Call them rebels with a cause. Call them ear-splitting anarchists. Call them Trash Room, the Charlotte punk band transforming rage into mosh-pit-happy ragers.
"Without those venues to play in, without the people there to see us, we’re really nothing."– Amber Comber, member of Trash Room
Interview Highlights:
On what makes a good band:
Mike Beeson (guitarist): Music is absolutely first. It’s not how you look or how you dress, how much money you make or what your job is — it’s the music.
It’s not how you’re connected, who you know or what clique you’re in. You can go into a club and not know who they are but if they blow you away, that band is going to do well.
On how the music scene has changed:
Beeson: When I moved back to Charlotte, it must’ve been like 15 years ago, I was struck right away at how much support the local music scene got because it wasn’t always like that.
On the punk rock scene in Charlotte:
Amber Comber (lead singer): There’s a lot of people out there that want their communities to see the local talent, so we do have a lot of great support. Even the bands that work together with us that ask you to play a show or remember you, and we’ll ask them to play a show. So, there’s kind of a kinship going on there.
On the level of tolerance while performing:
Beeson: We’re used to seeing all kinds of responses, you know, growing up in the South in the 80s and playing bars and stuff. I’m used to having like full cans of beer thrown at me. So, if I’m not getting pelted with alcohol by drunken bikers, then I’m good. I can handle anyone else.
On what people can do to support local music:
Comber: Do not stop supporting live shows. I know you’re tired by the end of the day. There’s probably a million other things you want to do or can’t do, but that’s probably the number one driving force — going to see a live band and supporting the community that you’re in. Without those venues to play in, without the people there to see us, we’re really nothing.
Music featured in this #WFAEAmplifier chat:
Trash Room - “Words Like Daggers”
Trash Room - “Fold Your Hands”
Trash Room - “Silence Equals Defeat”
Trash Room -”This is Your Warning”
Stay Connected:
Click here to subscribe to the Amplifier podcast (and to give the podcast a rating/review in your favorite podcast app).
Click here to discover your next favorite Charlotte musician on our Amplifier Spotify playlist. Like what you hear? Let us know on social media!
Chat with Joni Deutsch and tag WFAE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
