Almost A Dirty Dozen with TREVOR HURST from ECONOLINE CRUSH – July 2020

According to a recent press release: “Canadian rock veterans Econoline Crush, fronted by Trevor Hurst along with talented members Ziggy Sigmund (guitarist, 1997-2002, 2009-present) and drummer Dayvid Swart (Todd Kerns Band), are back after recording their first full-length album in over a decade. Delivering their first single “Get Out of the Way” the rock alumni are ready to hit the stage again with an arsenal of new songs released on indie start-up Amalien Records, and fresh takes on their chart topping hits. “We decided to re-record GET OUT OF THE WAY (2008) to launch our deal with Amalien Records. We think the song suits the times we live in, and helps amplify the voices of those trying to build a better world for everyone. It just felt like the perfect song for this moment in time” says Trevor.” We get Trevor to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“When The Devil Drives” is a revisionist / new music experiment. Can we rebuild a couple of ideas that got missed and share something new and make it all connect? We have re-recorded “Get Out Of The Way” as the first release on Amalien Records. It seemed to fit the times, all the anxiety and the frustration that everyone is feeling.  The song is very much an anthem. It calls out the slicksters, the life long grifters and it lets you have fun and release some pent up energy. We have a number of new recordings as well as a couple songs from the past. As far as any secret recordings, sound imbedded into the music… I won’t ruin your fun.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My mother always had the radio on and my dad was always listening to his music in the shop he used to store and fix his farm equipment. I always loved music and I can’t imagine life without. Living in a rural setting I wasn’t exposed to a lot of different music. Right after I graduated high school I went and saw a live rock band at a bar in the city an hour from our farm. I was blown away. I had seen concerts but never a club show. The intensity of the band and the excitement in the room just spoke to me. I said, “I want to play music, I want to play this club” to my high school friend. He laughed. “Sure” he says. I was on that stage six months later.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

We only had a couple punk rockers in our school and I was friends with them. One day Sean lent me a mixtape of his favourite bands. It was on that tape I discovered Black Flag, Killing Joke and U2. All the bands on that tape had such attitude and swagger. It was Killing Joke and U2 that influenced my writing and style as I began my career.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

My top five influences — NIN, for the production and innovation, Killing Joke because they are awesome, Ministry-the complete commitment to rebellion, U2 for songwriting lyrics and vocals, and Nirvana- because they understood and spoke my language.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I wish I could have collaborated with David Bowie on a song. He was a true artist. Who knows where it would have gone?

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s a blend of the best elements of rock industrial, metal, punk and electronica. We combine that to create an interesting musical composition which we add melodic and sincere vocals. We are often compared to other bands with similar sounds but some of those bands are heavy on image and light on material. We may not look like the dawn of the dead but we do sound like something big bad and beautiful.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

In our band their are currently no cooks. Ziggy our guitar player is the man with the wine and song. He is always ready to play some music and entertain. I’m more laid back. Kyle and Dayvid are all about the jokes and funny comments.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t get star struck easily.  I met Robbie Robertson at the Junos ( Canadian Music Award Show) in Vancouver. He told me I sang well on the show and that playing on television isn’t easy but I made it look that way.  All I could do was say thank you. I just couldn’t believe I was talking to him. He was present for huge paradigm shifts in the music industry. He played in Dylan’s band. And wrote some of the best music ever written. I was definitely overwhelmed with all those thoughts. I hope I didn’t appear too nervous.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best thing about being a musician is the international hangout pass. If you’re cool and can hold a conversation you can go anywhere and talk to anyone. Once they know you play music it seems to give you an “in” to any group. People are curious about music and musicians and welcome us with open hearts. If I wasn’t a musician I think painting or acting would be fun. Some kind of artistic endeavour.

10. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

When you have been in the industry as long as I have you have a lot of stories and experiences both good and bad. I think one situation or thing I would change is my relationship with our former manager Bruce Allen. I was unable to discuss my mental health issues with him. I think if he would have known my mindset we might not have had such a bumpy relationship near the end of our business together. I was struggling with depression and was just unable to effectively communicate what the band and I wanted. He grew frustrated with me and we parted ways without much fanfare. I really enjoyed the times we spent together building the band and I am grateful for all the knowledge he shared. He is one of the original guys in this business and will no doubt be remembered for building our industry.

11. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

That is a tough question and my answer may surprise you. I would want to be hanging around Sound City when Butch Vig was producing Nevermind. We worked there with Sylvia Massy on The Devil You Know. The room was magical and to be able to watch Vig and Nirvana produce that masterpiece in that studio would be amazing. Nevermind changed music forever. It is a once in a lifetime recording that proved that good music that connects on a visceral level will smash corporate rock always. Nirvana, with one song, “Smells like Teen Spirit,” single handedly crushed spandex hair metal and cheese rock. In my opinion it was one of the greatest moments in rock history.

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Category: Interviews