Interviews

No Warning

Interview with Ben on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

Thanks to Ben Cook for obviously caring about something enough to take the time to do this interview. For more info on No Warning check out www.nowarninghc.com and to confirm any myths or legends about them, bother them at nowarning737@hotmail.com.

PB: Who are you and what do you do?
Ben: My name is Ben, I sing for No Warning.

PB: How did No Warning happen? Where did you guys all meet?
Ben: Matt, Christian, and Alan met in high school.. started a band, got me for vocals. It all started then. Alan and Christian are no longer in the band, I've known Alan since I was 2, and Christian from a previous shittier band.. Matt from school too. We've gone through a few drummers since, and Christian has become Ryan which will soon become Zach.. that's how it happened. A few friends wanted to start playin music like their favourite bands, so they did.

PB: How did you hook up with Bridge Nine and why are they the right place for you guys?
Ben: Bridge Nine was a great way for us to get our shit out to a lot of kids. It was hard for us as a Canadian band to get our shit out to kids in the states and make them pay attention. We thought it would be liked by them, but it's hard to get kids into your band unless you tour and it also helps to hook up with a label that has some hype around them. We did both. Bridge Nine liked our shit, so they put out the 7" on cd. We are releasing an LP called "Ill Blood" this summer on B9 as well..after that. Who knows.

PB: What does your music mean to you?
Ben: I dunno, I dont really think of it as anything that means something to me.. like a cool shirt or something.. It's who I am. Always will be.

PB: I meant why do you play music, if you don't think of it as something that means anything to you why do it?
Ben: I mean it doesnt mean something to me like a possession would.. I don't go around thinking that it means a lot. It's just a part of who I am, and if I didn't do it, I'd probably go insane. I love music, but I AM No Warning! I speak for the band when I say that..

PB: Who writes the music?
Ben: Jordan writes the music. Me and Matt help rearrange shit if it needs to be done. I write the lyrics.

PB: For you is it more important what you get out of the songwriting process or what your audience is going to get out of it in the end?
Ben: We have always written songs for us and we always will. It's a bonus when people get into it, or relate to a lyric. Of course there are parts where we say "Alan will love this part".. ... but the songs are for us. 

PB: What do you think the most important part of a live show is?
Ben: Good songs & energy.. don't have it? QUIT!

PB: Why are you in No Warning?
Ben: Cause I love it and don't really like anything else at all.

PB: So is it something you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?
Ben: Yes

PB: Explain hardcore to me.
Ben: Explain hardcore? What do you mean? Define it? I don't know how.

PB: You are so much a part of it how can you not know how to define it? What I meant was explain the philosophy behind it for those who do not know or who are not in the "scene"....
Ben: I dunno, you wanna define what punk is?? Same thing. It's fuckin hard and not something you can't really describe with words. If it sounds cheesy whatever, but it's a lifestyle, it's in who you are. I am so much a part of it, but sorry ya, I don't know how to define it.. if you don't understand, try and define punk.. actually don't, it'd probably make me vomit!!

PB: What do you think about the hardcore scene today and do you think that it is positive or negative?
Ben: I think the hardcore scene is filled with fashion crazed posers who front like they like music but in reality they are just trying to take another stab at being popular in high school. Unfortunetly, hardcore is much like a high school, if you let it be, and this is a great community for a kid to feel cool in cause they missed out before.. whether it be cause of the way they dress or whatever. If you aren't a fashion nerd, then you may be some over the top obscure hardcore snob that is totally against everyone and everything that is around except a select few bands and people.. you are so against bands, people, dress, everything it becomes extremely pathetic and sad. Then you have the 10 people I've met through hardcore that I would lay down in traffic for, whats up to them! Theres some cool bands around now.. Fucked Up, Our War, Haymaker, The Noise and others.. they dont play out much (or at all).. I don't blame them really..when they do, it rules. Check them out.

PB: What is the weirdest thing you do alone?
Ben: Listen to Punk Attack.

PB: What are your goals and hopes for No Warning?
Ben: To keep having fun, and keep writing songs we like.

PB: What inspires you?
Ben: People I know, bands like the Cro Mags, Negative Approach, Bad Brains, Oasis...

PB: How did your previous experience being in Little Men help you prepare for the band and the things that go along with that?
Ben: I dunno, I was playing in bands before that.

PB: Well what bands were they? And by Little Men, I meant, was being in front of people and being "artistic" something you were always interested in and did you experiences on TV or whatever help prepare you in any way.....for example, expressing your emotions.........
Ben: Bands that never left the basement.. I wouldnt consider myself artistic, I just love music. I was on tv because it gave me money to blow on musical gear and recording equipment.. I didn't like it, it was boring, and if I ever do it again it's because I need the money and I can. Being in front of people and in the spotlight, I guess it's the same thing and helped with stage fright or some shit that I've never experienced.. I dunno.

PB: What do you need to be in NWC and who is in it and why?
Ben: You need to have 2 dicks, 6 fingers, and bad teeth. Conan, Mr T, Alf, and He-Man are in it. Why? Because they said so. 

PB: What is the No Warning Crew and why do they exisit?
Ben: No Warning the band and our friends decided as a joke one day that we need a name for our crew of friends.. because we are so genious and original it just so happened that we chose the name NO WARNING CREW. It's not a real crew or a gang, it's a bunch of friends that hang out.. I think its fuckin dumb.. NWC this, NWC that.. but whatever. Why does it exist? Well because people let it exist. They talk about it, they make up lies about it, they create myths and legends and add on to things they've heard and run the name through everyones ears.. gossip! Keep it up!

PB: Why are you straight edge and what does it mean to you?
Ben: I'm not into drugs or drinking. Straight edge means shit to me.

PB: So you don't call yourself straight edge?
Ben: To be honest, I really don't care to call myself anything. But if someone asks if I'm edge. I'll say yes and save the time it'll take me to explain myself what I think about it all..

PB: Why is your bad ass image so important to you?
Ben: I am 5"7, 130lbs. I don't pretend to be anything I'm not. People think that just because we play aggressive or hard music that we think we are hard or tough or some shit.. I didnt know there was a weight restriction or a toughness test you had to take before you played a certain style of music. I'm myself, thats important to me. If you think differently, you should look a little closer.. or maybe go ask my friends or whoever you are talkin about.. just because I don't walk around and pretend to like everyone or try to get along with everyone with a fake smile on my face doesnt make me a bad ass.

PB: But what do you think about the idea that the bad ass image is so important to hardcore?
Ben: I dunno, I think a lot of people have a "bad ass image" because they truly are "bad ass".. maybe some aren't. I really could care less. Why do people care about image at all? I know a lot of people do.. but a lot of people don't but they are still gonna look a certain way.. but that doesn't mean they care about their image or are trying to look that way. I think a lot of bands around now don't have a bad ass image at all, in fact its the total opposite.. whether it is real or not I don't care.. and to answer the last part of your question.. it's not important to hardcore.

PB: What are No Warnings plans for the rest of the year touring and record wise?
Ben: We are releasing the "Ill Blood" lp this summer on Bridge Nine Records. We will probably tour to support it. Check it out.