Interview with David of NicholeStarr.com 1. What is your name and what do you do for the band? My name is Jack and I play guitar, manage the loot, order the merch, design the shirts, do the website, basically I do it all. 2. What type of instrument do you have? Personally, I have a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 and a Gibson SG, which I redid myself. 3. How did strength for a reason get together? Well, back in 1997, our singer, Karl, was looking to start a band and he was good friends with the guys in Out 2 Win, who back then were called Mushmouth. They hooked up with him to do some songs and thats how it started. After a little while Karl got members of his own, me being one of the first, and after tons of lineup changes, here we are. 4. Is SFAR a straight edge band? Karl and I are the only straight edge guys in the band. We used to have a full sxe lineup, but like I said, we had many changes. We have always shared ideas with our songs and we do have one or two songs about straight edge, but I wouldn't call us a straight edge band. 5. How is the PA scene? It has its high and low times, just like any other scene. Some shows are packed other shows there is no one there. You have your egos and rockstars and your people who bust their ass to make something out of themselves and their music. I think is the same story everywhere you go. 6.. How did you guys get together with Thornz Records? Richie from Krutch put in a good word for us with James from Thornz and we went from there. We were very happy with the quality of our cd that Thornz put out for us and I'm sure everyone else will be too. Pick it up....sorry had to plug it.... 7. How are they treating you so far? Thornz is a cool small underground label. The guy does what he can for you and helps you out as much as possible. He is a family man, so he can only do so much, but he does the best he can. 8. Are there any PA bands that don't get as much recognition as they should that you'd like to share with us? There aren't alot of new PA bands out right now. Most of the bands out of PA right now are doing really good for themselves. For instance, Out To Win, Punishment, etc.. 9. Have any cool tour stories you'd like to share with us? We've disasters and fun times, too many to name. The worst was in Sea Side Heights, Nj like 4 years ago. To keep it "short" - Bad vehicle registration, vehicle got impounded, nowhere to sleep but under the boardwalk, got equipment from impounded van to play show where we got paid $20, payed $375 to get the van out of impound, got towed to the border of pa with 6 people hiding in the back of the van as its getting towed, the towtruck brakes down halfway there, pushed the towtruck with the van to the border and sped home hoping not to get caught and not to go to jail. 10. What is the best and worst show you've ever played? The best has to be some of our home shows... The shows at Cafe Metropolis in Wilkes-Barre, Pa are great for us. The best show was when we played with Hatebreed a few years back at Tinks in Scranton, Pa. The crowd was singing along so loud that you could hardly hear us playing. It was great. The worst had to be at some place in New York. We were told it was a show and when we pulled up it was a baseball diamond with no one there except a few guys drinking up on this hill and the soundguy standing there next to the bullpen where the bands set up. It was a disaster. 11. What about the best show you've seen without you guys playing? The best show I was at has to be the Madball, Downset, Dog Eat Dog show at Sea Seas in Moosic, Pa about 9 years ago. It was a blast. 3 great bands and such a fun time with the friends. No problems, just pure fun. 12.How did you guys and krutch decide to team up for the song "As One" on the tribute to Raybeez And Warzone record The Spirit Lives On"? We know the guys from Krutch very well. We hang out with them alot and they told us about the comp and asked Karl is he would do vocals with them. He agreed and you heard what came out of it. It was a great recording and probably one of the best songs on the cd. Can't argue with "As One." 13. How was NEPA fest? Better than last years. Last year was the first year they had it and there were like 20 kids there. The place they have it at, The Underworld, is tucked away and hard to get to, so alot of kids never came. However, this year was better and more kids showed up. Alot of great bands played and we had a great time. 14. time for some word accociation: hardcore pride, straight edge, Blood For Blood, Michael Jordan, Mushmouth... I guess I'm supposed to write the first thing that pops into my head....here goes.. hardcore pride = Comin Correct straight edge = for life, not fashion Blood For Blood = budda Michael Jordan = rich Mushmouth = great friends 15. What does the future hold in store for Strength For A Reason? We are writing new stuff and should have a 3 song sampler of our new stuff real soon. We are looking around at labels right now and concentrating on writing the best stuff possible. Keep your eyes and ears open. We plan on doing another california tour next year and maybe getting over to Europe sometime soon. 16. Would you like say andything to rap up this interview? shoutouts. shit talkin, name droppin, hip hoppin? Just like to thank you and Nicole Starr for your consideration and this interview, the BFL, Nanticoke Straight Edge, Out To Win, Thornz Records, Krutch, No Retreat, Integrity and OLC, Skaretactic, Mikey Hood, and all our fans out there. Spread the word, buy the record, share it with friends, book us in your area!!! Most importantly, support your scene and keep it alive. STAY TRUE! Peace.