Pour Habit exhibit all the things that made punk rock great in the late 90s. They have speed, harmony and some damn catchy songs. Having spent most of the last four years on the road, the band have just announced their first ever headlining tour of Australia. They’ve just taken a few weeks off to recharge before heading down and we caught up with the guys to find out about the rigors of touring and what makes Fat Wreck Chords one of the most iconic labels in the scene.

What's been happening in the Pour Habit camp?

Actually, we took a little bit of time away from touring. We had been on the road for about four years straight so we decided to just lay low for a little and get our heads on straight.  We are a broke touring band so it can be stressful at times to live like a bum. Right now we have about nine new songs that we are really stoked on. Actually our last Australia tour really made us remember what we are all about. We are going to keep it punk and no pussy shit.  While home, we played some awesome shows with NOFX, Lagwagon, and No Use For a Name. Eric actually filled in for NUFAN to play guitar. Hearing about Tony Sly was devastating. NUFAN was the first Fat Band to take us on tour, and Tony was an awesome guy. I could go on for pages about Tony, it is really a tragedy to lose a great guy like him.

How's the new album progressing?
 
The new album is going to be awesome. I feel like we put so much pressure on the second album that we went away from what we are all about. We are actually going to call the new album "Fuck It"  because that is the theme of everything for us. 
 
The tour has just been announced for later in the year. You've had a few trips to Australia now, what is it about Australia and Australian audiences you guys dig so much?
 
Everyone that has ever been to Australia knows how awesome it is. We have met the coolest motherfuckers in Australia! I also have to say that the crowds are so awesome out in Australia. Whether it is 15 people or 5000, there is always such good energy.  Another thing is that you guys have some really amazing bands. We are really excited to play with Hightime and Totally Unicorn. We should probably be opening for them. Everytime I go to Australia, I question why I don't live there.

What's been some of your highlights from past trips down under?

Damn you! These questions are unfair...um there was that one time making the flight from the east coast to Perth, run out of alcohol and ice while engaging in elicit activities on our tray tables. But the most awesome highlights are just the shows that we have been lucky enough to play and the people we have met.  mean as far as the party part, just imagine you went as hard as you could every night and what you would end up getting yourself into and that was us.

By the looks of it, you guys are pretty much always on tour - does feel like one big holiday still or does it start to take a toll?

Yeah, it takes a toll. When we did warped tour last year I thought we were going to die.  We did the tour in a van and the thing with Warped is you gotta get there everyday at 7am and stay until at least 9 or 10pm. So you are raging all day and then drive 8 hours and it is a million degrees. Thank god for some of the other bands like Pepper, Less than Jake, and The Expendables who let us chill on their busses. But one thing that ruled is that was the summer of the "Hydrator" which is vodka and pineapple flavored coconut water, drink rules. You have to be a certain type of person to do this  You really can never expect things to go your way and you have to stay positive. I am lucky that the rest of my band is patient because I think I am a pain in the ass. Sometimes I become a negative Pile of shit but whatever, it's cool. Once we are away from touring for a bit though, it gets hard. I really miss it. There is just such freedom when you are the road and you really feel like you are doing something awesome. 
 
I've heard you guys are little bit gym junkies. How did you find time to train when on tour?

Well that would be Me Steve and Eric. I like to stay healthy and run and do that stuff.  Our old guitarist Shaun was the gnarliest though, he was ripped. But these days we still try and work out. I know Steve works his biceps haha. Every tour is funny because without fail we have the same conversation. Me and Eric will always be like "alright, this tour, we are not drinking and we are going to do a bunch of outdoor workouts, we are going to stay healthy" and then we get hammered on the first show and decide we will work out when we get home.

The band have had some amazing raps in the scene and signing to Fat Wreck and touring with so many great bands, do you still feel like its a bit of a dream?

More like a nightmare haha! Dude we are so lucky to have had these opportunities.  But honestly we worked our asses off. We practiced all the time, played any show we could get, and most importantly we stuck together. Of course everyone always needs a little help. We can not thank people like Jordan Burns from Strung Out or Fat Mike enough.  Also all the bands that gave us a chance to open for them. It has been the most amazing ride and I hope we can keep doing it for a long time. One thing I learned from all of this is you have to always want to keep doing it for the right reasons.  It sounds lame but you can really do whatever you want That is what that song "The Expert" is about. Everyone always has there opinions, but you ultimately know what is right if you are honest with yourself.

The band are clearly influenced by the 90s punk rock sound. What was it about that era that appealed to you guys?

We are old and were born at a time when that music was rocking during our informative years. I don't know how anyone who is 15 could hear Lagwagon or Strung Out and not want to grab a guitar or a skateboard or something like that. Plus think about how kick ass a lot of those musicians were. Back then you really had to search for music. There was no internet, you went to shows and cruised the music shops. There was something pure about that. You really felt a connection with the bands. Why do you think there are so many Strung Out tatts! 

If you were to make a mix tape, what will be first track on there?

Fuck! Can I make 10 haha

Ummmmm...How about Queen, "Don't Stop Me Now:

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POUR HABIT - AUSTRALIAN TOUR - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Wednesday, 28 November - Perth @ Rosemount Hotel
Doors 8PM ** (18+)

Friday 30 November - Adelaide @ Unibar
Doors 7PM (Lic/AA)

Saturday, 01 December – FEST-MAS! - Melbourne @ The Evelyn Hotel
Doors 4PM (18+)

Sunday, 02 December - Melbourne @ The Tote
Doors 5PM (18+)
“Suiticide at The Tote” with Pour Habit playing their album “Suiticide” from beginning to end.

Wednesday, 05 December - Hobart @ Brisbane Hotel
Doors 8PM ** (18+)

Thursday, 06 December - Brisbane @ Crowbar
Doors 730PM (18+)

Friday, 07 December - Gold Coast @ Miami Tavern
Doors 8PM (18+)

Saturday, 08 December - Sydney @ Annandale Hotel
Doors 8PM (18+)

Sunday, 09 December - Sydney @ Valve Bar & Venue
Doors 12PM (Lic/AA)
“Suiticide at The Valve” with Pour Habit playing their album “Suiticide” from beginning to end.

Sunday,09 December - Wollongong @ The Patch
Doors 730PM (18+)

**Totally Unicorn not appearing on these dates