interview with Cam Lee Brennan of ColdXWar /Starving Millions

Please introduce yourself and tell us what bands you have been a part of.

Hey, I’m Cam. I’ve been a part of a number of bands over the years, such as As Legends Rise, True North, and a brief stint with One Outs.
Currently, I’m in two Wellington bands. I play bass in Starving Millions and guitar in ColdxWar.

Tell us a bit about your introduction to hardcore. What was it that drew you to the culture and what bands had an influence on you at the time?

My introduction to hardcore was a pretty natural one. I listened to and loved a few hardcore bands here and there as a teenager, such as Terror, Hatebreed, Carpathian, Comeback Kid, etc. I think it wasn’t until my early 20s that I embraced hardcore in a big way. I guess you could call it my music taste maturing or whatever? Haha. I think what drew me to the culture of hardcore was the people I met going to hardcore shows in Wellington and through Myspace. Their views and approach to the world was the same as mine which I guess subconsciously I was always searching for. They all had a major part of who I am and how I carry myself as person today. Without finding hardcore I dunno where or who I’d be today.

There were quite a number of hardcore bands that had a huge influence on me at the time, like Terror, Hatebreed, Comeback Kid, Have Heart, and Carpathian. They were the main ones for sure in terms of international bands.

I was also influenced by a heap of NZ Hardcore bands as well once I discovered there was an awesome scene right here at home. Bands like Antagonist AD, The Bleeders, Ricky Bobby, The Chase, The Burial, Saving Grace, Sixlip, Brick Vs Face, The Voyage, Cry Wolf, Too Late, and Declaration AD to name a few

Straight edge bands were a big part of the scene back in the 90s, but in 2023 it isn't as common. How did you become straight edge? What positive impacts does it have on your daily life and would you encourage others to join the movement?

Yeah they most definitely were. Straight edge is a dying breed these days, which sucks, but it is what it is I guess. I had always known about straight edge but it was always covered with negative connotations. However, that was largely due to the group of friends I had at the time and although I never did hard drugs, I tried weed maybe a few times. It never really clicked with me. I have never smoked a cigarette. I drank, but wasn’t an alcoholic or anything like that but when I drank, I drank a lot. Alcohol was my crutch, my way of burying a lot of emotional and mental trauma I didn’t want to deal with. One night I was having a moment of self-reflection and came to the realisation that I hated being drunk, I hated wasting days away because I was too hung over. Most of all I hated hearing about all the dumb shit I said and did while I was wasted, that wasn’t me that wasn’t who I am. I needed a change, I was on a dark path that was only going to end with me in a coffin. I ended up talking to a friend of mine who was edge and they recommended I watch this documentary about straight edge, which I did and it was like all the negative shit I heard about straight edge represented a very small minority at that moment. I was like holy shit this is actually a lifestyle I can get behind.

The rest is history. I went cold turkey from alcohol that night, claimed edge and haven’t looked back since and never will.

Straight edge has had such a positive impact not only in my daily life but my whole life in general. I feel like I can make the most of every day knowing I’m not gonna be suffering in bed because I’m too hung over to do anything. Realising I can still have fun and be my genuine self without being so fucked up drunk that I’m not going to remember anything, haha. But most of all, as cheesy as it sounds, straight saved my life. Without it I wouldn’t be here today.

Would I encourage others to join the movement? Absolutely, but at the same time, I’m not gonna shove it down your throat or make you feel like shit because you drink or whatever. Do it for yourself; it’s a personal choice at the end of the day but I will add that being edge is not a fad you can just pick up and drop two weeks later. It’s a commitment, it’s not an easy life to lead.

Can you tell us about Starving Millions? What other bands have members been a part of? Any future goals for the band and any shows you are looking forward to in 2023?

So, Starving was formed in 2013 by our drummer Dave, who’s played in Not Quite and a whole heap of other bands I can’t remember the names of, and our vocalist/guitarist Pete who played in a local punk band called The Dead Scene.

Pete asked me if I wanted to join and play bass since their previous bass player was leaving and the band I was in at the time True North was calling it quits in 2016. I said yes. Their previous guitarist also left before I officially joined, so initially we were a 3 piece for a while. Dave asked if I knew anyone that would be keen to play guitar; first person that came to mind was Sam who was also in True North and has played in a pop punk band called Sait Believe and before that was in a Norma Jean-esque band from Christchurch called The Overture. That’s how the current line up came to be, in a nutshell, haha.

Future goals for the band are to finally release an album that we have had written and recorded for the past two years and get back into the swing of playing shows.

