The Superlative are certainly among the top independent bands in the flourishing Canadian scene and continue to surprise crowds across the country with their genre bending Alternative Rock.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Chuck - vocals
Kiel - guitar/vocals
JP - guitar/vocals
Alex - Bass
Zach - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Superlative? How long has the band been around?
Between 2007 and 2011, JP, Charles and Zach had all been a part of a metalcore band called hello terror. After that band broke up they started up A pop punk band called Avendale. Kiel is from a small northern community called Timmins (home of Shania Twain hahah) and was in a touring metalcore band called Conflict the Child, which briefly changed their name to Drivesafe before breaking up in 2007. We have been a band since 2009.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The name is a fancy way of saying "the best". Not that we think that of ourselves, but rather it is a reference to the quality of rock we aim to create.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
It's a group effort. One person has an idea, then we all work together to build it. The topics we focus on a lot are human interaction both positive and negative , love, loss, stuggle, being grown up. We hope we can constantly draw influence for new themes to our songs. We like growing and expanding what we do musically, so we try lyrically as well.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Lagwagon,The Menzingers, Letlive, Pepper, Rise Against, Deftones, Foo Fighters, Taking Back Sunday and many more...
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
No one in particular. Our tastes are very eclectic and we don't listen to just one style, and I think our music shows that. Too many idols to name one in particular. We all just adored music from a very young age, and all realized we wanted to play it and would do whatever it takes to do so... And here we are!
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We flex in the mirror, smack each others asses, do a few naked cart wheels with our thingies bouncing all about and drink beers. Sometimes there's crying and holding one another. But really just drinking beers.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Playing some really good tours and getting our music used in film and television. It's quite reassuring that you have something when that happens.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Oh man...tough one...
Sublime with BRADLEY. Because let's face it: they are so groovy and awesome and Brad is just a legend. Lagwagon. Again with the "L" word. These guys are pop punk pioneers and we love the hell out of them. We've met them and Joey Cape has listened to us. sharing the stage would rock. Foo Fighters because not only does Dave Grohl and co. rock hard, but everything they touch turns to gold. Boston and/or ELO just because they are God's of classic rock. We could be here all night if we keep going so we will leave it at that...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are hitting the studio in three weeks to begin work on our third album. We will have a single out by early-mid may. We have never had a label and worked with a licensing agency without a contract binding us to them. Where there's a will, there's a way.