We’re pretty shameless about the bands we love here at The Aural Kinetic and Vancouver’s own Defektors fall squarely under the heading of bands we absolutely adore. From their modest (and continuing) roots in the Vancouver dive-bar scene to the big stage – opening by request for Franz Ferdinand – Defektors have made a name for themselves playing honest-to-goodness old school punk rock. So it is with unabashed glee that we present our first A-K interview with Jeremiah Haywood from Defektors!

The Aural Kinetic: You’ve just come back from a significant U.S. West Coast tour. How did it go? Can you share some highlights from the shows? What’s next gig-wise for the band?

Jeremiah Haywood: The U.S. tour with Sex Church was great, I think we all had a blast. The highlights for me personally were playing with The Lamps in L.A. and the Fresh & Onlys in San Francisco. We just had a crazy weekend opening for the Tranzmitors @ Pat’s Pub on Saturday and Franz Ferdinand @ The Malkin Bowl Sunday. We’re playing one of the Beehive shows @ Honey next month, I’ll post it on MySpace soon.

TAK: Having never read a negative review about Defektors, how important would you say it is to be liked by the media (even small-press, independent media)?

JH: To be honest, I don’t think being accepted in the press means what it used to, although it’s nice that people like our singles and write about why they like them. I usually don’t judge a band by what people write about them though, I’d rather go see them play and make my decision then.

TAK: Along the same lines, we’ve read several reviews of your band that have attempted to classify the genre of music you play. For example, you’ve been referred to as “beat-punk-garage-art-rock”, “post-punk”, “minimal-punk”, “angsty, uptight punk”, and “hip-shakin’ rock and roll”. Do genre labels mean anything to the band? Do you consciously attempt to capture that early American punk sound, or is that just what comes out when you compose a song?

JH: I think labels are silly unless the band in question is obviously trying to be a cariacture of a certain genre. And we’ve never tried to write a certain type of song, we’re just trying to please ourselves which is tough enough as it is!

TAK: Several bands we’ve spoken to have declared their love for the small venue, the packed house, and the low stage. How do you, as a somewhat larger and more recognizable band, feel about playing the standard local venues (Pat’s Pub, The Astoria) as opposed to larger venues like Richard’s (R.I.P.) and The Commodore Ballroom? Would you equate success by the size of the venue you play in? Or the size of the crowd in attendance?

JH: I like smaller venues personally, I don’t like that stupid “backstage” professional rock star shit. I just wanna drink with my friends and then go play a fun show. The size of the crowd doesn’t matter, it’s how wasted they are!

TAK: What is the loftiest goal you’ve achieved since your 2005 inception?

JH: I think making it through 2 tours without breaking up is our greatest accomplishment so far.

TAK: In a previous post, 3 Chords [Ed. Our old blogspot site.] gushed all over your Doomsday Girl / Secret Trials 7″ like a tween girl clutching the newest issue of Tiger Beat. A review is also currently underway about the No to the Nite / Torn to Pieces 7″ as well (expect similar shamelessness). We don’t even attempt to cover the hearts on our sleeves! When do Defektors plan to record some new music?

JH: We just self-released a cassette with some covers and a studio session we recorded in July. And our LP is finished and in process! Probably be available in a few months, it’s been delayed due to some recording issues. In the meantime, we need to write some new songs and get another release out ASAP!

TAK: In the past you’ve recorded with Grotesque Modern, Hockey Dad, and Nominal Records (the holy trinity of local labels). What can you tell us about your experiences with the three houses?

JH: Nominal, Hockey Dad and Grotesque Modern are all labels we will hopefully continue to work with because they’re not following any sort of underground trends, they’re just putting out what they like with a minimum of bullshit. I also consider them my friends as well which is important.

TAK: The band has come out in support of the Anti-Pay-to-Play cause. What can you tell our readers about pay-to-play policies, and how do these policies affect independent bands?

JH: That was me that contacted those fine people, although I’m sure anyone with half a brain in their head would agree that paying to play is a degrading experience, especially for a young band who thinks they’re doing themselves well but are actually working for the worst type of person alive. I have had many fights with these sorts over the years and let me tell you they are completely evil to the core and do not care about music at all. Beware!

TAK: There is an assumption we hear a lot when discussing local bands, and it goes like this: “Going to an indie show in Vancouver is like walking into a party where you clearly weren’t invited.” What would you tell detractors who say that you have to be a card-carrying member of “the scene” to enjoy an indie show in this city? What advice would you give to those who feel like outsiders?

JH: I can completely relate to people who think that the local “scene” is snotty, I felt like a total outsider when I first started seeing shows here! But Vancouver is no different than any other city in that way. My advice: hate it with all your heart, save up the hate, and start a band to show them all. Or, just talk to people, sometimes it’s that easy.

TAK: What’s next for Defektors for the rest of 2009?

JH: I think we’ll probably try and write some new songs for the rest of the year, maybe play a show or three and see what happens next!

Band photo courtesy of Sarah Cordingley.