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We thought since Silverstein was our first official band of the month, and we are all fans of the band, it would be really awesome if we could get an interview with them. And we did!! Yay! I recently got to ask Shane told some questions about the band, touring and his favorite vegetable?wait, what?!

Enjoy guys!

How are you doing today?

Never better!

How was Silverstein started? Where did the name come from?

At our first few practices in Josh's parents basement, Shane didn't have any lyrics written. He used to sing out of whatever books and magazines were lying around. National Geographic, Cookbooks etc... One day he picked up a book by the author "Shel Silverstein". The book was "Where The Sidewalk Ends". We all talked about how we read his books as kids, and how amazing some of his ideas were. How timeless they were. He also had passed away a few months prior. The book was left lying on the floor and not thought about too much for the next few weeks until we had gotten our first show. However we didn't yet have a name. After brainstorming for awhile, Shane pointed at the book on the floor and said "Silverstein!" We agreed on the name and never looked back.

Who is one of your biggest influences that people are surprised by?

NOFX

How has your music evolved since you started?

I think we write much better focused songs. We all click a lot better musically and know where we all want to take the song. At first it was 5 different people with 5 different ideas of where to take the musical journey.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous? And who would you say goofs off and plays the most practical jokes during rehearsal or an even during interviews when you are together as a band?

We almost never rehearse. We tour all the time we are not writing new songs. When we are writing on new songs we usually rehearse 3 times a week. It's usually pretty serious, I wouldn't say there are any joking at all to be completely honest.

Out of any song in the world, what one do you most wish you had written?

"Hey There Delilah"

What is your favorite Silverstein song/lyric, and why?

I like Bleeds No More a lot, and I like Call it Karma. Both those songs came out just how I was thinking in my head, which is sometimes the hardest part. The translation between the brain and words is tough.

Music means something to everyone. What does music and being able to make music that means a lot to so many people, mean to you?

It means everything. If I didn't have people coming up to me and emailing me everyday telling me what an impact I have had on them, I don't think I would be as confident and enjoy it as much as I do. When I'm having a bad day, and I question whether I want to be on tour, or whatever, someone will tell me my words saved their life and it makes everything worthwhile.

What is the biggest challenge you have to face when touring? And what is your favorite part about touring?

Being away from your significant other and friends/family is tough. I most enjoy the company of the dudes in the band crew, and getting to see the world and meet awesome people from all over.

What was the highlight of 2007 for the band?

Probably our sold out European tour. We had no idea we were so big in some of those places, and so many people came out. It was a blast.

Being a Canadian band, how does it feel to tour in other countries and get as much support from them, as you do from the Canadian fans?

It's amazing. When we started this band, we never thought we would even do a real tour, let alone tour outside the country... or continent! So it's just mind blowing, especially when we play places where our record isn't even out!

If you were put in charge of the music business, what would be the first thing you would do?

Blow my head off... but in all serious it is not a good time to be on the business side. There is a big problem with how much money the label expects, and the distributor expects and the retailer expects... not to mention the artist. This worked fine when a band sold a ton of records for $17.99. But now there just isn't enough money to go around. Old systems are flawed. We need new ways to sell music, or there will be far less people in business in this business.

How would you describe your live show to someone who had never seen you before?

Intense.

Top 5 albums?

NOFX - Punk in drublic
At the gates - slauter of the soul
Beatles - Abbey Road
Lifetime - Jersey Best Dancers
Brand New _ Deja Entendu

The Sound Faction is make up of five girls (...and Ed) who are random at best, love to laugh and make others laugh. We try to ask all of our interviewees five random questions at the end.

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

To eat anything and not gain weight

What is your least favorite vegetable that isn?t green?

Carrot

If you were a Potato Chip what kind would you be?

Prawn Cocktail.. Because no one would want to eat me!

If you could be the champion of anything, what would it be?! (and if you say The World, I might have to die of laughter!)

Sleeping

Who smells the worst on the bus and how often do you need to spray them down with febreeze?!

Used to be Josh but he has improved... But he's still the worst. He febreezes himself.

Thanks again to Shane for talking with us, and make sure to check Silverstein out on their Homepage, their MySpace, or both!

Check out Silverstein as Sound Faction's Band of the Month: Here!