Lex Naturalis – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

Lex Naturalis – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

BC: The first song I recorded for Lex Naturalis was China Shop Bulls and the last song I recorded was False Paradigms. I’d say the biggest difference between the two would be that they are two different genres,  China Shop Bulls, is more of a Ska Punk/Ska-Core song inspired by the The Mighty Mighty Bosstones style of 3rd wave Ska.

False Paradigms is very different from China Shop Bulls sonically, It’s more of a Metalcore/Post Hardcore song. I wanted our new False Paradigms EP to take on a darker, harsher tone compared to the 2021 Emancipation EP. This one deals with personal loss as well as what is often considered by people close to me to be a “darker perspective” on life. Here’s the thing I am an Anarchist, openly opposed to all forms of religion and government and feel their existence is in direct conflict with authentic spirituality based on Natural Law principles governing moral conduct in the sentient universe.

As you can imagine this is an extremely challenging position to take on in a fake ass culture that’s primary concern is never  getting  angry and never offending anyone no matter what the circumstance. My attitude is more like “I ll speak the truth as I have come to understand it and you’re free to get as offended as you like” I can’t see why anyone would though, my main message in my  lyrics is that I don’t condone violence and institutions that encourage and help to perpetuate the cycle of violence. In that regard both of the aforementioned songs bring out my inner rage and feeling of sometimes being silenced for calling it like I see it, when others refuse to even look.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

BC: I am not sure about strictly adhering one genre I usually play around with a few at a time, I would like to make it clear however that I personally don’t understand the idea that, “we must never categorize or discuss the differences within music genres” I get this a lot when I talk music with folks, here the thing, when you take any sort of a music appreciation course in college that’s what you’re going to discuss. You’re going discuss all the important genres of music whether it be classical or Baroque or jazz or whatever, Genres are  just there as a guide, like sort of a musical compass or map. I think learning about different styles/genres builds your character as a musician gives you an idea of time, place, purpose, attitude, and style in context to the art your creating. So yeah don’t understand why naming genres has become a dirty practice. I think people just need to educate themselves more. Lex Naturalis is what I consider more of Melodic Hardcore band that infuses elements of Emo and Pop Punk.

RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?

BC: A couple people I can name right off the bat are Rodney Tobin aka DJ Irod, Aka Irod and the Auxiliary, Brian Micheal, founder of the band Terralite and organizer of Gemfest in Glens Falls, James Mullen of Seize Atlantis and House of M Productions,(Glens Falls) I think both my bands owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jim and Amanda Scally from Scally’s Roadside Bar and Grill,(Hudson Falls) Edward Martuscello from Sweet Side Records,(Glens Falls), Mike Valenti from Empire Live, and all the Punk/Hardcore promoters in the Albany area, and The Superdark Collective.

I don’t know what I would do without all these awesome people who are making things happen in the 518 for original artists. They’re all keeping the music that I love alive and doing it DIY AF.

Our style comes from the extension of our influences. It’s like an evolution. We’re influenced, and it inspires us to influence. What can you say about your influences, and what you feel you’ve done with their influence as a musician or band? Have you extended their work?

I think bands like New Found Glory, H20, Four Year Strong, A Day to Remember are a huge influence as they infuse Hardcore and Pop Punk elements like we do  Nick our Bass player and I are fond of 90’s Skate Punk era bands like Millencolin, NOFX, Pennywise, Strung Out etc the type of bands you might hear on an Epitaph records Punk O Rama compilation. We also like and are influenced by Post Hardcore/Emo bands like Thursday, Thrice, Bring me the Horizon, and Hawthorne Heights. We are an alchemical mix of all these styles when jamming. Lyrically I am influenced by the writings/publications of some of the world’s finest free thinkers and whistleblowers such as Sethikis Boza, David Icke, Mark Passio, Marja West,  and Cathy O’Brien, to name a few.

Lex Naturalis actually started as a solo project, so I wrote and played all the instruments and sang on all the recordings for the first few releases. The next one is going to be a full length and  more of a collaborative effort with my new found bandmates Nick, Evan, and Jordan. We should be releasing that sometime next year.

RRX: Stereotypes are a bitch. I mean, aside from the really bad ones, you have cultural stereotypes about everything, including music.  Would do you think is the stereotype for the music you play, and how far are you away from it?

BC: I think the stereotype that Punk is all about not caring, not trying, being out of tune and half assing everything from equipment to songwriting is super annoying. None of that stuff is really true for Punk music as a whole and in my own experience. I don’t even think it’s even true for older Punk bands that the original stereotype comes from, people like GG Allin, Sid Vicious, and Darby Crash  for example were just dudes with series mental health issues, many of their contemporaries surpassed and transcended the “Punk is all about being a fuckup” stigma by the end of 79. It’s always just been a minimalist art form that generally focuses on the attitude,  overall presentation,and tight song structure more than overly technical playing and jamming out for a long period of time, (at least most of the time but nothing is set in stone) For me it’s all about bringing your most honest unapologetic expression to the table. That makes it more enjoyable and fun for yourself and everyone else involved.

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