The Black Axe

Hi and welcome to another edition of Inside the Axers Studio. We recently conducted an interview with Polar Bear Club to see what was up in their world and to also release this beautiful poster we just got in our store!

Click “Read More” for the interview and get the poster here

Do you feel like the visual representation of your band is something you put a lot of thought and energy into? The Black Axe has had the privilege to work on some of your past releases and your video for Living Saints is ridled with eye candy. How do you usually approach these projects?

I think this is kind of a yes and no answer. On one hand, we personally don’t put much effort into being visually creative. However, we’re all pretty particular when it comes to working with people that create imagery to visually represent us. We really only work with maybe 3 or 4 artists nowadays. We’ve been fortunate to have these people sort of create a visual image on our behalf, because lord knows we don’t have any on our own! The video for “Living Saints” was completely conceptualized by 2 friends of mine from high school. We really had no input on it other than showing up for the filming and being told what to do and when to do it. We saw snippets of the video here and there during the editing process, but really had no idea what to really expect. I think we tend to do that a lot. We respect the artists we work with and pretty much let them have free reign with the imagery they provide.  

Because of the digital age do you feel that people still care about the packaging or is it all about the music?

 It’s hard to say. Some people might? I know I don’t really care all that much, yet for some reason it’s still important to me to have Polar Bear Club albums look as cool as they can.  I know a lot of bands that have pretty terrible visual representation and are still killer bands. Bad artwork won’t make you a shitty band. But great artwork doesn’t make you a good band. On the other hand there are definitely bands out there that have such a strong artistic identity that I certainly believe it’s added to their success despite how amazing or terrible they may be. 

Who are some of your favorite artists currently? 

I know this is kind of ass kissy, but I love everything that Horsebites does. Richard and I have been friends for a long time and he’s come a long way but I’ve always appreciated his work. I remember the first time I saw an LP he did for his old band, New Mexican Disaster Squad, and was blown away. That was about 6 or 7 years ago I think. He continues to amaze me with every piece he does to date. We also have a great friend named Lucas Andrews who has helped us out a lot over the last 2 years. He has an awesome, unique artistic style and loves cheeseburgers. What’s not to like?

Do you think that there any bands out there that are particularly successful in using art to extend the whole image/feel of the band?

We actually were talking about this recently and all agreed that the Trash Talk “Destroy” shirt is the perfect example of a visual representation of a band. It’s so simple yet really encompasses the whole vibe of the band. They have printed that shirt over and over in so many different colors and themes and it’s become so defining. Like, that’s THE Trash Talk shirt if that makes any sense. 

As a seeker of new foods, what are some of your best places to eat on tour?

Well, unfortunately due to time and financial restraints we often find ourselves eating at a lot of chain restaurants. There’s always Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, Red Robin, In-N-Out, More Subway, Del Taco, Chik Fil-A etc etc. There’s a burger joint in Seattle called Burgermaster that we found ourselves eating at a lot during our last recording that was great. In Europe kebab shops keep us alive and are the only thing open past 4 PM. Italy has the best food hands down though. Also, if you ever find yourself in Hungary, just don’t eat. You’ll thank me later. As much as we like to eat and enjoy food it’s hard to seek out and find new places on tour. Everyone has different dietary desires/needs and time is of the essence so we usually stick with what’s safe for everyone. Pretty boring, I know, but every now and then we’ll come across a gem.

Have you ever jumped in ice cold water and then used each others naked bodies to generate heat to keep from catching hypothermia, Joey wants to know.

Just once. But that was a long time ago.  

Do you think James Hetfield likes his baked potato loaded?

It probably depends on if his therapist is there to give him advice on said potato.  

What can we expect from you in the near future that you’re excited about or maybe not so excited about considering whenever I follow Emmett on Twitter he’s talking about how he hates being in some foreign land because they don’t have ketchup or something weird like that?

We are doing the AP tour in the fall which should be interesting. We’ve never been on a tour like that and it’ll be different than what we’re used to. It should be a fun time though and we’ll have the opportunity to be playing our music for a lot of people that may have never heard us before. Other than that we’re planning on taking some much needed time off. We’re starting to write a new record which we’re going to record over the winter sometime. We’re all super excited about getting that going and putting some new music out there. We’ve been to Europe 5 times in a year and a half and it’s been awesome. But as awesome as it is I will never like curry in my ketchup or paying to take a dump at a rest stop or warm Carlsberg or inadequate highway systems. The Coca Cola over there, however, is delicious. 

Thanks PBC! CLICK HERE to check out the poster in our store!