CF:
Let's get right down to the basic stuff. What musicians and artists of the past and the present would you say influence you musically?

Justin:
Well, throughout the years, my inspirations and influences vary through my many stages I've gone through, musically and personally.
Bands like A Perfect Circle, and Tool have been more on my "harder" and more "technical side". While bands like Alexisonfire, Coheed and Cambria, and Saosin have been my striking points, where you go outside the genre and make something totally unique and wicked. Vocally, those bands along with many others that I listen to, like John Mayer for example, they inspire me and influence me to work harder and make things as best as they can be.
My favorite musicians for bass are: Matt Freeman (Rancid), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Eddie Brekenbrige (Thrice), Jeordie White/Paz Lechantin (A Perfect Circle), Mark Hoppus (blink-182), Chris Steele (Alexisonfire), Justin Chancellor (Tool), Fieldy (Korn), and Jeph Howard (the Used), Mike Dirnt (Green Day) and Geddy Lee (Rush)
Vocally: Maynard James Keenan (Tool and A Perfect Cirlce), Anthony Green (Saosin, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, The Sounds of Animals Fighting), Dallas Green/George Pettit (Alexisonfire), Claudio Sanchez (Coheed and Cambria), Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), and Bert McCrackin (The Used)

CF:
Would you say you're a perfectionist when it comes to your music and playing?

Justin:
I try to be, but that�s not always the case. I like to think of my playing more bass-chord oriented, where the bass plays like a guitar and still keeps the band together. Vocally, I honestly try my hardest to be, but when it comes to working my own lyrics and vocal melodies, it becomes really tough to make myself sound like I work really hard on it. As a perfectionist, I really try to work in harmonies and effects with guitars and harmonies vocally, but as I said, it becomes really hard to do and make it sound good. Its really easier said than done.

CF:
Who are the people in your personal life that inspire you most to continue making music, and writing the lyrics to band's songs?

Justin:
I'd have to say my biggest inspiration in my personal life would have to be my older brother Preston. He was always into so much music and different style and would always encourage me to listen to music and he'd always support me musically. I make music with him as much as I can, and we're thinking of starting up a band soon. We've tried in the past, but they never really got off the ground.

CF:
Would the new band affect Elevenance negatively?

Justin:
I think that the new band idea would really help me out musically. Being with Elevenance shows off one side of my musicianship, while there are many other sides of myself that I'd love to explore with these guys, but as a band, you can't be too varied with your sound. With Preston, he and I can make many different styles and genres of music without losing the feel that a band usually has. I think it'd be more positive than negative. It could eventually open more doors into this band, where we could explore different things and still sound as a group, without changing our style too much.
Preston was always willing to help me work on songs, and to help express my feelings through the music and through the lyrics. The most apparent one to me right now would have to be the pre-chorus riff from �As Of Now�, with the dual guitar harmonies. I had the one idea for the bass to play that, but he came up with a harmony to it and we showed them to Chris and Richard. They loved them and they've used them ever since.

CF:
Coming back to your personal inspirations...

Justin:
Lyrically, my inspirations for them would usually come from my own personal relationships. For example, "As of Now" was written after my break-up with Chelsea, one of my best friends. It was a really hard time to get through, and this song almost helped make it easier to do. The song progresses from where she's confused and hates me for breaking up the relationship, to the point where she learns that it was for the best and she forgave me. Other songs just come from within really, where I'd let my emotions out through a song. Some of these are from days where I've felt either depressed, angry, happy, or confused and the daily situation somehow poetically comes into play with the lyrics. It's quite funny to read afterwards, and go "Man, you can so tell I was pissed there!" or "I didn't know I felt that way."

CF:
Would you say you've discovered a new side of yourself through your music?

Justin:
It all really depends. My different sides and emotions are fueled by my music. Listening to a band or a song will mean something different to me, and might affect who I am. Every band I listen to shows a different side of me, I think, and the more I have the more it�s easier to show. My music collection itself is extremely varied in styles and genres. I even have my "Garth Brooks- Greatest Hits" in my collection!

CF:
Oh, wow! I didn't expect that. Would you say that's the most shocking record you own?

Justin:
For most people, I believe it would be. I was born and raised on country music, so I have an acquired taste for some of it. The great majority of it can go lick balls, but stuff like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson are deep in my soul. I have some other varied types of records, like my John Mayer albums, or my Remy Shand. I'm really all over the map with the stuff I listen to.

CF:
Coming back to your music; In the end, what kind of meaningful impact would you like to make upon the public?

