The long and winding road

Of all the virtues of Winnipeg, Manitoba, an amazing heavy music scene isn't the first to spring to mind. But talk to Canadian band Comeback Kid and they'll tell you the place has just that. After all, despite that pesky border between them and the big opportunities of US hardcore, the band that got their start through word of mouth are now one of the world's biggest hardcore acts.

It's a long way from the beginning when Comeback Kid was the side project of guitarist Jeremy Hiebert and frontman Andrew Neufeld, both of whom were in established Christian metalcore band Figure Four. Figure Four is now on hiatus, while CBK, as they're known to their MySpace fans, are being labelled with tags such as 'wildly successful scene institution' by alt-music stalwart AMP Magazine, and nominated for best band-style awards.

'We started the band in 2000 and I guess we were able to succeed at what we do because of the full touring schedule we've always had,' Hiebert says. 'With hardcore, being on the road is the key.

'We come from a very isolated city geographically, so it can be difficult,' he says. 'But the bottom line is just getting out there and making your own opportunities. I think our fans appreciate the fact that we're just who we are. We don't try and pretend we're some rock star band, or whatever. It's always nice to get recognition, but the best thing for me is just to have friends and family say they are proud of what we've accomplished.'

They're on a world tour in support of 2007's Broadcasting ..., with a lineup of Hiebert, Neufeld, drummer Kyle Profeta, guitarist Casey Hjelmberg, and new bassist Matt Keil replacing Kevin Call who left last December.

On MySpace, they refer to themselves as 'dudes that love to play music and have a good time'. But it's not all thrashing guitar, crashing drums and guys sounding angry. On Broadcasting ..., the band get their political two cents in on controversial topics of American government.

'Broadcasting... is basically touching lightly on the fact that we now live in a world where it seems that we are living in constant fear of current events and governments,' says Hiebert.

The album represents a substantial evolution for Comeback Kid - it's bigger, louder and surprisingly melodic. It was also heralded as their most diverse yet and lauded by major alternative music critics such as Absolutepunk.net. 'Stylistically, the biggest change [since our debut] would be that our sound has become a little darker,' Hiebert says. 'Our songs have also become a lot more layered as we've matured as songwriters.

'It's most definitely just a stereotype that hardcore is all about anger,' says Hiebert. 'Lyrics [can] range from political issues to day-to-day life experiences; relationships and the ups and downs make their way into our lyrics a lot. But then, there are also the people that seem pissed at everything going on in the world and their life. The most annoying stereotype [people assume] is that hardcore is just a phase kids go through. For some this is true, but for a lot of people like me in their 30s, it's a way of life and has been a part of us for a long time.'

Of course, some typecasts hold fast. 'We like stage-dives, singalongs and of course, the mosh at our shows. Expect to see a band that goes hard from start to finish. We hate barricades around the stage. We love kids in our face and we love to get in theirs.'

Start From Scratch Records presents Comeback Kid, Sun, 7.30pm, Pier Pressure, Lamma Island Ferry Pier No4, Central, HK$150 (advance), HK$180 (door). Inquiries: 9528 5433