Interview w/ Regiment 26
Regiment 26 has been on scene locally since 2006 and has already rallied local fans and attracted the attention of national acts, including an upcoming show with renown Mike Thrasher Presents at the Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon slated for February 24, 2010. Regiment 26 isn’t a band that is still working out the bugs, they are a force in motion with a biting hardcore sound crisply weaving speed with range and energy with sheer brutality.
HC Tell us a little about the history of the band. How did you all come together as musicians and at what point did you decide to take a serious run at going public with Regiment 26?
R26 We formed originally as a four piece sometime about five years ago. The only original members are Tim (drums) and Cole (guitar), who got together out of a mutual love of music. At the time we had no idea of what was to come or how far we could possibly go. Now with the current line-up, with a new second guitar player AJ, bassist Per and vocalist Eric anything seems possible as we strive to create unique and brutal music.
HC Regiment 26 has a solid hardcore sound with a range of rumbling lows, blistering guitars and guttural vox, are there particular influences or intentional dynamics that you have sought to accomplish through the music of R26?
R26 As a band we try not to take too much from other bands and create our own original sounds. Some of the bands that have probably influenced us are August Burns Red, Black Dahlia Murder, and Veil Of Maya. We see our band as an entertainment act so we hope that fans can come out of a show and say they had a blast watching as well as listening. We also hope the music we write will stick with them for a long time to come.
HC When you write and play, what do you hope fans of Regiment 26 come away with?
R26 We see our band as an entertainment act so we hope that fans can come out of a show and say they had a blast watching as well as listening. We also hope the music we write will stick with them for a long time to come.
HC Regiment 26 is currently based out of Salem, Oregon, correct? What are some of the local influences that have helped the development of R26?
R26 Actually R26 is based out of Portland, OR only the vocalist is from Salem. We have a lot of bands we consider friends and think very highly of their music.
HC What are some of your favorite places locally to perform or attend shows?
R26 Some of the best places we like to play are the Hawthorne Theatre, Satyricon, and Roseland Theatre. Other awesome places are The Space in Salem, and the Samurai Duck in Eugene.
HC What were some of the highlights from 2009 for Regiment 26 and what are you looking forward to in 2010?
R26 In 2009 we had the opportunity to play with many national touring bands like Within The Ruins, Seneca, Knights Of The Abyss just to name a few. We also have booked a show with Mike Thrasher Presents at the Hawthorne Theatre [Feb 24, 2010 - Portland, Oregon] with Winds Of Plague, Despised Icon, For Today, The World We Knew and Stray From The Path. Hopefully 2010 will bring lots of new opportunities for us!
HC What are the weapons of choice for Regiment 26?
R26Eric – vocals – loves his Shure 58a mic; Cole – guitar – uses Peavy head and cab and ESP axe; AJ – guitar – Crate head and cab and ESP guitar; Per – bass – Ampeg cab and head with Ibanez Prestige 5 string; Tim – drums – Pearl drums with zildjian cymbals and DW pedals; Jason – lights – lots of cans and strobes with his magic fingers!
UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS:
Jan 8, 2010 – 7PM @ FCC, w/ LIFERUINER
111 West 19th St., Vancouver, Washington – $10
Jan 9, 2010 – 6:30 PM @ The Domino Room, w/ LIFERUINER
Bend, Oregon – $10