A few degrees cooler and about 1500
miles away, Ontario is becoming the new
Tampa. I don’t mean that there are
tourists in T-Shirts with white legs and
fanny packs. I simply mean that Tampa,
Florida was once the heavy metal capital of
North America, a title which is being torn
away by such acts as Alexisonfire, Protest
the Hero, and the band I had the pleasure
of interviewing recently, Farewell to
Freeway.
Chris Lambert (guitar/lead vocals) and
Richie Gregor (drums) graciously met with
me in the parking lot behind The State
Theatre to discuss the release of their new
album, Definitions, their current tour with
Aiden, and the power of Pantera. The
Aiden “World By Storm” tour is their first
major tour in the US, and they are very
grateful for the chance to showcase their
art. “You get locked in a routine, and
everybody starts joking around,” Chris
said. “The difference is just getting to do
more with [the other bands] every day.” I
was also curious about the difference
between Canadian audiences and those
here, and Richie said that there really is no
miles away, Ontario is becoming the new
Tampa. I don’t mean that there are
tourists in T-Shirts with white legs and
fanny packs. I simply mean that Tampa,
Florida was once the heavy metal capital of
North America, a title which is being torn
away by such acts as Alexisonfire, Protest
the Hero, and the band I had the pleasure
of interviewing recently, Farewell to
Freeway.
Chris Lambert (guitar/lead vocals) and
Richie Gregor (drums) graciously met with
me in the parking lot behind The State
Theatre to discuss the release of their new
album, Definitions, their current tour with
Aiden, and the power of Pantera. The
Aiden “World By Storm” tour is their first
major tour in the US, and they are very
grateful for the chance to showcase their
art. “You get locked in a routine, and
everybody starts joking around,” Chris
said. “The difference is just getting to do
more with [the other bands] every day.” I
was also curious about the difference
between Canadian audiences and those
here, and Richie said that there really is no
difference. “The people who are into the
music are into the music, no matter where
you are.”
Definitions was released on February
19, and this was the band’s first full length
album, and also the first release on Vicory
Records. “We got to take our time with
everything, and not really worry about the
budget.” Also, “this was our first time
working with a real producer, so we
learned so much vocally and musically, so
it was a great experience all around.”
The subject of our conversation moved
on to influences. Chris and Richie agree
that they grew up around the punk stylings
of bands such as Millencolin, but it was
when they “discovered that [Pantera] was
the best band to ever create music.” Chris
says that “we knew of Pantera, but we just
sort of woke up one day to realize,” and
“this is what pushed us to create heavier
music.” “No matter how messed up [Phil
Anselmo, Pantera vocalist] is on drugs, he
is still the most intelligent person ever.”
The band’s name, Farewell to Freeway,
was not their original choice. Originally,
the band chose the name Freeway, but was
asked to change it
music are into the music, no matter where
you are.”
Definitions was released on February
19, and this was the band’s first full length
album, and also the first release on Vicory
Records. “We got to take our time with
everything, and not really worry about the
budget.” Also, “this was our first time
working with a real producer, so we
learned so much vocally and musically, so
it was a great experience all around.”
The subject of our conversation moved
on to influences. Chris and Richie agree
that they grew up around the punk stylings
of bands such as Millencolin, but it was
when they “discovered that [Pantera] was
the best band to ever create music.” Chris
says that “we knew of Pantera, but we just
sort of woke up one day to realize,” and
“this is what pushed us to create heavier
music.” “No matter how messed up [Phil
Anselmo, Pantera vocalist] is on drugs, he
is still the most intelligent person ever.”
The band’s name, Farewell to Freeway,
was not their original choice. Originally,
the band chose the name Freeway, but was
asked to change it
because “there was a band in the UK
named Freeway, and also a rapper.”
“Also, we changed out a couple band
members and wanted to kind of say
goodbye to the old name.” They
chose Farewell to Freeway as a sort
of wave goodbye to the past and to
embrace a new beginning. “Farewell
to the old and hello to the new.”
This fresh start may be just what
the band needed. After their first EP,
In These Wounds, released on
Canada’s Year of the Sun Records,
Farewell to Freeway were picked up
by Victory Records, and they are now
getting the promotional push that they
need. “The PR girls at Victory are so
sweet. It’s like ‘here, have a CD,
press kit, and here’s a little kitten.’
They just make it so nice and
friendly.” Let’s just hope that “nice
and friendly” will get them the
recognition that they deserve! [End]
named Freeway, and also a rapper.”
“Also, we changed out a couple band
members and wanted to kind of say
goodbye to the old name.” They
chose Farewell to Freeway as a sort
of wave goodbye to the past and to
embrace a new beginning. “Farewell
to the old and hello to the new.”
This fresh start may be just what
the band needed. After their first EP,
In These Wounds, released on
Canada’s Year of the Sun Records,
Farewell to Freeway were picked up
by Victory Records, and they are now
getting the promotional push that they
need. “The PR girls at Victory are so
sweet. It’s like ‘here, have a CD,
press kit, and here’s a little kitten.’
They just make it so nice and
friendly.” Let’s just hope that “nice
and friendly” will get them the
recognition that they deserve! [End]
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