The Acacia Strain Interview

This interview with The Acacia Strain was originally done at their show at Alley Katz. Due to my recorder running out of batteries in the middle of the interview, I wasn’t able to get the answers from the interview. Therefore I sent the same questions via e-mail to lead vocalist Vincent. These are those answers.

– State your name and position the band.

My name is Vincent Bennett, I am the lead vocalist.

– Give a brief history of the band and the origin of the name.

We got together just for fun, and it turned into a serious thing. Prosthetic picked us up and surprised us all. We have changed members from time to time but all member changes have been for the best. The acacia strain is a disease spread by insects that breed in the acacia tree in Africa.

– What are some pros and cons of this tour?

We arenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t on tour right now, but there are pros and cans to every tour. It feels good to get out and play in front of an audience who may have never seen us before, or play in front of kids who have been waiting to see us forever. It just feels good to get up on stage and play in front of a crowd of people who care. We get to see the country, get to meet new people, and get to experience things that most people our ages canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t even think of. But everyone once in a while, the road can take its toll on you. Sometimes we get sick, and touring with a cold or the flu is the worst feeling ever. Every once in a while we get homesick, and talking on the phone isnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t the same as talking to someone in person

-What is the best and worst city you have played? Why?

There are so many good cities; Anywhere in So. Cal is amazing, Boise, Idaho is surprisingly fun, Kansas City, Fredrickburg, VA, and we canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t forget our hometown of Chicopee, MA. Everyone experiences bad shows in shitty towns, but I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t want to talk trash just because we had a bad time this one show. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s not fair.

– In your opinion, what makes you walk away from a show feeling accomplished?

When people will come up to me and tell me they had a blast. When I look out into the crowd and everyone is having fun, I know we are doing our jobs as musicians. Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s all about having a good time!

– What can the fans expect from your upcoming record?

Ha ha, most people have already heard it via download, but the people who havenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t stolen it from us can expect one of the heaviest records they have ever heard. It isnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t just breakdowns, there is thought put into every song on the record.

– How is your new record different and similar to your previous records?

This record is still heavy, but itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s more thought out. We worked really hard on all of the technical aspects of all the music. We worked on transitions and tried to make it a little more metal.

-Which one of your songs stands out the most to you and why?

I like â┚¬Ã…”Demolishor.â┚¬? I had a blast writing the lyrics and I love singing them live. I loved recording that song more than any of the other ones because of the lyrics. A lot of the songs on the record I wrote under pressure, and this was no exception. I canâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t wait until kids know the song so we can play it live.

– How would you sum up the band to someone that hasnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t heard anything about it?

We are heavy. We try and stray away from bullshit. We get a lot of criticism saying that we are nothing new or whatever, but we arenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t trying to re-invent the wheel. We want to play good, heavy music that people can groove to and have fun with live.

– Which main theme can fans find in the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s lyrics?

I sing a lot about deviant sexual behavior, and I leave it kind of open ended so that people can attach their own meanings to any song they want.

– In your opinion, what has been the biggest achievement in the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s history?

Just getting signed and getting a booking agent as amazing as the Kenmore agency behind us is a huge achievement for us. We never thought in a million years that we would be touring the country playing in front of people who WANTED to see us. That itself is a huge accomplishment for me.

– What has been the biggest disappointment in the bandâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s history?

All the member changes were kind of disappointing, but in the long run they are all for the better.

– How has the band changed and matured since the first day it was started?

We have all gotten used to each other musically. We have had our ups and downs but we all feel very close to each other. When Dan L. joined the band, he was like 15 so he has definitely matured more than anyone, but we have all grown up a whole lot. We have also all gotten used to life on the road. Our first tour was like 3 years ago and it was only 10 days, it felt like forever. Now we leave for months at a time and it barely phases us.

– What is the importance of setting your own opinion and having meaning to life?

An opinion is what separates us as human beings. People who donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t have their own opinions and do whatever they are told might as well be dead. That is the focus of the new album â┚¬Ã‹Å“The Dead Walk.â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ It doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t matter if your opinion matches with someone elseâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s, you donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t have to be the most original person in the world, but as long as the opinion is YOURS â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s all that matters.

– Which trend and aspect of the â┚¬Ã…”sceneâ┚¬? annoys you the most? Why?

Most trends annoy me period, because it involves people not thinking for themselves. I hate girl pants on guys, I hate girl haircuts on guys (follicle feminitis) and I hate makeup on guys, and I hate when 90 pound kids act like they are hard asses. Sleeping around has also become a trend. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve noticed that a lot of girls come to shows just because thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s where the cock is. So many people have shared partners itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s disgusting.

– Which record in your CD collection would people not expect you to have?

I own Hilary Duffâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã‹Å“Metamorphosis,â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ which I am damn proud of. Anyone who wants to make fun of me; listen to the disk first and tell me you wonâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t be tapping your toes.

– Has there ever been any moments when you doubt being in the band?

Every once in a while we get a shitty tour and no one comes to the shows. We all get on each others nerves and hate each other. Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve almost quit the band like 8 times, but the feeling always goes away. This is the best time I have ever had and Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢d never let it go.

– If this band didnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t work out, would you have continued to try to start another one or do something else?

I probably would try doing another band. I know enough people who play instruments that would love to start a band, and Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m currently working on about 5 different side projects so keep your eyes open! I have a college degree, I might consider going back to get another one. I want to be a college television production professor â┚¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ or even a grade school teacher.

– What effect do you hope your music has on the fans?

I just want kids to read the lyrics and understand what the songs are about. Also I love when people come up with their own meanings. I want people to stop fucking each other. And I want kids to come to our shows and have the time of their fucking lives, let loose and do whatever they want.

– If you could have any historical figure play a part in the band, who would you choose and why?

The Boston Strangler for two reasons: 1. Then when people ask if we are from Boston we could say yes, and 2. He could take care of some hookers for us.

– Is there anything else you want the readers to know?
BUY THE RECORD. DOWNLOADS ARE FOR SUCKERS!