Hawk Nelson

Hawk NelsonCBN.com - It's been less than two years since Canadian pop-punk act Hawk Nelson released its debut full-length, Letters to the President, but the band's list of accomplishments read like the quartet's been at this sort of thing for more like a decade.

In that time span, Hawk Nelson has landed a television appearance playing The Who, performing "My Generation" on the NBC television series American Dreams, a big-screen performance in the remake of the 1968 film Yours, Mine & Ours (starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo), music placement on Smallville, Summerland and the Summer 2004 Olympics commercials, well over 100,000 in album sales - and the list goes on. Rather impressive for band whose members were, just a few years ago, collecting money from tollbooths, serving coffee and washing cars to earn their keep.

Yet Hawk Nelson has hardly given itself a chance for rest. With all the appearances, touring and activity surrounding the unit, the group found time to head to Seattle in December 2005 to work with producer Aaron Sprinkle on its sophomore effort, Smile, It's The End Of The World.

But don't let the album title fool you - talk to Hawk Nelson and you'll discover that the band isn't necessarily taking a pessimistic viewpoint on the demise of the Earth. In fact, the title track is about finding optimism and solace in music when times are hard.

"Music is a big part of all of our lives," says vocalist/keyboardist Jason Dunn. "We wanted to express through this new project the realities and truths that we deal with in our lives and give some positive solutions to our peers and the people we make our music for."

"With all the changes come challenges, and for me, it felt like it could've ended at any moment," adds bassist Daniel Biro. "But God spared us and gave us a second chance. And for that reason, it's like giving new hope and a new, positive look at the whole thing."

Co-written by the band and Thousand Foot Krutch's Trevor McNevan, who had spent time touring with Hawk Nelson last year, Smile, It's The End Of The World is a more diverse, mature collection of material than the Hawk Nelson debut. Though it's crammed full of pop-punk punch, the band has broadened its sound with additional keyboard input from Dunn, guest vocals from Emery's Josh Head and ... a barbershop quartet?

Additional development came from the newest members of the unit, guitarist Jonathan Steingard and drummer Aaron Tosti, who made their debut Hawk Nelson album appearance with Smile, It's The End Of The World.

"That's part of the musical growth on the record, is having those guys come in. We really appreciate them and their talents, we are a better band today then we have ever been," says Biro.

One of the disc's most powerful numbers, "The One Thing I Have Left," features blaring guitar chords that are later augmented by expansive backing vocals. Though presented with an instantly catchy chorus, the song is about the members of Hawk Nelson standing up for their beliefs and maintaining their dignity. Captivating rock and piano hooks are also found on songs like "Something On My Mind" and the album's closer, "Fourteen."

Though Smile, It's The End Of The World is full of hooks and hits, the album does take some serious time with a few tracks, including the gorgeous piano-driven balladry of "Zero," which deals with the reality of suicide.

"The song talks about how a guy's feeling after his best friend kills himself," says Dunn. "It goes on to explain his inner thoughts, and how he starts to blame himself for what happens." Dunn himself had a personal experience of a friend and co-worker who, at 19-years-old, had committed suicide. "It really shakes your life up when someone you're that close to is all of a sudden not there, not a part of your life anymore." This song deals with the issue of teen suicide and we felt compelled to really work with that issue through this song."

Hawk NelsonInspired by bands like Goldfinger, The All-American Rejects, Sum 41 and Green Day, Smile, It's The End Of The World finds Hawk Nelson taking a stronger rock approach in the creation of its music. "The first record was innocent and naïve, but this time, we felt more prepared and confident in our approach," says Biro.

With fun, piano-driven songs like "Nothing Left To Show" and "The Show," Smile, It's The End Of The World is bound to get audiences bouncing to Hawk Nelson's stage show, just as they had done for the many songs from Letters to the President.

Despite all the activity and attention surrounding the band since the initial release of Letters to the President, Hawk Nelson hasn't lost sight of what's ahead and is already looking forward to this new record, most of which are interlaced with a strong message of hope and change to those in need.

"There are so many bands out there that sing about nothing," Dunn says. "They're like, 'Well, this word rhymes so I'll just use it' and it's nothing. We are a band that says something and can hopefully change lives for the better. Smile, It's The End Of The World is a positive response to a negative world."

"I think it's important that we learn how to help people, whether it's a third-world country or right here in our backyards," Biro concludes. "It's what we've always been about. People have always helped us, and we've tried to pass that on in anyway we can. We seek to create anthems to get you thinking about what it is that you want to do with your life and then give you a jump-start to go all out for it. No matter what the ambition, get out there and go do it. We are and we're having the time of our lives!"

Meet The Band

Jason Dunn (vocals)

Jonathan Steingard (guitar)

Daniel Biro (bass)

Aaron Tosti (drums)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discography

Hawk Nelson CD

 

Smile, It's the End of the World (2006)

Letters to the President (2004)

Sumber : cbn.com

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