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<\/a>That mentality\u2014passion before profit\u2014is something Cormier still recommends to young creatives today.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf what you want to do is create art, you kind of have to eat, sleep, and breathe that thing,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you\u2019re that passionate about it, there\u2019s no way it won\u2019t translate.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the 20 years since Cancer Bats first started touring, the music industry\u2014and touring life\u2014has changed dramatically. Early tours involved printed MapQuest directions, road atlases, and sometimes a single shared cell phone for the entire van.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we first started, you\u2019d do interviews on pay phones,\u201d says Cormier. \u201cNow everyone has a phone, GPS, and social media documenting every show.\u201d<\/p>\n
While technology has made touring easier in many ways, it\u2019s also changed how fans experience concerts. Many audience members now watch shows through their phone screens\u2014something Cormier admits he has mixed feelings about.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not how I want to go to a show,\u201d he says. \u201cBut it\u2019s part of the experience now. People film the show and put it online, and that helps the band reach new people, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the changes, some traditions of the hardcore scene remain strong\u2014especially the culture of supporting bands directly through merchandise and physical media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our world, people love collecting vinyl, shirts, cassettes, all that stuff,\u201d says Cormier. \u201cGoing to the merch table is just part of the culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
That connection between band and audience is ultimately what keeps Cancer Bats touring after all these years. According to Cormier, the sense of community at shows is what makes the long drives, late nights, and time away from home worthwhile.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best part is showing up in a city and seeing all these people who want to celebrate with you,\u201d he says. \u201cYou hang out, chat at the merch table, and everyone leaves with a smile on their face. That sense of community is what keeps it exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a reputation for explosive, high-energy performances, Cancer Bats shows have long been known for their intensity. These days, however, the band approaches touring a little differently than they did in their 20s.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stretch more, drink more water, and actually take care of ourselves now,\u201d Cormier says with a laugh. \u201cWhen we were 26, we were just skating around and going crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
For fans in Victoria, the upcoming show promises the same chaotic energy the band has built its reputation on\u2014just with a little more experience behind it. After two decades on the road, one thing hasn\u2019t changed: Cancer Bats are still doing it for the same reason they started.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the community wasn\u2019t there, this would be brutal,\u201d says Cormier. \u201cBut the fans are amazing, and getting to share that energy with them is the best part.\u201d<\/p>\n