Interview: Neon Windbreaker

Toronto noise punks Neon Windbreaker are crossing the pond and plunging into the depths of the UK's Hardcore & Punk scene with a set of 4 dates in the UK before heading to the Czech Republic to rip it up in a brewery! The blend of noise and melody within their music is perfectly held together by a tight rhythm section and accentuated by the shrill, in your face vocals! Bearded had a chat to Eric…


Bearded: How did you guys meet and what made you decide to start the band?

Eric: Ben, Stan, Mat and I have known one another since high school when we met through mutual friends and I would book their old band for shows in Toronto. Pat I met when I booked his band to open for Denali and 90 Day Men a decade or so ago. Pat and I started the band and slowly but surely we were able to recruit everyone as the line-up formalized. There was a rotating cast of members as originally the band started as an improv/experimental project. Past members have included our friends from the bands Greys, DD/MM/YYYY, and Meligrove Band amongst others. The band didn’t really have a set objective other than to play a few shows. Four years later, we have more direction than we did in that we now put out records, tour a bit and have a solid line-up.

Where did the name Neon Windbreaker come from?

Noting the sheer number of neon wind breaker jackets at a Japanther and DD/M/YYYY show with a friend and saying I should start a band of the same name.

Who are some of your biggest influences on your music?

Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, A-HA, 2000’s era Morrissey. Those artists or Rocket From The Crypt, The Monks, Big Black, Black Eyes, Black Flag, Jesus Lizard, The Stooges.

How have you managed to capture such a raw and intense sound on your recordings so far? Are there any specific techniques/equipment you use?

We’ve truly benefited from working with Alex Bonenfant on our most recent 7”/EP. He captured our sound and gave us a lot of direction. He was able to really finesse certain sounds, which was a huge benefit for us.

What has been your favourite record to come out this year?

New Diarrhea Planet, Dismemberment Plan, Radioactivity (ex-Marked Men). I buy a lot of records, but am drawing a blank on I’ve bought before this past weekend.

What can we look forward to from you in the near future?

Neon Windbreaker exists in a very weird manner. All of our members play in other touring bands (Beliefs, Rituals, Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs, Stan Simon), and I run We Are Busy Bodies, so it’s a healthy balance. Our plan is to record a series of 7”s early next year that we will hopefully compile into an LP. You can expect more touring, more music and a consistent amount of fun.


Neon Windbreaker will play their debut UK shows next week.

29th October - London @ Birthdays
30th October – Brighton @ The Hope
1st November – London @ Old Blue Last

Watch their video for new single ‘Pink Suit’ below: