Revive the Rose came to play with their hockey-themed song and video Bar Down, which they showcased HERE late last year. Now the Ontario rockers are suiting up again to go up against my stupid questions. Let’s see who emerges victorious.
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base, other details you’d like to share (height, weight, identifying marks, astrology sign, your choice)
We are Revive the Rose, from Welland, ON! The armpit of Niagara!
What is your musical origin story?
We all started music on different journeys but RTR was formed in Andy’s parents’ basement after one jam through In Bloom by Nirvana. We didn’t jam for a year after that, until we decided to try it again but with some originals that Andy C had laying around. At the time Andy C was in a different band that was slowly coming to an end.
What do we need to know about your latest project?
Our last project was our debut self-titled LP. This was a first for us, as we had only recorded EPs and demos for years! It’s also the home of our recent single ‘Bar Down, which was featured in the new EA Sports NHL 21 soundtrack as a goal song.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
The attitude and the honesty is what truly makes us stand out in my opinion. We are all best friends so it’s super easy to express how we feel, and how fluid we rock that stage. We’re always thinking outside the box with what we do as a band.
What will I learn or how will my life improve by listening to your music?
Our songs are never based on a template. There is always something fresh and new, but we always stay true to that RTR sound! Simple, hard hitting, and honest. We’ve brought rock ’n’ roll to a more genuine and youthful level, with the right attitude that society needs more of! We’re all young dudes, growing up and living it up.
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played and what you got paid.
The first song we wrote was a song called Got My Heart Addicted. At the time, Andy C was in a relationship and his girlfriend demanded a song written about her. It was honestly the cheesiest rock ’n’ roll banger created. It actually slapped pretty hard at the time, but we have matured so much since then. The first gig we ever played was at The Casbah in Hamilton for a St. Patrick’s Day event through Mohawk College. Andy C and Matt attended the music program together, so this is how we obtained this show. I don’t think we got paid anything — haha!! But a random guy we were with had stolen some Windex and toilet paper that he found, and we were all drunk walking around Hamilton looking for pizza. Turns out the cops followed us into the pizzeria — and asked why we had a bunch of toilet paper and Windex. This guy we were with looks at the officer and says “we are reversing graffiti officer, just taking down the spray paint!” The officer told us to get home safe.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you have given?
Opening for The Trews this October 2020 in Ancaster was probably our favourite show so far. Even though it was a drive-in show, it was pretty legendary.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you’ve seen another artist give?
One of the best times was when we saw April Wine open for Burton Cummings at Art Park. I’m not sure if it was more so what they did, or the fact we crushed 18 tall cans in the span of 26 minutes in a field beside the venue. Either way it was pretty sick.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
Rock ’n’ roll.
What living or dead artists would you collaborate with if you could?
Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, or Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
We love Avril Lavigne.
What are your favourite songs / albums / artists right now?
Everyone should listen to the entire Cleopatra discography. Also, The Glorious Sons and The Dirty Nil are absolutely slaying the game right now. Unreal.
How about some other favourites: Authors, movies, painters, you name it:
Yo, Trailer Park Boys is pretty sweet. Indiana Jones is a must. Whoever invented Old Vienna is a cool person too.
Who would you be starstruck to meet?
I think if we met Led Zeppelin.
What’s your favourite joke?
Are you a beaver? ‘Cause dam.
What do you drive and why?
2007 Chevy Equinox because I’m broke AF. All kidding aside, great vehicle, fuel efficient and they’re kind of like Nokia flip phones. They take forever to die.
What superpower do you want and how would you use it?
If we could fly that would be dope. Imagine flying while playing a set? That’d be so rock ’n’ roll.
What skills — useful or useless — do you have outside of music?
We can eat a lot of food.
What do you collect?
All of us collect either CDs or vinyl. Andy C has a video-game console collection; 50+ consoles.
If I had a potluck, what would you bring?
Nature Boy Ric Flair — aka the party!! We’d also probably bring OV or a meat lovers’ pizza.
Tell us about your current and/or former pets
Andy C had a fish. David the goldfish was a good dude. He died. Matt has two dogs. Lou Dog has been a part of RTR since Day 1.
If you could have any other job besides music, what would it be and why?
If we could own a bar/pool hall that would be damn cool. Just a place to hang out and bring people together. Opening a music venue would also be awesome! We’ve also been talking about getting into filming.
What’s the worst advice you were ever given?
Give up and swallow a razor blade.
Watch Bar Down above, listen to Revive the Rose’s album below, and keep up with them via their website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
