1) What are some cool things about Ajax, Ontario?
There really isn't anything cool about Ajax, Ontario. I guess the cool thing is that there's nothing better to do than to play in a band with your friends and try and get good. But other than that, you're pretty much looking at a place with no downtown and a lot of strip malls.
2) Do you like the new Nirvana song?
I've only heard about half of it, but from what I have heard, I think it's good � but I don't know if it's worth all the hype that they're trying to build up.
3) What do you think about college radio?
I think it's a great way for a lot of unsigned bands to be heard. Most of those stations dedicate their time to more eclectic tastes and I think it's great for those artists.
4) Is it annoying when people mention Sum 41 when they talk about your band?
At first, yeah. But they're a great band and they come from the same town, so I think we've realized that it's inevitable. We think of ourselves as two different bands, so we don't mind it so much that people will throw their name in.
5) What are your favourite records right now?
Right now I'm listening to lot of the Used record by a band called Taking Back Sunday, and also the new Good Charlotte.
6) Things you loved about high school?
Graduating. And lunch.
7) Things you hated about high school?
I won't say all my classes � I had some pretty good teachers � but definitely dealing with the teachers who weren't too musician-friendly. If you weren't the football star in your school, you didn't really get any positive attention whatsoever.
8) What is the point of making music?
To have fun. To be with your friends and just to love what you're doing. It's the best job in the world.
9) What makes a band great?
When they can keep it together live and basically sound as good as they can sound after they've been produced in the studio. I think one band that can do that is Simple Plan from Montreal � they are one of the best live bands I've ever seen in terms of sounding even better than they do on their CD. Another band that can do that is Alkaline Trio � they just sound incredible onstage.
10) A lot of your songs are about loneliness and not getting the girl. Are you all sad and lonely?
No, no, we're doing pretty well. It's not always about not getting the girl; sometimes it's more about having the girl and not knowing what to do or being confused � just, you know, a typical relationship.
11) Have you had any bad experiences playing live?
I think we've had off nights, but I don't think we've had any bad experiences � touch wood � so far. There are nights where you're like, "Geez, I wish we could take that one over and do it again," but other than that, it's usually when someone is sick or if it's been a long, long drive that it's not a great night.
12) What do rock stars usually eat when they're on the road?
Anything fairly cheap. You try to get the smallest amount of grease as possible.
Not by Choice are playing with Gob at Club Phoenix tonight. Tickets are available through the Club Phoenix Box Office for $15 or $17 at the doors, which open at 8 p.m...
