Exclusive: Over The Top Interview

Over The Top is a band that we've followed for years, but only recently got the chance to interview. With a distinct approach to the Pop Punk/Hardcore formula, Over The Top continue to stand out from the rest with a much rawer sound than expected. Here's my interview with guitarist Jason, where we discussed the band's new EP, Community, their influences, and local scene.

Firstly, can you state your name and role in the band?

Jason: I’m Jason and I play guitar and party.

The band started out a few years ago now, but bring us up to speed; how did you guys get together and choose the band name?

Jason: The name comes from Adam’s terrible love for 80’s action movies. Yes, unfortunately we are named after a movie about Transport Trucks and Arm Wrestling. And yes, Sylvester Stallone is in that movie. The band came together because there’s nothing more fun than playing music and paying homage to your favourite bands with your best buds.

Back in September last year, the band released it's newest EP, Community. How did this one compare to the previous releases in terms of writing and recording?

Jason: With Never A Night Alone we recorded it in the basement of Paul’s house. It was pretty stressful doing it on our own (and a dumb idea), not to mention we went through a line-up change. So, to record Community, we wanted to capture the fun we had making the Home Is Where Our Friends Are EP. So, we booked time at the same studio and did it there. Moral of that story: when you know what you’re doing, DIY is great. When you don’t, seek someone who does! As for the writing process, we had changed jam spots midway. I think that the change really proved that your surroundings can affect what a person creates. So, take that and multiply it by five.

Tell us about the EP in general and maybe what some of the songs are about. It definitely seems like the band as a whole has progressed while maintaining its signature sound.

Jason: The EP was a huge accomplishment for us. We took the time to really focus on our favourite characteristics of our sound; we really wanted to define ourselves this time around. For Tim, it gave him the ability to express what we’ve gone through since we started the band. Each song represents a moment or event that we had gone through. Have it be the people you meet while you’re on the road (11 Wexford), dealing with personal struggles while your thousands of kilometres/miles away from home (Summer Ahn), or the feelings you have when your van breaks down for the 10th time on a two-week tour and you’re not sure if you’re going to afford to get home (Monument).



Over The Top's sound has always been very unique, both musically and vocally - what are some of the band's main influences? How would you describe yourselves to someone who's never listened to your music before?

Jason: Our influences are incredibly vast, but for the most part, we are influenced by bands like The Fullblast, Lifetime, Saves The Day, The Movielife, Strike Anywhere, Lagwagon, and just about any band you used to find on the Drive-Thru Roster. As for how I would describe our sound, it’s kinda like Shook Ones covering The Fullblast. I hope everyone reading this knows who The Fullblast are, because if not, go fill your iPod, Zune player, or whatever you kids use for listening to music these days, and enjoy.

Do you guys have any plans to put out another release this year?

Jason: Without a doubt! We’re already knee deep into our next EP and stoked. If it was up to us, we would be like any modern day rap artist and release a new album a day. We constantly write, we’ve usually have had ideas and plans for future releases before we even begin recording the current work.

With 2 EPs and a full-length under yours belts, what would you say have been the biggest highlights of being in the band?

Jason: NOFX personally chose us to open for them when they came through our hometown, so that was rad. Other than that, knowing that we have been able to create music we love and bunk up in our van together in different cities throughout the year are all amazing things to have happened. Learning that people we don’t even know hear our band and dig us, or have blogs and support us, etc. I can write a book of highlights. Maybe I’d even use highlighters to do so. Nah, just kidding, that’d be stupid. No one could read it then.

There seems to be plenty of activity and talent in the Canadian scene, with bands like Live The Story, On Call Heroes, and UTKF spreading their names all over. With a less traditional sound, have you found it easy to fit into your local scenes?

Jason: It’s been pretty easy. Our live show is packed with fun; it’s our main goal when we play. I know it’s a cliché thing to say, but I really think that we have so much fun playing music together that it’s hard for anyone watching to not enjoy it. I also believe that, being that we have such a poppy but aggressive sound, it allows us to fit in pretty easy anywhere. Canada is booming right now though. More and more people are hearing about Living With Lions, and our brothers from other mothers; We Were Sharks are about to drop a new record. Not to mention the bands you had mentioned, and I can’t even begin to list the Pop/Punk bands that people will hopefully hear from soon. It’s massive.

What are some of the band's new year's resolutions or what other plans are in sight for 2012?

Jason: Adam wants to wrestle the world, kind of like that scene at the end of The One. Ya know, where Jet Li is fighting an entire planet from a hill top. I’m hoping 2012 will be a big year for us, just like every band hopes. We have a tour of Maritime Canada happening in February with We Were Sharks, we will be seeing a lot more of Canada at the end of March/beginning of April, and not to mention, during the month of May, we will be taking part in Pouzzafest in Montreal, QC. The festival is hosting the likes of Less Than Jake, Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls, The Menzingers, and more. Last year bands like Lifetime, Such Gold, and Living With Lions played. There are a million other awesome bands that played as well, I just can’t remember. So, we’ll be on the road leading up to and possibly after that. That’ll be half the year over with. So, in a nutshell, the game plan is to tour constantly and record when we’re home.

We appreciate you doing this, do you have any last words?

Thanks to xEasycorex for all the support, you guys have helped promote since Home Is Where Our Friends Are. If you haven’t checked out our new EP Community, check it out on www.overthetop709.com. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook, www.facebook.com/overthetop709. And we’re stoked to see and meet new people in the New Year. It’s blogs like these that are keeping a lot of music alive and introducing people to new bands these days. Don’t stop. If you’re not in a band, go start one, it’ll be the best experience of your life.
Thanks again. BIG KISS, little hug, little kiss, BIG HUG (XoxO)

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