Page 17 - Black Velvet Issue 85

BV85 pg14,15,16,17:BV85 pg17 16/06/2015 18:32 Page 4

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people that she’s worked with and hung out with different country. I love to experience a culture ing the news every single morning when I’m
– so any time she’s telling stories I’ve got my jaw and see what’s going on. I guess there’s that home. I wake up at 6am, I get my coffee and
dropped, I’m listening to every single word be- weird fine line where you’re trying to go some- read the newspaper and I watch the news and
cause she has an amazing background and where and enjoy it but you’re being followed or as I’ve gotten older I realize how divided we are
she’s so much fun to be around.” you’re being watched the whole time. Even be- as people and it sucks that we don’t have more
Since Nick mentioned initially fearing Lisa, fore I did this interview, we got some food down love. That’s the one thing I wish was different in
we ask if there’s anyone that he’s never met that the street and there were obviously kids coming the world. From my standpoint and what I do,
he’d be intimated by if he did meet them. in and out of the restaurant. I guess there’s a pri- every single day is another day for me to make
“Oh so many!” he replies. “Bands like Ran- vacy and a space when you’re on tour where some sort of positive change in someone’s life
cid or older punk bands in general that kind of you don’t want to be bothered but then there’s so if I can provide some sort of love and affec-
were seminal parts of my childhood. I feel like I the other side of it that you know, without them, tion towards the people around me, then I feel
would be soft-spoken and a bit wary to meet you wouldn’t be where you are. So… there’s like I’m doing sort of a positive change. I feel like
them just out of sheer nervousness. What I love madness to it, but I do everything in my power the only way to really end that stuff is within
is that I still have that kind of feeling. I’m 32 to meet with as many fans as I can and talk to yourself and spreading a positive message. My
years old and just to have that kind of butterfly as many fans online as I can because I know it mom’s been a great purveyor of instilling that in
feeling, that kind of nervousness of meeting means the world to them. I know when I was me at a very young age. I do everything I can to
people that have played such a huge role in my growing up in the punk rock scene and going to be the most loving individual as possible and
childhood. If I met any of them I would have an see bands that I completely idolized, it was al- provide a very positive, optimistic view in every-
underlying nervousness of ‘Oh God, I don’t want ways a heartbreaking experience when you thing going on in life. I guess if there was one
to embarrass myself, what do I say to them?’ I meet them and they’re complete assholes or thing I’d want to change it would be the hate and
remember the first time I met The Mars Volta, I didn’t give a shit about you or your support of just turn it into love. At the end of the day it does-
was a huge At The Drive-In fan. I had met them, them so I do what I can to place myself on the n’t matter what religion you are or what race you
it was the first time in a very long time I didn’t other side and show as much love and gratitude are, or where you live in this world, I feel that if
know what to say to them, I was a little kid again. as I can because without them we wouldn’t be people showed more love then the world would
I didn’t know how to spark a conversation, I was here – and there’s a madness to that of course, be a much different place. It sounds very cheesy
just completely baffled. But yeah, a band like being followed, them taking paparazzi type pho- but at the end of the day I feel that’s a very con-
Rancid I’d probably freak out about. I’ve never tos of you while you’re eating your food or hav- veyable positive message that people could fol-
met them and I’m sure if I did I wouldn’t know ing a beer with your friend. It can get a little low but it’s very hard for a lot of people to do
what the fuck to say to them.” weird… but I guess it’s the price for what we do that… but that’s the one thing I’d like to change.”
and at the end of the day I can’t really bitch Aw, what a nice guy Nick Martin is. From a
ince coming into the band, Nick has got- about that.” shy, under-confident child he’s grown into an in-
Sten to know Sleeping With Sirens’ fan- And finally, what madness in the world does spiring, positive human being who now plays
base and no doubt has met some fans who are he wish would stop, or would he like to change? guitar for one of today’s most exciting bands. If
as intimidated by him as he would be if he met He replied that he’d like to see the end of hatred. you need a role model then look no further than
Rancid. Black Velvet asks, since the album’s “It’s harder as I get older to see the world be- Nick Martin. Meet him and you won’t be disap-
called ‘Madness’, how he copes with fan mad- come so divided, and that’s even become a pointed – although if he’s eating, just wait until
ness. Nick replies, “We have the most loyal fan- country-esque war type scenario,” he says. “It’s he’s not!
base and they’re so respectful. There’s this within our own boundaries. Just being at home If you haven’t got ‘Madness’ yet, pick a copy
weird fine line with just enjoying every single day and touring within the US, and seeing how poli- up – and go, go, go to a Sleeping With Sirens
you’re on tour… I love being able to get to the tics have divided people so much and it brings show. Visit www.sleepingwithsirens.net for more
venue and then being able to go and walk on such a hatred to want to kill for that. It’s al- info.
around and explore a city, especially if I’m in a ways disheartening. I’m a big person of watch- Words & Nick Martin Live Photo
By Shari Black Velvet