Junktion Proves that Work and Play Can be One in the Same

When asked to describe their band in one word, the first thing guitarist, Andreas Gilbert, said about Junktion was “legit.” Sitting across from the four-piece, Kerrisdale-based band on a Saturday evening, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Having already had my first question answered with half a word, I was uncertain of what to make of the four teenage boys - Reilly Hemer (vocals), Andreas Gilbert (guitar), Chris Lindsay (bass) and Lane Pither (drums) - sitting in front of me. I can say now, after having interviewed them that they certainly lived up to being “legit”; this band could surpass anyone’s expectations. Most strikingly, they’ve mastered the distinction that even some legendary bands have yet to accomplish – the difference between taking what you do seriously and taking yourself seriously.

Having seen Junktion at various concerts around Vancouver, I was surprised to hear that their current group of bandmates had only been together since November 2008. Of course, their personal histories with music began much earlier. Pither described listening to “Nirvana everyday of [his] life in preschool”, which basically summarized how each member had spent their childhood: listening to classic rock. Having been raised around music, it wasn’t long before they each took up their respective instruments, most of them between grades six and seven. Hemer, who had initially been drumming, recounted being “at hockey camp and hearing a Blink-182 song, and thinking ‘Wow, that’s really cool, I wanna do that’”. Their musical pasts, along with the influence of live shows of bands like AC/DC, finally prompted the creation of what would become Junktion.

With both Gilbert and Pither having joined the band in replacement of former members, it seemed as if Junktion’s current lineup had formed almost by coincidence. However, while interviewing them I realized I couldn’t imagine the band any other way. They act more like brothers as opposed to just a band. Gilbert admits that he spends the majority of his time at bassist, Lindsay’s house and Hemer added that band practices were an average Friday night. I was surprised that, having spent so much time together, they didn’t argue more often. “Whenever we get into arguments,” joked Gilbert, “we all just look at Chris [Lindsay] and laugh.” Pither commented that he doesn’t “have many friends aside from these guys, so we can’t really fight”.

All jokes aside, Junktion undoubtedly has accomplishments worth talking about. Their latest track, “Stop, She Said”, hit over a thousand plays on MySpace the day it was released, yet they manage to remain completely unassuming of their growing fame. Junktion has enough talent to get away with being egocentric if they so wished, but they have no intention of making themselves seem any different than they are: The band takes their music seriously but still realizes the value of enjoying what they do, explained Hemer. During the interview they gave many thanks to their producer/manager, Andrew Conroy, their photographer, Liam Grue and their sponsor, Boulevard Skateshop. Despite their success, the guys of Junktion are still just four friends making great music. They’re enjoying themselves, and helping everyone along the way do the same.

To hear more, visit Junktion’s MySpace at www.myspace.com/junktionglobal or see them live on June 26th, 2008 at Jericho Hill Community Centre.