Justin:
I really want to let people out there know who we are as individuals and as a group, because we have so much we want to share. Myself, I want to give something back to the public, and to the artists who helped make me who I am. For the kids out there, I want them to have something they can hold on to, and express themselves through, and if my music helps them do that, I would be infinitely speechless.

CF:
It takes just one fan, eh?
In your opinion, what is the most difficult thing about getting your music out there?

Justin:
There are a couple of things that make the music hard to get out there. First of all, it would have to be the inspiration behind it. Because, I'm not the kind of person who would be able to write a song a day, and not give a shit about how it was presented. I take time and hours of effort into my lyrics themselves, to make sure I'm saying the right thing and that this is what I want to show. I think it also makes the music better. Knowing that this is your soul and the music you want to create comes from the heart, and is the best it can be. Time and effort make things better, I guess. Another thing is the cost of equipment. [laughs]
Seriously, it costs enough to make music, let alone paying for equipment. I'm working a job, paying a phone bill and I have little money to spare for recording or paying for equipment. I'm spending over $1000 on my Ampeg 42-L Collosus Bass cab alone, and I'm still playing the same Squier P-bass that I got for my birthday back in 2000. The same bass and it�s in desperate need for an upgrade. I'm looking at a Fender Hi-way 1 P-bass through a shop in West Edmonton Mall, for only $865.00. But that's still a lot of money to be spent. Then you have to pay for cords, tuners, mics, strings, picks, sticks and you name it. It's not cheap being a musician, and the money really adds up fast. Another part that makes getting music out there would have to be the lack of record labels that would sign a band like us. Being where we are, there is not much opportunity for music development, but if you are really determined to get it out there, you have to work your ass of to find someone out there who likes it. For us, we had someone from Indie Pool in Toronto ask about us and wants to know if they can help with the music. I'm sending them a copy of our E.P. when it's finished. You never know, something might happen.

CF:
The band does suck up a lot of money, but it's obviously worth it to you. What would you say is your favorite part about being in Elevenance?

Justin:
I guess it's making music with my best friends. I love these guys so much, and I've known them all for such a long freaking time, and we've all gone to school together since Kindergarten. I'm at a different high-school than the rest of them, but I grew up with them, and we are always doing things together. Making music between us all, is like sharing our life story with everyone. I love the stuff we write; I love when we jam together and I love it when we just sit and fuck around. These guys are my friends for life, and sharing this with them is an honor and a privilege. Without them, I'd be almost nothing.

CF:
It obviously takes a lot of practice and hard work being in a band and being able to play with your best friends must be the most rewarding aspect; what would you say is the most tiring aspect of it?

Justin:
Tiring aspect of being in this band, eh? Well, I'd have to say the time we spend working on little details and portions of our songs. We love the songs, it�s just, after so many times of playing it to work in a different part or a change in lyric, becomes tiring. It�s very awesome, and fun, but it still takes a lot of time. Recording as well - especially recording. When we do that, we spend hours and hours perfecting things and making sure its the best of our ability. I swear, sometimes it becomes so hard to do anything because you are so intent on making sure its perfect, and if it's not, you'd re-do it all over again until its perfect. I rarely see a down-point to being in this band, but stress becomes a problem sometimes.

CF:
I know the band and you have been through some trials; do you think you guys can survive anything?

Justin says:
I'm sure we can. Just during last July (of 2004) we almost broke up because of certain problems we were having as a group. And that was tough for me, because I wasn't just losing a band-mate, I was losing a best friend and a part of myself. We work hard on making sure that we don't do anything that would cause that problem again, and we've not had a problem since. I guess it was bad at the time, but it brought us closer together as a band and I think that if something arose, we could get around it, no sweat.

CF:
That's great. I have a lot of faith in you guys.
Can you see Elevenance making it big in the music industry?

Justin:
I could, but you can't really tell. At this point in time, I can see it happening, but with the shit that�s being produced and released on the radio and Music Television, you get your doubts sometimes. Because you don't want to follow a fad, and be a sell-out to a style just because it's popular. And since we're so young (being only sixteen) by the time we get our break, no one might care for the style or the idea, and just follow the fad. It's hard to tell, but I believe in my heart that we can make it "big" and I hope to do it someday.

CF:
Would you say that right now, just playing the music is the most important thing about being in the band for you?

Justin:
Being with the band, writing music, and having fun is all that really matters right now. If we make this too serious, it could be a problem and might lose its spark. The most important thing is that you love what you are doing. We all want to take it as far as it will go, and I will not stop sacrificing my time, effort, money, and life to take it. It means that much to us.

CF:
Right on.

Justin:
Rock on.