xDanverx Interview......he loves Sick of it all

My main goal on this blog is to interview people that I think are very influential in the hardcore scene in the united states but aren’t necessarily in bands but are the people that pay to get into shows, book shows, give bands a place to stay or roadie for bands on tour. Since I met danver 2 years ago he has done all of those things for bitter end and shipwreck ad and I admire him for that, so here are a few questions he answered for the world to see. Set it off!


Name? dan (danver) elswick

Age?28

Location? was denver, now its los angeles

Occupation? production assistant for reality tv

Describe yourself in 3 words? loyal, honor, pride

How long have you been into hardcore/punk rock music? and how did you discover it? i have been into hc/punk rock for 13 years now. it all started in the epitaph days. pennywise, bad religion, nofx, rancid. i started out with those bands, and then got into sick of it all. which was my first hc show. sick of it all, ensign, and good riddance. my friend ben moline, who was a skateboarder, used to sit next to me in math class, and would bring a walkman, yes i said a walkman. and we would jam out instead of paying attention to the teacher.

I know your one of the older dudes that have been going to hardcore shows in Denver Colorado for some time now, how has it changed since you first started going to shows? well, it has actually changed quite a bit. when i started going to shows, there was nothing but big ass tattooed dudes that didnt give a shit if you were in their way. the new kids, such as myself, kinda had to put up with their shit. we really had no choice. they had been there longer, and didnt cut us any slack!

What was the first hardcore show you ever went to? And where?
my first hardcore show was at the raven, in downtown denver, colorado. Sick Of It All, Ensign, and Good Riddance.

What bands do you think have had the greatest impact on your life? of course i would have to say sick of it all, for being a positive band, but not covering up all the negativity in the world. talking about it, and bringing issues up in all of their music. earth crisis, is the main reason i found straight edge. as well as strife. the hope conspiracy, because when i hear that band, it really grabs my attention!

What are your thoughts on hardcore in 2008? my thoughts are, im an old man now when it comes to the hardcore scene. i probably have thoughts that arent fair to the younger kids. i know we all have to start somewhere, but myspace shouldnt be that start. its great for bands, but i think that it attracts a lot of kids that are here today, gone tomorrow. not saying that there arent kids who love the music, and try to continue the scene. cause there are. especially in denver. i feel there are a couple of good kids who get it, and have a lot of heart!

What does straight edge mean to you in now in 2008? And how has it changed over the years? straight edge to me, if anything has gotten stronger in my life. its always been for me. i dont push it on anyone else, and i would never. people know what they are getting themselves into. its their choice to make a decision. otherwise, you get these kids who scream the loudest about straight edge, and how wrong drugs and alcohol are, and the next day they are doing lines in the parking lot, and putting needles in their arms, and celebrating 420. but straight edge has always pretty much been the same to me. its not a hard thing for me to do, because ive never really done any drugs or drank any alcohol to really miss it. i think that its really exploited right now, by the media, by kids on myspace, etc. but like i said, we all have to start somewhere. my only hope is that some kids hold on to what they say they believe in. true till death right?

Favorite band or bands? sick of it all, trial, avail, bad religion, ensign, have heart!

What bands are you jamming to right now? the new shipwreck, verse, down to nothing, against me, grave maker, hour of the wolf.

I know you have recently relocated to California how is that treating you? you know, denver will always be home for me, but im liking so cal quite a bit right now. ive met some real cool kids down in orange county that i like alot. dudes that have a lot of passion for the music. which are the people that i get along with most! been going to the chain reaction, which is a cool venue, but the sound sucks.

What is a perfect day for you? waking up to a sunny day,about 85 degrees, eating some morning star sausage, getting in my car, listening to some good punk rock and hardcore, driving to boulder, co. getting out in the great outdoors and going climbing with a good group of friends. then that night, going and eating some illegal petes, and possibly going camping just south of denver. that has made for my perfect days in the past. being outside and enjoying mother nature and amazing weather!

Best meal you have eaten on tour? oh man, no contest, i just went to monterrey, mexico, with grave maker, and we stayed at our friend luis' house. him and his brother, and sister are vegan/vegetarian, and his mom made us vegan mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. nothing could ever touch that. so good. thanks again luis!
Do you have any interesting stories from the road? thats all the road is. alot of interesting stories. which is why i think i continue to do it. there is nothing normal about being in a van, with 4 or 5 other smelly dudes for a long period of time. meeting new people everyday, seeing places, venues, bands, that youve never seen before. too many stories to tell, but i cant wait to have more!

What cities do you think have the best shows right now? well, im biased, about denver, but i think our shows are alot of fun. pillow fights and smiling faces. no stupid ass fights anymore! but i liked monterrey, mexico. all the kids there are amazing. have alot of love for american hardcore! san diego and oceanside, california. good times. ive always liked seattle. lots of good bands, always coming out of there. richmond, virginia. amazing. omaha, nebraska, believe it or not, used to have incredible shows. always worth the six hour drive. but these are obviously my opinions!

If you could tour with any band who would it be? (past or present)sick of it all!

Last show you went to? How was it? last show i went to was about 2 weeks ago, at the chain reaction in anaheim, california. it was blacklisted and have heart. once have heart came on, it was pure craziness. i loved it. im old now, so i dont "dance" or stage dive anymore, but it was alot of fun watching everyone else do it!
Do you have any life goals? life goal, to always be positive and have fun, no matter what im doing. otherwise, there is no point to living!

If you could change one thing in this messed up world what would it be? a couple of things, i would change how people treat each other. if people would just take the time to respect each other, no matter what your income, race, sexual preference, job title, etc, this world would have to be a better place. there is no way it wouldnt be. plus, not a big fan of religion or greedy people. its all about respect! if youre not giving it, then youre not getting it from me!


Shout outs: Grave Maker is releasing their first lp on think fast records at the end of july, buy that shit, and support a band that has nothing but love and passion for what they are doing. a worthy band of being supported. shipwreck ad and bitter end, touring canada and the west coast together. go check those bands out, always a great show. amazing gentlemen as well! there is a band from southern california right now called a better hope foundation, in your face good hardcore!there is newer band from denver called bankrobber, check them out. good melodic hardcore! shout out to real straight edge who try and remain positive. and to my friend jordan, who has always been an amazing individual to me and all my friends. youre a good man jordan!