United Snakes

As Montreal prepares to be overrun by punks this weekend for the 9th annual Pouzza Fest, we will be interviewing a selection of bands performing at the festival.

Starting off our countdown is Toronto’s United Snakes, who play Saturday afternoon at Foufounes Électriques. We discuss their love affair of Montreal and what they’re looking forward to most about this year’s festivities.

Who are you excited to see the most?

All of our friends. Been giving the opportunity to travel and share music you meet a lot of like-minded individuals. It’s amazing no matter where I end up in the world there are beautiful souls.

Do you treat a performance at a festival like Pouzza just as any other show? Or do you add in something special or prepare in any different way?

No

Being from Canada I have always had a love affair with Montreal. Growing up my favourite hockey teams were the Montreal Canadians and the Quebec Nordiques. I really got into the culture and how amazing the people are. I signed out a video on the FLQ when I was a kid and still have it till this day. The history is rich and there is a passion imbedded deep within the people. If the people don’t agree with what the government is doing you are gonna fucking feel it. Trust me, I have been in a riot down here and the people of Montreal DONT NOT FUCK AROUND. There truly is no other place like it in the world. It’s lawless in many ways having so many punk rockers in one spot. We all stand together and support each other. I’m very proud to have been a part of the festival for so many years. The owners don’t make money off this festival it’s for the love of the music and culture and you can feel that. We all do this for the love of it and feels like in someways this is where we celebrate that love.

One of the Sponsors is Beaus brewing. They were all in punk bands growing up, bands that got me into playing. If you get a chance look into how they run their business, it’s a great example of how things should operate in this day and age.

Pouzza is, of couse, pizza and poutine combined.  If you could combine any two fast food delicacies – what would you combine and why?

My musical soulmate Jordan from Gallows Bound that plays in UNITED SNAKES put me on to peanut butter and jelly sandwich with plain chips delicately placed on top of the peanut butter for a crunch that makes you feel like you taste buds got in a life threatening car crash but you wake up and your hands are empty and your legs are covered in the dust from the sandwich that you just devoured

Pouzza takes place over three days, across multiple venues in the blistering heat of Montreal. Do you have any advice for festival goers? What should they do to enjoy the festivities the best that they can?

Do lots of drugs…. don’t eat …..drink lots of water and play a little game I like to call “DONT SLEEP FOR A WEEK” oh and be nice and keep an open mind and buy the bands merch.

That being said, I also find it really hard to understand how you can be a republican and be a punk rocker but I will try my best to keep an open mind.

Pouzza has a bunch of extracurricular activities. Pouzza Bambino for kids, the barbecue at Foufones, the baseball tournament, Yoga For Punks. Will you be partaking in any of the non-musical activities?

Yoga.

If you could add some non-musical extra to a festival like this, what would you add?

Vegan hot dog eating contest

Water melon eating contest

As I look deeper into myself I feel I might like contests that include watching people eat.

What is your favourite music festival memory, be it Pouzza or otherwise?

My friend Justin Carver (Gallows Bound /UNITED SNAKES) made friends with a dirty old pigeon last year and it might have been the cutest fucking thing I have ever seen, until we noticed our feathered friend was wounded. This bird brought us in contact with Frankie Stubbs (Leatherface), the bird took its life during a song United Snakes was performing. He may not have been a fan, although he seemed to enjoy the rehearsal; anyway he died and his death brought us to meet Frankie Stubbs and Greame and Little Rocket Records that is putting out our EP. RIP Scranton Ohio…..

Another moment I share in Montreal is at Fouffs. I walked into what I was lead to believe was a metal show. The pit was insane. I looked around and there was no band just slayer playing over the PA. That should give you a pretty good idea of how amazing the people of Montreal are. Simply stunning.