Where Do We Go From Here?

An interview with Sick City’s Joel Neufeld

KYLE PHILLIPS

Since the debut release of their EP Where Do We Go From Here in late 2005, Joel Neufeld and his bandmates in Sick City have been on nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

With the success of several local bands in the scene including Comeback Kid, it appeared like it was only a matter of time before Sick City made a name for itself as well. After playing dates on both the Warped Tour and the Taste of Chaos, Sick City started to receive a lot of attention including being named “Hometown Heroes” and included in the “100 Bands to Watch for in 2007” list by major scene magazine Alternative Press. The added attention led to the band signing to Smallman Records in Canada and Trustkill Records internationally shortly before they hit the road to tour with bands such as Papa Roach, It Dies Today, and From Autumn To Ashes.

In March, the band headed south to Atlanta to record their first full-length album, Nightlife, with Kenneth Mount and Zach Odom (Cartel, Jimmy Eat World). Nightlife features four re-recorded tracks from their debut EP, which feature less screaming than their previous release. When asked about the changes, Neufeld took responsibility stating, “That was us. We thought it sounded better like that. We kept a couple in where we felt it was really necessary.” He gave a lot of credit to the producers who contributed a lot to the creative process and helped the band accomplish recording a whole album in the two short weeks they had. Sick City had played together for years, before finding vocalist Josh Youngson, and bass player T.J. Stevenson, in 2005. Neufeld said the addition of the two added a new dynamic to their sound. “We all have a different style of music we like, which leads to an interesting mix,” said Neufeld. After several delays in the process, their new full-length album was released Sept. 25, 2007; according to Neufeld it feels great to finally be able to have people hear the music after recording it so long ago.

Sick City’s video for their first single “Turning Heads” debuted recently on MuchMusic, and the production of the video was a first for the band. As many bands would jump at the opportunity to have a professional music video shoot, Neufeld assures you that it is not just all fun, “It was fun, but it starts to feel work after awhile, having to play the same song over and over again.” The video shoot took place this summer outside Winnipeg’s Empire Cabaret on one of the hottest days of the summer, and it shows, as the live performance showcases five sweaty guys rocking out with their fans. Neufeld personally enjoys the studio experience a little more than a video shoot, but given the circumstances of the shoot, who would blame him?

Neufeld has played music for years and just hopes to make the best out of this experience, “I just want to keep rocking out, and ride this out as long as I can. If I can make a living playing music it is awesome.”

Their full-length album, Nightlife, hits stores Sept. 25, and they will cross Canada with Boys Night Out and Sights and Sounds, including a date here on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the West End Cultural Centre. Part two of the interview will run with the show review in the next issue of the Manitoban.





Volume 95 Issue 7	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	September 26, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Where Do We Go From Here? An interview with Sick City’s Joel Neufeld KYLE PHILLIPS Since the debut release of their EP Where Do We Go From Here in late 2005, Joel Neufeld and his bandmates in Sick City have been on nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. With the success of several local bands in the scene including Comeback Kid, it appeared like it was only a matter of time before Sick City made a name for itself as well. After playing dates on both the Warped Tour and the Taste of Chaos, Sick City started to receive a lot of attention including being named “Hometown Heroes” and included in the “100 Bands to Watch for in 2007” list by major scene magazine Alternative Press. The added attention led to the band signing to Smallman Records in Canada and Trustkill Records internationally shortly before they hit the road to tour with bands such as Papa Roach, It Dies Today, and From Autumn To Ashes. In March, the band headed south to Atlanta to record their first full-length album, Nightlife, with Kenneth Mount and Zach Odom (Cartel, Jimmy Eat World). Nightlife features four re-recorded tracks from their debut EP, which feature less screaming than their previous release. When asked about the changes, Neufeld took responsibility stating, “That was us. We thought it sounded better like that. We kept a couple in where we felt it was really necessary.” He gave a lot of credit to the producers who contributed a lot to the creative process and helped the band accomplish recording a whole album in the two short weeks they had. Sick City had played together for years, before finding vocalist Josh Youngson, and bass player T.J. Stevenson, in 2005. Neufeld said the addition of the two added a new dynamic to their sound. “We all have a different style of music we like, which leads to an interesting mix,” said Neufeld. After several delays in the process, their new full-length album was released Sept. 25, 2007; according to Neufeld it feels great to finally be able to have people hear the music after recording it so long ago. Sick City’s video for their first single “Turning Heads” debuted recently on MuchMusic, and the production of the video was a first for the band. As many bands would jump at the opportunity to have a professional music video shoot, Neufeld assures you that it is not just all fun, “It was fun, but it starts to feel work after awhile, having to play the same song over and over again.” The video shoot took place this summer outside Winnipeg’s Empire Cabaret on one of the hottest days of the summer, and it shows, as the live performance showcases five sweaty guys rocking out with their fans. Neufeld personally enjoys the studio experience a little more than a video shoot, but given the circumstances of the shoot, who would blame him? Neufeld has played music for years and just hopes to make the best out of this experience, “I just want to keep rocking out, and ride this out as long as I can. If I can make a living playing music it is awesome.” Their full-length album, Nightlife, hits stores Sept. 25, and they will cross Canada with Boys Night Out and Sights and Sounds, including a date here on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the West End Cultural Centre. Part two of the interview will run with the show review in the next issue of the Manitoban.


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