The incredibly named, and sounding, melodic hardcore band, Wank for Peace, from Angers, France are calling it quits. We were lucky enough to put them on in April at JT Soar, and they played an amazing show.
The band are playing one final EU tour throughout December, and two final shows in their hometown early next year. We spoke to their guitarist Laurent about their decision to call it quits and their history as a band.
Why are you guys splitting up?
We are splitting up because in January I’ll be going to America with my girlfriend for a year and the guys decided to call it a day. They could have replaced me but they didn’t. We’ve been touring a lot since the beginning of the band and that’s the dynamic of the band. Wank for Peace is a touring band, some of us don’t like to practice, we don’t live in the same cities anymore. Let’s not waste a year thinking about what we could do after a hiatus. Bury the band, and make a new one later if everything/everyone is up for it.
What have your favourite places to play been?
Anywhere is fun and interesting, but I would say that Eastern Europe is my favourite, along with Russia, Ukraine… People really enjoy having bands around, they are starving for punk rock music. We just came back from tour and Istanbul was great, also Israel was super interesting
Is there much difference playing in Europe compared to the UK?
The UK is complicated, You have pretty nice bars and venues, but people won’t really show up if you’re unknown. We had great moments in the UK, met a lot of nice people, and from what you hear from touring the UK, we did pretty well. We always got food, gas money and sleeping places. People took good care of us. We can’t complain.
What are your favourite DIY bands right now?
Birds in Row from France, Astpai from Austria, Water Mane from France, and Like Wires from France.
Why did you decide to do a last tour?
We need to go back to see some old time friends, make new ones, party everywhere.
What about the collection LP?
It’s a collected LP with all our demos, EPs and 7 inches. They are all sold out, so our friends in CANISAY? Records offered us to release it for the last tours.
How are you feeling about the last shows?
Excited, sad, maybe a bit scared…
What has everybody got lined up after the band splits up?
Flo and Julien are thinking about opening a restaurant, I don’t know where they are on this project. David will still screenprint shirts for death metal bands in Toulouse with UselessPrideRecords. Florx is going in India for 4 months and then he’s taking weddings’ pictures (florianrenault.com). And I’m going in South America then North America for a year.
