Trigger Effect are celebrating their tenth birthday, yet those residing in the UK will be forgiven for not knowing exactly who these Canadian punk-rockers are. Although the recent ‘What’s Left to Eliminate?’ full-length is their third in six years, it is their first to reach British ears through official release.
Finding a champion to push their previous records in the UK had proved tough, until Dry Heave Records rose to the challenge. Rather than backing down from the ferociously fast punk sound, they threw their weight behind the band. “Miles, at Dry Heave, is awesome and was able to take care of everything, from work permits and press to the tour,” Sergio Da Silva, the band’s bassist, explains.
Undoubtedly attracted by the sheer relentless energy on display throughout the record, this connection led to the release of ‘What’s Left to Eliminate?’ at the end of April. Packing a punch during its comparably short twenty minute running time, the album demonstrates Trigger Effect are all about speed.
“We wanted to make the fastest and most intense record we could”, Sergio states when asked how the record came to be. “Every time someone would come to practice with a song the first things we’d say to each other are ‘can we play this faster?’ and ‘can we put some parts out?’ and the answer was always yes.”
Successfully completing their goal, there are few albums in current circulation that live up to the sheer intensity of ‘What’s Left to Eliminate?’ Opening with a barrage of tracks lasting a maximum of two minutes, the sound grips from the start.
“[VII] is a pretty important part of the storyline and the pace of the song represents where the character is at the time. It also really helps to give a little perspective on how fucking fast the rest of the record is.”
It is an indication of the importance of the tempo to the band. Although the track supports the narrative, its most important role is to break up the record. Predictably enough, the final four tracks bulldoze through nine minutes of the same reckless punk offered during the first half.
The response to this punk barrage has been extremely positive in Europe, and Sergio expresses his hope that things will continue along the positive track come their North American tour. Yet touring is taking its toll on the band members.
“Touring is actually a kind of double edged sword,’ Sergio confesses, “On the one hand we love playing and seeing new places, but on the other it becomes taxing on our bodies and brains. It seems like we’re getting dumber as times goes on.”
The band certainly do not appear to be dumbing down; if anything the new record shows intelligence in both song composition and album structure. Sergio begs to differ. “In the near future we won’t be able to do anything but play guitar and laugh at our own penises.”
Until that happy day arrives, Trigger Effect seem to be overcoming the mental and physical anguish of touring. “We’re in a pretty good situation where we’re actually all good friends and have been for some time. So for the most part we’re just ripping on each other and laughing at dumb shit pretty much non-stop.”
With the banter in full force, it’s easy to see how their attitude influences their sound. Whereas the concept may be pessimistic, it is still evident that the band firmly enjoys what they do. When we discover we have interrupted a slumber party in Poland filled with girlish giggling, it provides all the necessary evidence.
Trigger Effect have managed what they set out to do. ‘What’s Left To Eliminate?’ is faster than a Maserati GranTurismo on an icy racing track, yet clever and considered to avoid becoming repetitive.
With the record under their belts and a tour underway, what’s on the horizon for the band’s second decade in existence? “Returning all the favours we owe from the first ten years.”
BEN TIPPLE