![Carparthian Q&A With Marty [Lead Singer]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/2/carp.jpg)
I let Bert McCracken know his band sucks to his face!
Altsounds: What's your story behind the name Carpathian?
Marty from Carpathian: We basically just wanted a name that didn't really mean anything in particular and that our music would define the band rather than a name, I guess while reading through the credits of the movie Donnie Darko I took 'Carpathian' from the chapter Carpathian ridge.
Altsounds: You've had quite a few line up changes over the years, do you think that has affected Carpathian's sound?
Marty from Carpathian: Definitely. The band now is a very different band to the Carpathian that existed five years ago. Obviously, as a band progresses and matures the sound is inevitably going to change and grow with the band, and especially as new members come and go there are different elements being added or removed.
The positive side to this is that it has so far proved to be always for the greater benefit of the band.
Altsounds: How was the Australian Taste of Chaos tour?
Marty from Carpathian: It was bizarre, mainly because the tour itself was so huge, playing in arenas with catered food and all the other rock star nonsense. The bands on the tour were mostly bad and there were a lot of moments where we didn't belong or were being treated like shit. At the same time I brought some people back down to earth like when the singer from The Used ran his mouth about AFI (who are an incredible band). I let him know his band sucks to his face! The reason you play arenas on those tours is to allow room for the huge heads and egos carried by the dudes in those types of bands I guess. Overall, it was a good experience and gave us a ton of exposure to kids who would otherwise have not really heard hardcore here in Australia.
Altsounds: Your new album, Isolation is released worldwide on the 11th of this November, has this been a long time coming? Are you relieved the day has arrived?
Marty from Carpathian: Isolation has been out in Australia for over 2 months now, so the 'anticipation' as such has passed with that, it was received well which was something we honestly didn't expect with this record. Positive feedback from people I respect has been overwhelming so far and its something I really appreciate. Obviously one of the best aspects of this record is having it released in the US and Europe through Deathwish Inc. Its hard not to be stoked on having one of hardcore's best labels supporting your band from a billion miles away. The anticipation for the US release is definitely building as we are excited to see how it is received in the states knowing full well that the hardcore scene there is super critical, and obviously touring the US is something we look forward to in 2009.
Altsounds: Are you looking forward to your upcoming European dates on your new album tour?
Marty from Carpathian: Of course. We are touring Europe with 2 of the best current hardcore bands from the states. Touring with Have Heart will be probably one of the best experiences I have had on the road, and although we are not as tight with the Cruel Hand dudes yet, I am sure it will be one of those tours where everyone is best friends within 5 minutes of hanging out.
The last time we went to Europe it was with Parkway Drive and On Broken Wings and the audiences we were playing to were far different than the ones we will be playing for on this tour and I think we'll feel more at home on this tour.
Altsounds: Who has been your favourite band to tour with so far and why?
Marty from Carpathian: I am sure it sounds cheesy to say this considering this tour is technically still taking place, but I would say Shipwreck A.D. We have been on tour with them for the past month, playing in New Zealand and Australia. They are down to earth dudes and real easy to get along with, and our bands meshed within moments in the van. We met them back this spring when we were recording Isolation in Boston and have been looking forward to the tour ever since. We're working on getting to the US with those guys next year and no doubt that will be just as wild.
Altsounds: What do you each do when you finally take a break from touring?
Marty from Carpathian: Nothing too interesting. Josh is a stunt double for the kid from Home Alone, Lloyd works for Def Jam records, Ed has a tea shop, and Skan plays hackey sack professionally with a crew of non-shavers. I have just started my own record label and I also have my own denim line which I am working on heavily, but the majority of the time I am a driver for international tours.
I have been trying to figure out a way to become number 9 in Slipknot. I reckon if I get good enough at smashing shit together in sync with music they will give me a shot. I already have a mask and everything (a steam punked welder's helmet). [JD Shipwreck guest spot answered this]
Altsounds: How would you describe the hardcore scene in Australia at the moment?
Marty from Carpathian: It is heavy and grows bigger and bigger every day.
Altsounds: Do you think you have to be angry to write a good metal/hardcore song?
Marty from Carpathian: The majority of hardcore songs are not angry, and have with them positive messages. I guess if you read our lyrics you could say we are just straight up angry, but it is more than that. Being passionate about your emotions lyrically can come across aggressive, when a majority of topics like depression and regret fill our lyric sheets. There's no anger in these topics, more so just a declaration of how I feel, and when I do it of course I feel strongly about it; anger isn't the only thing that drives us. There are so many heart felt bands addressing real issues like straight edge, vegetarianism, religion, or politics and they do it in ways that are not vicious but more so just raising awareness and they do so successfully. Anger is definitely a significant part of hardcore but at the same time it isn't everything.
Altsounds: What do you hope your fans take away from a Carpathian gig?
Marty from Carpathian: I want them to walk out the door with their ears ringing, thinking in their heads that they just saw a real hardcore band play their hearts out on stage. And hopefully they take away some merch too as we are in serious debt, which I guess is what defines a hardcore band in 2008.
Altsounds: Was it and will it always be hardcore as a genre for Carpathian. Ever considered going acoustic?
Marty from Carpathian: Is this a real question? Hahahaha.
Altsounds: Give us your top 5 greatest albums:
Marty from Carpathian:
Marty from Carpathian: Our new record, 'Isolation' is out now on Resist Records in AUS and on Deathwish Records in USA. Support hardcore and leave out the fakes.
Get off the computer and get in a van.
Red Sox always on top.
