Who is Modern Life Is War?
Jeffrey Eaton - vocals
Sjarm 13 - guitar
John Paul Eich - guitar
Chris honeck - bass
Tyler Oleson - drums
How did the band get started, how did you guys all come together?
We have a new website going up this week and there will be a bio/history on there so I am just gonna plug that. www.modernlifeiswar.net
How has it been working with one of the best labels in music today, Deathwish Inc?
Its been really great. They have been good to us. Tre has come on tour with us a couple times. He loves making sarcastic remarks while we stroke his big bushy beard.
Have you ever sat down and thought about how many kids you words and music have touched across the country?
Yeah I have but I try not to dwell on it. Those kids have allowed me and my friends to travel the world and make our dreams come true so they are giving us as much as we are giving them in many ways.
What would you say is the biggest difference between the scenes in major cities as opposed to smaller towns from your perspective after touring the last few years?
the biggest difference is that in big cities there are a lot more cliques and crews and shit. There are more people to try to impress so its all crazy. They get tons of big shows so people can be really picky. When you play a small town all the kids interested in any type of heavy music come out cause there is a band from out of town coming through. They just aren't as spoiled in that way. We like both. Its exciting to play in london and new york but its also exciting to play in prescott, AZ and Fargo, ND.
Did you ever try to fall asleep and have an awesome string of lines come into your head, which you then put into a notebook but never developed into anything more? If so, care to share one?
I did a lot of writing for witness at the last minute and slept so little that I lost my fucking mind completely. I don't really want to share anything. Insomnia is the fucking worst.
What's your favorite movie?
Rumblefish
Do you feel hardcore has been watered down? It seems like if anyone tries to do anything outside of the norm it gets looked down upon, if a certain part doesn't fit into the traditional mold or formula it can't be hardcore.
I think we are living proof that this is not the case. The hardcore scene gives our band a tremendous amount of support and I would consider us outside of the norm. Hardcore has been watered down but its the same with any genre....rock and roll, metal, soul, hip hop. But there are always exceptions.... Mastadon, converge, RJD2, fucked up, gnarles barkley, tom waits, the hold steady. The majority of people are not going to be innovative. The majority will be resistant to change because they don't want to be challenged. but obviously there are a lot of people who do want music to change and to be challenged and the proof is the success of all those bands I mentioned. Hardcore kids seem to reject bands they used to support when they feel like they are too distant or the fundamental things they loved and respected about a band changed or were replaced by other things as they got bigger. Hatebreed is a great example of a band who the hardcore community still respects and supports even though they are on the billboard charts and tour with slayer. Because they are still connected and they haven't forgot where they came from and who they are. All that being said...I don't care if kids don't think we are a hardcore punk band. To me we are. You can say we aren't hardcore and that's an opinion but you can't deny that we are modern life is war and there isn't anyone like us. That's all that matters to me.
What album do you listen to religiously?
The clash - london calling
If you could choose one song that best describes you as a person, what would it be?
Cock Sparrer - because you're young
Where do you see yourself setting up shop when it comes time to settle down and fade into your "golden" years? Even though you seem to have a disdain for your hometown of Marshalltown, IA, is there a possibility that you could end living there?
Hahaha! Man, How fucking old do you think I am? My primary concern right now is playing in my band and riding my skateboard and having a good time with my friends. Me and some friends are working on setting up a venue/coffee shop/hangout in M'town. The trouble with m'town is that there is nothing for youth who don't aren't into sports, church or getting wasted. We made our own fun when me and my friends were in high school but it was always a struggle. If we can inspire some kids there through our band and give them a place to hangout, see shows and play shows in marshalltown....that will be the most satisfying thing in the world to me and my friends. I want to prove that the possibilities are endless even for us small town kids. And it is always nice to shove your sucess up the ass of everyone who ever doubted you or made fun of you.
How's the upcoming year shaping up for you guys, you got the reissue of "My Love, My Way" coming out September 19th, any other releases in the works?
We are working on writing songs for our third album. Should be out next summer. We have 5 new songs right now and I love them and can't wait to see how it all comes together.
Thanks a ton for the interview Jeff. If you have any parting words please feel free to go and speak your mind...
Please check out these bands because they are dear friends of ours and we believe in their music....
www.fuckresponsibility.com
www.myspace.com/beatstrings
www.myspace.com/oldscratchrevivalsingers