In terms of shows, we’re looking forward to our first show in three years in Auckland at the Vault with Stacked, Take Hold and Skull Patrol this Saturday (Feb 18, 2023)!

Describe the current Wellington scene. What is the vibe like in comparison to scenes in other cities, and are there any bands we should keep an eye out for?

The Wellington scene has always had a pretty good friendly vibe. I’m not too sure if it’s any different in comparison to any other city. The scene here seems to be in a state of revival; there’s some sick bands up and coming that have been a breath of fresh air in the best way which you all should definitely keep an eye out for and check out! Happy Valley, End Of An Empire, Unlawful Arise, Brainwave, Crying Club, Piss Baby, Stand Over, Gravel Pit and Bodyseige all of who are filled with rad people and crank out some solid tunes!

Favourite NZ show you attended or played at? Can you tell us why it stood out from others?

Oh man that’s a hard one, there’s been so many over the years, but my favourite show I’ve played would be the first ColdxWar show after the first big lockdown we had in 2020. Just the overall vibe was amazing. It was an early evening show, I think it started at like 5pm? At good old Valhalla. We were playing with Brainwave and Severed Beliefs and it was packed from start to finish and everyone went nuts for every band. It stood out for me because it was such a good release after not being able to play a show or hang out with friends in like 6 months or however long it was, ahhhhh good times.

Any memories or stories you would like to share with us?

There’s one that comes to mind; it was actually how I found out that NZ hardcore was a thing. So, I think it was back around 2006, I found out Parkway Drive were coming to Wellington playing at Valve (which is now Valhalla). It was an R18 show and luckily I had just turned 18 and it would be my first R18 show. However, I didn’t have any official ID, but had my school ID which I thought would be all good as it had my date of birth on it. Boy, was I wrong. I got kicked out, haha. My next idea was try to go in with a friend and their parent which worked for like 5 minutes until the manager of Valve spotted me and kicked me out, haha. So, as one final attempt I called a friend who I worked with to act as my older sibling for a night. Once they got there, we walked in, and the door guy (Ross McDougall back when he was in Antag) was like “Just go in bro”, haha. Luckily, I caught the end of Damaged’s set; they were sick. Then Antag played afterwards. As soon as they played These Cities Our Graves my jaw dropped. I was like “Holy shit, bands like this exist in NZ?! Goddamn! Sick”. Parkway were absolutely phenomenal as well! Next day I was on MySpace going through Antag’s friends’ list finding all the NZ hardcore bands I could possibly find, haha.

Favourite era of NZHC/NZ punk and why?

For me, my favourite era was the early to mid 00s as they were my formative years in the scene, and if I never immersed myself in the local all ages scene I would most definitely not be a musician playing in bands today, simple as that.

Top 10 bands or albums that influenced you the most over the years?

Oh man good question, there’s so many, but here’s my top 10 bands and albums that have influenced me the most:

Have Heart- The Things We Carry

Carpathian- Isolation

Hatebreed- The Rise Of Brutality

Terror- One With The Underdogs

Bring Me The Horizon- Count Your Blessings

Antagonist AD- These Cities Our Graves

Comeback Kid- Wake The Dead

Underoath- They’re Only Chasing Safety

As Blood Runs Black- Allegiance

Linkin Park- Hybrid Theory

ColdxWar had masks on at the 20th Smakdown on stage. I am guessing you take it pretty seriously. How has Covid impacted your current bands, good or bad?

Yeah, we do take the threat of Covid pretty seriously. We just don’t want to get sick or make anyone else around us sick as well. In the grand scheme of things, it was neither bad or good, it was just annoying, haha. Neither band was affected badly, it just put a wrench in the works in terms of writing, practices, and shows being canned due to members isolating with Covid.

Favourite venues you have played? And how important is it to play all ages (AA) shows for the culture?

There’s a bunch of venues that are my favourite to play at: The Meteor, Whammy Bar, Thirsty Dog, Valhalla, San Fran, and Zeal West Art room when that was a thing. There’s a whole bunch more I’ve missed, I just can’t think of names right now.

I believe it’s super important to play AA shows - it’s the perfect gateway for kids to access and get involved in hardcore. It keeps local scenes alive as it will inspire kids to start a band of their own. Auckland has an AA scene that’s popping off right now thanks to young bands like Stacked, Carthage, Soul Stroke, and Melanie, along with the older crew like Take Hold, Chasing South, and The First Child. In saying that, the Auckland scene in general is popping off and it’s great to see; like, I’m envious, I wish Wellington had a thriving all ages scene with AA venues again.

Would you like to give some final shout outs to end the interview?

I’d like to give massive shout to you guys, for doing this. Love all the work you guys put into running NZHCPP.

Peace