One love.
a cold world
Marty from Carpathian: We basically just wanted a name that didn't really mean anything in particular and that our music would define the band rather than a name, I guess while reading through the credits of the movie Donnie Darko I took 'Carpathian' from the chapter Carpathian ridge.
Altsounds: You've had quite a few line up changes over the years, do you think that has affected Carpathian's sound?
Marty from Carpathian: Definitely. The band now is a very different band to the Carpathian that existed five years ago. Obviously, as a band progresses and matures the sound is inevitably going to change and grow with the band, and especially as new members come and go there are different elements being added or removed.
The positive side to this is that it has so far proved to be always for the greater benefit of the band.
Altsounds: How was the Australian Taste of Chaos tour?
Marty from Carpathian: It was bizarre, mainly because the tour itself was so huge, playing in arenas with catered food and all the other rock star nonsense. The bands on the tour were mostly bad and there were a lot of moments where we didn't belong or were being treated like shit. At the same time I brought some people back down to earth like when the singer from The Used ran his mouth about AFI (who are an incredible band). I let him know his band sucks to his face! The reason you play arenas on those tours is to allow room for the huge heads and egos carried by the dudes in those types of bands I guess. Overall, it was a good experience and gave us a ton of exposure to kids who would otherwise have not really heard hardcore here in Australia.
Altsounds: Your new album, Isolation is released worldwide on the 11th of this November, has this been a long time coming? Are you relieved the day has arrived?
Marty from Carpathian: Isolation has been out in Australia for over 2 months now, so the 'anticipation' as such has passed with that, it was received well which was something we honestly didn't expect with this record. Positive feedback from people I respect has been overwhelming so far and its something I really appreciate. Obviously one of the best aspects of this record is having it released in the US and Europe through Deathwish Inc. Its hard not to be stoked on having one of hardcore's best labels supporting your band from a billion miles away. The anticipation for the US release is definitely building as we are excited to see how it is received in the states knowing full well that the hardcore scene there is super critical, and obviously touring the US is something we look forward to in 2009.
Altsounds: Are you looking forward to your upcoming European dates on your new album tour?
Marty from Carpathian: Of course. We are touring Europe with 2 of the best current hardcore bands from the states. Touring with Have Heart will be probably one of the best experiences I have had on the road, and although we are not as tight with the Cruel Hand dudes yet, I am sure it will be one of those tours where everyone is best friends within 5 minutes of hanging out.
The last time we went to Europe it was with Parkway Drive and On Broken Wings and the audiences we were playing to were far different than the ones we will be playing for on this tour and I think we'll feel more at home on this tour.
Altsounds: Who has been your favourite band to tour with so far and why?
Marty from Carpathian: I am sure it sounds cheesy to say this considering this tour is technically still taking place, but I would say Shipwreck A.D. We have been on tour with them for the past month, playing in New Zealand and Australia. They are down to earth dudes and real easy to get along with, and our bands meshed within moments in the van. We met them back this spring when we were recording Isolation in Boston and have been looking forward to the tour ever since. We're working on getting to the US with those guys next year and no doubt that will be just as wild.
Altsounds: What do you each do when you finally take a break from touring?
Marty from Carpathian: Nothing too interesting. Josh is a stunt double for the kid from Home Alone, Lloyd works for Def Jam records, Ed has a tea shop, and Skan plays hackey sack professionally with a crew of non-shavers. I have just started my own record label and I also have my own denim line which I am working on heavily, but the majority of the time I am a driver for international tours.
I have been trying to figure out a way to become number 9 in Slipknot. I reckon if I get good enough at smashing shit together in sync with music they will give me a shot. I already have a mask and everything (a steam punked welder's helmet). [JD Shipwreck guest spot answered this]
Altsounds: How would you describe the hardcore scene in Australia at the moment?
Marty from Carpathian: It is heavy and grows bigger and bigger every day.
Altsounds: Do you think you have to be angry to write a good metal/hardcore song?
Marty from Carpathian: The majority of hardcore songs are not angry, and have with them positive messages. I guess if you read our lyrics you could say we are just straight up angry, but it is more than that. Being passionate about your emotions lyrically can come across aggressive, when a majority of topics like depression and regret fill our lyric sheets. There's no anger in these topics, more so just a declaration of how I feel, and when I do it of course I feel strongly about it; anger isn't the only thing that drives us. There are so many heart felt bands addressing real issues like straight edge, vegetarianism, religion, or politics and they do it in ways that are not vicious but more so just raising awareness and they do so successfully. Anger is definitely a significant part of hardcore but at the same time it isn't everything.
Altsounds: What do you hope your fans take away from a Carpathian gig?
Marty from Carpathian: I want them to walk out the door with their ears ringing, thinking in their heads that they just saw a real hardcore band play their hearts out on stage. And hopefully they take away some merch too as we are in serious debt, which I guess is what defines a hardcore band in 2008.
Altsounds: Was it and will it always be hardcore as a genre for Carpathian. Ever considered going acoustic?
Marty from Carpathian: Is this a real question? Hahahaha.
Altsounds: Give us your top 5 greatest albums:
Marty from Carpathian:
- Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
- AFI - Answer That And Stay Fashionable
- U2 - Greatest Hits
- New Order - Substance
- Shipwreck AD - Abyss
Marty from Carpathian: Our new record, 'Isolation' is out now on Resist Records in AUS and on Deathwish Records in USA. Support hardcore and leave out the fakes.
Get off the computer and get in a van.
Red Sox always on top.
One love.
a cold world
