Heat resistant

>> Hot Water Music have their humble pie and eat it too

By JOHNSON CUMMINS

The numbers don't lie. In Hot Water Music's brief five-year career, the Florida hardcore band have clocked in over a thousand shows and moved upwards of 60,000 "units." When I ask HWM's Chuck Ragan for a tally of said units, he gets downright embarrassed. Despite Ragan's "aw shucks" modesty, the band has sales figures to make a major green with envy, and they do it the old fashioned way: living out of an Econoline van and signing with small indie labels.

The hard work has solidified a dedicated fan base, but not without its consequences. "It definitely takes its toll," says happily married Ragan. "It got to the point that we were getting sick of each other and we didn't have time to create any new stuff. It started hurting our friendship, so we broke up for about four months. This band is just an expression of our friendship and without that we aren't worth shit."

Once the band got home to regroup and rethink its priorities, they once again hit the road with a new commitment. Continuing to put out material with small labels, HWM now call indie tag Some Records home. Owned by former Quicksand honcho Walter Schriefels, Some seems to be the perfect label for a band like HWM. "Working with Some is great for a band like us, who really cherish our freedom. Walter helped produce the new record as well as put it out and just meeting Walter was a real honour because I've been such a big fan of his, but working with him on all levels is great."

Sales volume aside, Hot Water Music's real deal is dealt on stages all over the country. Given the legendary live status HWM have to live up to every night, just how does the band put up with the drain?

"When you're on the road it's hard to eat right, sleep right and so on, but I reserve all of my exertion and emotion for that 45 minutes when I'm onstage. So far it's never gotten old. Each show is different in it's own way and that's what keeps you going. We don't take any of it for granted. We consider it an honour just to be able to play in front of people." :

With Elliot and Buried Alive at Rainbow-ites on Thursday, March 30, 9pm, $12