Raise Them and Eat Them's Nerd Guy Tough Core has been pummeling ears and raising fists since forming in the summer of 2004. Taking an anti-scene stance, Raise Them and Eat Them's members (Aaron Marchildon, Jay Galbraith, Ken Galbraith, David Bushmyer) have their sights set higher than producing a re-hash of circle pits and windmills. Instead of rushing to release, the band has been working hard over the past year to craft an album that strives to rise above the generic hardcore offerings that waters down the scene. Their efforts pay off this month with the release of their first full-length. Mark Russel sat down with the band and asked them questions about the album and the Toronto hardcore scene.

HOW LONG HAVE THE MEMBERS OF RAISE THEM AND EAT THEM BEEN AROUND BEFORE FORMING THE BAND IN THE SUMMER OF 2004?
We have many former bands, however only a few are worth mentioning: New Day Rising, Spread The Disease, Katja, The Abandoned Hearts Club and The Chiefs.

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SHOWS AND SOME TRACKS ON A WEBPAGE, BUT THIS ALBUM WILL BE THE FIRST MAJOR RELEASE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER RECORDINGS FLOATING AROUND?
We haven't released much to date. We have a 3-song EP from September 2004 and we have now re-released that album, as a 7", on It's a Disaster Records. Our first full-length will have 9 songs and is set to be released mid-November. The album is self-titled.

WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE RECORDING?
We have been writing this album for about a year now. We are very particular and didn't want to release another generic album that would be lost amongst most of the shit that is the Ontario metal/hardcore scene.

IS THAT WHERE THE NERD GUY TOUGH CORE MONIKER COMES IN? IS A REVOLUTION GETTING UNDERWAY?
The Nerd Guy Tough Core thing really isn't a movement. It's really just an anti-scene thing. Basically we want to do something original. We don't associate ourselves with today's hardcore scene because hardcore has essentially become a competition between bands to see how many breakdowns and two-step routines they can work into their songs. We also can't stand the whole facade that is the current Southern Ontario scene. Really, what Nerd Guy Tough Core is is taking that all in, rejecting it, and saying "Fuck the hardcore scene" and actually meaning it and not just yelling it at hardcore shows and cheering when Scott Vogel preaches it at some show.

In addition, we are nerds playing tough music.

YOU'VE GOT TWO BROTHERS IN THE BAND, ANY FAMILY TENSIONS SPILL INTO THE REHEARSAL SPACE?
Ken and Jay have played together for years. They have been in every band together. They work well together and I've never seen them fight. If they did fight I would have to pick Ken to win. I don't think Jay has been in a fight. Ken in the fifth.

HARDCORE DUDES OFTEN GET UNFAIRLY PIGEONHOLED AS ONE-TRACK MUSIC FANS WHO ONLY THRASH TO BLAST BEATS? WHAT KIND OF STUFF ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW?
Ken and Jay I've been listening to a lot of Prince lately. Jay's probably into some Emo band. I know Dave is listening to country and Ken really likes everything. The whole band enjoys Bon Jovi, Motley Crue amongst others.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE TORONTO HARDCORE SCENE?
The Toronto scene sucks because good promoters are few and far between. Promoters tend to put their friends bands on big shows as opposed to good bands. I really hope some of them actually catch this because I like going to concerts and the local opening act is always horrible. There are a lot of great bands out there and they get no exposure because of bad promoters. Book decent bands and the support will be there. Also treat the bands well. That is all.