Think I Care - Jason and Shawn
Interview Date: April 12, 2006
Associated band: Think I Care
Interview with Jason and Shawn of Think I Care in April of 2006.rnrn
Thank you guys for joining me today. First off, can you guys introduce yourselves and the roles you play in the band?rn
Shawn: My name is Shawn, and I play the guitar.
Jason: I'm Jason, and I'm the vocalist.
Can you guys give a brief overview of how the band started?rn
Shawn: Jason and I started the band like seven years ago. At first he played bass and sang. We got Aaron to play drums and then Joe joined as the vocalist. That line-up didn't really work out so Jason went to vocals and Joe went to bass. That has been the lineup for all these years.
Jason: Our first show with me on vocals I think was very early 2000.
Is there any particular significance or story behind the name Think I Care?rn
Jason: The first ever show we had, I sang and played bass. We needed a name for a flyer. Our drummer Aaron said something like, \"Think I care what our name is,\" and it made it's way on the flyer and stuck.
You guys mentioned how you've been together for about seven years. How long have you been signed to Bridge Nine?rn
Shawn: World Asylum is our first record with Bridge Nine.
Jason: We started talking with them this summer.
Before then, did you guys release your self-titled independently?rn
Jason: No, our first record came out on Boiling Point Records, which wasn't anything really. Then we worked with a more established label called DeadAlive Records out of New Jersey. We did two records, and they helped us with our first tour. We did another recoed with a label called Walk All Night. which turned out to be a dreadful mistake. It nearly ruined the band, and it may have if Bridge Nine hadn't stepped up with an offer.
Through all of those experiences, how have they influenced the sound and intensity you guys have on World Asylum?rn
Shawn: We have always strived to make each of our records better than the last. Like Jason said, we almost broke up before we started talking to Bridge Nine. After we decided to do the record, it was almost like a rebirth for the band. We take it more seriously now and all just have more enthusiasm for the band in general.
For those who have no idea what you guys sound like, can you maybe give a few bands that have heavily influenced you through the writing process?rn
Shawn: Cro Mags, Sheer Terror, Blood For Blood, Chaos AD era Sepultura, early Metallica, etc.
Jason: For me, I've always been into Black Flag, like what Rollins did. I'd say I've borrowed some of my writing style and stage presence from Rollins, and definitely Paul Bearer of Sheer Terror.
With the huge hardcore influence, what is your opinions on the Boston hardcore scene today? Do you notice larger turnouts for hardcore shows today compared to a few years ago?rn
Jason: Well Boston is very spoiled with the amount of top notch bands out of the surrounding area. but we aren't so lucky with reliable venues. It's hard to gauge the turn outs, 'cause sometimes you think there'll be a ton of people, but no one will show up. Or they'll just stay outside. Other times I can't believe how many people show up. There isn't even a venue in the city. Right now everything is happening in a city named Brockton, about a half hour or so outside the city [of Boston]. I'd rather be in Boston on a bad day than pretty much anywhere else on a good day though.
Back to the new album, what kind of themes and messages did you write for the vocals?rn
Jason: I stay away from themes really, but my message is to have no message at all. I just do my own thing, and write about things in my life. I don't try and take hard stances on anything or write about what I think people should do. I find people can relate to that. Most hardcore kids are frustrated or angry as it is, and I'm no different, so I think that's a much better way to do things. Keep things real.
What drew you two to start playing music?rn
Shawn: We were friends before we did the band together, and we always talked about learning to play instruments because we were both always really into music. So one day we finally followed through.
Do you guys have any intense or funny stories over the past seven years, such as tour stories or anything?rn
Shawn: I mean in seven years all kinds of stuff has happened. I am not much of a story teller but... A few weeks ago we were in California doing some shows. After one of the gigs, I was talking to some people behind the venue. When I went around front our car was gone. They thought I went with the other band and left me there. My cell phone was in the car so I had no way to contact them. I thought I was totally fucked, but after like a half an hour, they figured it out and came back.
Jason: A few years back we flew to California to play a couple of big fests. While there I got so sun burned. It hurt to walk around. Anyway we rented two cars, and I was at car A and needed to get to car B about 100 yards away. I, like a fool, sat on the open window of the drivers side and hung on, and said to the driver, \"Don't do anything stupid.\" Well, he did. He speed up and swerved the car to be funny. I fell off feet first but was going too fast and couldn't catch up with myself and fell to the ground. It totally destroyed my colar bone. I got right up though, and no one believed me, that is until they saw my bone almost bursting out of my chest. I broke it bad in three spots, and they told me i'd need surgery. We still had shows to play, and I played them. Worst pain of my life. Worse than breaking it. I never ended up having surgery, but I didn't heal right at all, and I have almost like a false joint there, and it still sticks way out. It's kind of gross. Chicks dig scars, but not big calicum, scar tissue, and bone lumps.
Do you guys have any tour plans coming up?rn
Jason: Nothing in stone. but to say I would be disappointed if we don't do a full US tour this summer would be the understatement of the century. We try to do weekends within 12 hours of Boston as much as possible. Things will only be picking up with the release of our new record.
What would your dream tour be?rn
Jason: Not sure really. I guess it would be to open for a huge hardcore band like Sick Of It All or something... A bigger band that would make sense for us to tour with and we could make the most of it and get some exposure. Also not playing in squats and hole in wall in the worst part of town clubs would be nice.
What are some of your favorite bands that should get more exposure?rn
Shawn: Blacklisted, The Lovely Lads, Cold World, RZL DZL, Downhill Fast.
Jason: I actually do a small label called Eating Rats Records, and two serious bands should get a lot more attention. Lewd Acts from California and The Lovely Lads from Boston. The band Righteous Jams are working their tails off and deserve everything they can get. Like It Or Not from Calilifornia as well, I'd like to see them do well. Hopefully all these bands will accomplish whatever they want. It wouldn't be too bad if Think I Care could get in on the action as well.
Any final words to the readers?rn
Shawn: Parting message... Check out World Asylum. You won't be dissapointed!
Jason: Thanks for the interview, and thanks for reading. Be sure and check out the new record at bridge9.com, hopefully we'll be on the road soon enough so check us out live if we come within 600 miles of you.
