MONDAY MORNING MUSICAL MAYHEM - featuring Fox Run/The Highdives
New interviews from people in the music scene every Monday, every week, every month!
Welcome to Monday Morning Musical Mayhem: an online series that focuses on musicians, bands, artists, and whoever else in the musical industry that reaches out to us! The goal is help spread the word about people doing rad stuff in the music world! Are you doing rad stuff? Email us at brutalrealitydigest@gmail.com to be featured! xoxoxo
Another Monday and here in Canada it's a holiday! Thank Brutis for that! Today, we're giving you two bands for the price of one! Friend of the zine, Mr. Matt Galbraith, plays in both Fox Run and The Highdives and makes the city of Barrie proud. Or disgusted. You be the judge! We got the man himself explaining himself so have a look and see what you think!
BRUTAL REALITY DIGEST: Introduce yourself, your band, and weapon of choice.
MATT GALBRAITH: I'm Matt. Most people call me Matty. I play bass in The Highdives and Fox Run. I have two weapons of choice. In The Highdives I rock a Fender P-Bass but in Fox Run I prefer my Ernie Ball Stingray.
BRD: We all know Barrie is well played but can you give us an example of why that is?
MG: Man, I hate to break it to you...but, Barrie isn't well played anymore. They actually removed that slogan from our sign. It was the least well played thing this town has ever done. BUT! If we were still well played, it would be because of our vibrant music scene.
BRD: You play in a couple bands. How many times have you done double duty at a show and how did that play out for you?
MG: Actually, I don't think I've ever done double duty. Our drummer in The Highdives, Shawn, he has a ton though. Back when I played with him in Attention Anyone and he was also playing in The Socials with Murray, he did double duty. He was a lot sweatier for their set.
BRD: Where is the furthest from home you've played a show so far?
MG: I'm such an Ontario dude. I've never even played out of province. Come to think of it, I can count on one hand, how many times I've even left this province. The furthest I've gone from home to play is probably, Vankleek Hill, for Beau's Oktoberfest.
BRD: Where are you hoping to play once the dreaded plague subsides?
MG: I'll literally play anywhere. I just love playing. Sign me up for any dive bar in the world. I'm in!
BRD: You could be like that one movie I didn't see where everyone forgot about the Beatles and the guy claims their songs as his own, which band's catalogue would you claim as your own?
MG: Hahaha! The premise of that movie was so cool. Man, I'd probably go with The Clash. Great catalog of prolific writing fused with ethical messages. They changed the direction punk music went for the better.
BRD: Do you remember the first punk song you heard and how it affected the trajectory of your life?
MG: I'm not sure about the exact song, but it was definitely Green Day. When I was 8 or so, my brother was showing me some stuff off Dookie. For some reason, I then went out and bought 1039. That was my first punk album.
BRD: Have you ever made a fool of yourself on stage and if so, can you please share the story for our enjoyment?
MG: One time at the Bovine, I ate a whole chilli pepper before our set and I had heart burn like you wouldn't believe. I tried to make some banter about it and got crickets. I now leave the banter up to Murray.
BRD: Who is the best bass player of all time in your eyes?
MG: Man, I've got a long list of favourite rippers. I'd have to put Chris #2 as my #1. His technicality, mixed with the fact that he belts badass vocals and has the best stage presence in the game, puts him at the top of my list. Honourable mention to Scott Shiflett, Joe Roposo, and Matt Freeman.
BRD: Tell us about your plans for the rest of 2021 and beyond!
MG: Well, Fox Run, is gearing up to release our debut EP titled, Distress Signals. That comes out on May, 28th. It's been a long process and we're super stoked to finally get the album out there. The Highdives are planning a small run of a deluxe repress of something. There will be a bonus song that's never been released. Still finalizing the dates, but that's ready for the world as well. Aside from that, just going to keep writing, and hopefully we can get back to shows sooner than later.