Cold By Winter started out originally as Deadwait, with a completely different line-up, very different sound, and a whole bunch of people I was afraid of meeting, me, being a geeky little ginge, and these other guys being in this band that played underground shows with mumsdollar and holdfast...
These were way early days, it was hilarious, cheesy, and slightly embarassing, but still fun.
I joined when Scott and Aaron saw me practising in my bedroom/lounge at an apartment in Emily Place, I've never been a super guitarist but they somehow included me in the line-up as their 3rd guitarist, probably because of my stunning good looks :p
From thereon, even during our baby-steps as a band, we got put on the bill for plenty of international acts, played alongside some great local bands who were soon to get pretty big, meet some amazing people who still to this day have proved to help us out without expecting anything in return, and overplayed ourselves in the ever-criticized but ever-accomodation and sorely missed PapaJacks/Voodoo Lounge!
Soon to follow was a series of line-up changes, genre-jumping, re-recording and re-inventing old songs... I don't believe enough credit was given to former members of the band whose part in the group really did help shape things.
Aaron, he hooked us up with some cool shows, contributed to the early sound quite considerably, was awesome for promotion and website stuff (before this myspace thing took over haha)
Little George, the band probably wouldn't have started without this chap, this guy was an excellent songwriter, so much we mistakenly stole 'To Take A Life' directly from him without giving credit, oops *blush* we love ya little gee.
Justin, the man on strings and keys, who helped develop our melodic side with his musical genius! Always up for a goodtime and always keen to help out.
Aja, did a brief stint with us filling in for Trajan, was cool to work with while you were around!
Ben, first time I quit CBW I was talking to him at a Shadows Bar show and arranging for him to replace me haha, turned out to be a real awesome dude for the guys, he tightened them up as much as poss and the quality of the live performance certainly elevated with Ben the Slayerologist on the axe.
Pete, this guy has an evil as fuck voice, and amazing lyric writing skills, so much so that most of We The Living was penned by him! (And later re-appropriated by Leon). My fondest memories of Pete in CBW are when he antagonised the crowds, made people feel awkward, almost hung himself at PapaJacks and repeatedly yelled 'Fuck censorship' at Parachute. I enjoyed jamming with him alot, and he always had great taste in music.
Trajan, incredible songwriting skills, always enjoyed writing and learning with/from ya, I believe he outgrew the band in talent, and definitely *cough* "left" *cough* at the right time to pursue other musical ventures. Still stoked to be working with ya, and you're great company on tour and in general :)
Rob, thanks so much for filling in and stuff, you played really well and it was great to get to know ya for those few weeks! G-hood reprazent! I'll walk down the road and visit ya sometime
Ivan, I can barely remember you being in the band it was so long ago haha but it was cool working with ya for that short period of time, and working together at PJ's.
Scott McKnight from Taking The Fall filled in for us for one show in Dunedin whilst Trips was sorting out his travel inconveniences haha, Scott learned the songs faster and more accurately than we could play them, and the whole band gave us some sweet presents =]
if I've left anyone out, haha, it ain't a hard thing to do, so don't be offended ;)
...and onto current members :
Scott, I first met ya, as some geeky ginge kid who liked blackmetal and Underoath, haha, from early on we got along pretty well, you doing the Underground radio show, playing in Deadwait, re-naming the band using an emo band name generator, haha, moved into an apartment, worked together, joined your band, ended up basically living out of each others pockets. We been through alot, but have always remained chilled and psyched on life and you really helped me in ways I can't even fucking express, if I was ever gloomy as fuck, you'd snap me outta it really quick and always maintained a positive attitude.
But yeah stumbling drunkenly down the same road in most areas of life with ya has been awesome and we'll definitely still hang and get messy and have goodtimes... and we know whose always nearby...
George! Been amazing hanging with ya for equally as long, I think your cruisy attitude and friendly vibe in general has really helped hold things together this long, and I'll always have memories of us in Europe, getting messy, making jokes, cracking up, talking shit with Germans until 5am, we have photographic evidence of this and there must be more haha. It's been rad seeing you develop as a musician too, and you did alot of things for the band that we didn't even realise.
Trips, you came into the band at such short notice, travelled to Aus with us at the flip of a coin, you're really good company, have incredible music taste and I always liked the music you were working on, hope things go well with any new bands/projects ur doing and hope to see 'ya round lots!
Leon, I've really enjoyed getting to know ya and really appreciate all the chats/feeds/alcohol binges/and good times we've spent together around the world, your mindset, attitude, and lyrical genious will always haunt my memories! In a good way, haha. I wish you the best for your family and hope something comes your way soon in terms of music/bands etc... Someone hook this guy up with a band NOW! This talent can't go to waste.
1157/Dean/Bubba, cheers so much for hookin us up with heaps of shows, and putting up with our shit for so long, we admire your patience and thank you for actually having faith in us and promoting the shit out of us!
There's alot of people who helped us out majorly, did sound, put on shows, hooked us up with stuff we probably didn't deserve, gave us free clothes etc... I'd mention you all but I really need to take a leak so I'll move on...
Anyways, in conclusion, Cold By Winter has been a confusing, traumatic, chaotic, fun rollercoaster ride that managed somehow to go around the world, meet some incredible people, play with some awesome bands, and seen some amazing sights that not many NZ bands get to see!
I sometimes think it's so futile starting up a band and attempting to make a living out of it, crossing the globe, losing shitloads of money, and then coming home empty handed - but it's the experience and the people that make it so much fun, and so rewarding.
So thank you to all our friends around the globe who've been so helpful, friendly, passionate, accomodating, interesting and fun to spend time with, we will miss you and I hope in some way or some form we all get to see you again in the future!
Cheers to all the bands who have supported us and best of luck to those who stay together!
If you miss us so much, you can still listen to our CD and weep uncontrollably ;)
OR
Come check out our other bands we'd love to see you at a show!!
IN DREAD RESPONSE (Myself, Sean the Ginge on Vocals)
STREETWISE SCARLET (Scott and George are pop'n'roll legends!)
Carthaginian Solution (Pete was the CBW vocalist before Leon)
Cobra Khan (Ben who played guitar now plays in this band, also Dean who is the man behind 1157 plays bass)
Los Muertos (Rob who filled in for Scott plays drums)
Taking The Fall (Scott played guitar for us at one show, his band are real rad dudes and Tim's an awesome drummist)
Check it all out and support the NZ underground!
Finally, I'd like to say, the only reason I play music is because I ENJOY IT. Not for any scene cred, groupies, massive crowds, getting signed to majors, having glossy magazine articles, or following trends or fashion, if I play a show I don't expect anything but good times and a chance to meet friends and hangout, play music, check out new bands, and in some way, try to keep the experience of music, shows, and creative culture alive, and exciting.
Oh yeah, and it's not all over, come to our show on December the first beyatches!
Grim Love Az.
S.