In a small, dimly lit room in the Humboldt Uniplex, a hard-core band by the name of Lucid Skies played in front of a packed crowd last Thursday.
"It's good that we're on tour. It shows that we're taking it as something important in life and putting time towards it," said 20-year-old Samuel Jackson. "The U.K. and Australia are popular places for hard core music. It would be cool if we could leave Canada."
The band is currently touring across Canada doing shows at various cities along the way. They've already stopped in Edmonton, Vancouver, Red Deer, Calgary, and Saskatoon. Humboldt was chosen because the band they were supposed to travel with comes from around this area (they weren't able to come along due to van troubles).
Lucid Skies consists of four members, including Jackson: 19-year-old Justin Smith, 20-year-old Nicholas Ogden, and 20-year-old Jesse Berger. The group was formed in 2009 in Edmonton, Alta., although not all the members were there from the beginning.
"I started with the band in July 2010," said Smith, also known as "Fang." Smith is the vocalist and guitarist in the band. "We've had our ups and downs and we're a little conflicting. It's difficult blending different backgrounds."
According to Smith, the tension in the group doesn't get in the way of him doing what he loves most: making music and records. Despite that, his band mates are more vocal about their opinions of each other.
"Fang is a pretentious douchebag," said Ogden, also known as "Big Nixon." Ogden has been with the band since its formation. "Jesse is really hard to put up with because he's an [expletive]. He's still a funny guy, though. Sam's awesome."
According to Ogden, the band can get along well enough, but they all play and have different tastes in music. This diversity is most noticeable when it comes to the writing. Songs have to be continuously rewritten until everyone is satisfied with it.
For Berger, the founding member of the team, the hardest part isn't the bickering, it's taking care of the other three.
"I started the band; sometimes I wonder why. The hardest part is driving with three [expletive] in the car," he said jokingly. "I'm the only one with a driver's license, I'm broke, and I have to be the responsible person."
Berger is also the only person who's actively seeking another career outside of music. While the other group members are hoping to stay focused in music and touring, he's working towards becoming a nurse.
"I'm starting a two-year program in January and then I have to do another two years for a bachelor's degree," he says. "First I'm going to become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and then I'm going to get my license."
Some of the other members aren't so sure of their futures.
"I could be a hobo in five years. I'm basically homeless now. I live in a van," said Ogden with a small laugh. "I honestly have no idea what I'll be doing (in the future). As for who makes it- it's just luck."
In many ways, hard-core, heavy metal, and "screamo" music are still an underground genre. While it may be difficult for anyone not a part of this subculture to tell the difference, Lucid Skies prefers to be considered hard-core music.
"Jesse likes hard core. I try to stay away from it," said Jackson. "I started learning how to play metal at first. Sometimes our music is a little of both."
With all their discord, however, both Ogden and Berger agree that their disagreements are what make them great.
"Honestly, I'd prefer to be in bands that tug each other," said Ogden. "The tension is good, it adds an aspect of personality and character. After all the fighting, you come out with a product that represents all of us."
