Saving face

>> Cali-punks Face to Face keep their eyes on the road

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Photo by Jason Felker

A year ago, when major labels were griping about Napster bringing the industry to its knees, California punk rockers Face to Face responded by having Napster sponsor their tour. More recently, Face to Face have joined forces with indie giant Vagrant, which just happened to be started up by their manager. With over 500,000 combined sales of their discography, Face To Face are living proof that success doesn’t have to equal the major label deal.

“That major-label punk rock thing, like Sum 41 or whoever, really hasn’t helped us at all,” says singer/guitarist Trevor Keith. “Green Day and Offspring helped out the beginning of our career, but now it’s just such a different world. The world that we’re in and the music that we play exists in more of a vacuum.”

The real key to the success of F2F may sound like an old rock ’n’ roll cliché, but there really is some truth to the old adage, “tour, tour, tour.” Having spent the better part of their time, since their humble beginnings in ’91, on tour, Face to Face are some of the fiercest road warriors out there. And with the release of their new record How to Ruin Everything, it doesn’t look like they’re getting home any time soon.

When asked what advice he would offer a young band, Keith is quick to say, “Play out as much as possible.

“I think the scales have really evened out. In the ’80s, bands wouldn’t even tour, just make videos, but now you have to go out there and play. If you are in a band, you should be out playing, not to necessarily get your name out but to learn how to be a band, to get experience—that will make you a better band.” :

With Midtown and Thrice at Metropolis on Friday, April 12, 8:30pm, $15.50