Motion City deals with singer’s issues

The quintet has evolved from its youthful beginnings.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Existing on the periphery of the pop-punk scene for years, Motion City Soundtrack is hoping its recently released third studio effort “Even If It Kills Me” propels it into a Fall Out Boy-like orbit within the mainstream.

Considering the band first formed a decade ago in Minneapolis and released its debut effort, “I Am The Movie,” in 2002, the feeling this album is a make-it-or-break-it effort is accurate.

“There is some sense of that, but ultimately I don’t think we care that much,” said guitarist Joshua Cain, calling from Philadelphia. “We do our thing, and people like it or they don’t. We hope they like it, and hopefully the career keeps going.

“It’s not like we’re screwed if this record fails. We’re still going to be a band, still going to put out more records.”

Cain points to the fact CD sales are falling across the board, with ticket sales becoming the new millennium music industry barometer of success. And in that department, Motion City Soundtrack is doing just fine. This includes the act’s current headlining slot on the mtvU Tour, which comes to Cleveland for a Dec. 14 date at the Agora Theatre.

Fans who have been around from the start have watched the quintet evolve from its youthful beginnings on “I Am the Movie” to 2005’s more angsty “Commit This to Memory” and now the introspective and moody “Even If It Kills Me.”

While the outfit has matured musically, its content is tied directly to lead singer-guitarist Justin Pierre, who is the de facto visionary and leader of Motion City Soundtrack. Similar to Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain, two examples of self-destructive but sublimely creative artists who defined their respective groups, Pierre plays the role of Icarus.

Just like the mythical character who flew too close to the sun, Pierre’s ongoing substance-abuse issues almost disbanded the outfit in the past. Naturally the future is uncertain and the end is always near.

“I think it’s an understatement to say it is tough to be tied to Justin’s emotions,” Cain said. “Justin is an interesting character. I love him to death, and yeah his moods can denote how a show goes, let alone how a record goes. It’s pretty much on the shoulders of our lead singer how things shape up for us.

“If he stays clean and sober, then he’s an awesome dude and everything works out, things are happy and we get to keep doing this. And if he can’t do that, which would suck, it’s a different ball game. I think a lot of bands don’t have so much having to ride on a singer. It’s just the way it is with us.”

Cain adds that it’s a double-edged sword in that Pierre’s creativity means the group doesn’t produce schlock, but is tied directly to his well-being. So imagine being in Cain’s shoes, where ostensibly he has little control over his career, and even the moments where he feels as though he does have a handle, or at least possession of something, in reality it’s nothing more than a supporting role in another lead character’s story.

“He’s an important part of my life,” Cain said, “And a good friend of mine.”

Still, Cain knows the inner-dynamic of other bands isn’t so weighted or emotionally exhausting. If just for a moment, this gives him pause. 

“I think it matters on my mood on a certain day,” Cain said. “I’m jealous of bands that have it easy, that get signed, sell a million records and have a great time. But I wouldn’t trade the hard and long time for what we’ve received.

“I don’t feel like I’ve made a mistake by what I’m doing.”