In a Northwest Indiana Subway during the summer of 2007 three young men bonded over the baking of bread of assembly of submarines. Though previously connected through the shared shows of the two other respective bands they were part of, Native members Ed O’Neill, Nick Glassen, and Dan Evans didn’t really come together until their stint making sandwiches, frequently joined by soon to be fourth member Bobby Markos, who, though not a Subway employee, “was always around for a cheap sandwich.”
Since that fateful season of subs, Native has begun playing the Midwest scene, released their EP We Delete;Erase in April of 2008, and ventured on tour to Canada. Shortly thereafter the band began working with Sargent House Records and management, completing their first full length Wrestling Moves in 2009, recorded at Red Room Studios in Seattle. From there the band embarked on a number of tours both across the US and once again among our neighbors to the north. The band more recently finished a tour with La Dispute (Read our interview with La Dispute here), and has begun working with High Road Touring for their future booking. The band is also part of a sampler that’s been put out by Sargent House, with all proceeds going toward Haiti Relief. An 18 track download with a donation minimum of $5, featuring all the artists that work with Sargent House/Rodriguez Lopez Productions.
A band that faces an undeniable comparison to the 90’s post-hardcore of Jawbox and Fugazi, Native manages to take that something borrowed and couple it with something new, implementing further intricacies in their use of math rock and post-punk, fused with more 90’s influences like American Football and Braid. These additional elements are most apparent in their sophomore release, Wrestling Moves, which plays with a distinct progression and musical maturity from their past EP. The familiar hoarse vocals of Bobby Markos come coupled with both the Minus the Bear-esque minimalist instrumentals from We Delete;Erase and a heavier, much more aggressive range of guitar and drums than heard from the band before. You can hear the progression for yourself as the band plays Chicago’s Subterranean this weekend, alongside Into it. Over it., Bob Nanna, Lauren Lo, and Castevet.
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Click the flier for more details about Native’s show at Subterranean this Saturday, January 30th
Reviewsic had a chance to talk to Native as they returned from their tour with La Dispute about Wrestling Moves, dream shows, and what else is to come for the band in the coming year.
T.S: Elaborate on the creation of your most recent release, Wrestling Moves.
Native: As far as Wrestling Moves, a lot of our attitudes about music and life in general had drastically changed. Wrestling Moves has a much more aggressive feel to it, as we had grown pretty tired of the more “happy sounding” EP we had previously released. The lyrical content changed a great deal as well, with the songs being about more issues dealing with realizing both the positives and negatives around you and trying not to focus specifically on just one side.
T.S: Is there any specific concept or muse behind your band?
Native: I would say that the relationships between the four of us are the inspiration behind our music. We all drive each other to try and write songs that we are all happy with, and can agree on.
T.S: What are your plans as a band for 2010?
Native: For 2010, we are heading to Austin for SXSW in March, and then Culture Shock Festival in Bloomington, IN in April. We are planning on touring all summer, and early fall, and trying to hit every possible part of the U.S. that we can.
T.S: What is the most memorable show you’ve ever played?
Native: Every show we play at the Lemp Arts Center in St. Louis is always a great time, as well as our friend’s house in Chicago called Summer Camp. Both places have literally always provided the rowdiest shows I have ever been to.
T.S: If you were playing your ultimate show, who would you share the bill with?
Native: In all honesty, our ultimate show is one that would involve all of our friends at any of the aforementioned venues. Last New Years we played St. Louis with a lot of our friends, and I find it hard to believe it can get any better than that.
T.S: Who are your top three musical influences?
Native: Eiffel 65. That’s pretty much it.
T.S: How did the last tour go?
Native: It was a total blast. La Dispute are the best guys we’ve ever met, and it was great to go on tour with them again. All the shows had really great turnouts, and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour.
Tags: Interview, Upcoming Show
