Life In A Bungalo

Formed in 2000, this band of Canadian natives was quintessential in transforming Victory Records from an underground straightedge hardcore label to an emo-core giant. Silverstein’s music eschews traditional power-punk and screamo by blending melodic vocals with monster guitar tones that recall Texas Is The Reason and early Ignite.  Life In A Bungalo caught up with singer Shane Told in the midst of a massive tour with melodic hardcore mainstays Rise Against. The band will be hitting New York’s Nokia Theater this Wednesday, June 27, with labelmates Comeback Kid in tow.

What are your feelings on digital music, and do you think it’s a benefit or a detriment to the scene?
I think its absolutely beneficial. So many bands are benefiting from the internet and are getting popular without any distribution or national touring. This was impossible five or 10 years ago.

Is it more difficult to book shows now that punk is waning?
Waning? I don’t think its waning at all, in fact I think its as strong as its ever been. We never have trouble booking any shows anywhere in the world.

Do you ever sit back and wish it was still 1995? What were you doing when you got into your style of music?
In ‘95 I was in the 9th grader and obsessed with skate punk. I actully refused to listen to music that didn’t have double time drums… So I think I like how things are now.

What was your favorite band growing up, and do they still hold the same meaning for you today as they did back then?
My favorite band was NOFX and yes they still do. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with those guys last year on the warped tour and became really good friends with them. I loved watching them everyday, and I think they still put out amazing and very much still relevant music.

What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you, and do you ever get mindfucked over how adored you are?
One time we stayed at a dudes house and he lit his testicles on fire for no reason but to try to impress us. We weren’t impressed at all. But yes, when kids come up to me and tell me I got them through a hard time in their life, its so amazing. It makes me feel like I’m making such a difference and that all this is worth it.

If you had the chance to sit down with one os your heroes, who would it be, and what would you ask him/her?
One of my heroes is Kurt Vonnegut who sadly passed away recently. However, I would love to just sit down and have a couple beers with him and just talk about life. He has a amazing insight and looks at things unlike anyone else. He also is one of the funniest people.

How can a band just starting to become successful keep from becoming more of a business?
I guess that’s up to the band and how much they value money. Personally we just always make a point to have fun first and worry about business and money after. We started this band to have fun, the fact that we can make a good living doing it is just a bonus. But the moment it stops being fun, is the moment we break up.