Q&A with Headstrong
MEMBERS: Matt Kinna (vocals), Joel Krass (guitars), Jon Cohen (bass), Brian Matthews (drums).
HOMETOWN: London, Ontario.
ALBUM: “Headstrong” (RCA; release date: Feb. 19).
THE SOUND: Rap-metal thrash, with a social/political angle.
PRODUCER: Dan Brodbeck; mixed by Jack Joseph Puig.
FIRST SINGLE: “Adriana.”
OTHER TRACKS: “All of the Above,” “Backlash,” “Inside Joke,” “Swing Harder,” “Build,” “Do What You Feel Like,” “I Am For Real,” “Get In,” “Hoodies & Hoods,” “State,” “Open Season.”
WEB SITE: www.headstrongmusic.com.
SOMETHING TO KNOW: Formerly known as BOMB 32, Headstrong first garnered interest in 2000 when it uploaded its music to Farmclub.com and received 1 million votes from fans who visited the site. That led to a performance on Farmclub’s TV show and eventually being signed to RCA.
SOMEBODY’S STANDING IN A CD STORE AND COMES ACROSS YOUR ALBUM. THEY’RE CURIOUS ABOUT BUYING IT; WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO CONVINCE THEM?:
Kinna – “I’d say this: ‘Hey dude, you like heavy music? Yeah, like what? Incubus, Deftones, 311 stuff? Cool! Got an open mind? Dude, you should give Headstrong a listen!’ and he’d be like ‘Dag yo!’ “
WHAT SONG DEFINES YOU?:
Kinna – “I’d say ‘All of the Above’ will probably tell you everything you need to know about our sound.”
WHAT WAS YOUR MANIFESTO FOR THIS ALBUM?:
Matthews – “To make a headphone record.”
WHAT’S YOUR GUT FEELING ON HOW YOUR ALBUM’S GOING TO DO?:
Kinna – “Triple platinum all the frickin’ way. But seriously … .”
YOUR PERSONAL MUSICAL HERO?:
Kinna – “If the four of us had to bow down at the altar of one particular rock god, it would be Ken Andrews from Failure.”
WHAT’S THE STATE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?:
Kinna – “It seems to be a poorly played game of ‘follow the leader.’ “
About the Author
Gerry Galipault Gerry Galipault debuted Pause & Play online in October 1997. Since then, it has become the definitive place for CD-release dates — with a worldwide audience.
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