Introduce yourself…
I'm Ben. I play guitar, sing (sort of), and generally harrass and irritate everyone I can.
How did the band start?
The band started when I moved into a new place a couple of years ago. I was carrying my guitar cases into the house when the neighborhood kids saw them and asked "Are those guitars?". I replied that yes, they were. They said, "that guy down there plays drums!" They were pointing at Kyle's place. I was like, "oh." I Just figured it was probably some old guy or something (we live in an older neighborhood), but later he was out in front of the house all sleeved out and shaved head with a pogues shirt on, so, thinking, "holy shit, what are the odds?", I stopped and introduced myself. The original bassist worked across the street from me, so we just kind of fell into being a band.
How did you come up with the name?
It was something random, non-specific. I wanted a name that didn't define us. I'd rather create music to define the name. Titles are kinda stupid, but necessary.
Who would you say are your influences?
Our influences are all over the place. I listen to a lot of NYHC, old school hardcore, first wave UK stuff, and a lot of stuff that isn't punk at all. Kyle is really into Oi and street punk. Pete listens to everything as far as I can tell. I'd like to say that we draw on all of that. We have songs that draw the NYHC comparisons, but then we also write simple 3-chord songs, thrash and Oi chant stuff. We're really hard to pin down as far as where we fit in the overall scheme of things. We hear everything from Motorhead to Sick Of It All after shows.
What was the punk scene like in Indiana?
Dismal and awesome at the same time, about like anywhere really. There are some definite hot spots like The Melody Inn in Indianapolis, where our friends Rich and Greg have been putting on a punk rock show every saturday for over a decade. The town where we live is home to Sonic Iguana Studios (legendary punk recording studio), Oi The Boat Records (distro for Old Firm Casuals and a bunch of other cool bands), and has spawned a ton of good punk over the years, including Brassknuckle Boys before the move to Kentucky years ago.
Describe the song writing process...
Songwriting... hmm. MOST times it starts with a riff or an arrangement complete with lyrics that I'll bring in and work out with the guys. Up til now I've done the bulk of the songwriting, but since Pete's joined the band on bass, he's been contributing a lot of riffs and suggestions, so the process is evolving to include more of that. I still write my lyrics. I feel like it's kind of disingenuous to sing somebody else's stuff when you're presenting it as your own. I also have trouble remembering other people's lyrics. Maybe because I didn't feel them when they were written or something, I don't know.
In 2010 you released an EP, tell us about the EP...
The EP is the first stuff we wrote as a band, and we recorded it maybe 3 months after first playing together. We were really lucky to be able to get into Sonic Iguana and record with Phillip Hill of Teen Idols/ Screeching Weasel at the board. Mass Giorgini did the final mix and mastered it, so it really ended up sounding great. The entire thing was done in a 10 hour session, with 4 songs scheduled (we cut 5). Martyr just happened, having been written just 2 weeks prior. I think, because of that, it has the greatest sense of raw energy and urgency on the release.
What else have you released?
We just cut 2 songs for a single release, Stop This and Static. They're Pete's first tracks with us. We had actually started them with our old bassist, but we parted ways during recording them, so we had Pete come in and track the bass parts. Good timing for him, I guess!
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
Oh hell, we've played with a shit-ton of great bands. The Black Tie Operation, New Red Scare, Midnight Saints, The Dead Records, Brassknuckle Boys, The Business Machines, Not Tonight Josephine, West & Run, The Snotrockets, Bourbon Scum, Dead Aces, The Radicals, The Bloody Muffs, Silverhounds, Tied For Last, Revitalization Movement, Voice Of Addiction, Red Channel, The Vibrating Velvet-Tones, Belligerent Bendajos, and probably a bunch more that aren't coming to mind at the moment.
Have you toured?
Yeah, we just got home from an 8 cities in 8 days tour of the East Coast and Midwest. It's awesome to get back in your own bed after a tour, but it also carries the feeling of wanting to just keep going.
Do you prefer small clubs or large venues?
Small clubs, for sure. We've done bigger stages and festivals, and there's a sort of disconnect that goes with that. We MUCH prefer to be able to interact with the crowd, talk shit and act dumb with them, whatever. It's just a better experience.
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
Honestly, not really. We've been lucky to play with a ton of great bands, and enjoyed nearly all of them. We've made great friends in bands like The Bloody Muffs, The Black Tie operation, Tied For Last, Silverhounds, Dead Aces, Midnight Saints, and some other really cool groups. The thing with punk is, it's like a giant community held together by a common experience. That's what I take away from it, more often than not.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
Wherever they'll have us. Dirty, grungy little bars with disgusting bathrooms, sticker and tag covered walls, and grimy pools of old beer on the floor are best. You walk into a bar like that, you know you're in the right place.
What do you see is the future of the Enders?
We're just gonna keep on doing what we do. We HOPE to record a full length by the fall, and have it released before the new year. We've gotten a lot of support from other bands, comp labels, etc., and we'd like to get a distro deal set up so we can continue to grow our audience... but, at the end of the day, it's about getting out there and playing.
How can people contact the band?
We can be found at www.facebook.com/theenders and all booking and press contacts should be sent to theendersband@gmail.com
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