Interview with SUPERMODEL TAXIDERMY

July 29, 2024

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Watching MTV videos when I was younger, those punk rockers and metal heads looked so bad ass in the videos. I always seemed to be drawn to fast and heavy, ending up here was almost inevitable. If I had not gotten into music, I’d probably be an astronaut though. I’m only saying that because I spent a lot of time at my craft and yes; I probably should have used my time better for something like making money at a real job, but where’s the fun it that?

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Skateboarding with my dogs through the paved trails in our woods. The echo of the wheels and their nails on the cement is pretty tranquil, keeping the mind relaxed is where the creativity comes from.

How long has your band been around? I used all that “free” time during covid to record the first E.P. so almost four five years now I guess it would be.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I’m from Fort McMurray which is pretty remote so the method for finding music was either trading tapes with friends that had gotten copies from out of town shows or finding bands in magazines. It wasn’t often back then that bands we come play for us. To this day I have a huge respect for groups like ‘The Smalls’ out of Edmonton who played to the little towns all over because I personally know the influence it has on a starving mind.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

What better mascot for a thrashy sounding band is there than a Supermodel Taxidermy? Our name Is meant to be a big F.U. to everything that represents an ugly figurehead in our society, such as the fashion/beauty industry with their skewed perception of what beautiful really is. My friend said the name as a joke once and I immediately dug it. Thanks, Lonnie!

Tell me about your most memorable shows. Shooting a music video when we played with the Golers in Edmonton was a good time! We didn’t really have a plan for the video either, it all unfolded as the night went on. The end product turned out awesome, have a peek on Youtube the song is called ‘Lipstick.’

 What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already? The Starlite Room is a personal favorite for me, the sound guy there is amazing, and I have seen so many rad bands at that place over the years that it gives me a sense of comfort. As for new places to play we are travelling to Europe in 2025. It seems like a cool way to see the world.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Supermodel Taxidermy, Suicidal Angles, Crisix and Slayer.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self? Finish that song you’ve been putting off. No one else has your vision so figure it out and find your direction before trying to start the band.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be? I have nothing to say because he wouldn’t have listened anyway.

 Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Homage, from the ‘Whorer Story’ E.P hits the hardest for me. There was a time in my life when I felt pretty lost, I wasn’t quite through all the damage from a past relationship and my new partner at the time had realised that. She told me years later that no matter which way we had ended up in the relationship “she was going to see it through” to help me out. I took that quote and build a super heavy crossover punk song about my journey out of the mess from her perspective. Fun Fact – we’re still together.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Exorcist for Beer, it’s pretty fast and has a really fun solo in it. The one that gets requested the most is ‘Chrysalis’ but we usually only play it at headlining shows as it’s a 4:54 second song.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Our process varies but usually I’ll bring in a song structure with lyrics ready to go, from there it takes shape. Reilly our (drummer) has started writing lyrics as well, two of his songs ended up on the new record - ‘At What Cost.’

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music? A lot of my writings have to due with the horrors in our society, I always try to highlight what could be avoided in the topics to prevent recreating them; a warning if you will. I also push a lot of self worth and believing in who you are.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Who doesn’t argue with their family? That’s what this band is, we’re like a family and we always get through it. Usually with beers, ha ha.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up? You can catch at rock the rails in Fort McMurray on June 7th. We’ll also be in Lethbridge on Aug 4th with Ripcordz. Otherwise check out our socials as we got a few things still to come this year.

Music Video - Lipstick - 

 

Reply

or to participate.