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Avail

Richmond, Virginia's Avail may very well be one of the best bands to ever come up in the punk rock scene. Mixing the passion of hardcore with good old fashioned anthemic punk, these boys have tore across the world and left many venues in their wake. I've been fortunate enough see them play and speak with them on several occasions, and can tell you that these hardcore road warriors are some of the most standup guys I've ever came across. I would like to thank vocalist Tim Barry for letting me pick his brain about AVAIL and his upcoming solo record.

Diatribe: How did the members of Avail meet and how was the band formed?

Tim: We all met as kids. I've known Beau since Kindergarten. We all grew up together and learned to play music together. How our friendships and interest in music turned into what AVAIL is today is still baffling to us. We never set out to be a band that would make anything of ourselves. Everything that has happened to us as a group of people has been an
accident. A fun ass accident.

Diatribe: Punk kids are notorious for turning on bands once they've reached a certain level of success. Did you guys ever experience any backlash from fans when you signed to Fat Wreck Chords?

Tim: No, not really. By the time we signed to Fat we had been around a long time, and Lookout (our former record label) was putting out music that wasn't kin to our sound, so I don't think the move surprised anyone. Of course some people were pissed, but that's just how it goes. No one in a band should ever expect for everyone to like every song - record - or decision that the band makes. It comes with the territory.

Diatribe: You told me that you are on the road right now, how is the current tour going? I also saw on your website thatyou are set to tour Australia soon, have you been through there before? Who else is on the tour?

Tim: Yeah, I'm on the road right now. I'm actually in Orange, Virginia-about 2 hours from home. I've been home 1 week this month. But it's been a mixed up road. The month started with AVAIL flying to Denver, CO to do a one off show. Then I went on road with work. I drive trucks and do
production work with the Richmond Ballet. I had a break in that and flew back to Denver, CO to do 5 shows with Drag the River out there doing my solo thing. I got back from that and am back on the road with the Ballet. In two weeks I head to Australia with AVAIL

Diatribe: I have seen Avail play several times in both small and large venues. Do you guys prefer one over the other? Are there any noticeable differences between those shows?

Tim: I personally love, and have always loved, small venues. I love the challenge of playing a big stage in front of a large crowd, but my heart is in dive bars and personal shows.

Diatribe: Who are some of your favorite bands right now? Have any newer acts caught your ear?

Tim: I generally only listen to and go to see local bands (when I'm home). Folks like Liza Kate, Pink Razors, Wading Girl, Homemade Knives, Josh Small, Tomorrow the Gallows, Smoke or Fire. Stuff like that.

Diatribe: I just heard your song "Avoiding Catatonic Surrender" on the internet and I was blown away. It's very powerful and something I could instantly relate to. Was doing a solo record something that you always thought of doing?

Tim: No, just like AVAIL I fell into that shit. I made a demo at my neighbor’s house a couple years back for myself, and passed it out to friends and family. Somehow it took in a really grass roots way. Then I started playing shows off of it with my buddy Josh Small and my sister Caitlin
Barry backing me up. Soon enough we recorded an album and now I'm touring a lot outside of AVAIL. I've been really energized about playing basements and dive bars with solo stuff. I feel like I'm getting back to my roots.

Diatribe: In regards to acoustic music, who are some of the artists and bands that influenced you when making “Rivannna Junction”?

Tim: when writing the record I was more influenced by local characters and personal moods than by other musicians. Of course I rip off anyone I can, like all song writers do, but I feel like the content and the mood of the record is based more on chronicles of my experiences and the
plight of my neighborhood.

Diatribe: Will you be touring for this solo record?

Tim: Oh hell yeah. I never stop touring. And will tour on the record. I think I was just built for the road. It never ends for me, whether it be AVAIL, work or on my own.

Diatribe: I know this one might be a little rough but, if you could pick out three of your songs that really represented what you are all about, what would those songs be?

Tim: Can't do it. All the songs I've been a part of either in AVAIL or solo represent a time period that I can't sum up into a few songs, chords or words.

Diatribe: Tim, thanks a lot for taking the time to do this interview with me, I really appreciate it. Any last words in closing?

Tim: AVAIL is about to start getting busy again. Got Australia coming up. A west coast tour in January. Another one after that that I'm working on now. I'll be touring on my own. And AVAIL is working on a new record. My album "Rivanna Junction" comes out on November 21 on Suburban Home Records. And by the way, because I'm doing solo shit doesn't mean AVAIL broke up. Let’s stop that rumor now.

(You heard the man. - Chris)