to carry on with the march to the top of the charts, but your real friends, family, lovers will always be there to support you.
This video along with the Hostage Life video (also from Edgefest 2008) is currently featured on the Edgefest website, so if you’re an inside edge member and a fan of this band, go rate the video and share it with friends.
For more about The Flatliners or to found out where they’ll be next, visit www.theflatliners.com
Posted on: August 18th, 2007
NXNE 2007 features The Flatliners at The Annex Wreck Room in Toronto with Hostage Life. The Flatliners have recently been signed to Fat Wreck Chords (a record label founded by Fat Mike of NOFX) and are being backed by Underground Operations Booking in Toronto, Canada and Union Label Group in Montreal, Canada who has also signed The Ceremonial Snips whom also performed at the Annex Wreck Room. Their style can be described as raw punk with some old school influence but clearly have their own sound. See them perform “Mother Theresa Chokeslams The World” as part of the North by North-East Music Festival.
For more information about The Flatliners or to find out where they’ll be next, visit www.theflatliners.com
