Cancer Bats are so, so fucking awesome. I first saw them play in the back of a skate park in Kensington Market when I still thought I was into doing stuff like taking pictures of bands, which I am definitely not good at. But I have some really garbled, horrible pictures of that show if anyone wants them. It’s been amazing to watch the band grow since that show (which I think was their second ever). They were just a cool-as-shit Entombed worship machine that we wanted to see because they had some guys from some other bands we liked, and today, they’re one of the raddest (and pretty popular) bands making innovative heavy music, earning well-deserved critical praise and international fan love for their unique and totally effective blend of just about every metal subgenre you can think of. They play the Opera House in Toronto tonight.

Are there any trends from 2010 you already see dying in 2011?

I’m not sure if it is a dying trend or not, but I would definitely like to see the end of the whole Jeggings trend. I’m not really digging on those things. Sorry ladies, but you all look a lot better in just actual tights, or traditional blue jeans. There is no need to combine the two.

What do you expect to be the biggest flash-in-the-pan musical trend of 2011?

Reunion Tours.

If you could become the legendary creator of new musical genre this year, what would it be?

Well, if I could, I would erase history so I could create, or at least be responsible for popularizing, traditional blues music. That way I would forever be remembered. The blues are basically responsible for all modern music. So why not, right? Or would doing that create some sort of universal conundrum? Like some sort of black hole in time and space… ?

Are there any records you’re particularly excited about this year?

Yeah. When we were last in Tennessee, a friend turned me on to a band from around there called Generation of Vultures. I listened to a few unmastered tracks and this band is fucking heavy as shit! Look out for it. Also, I hear word of a new Queens of the Stone Age record. And a new Grails record, which I heard one song from called “I Led Three Lives”. It sounds amazing. Also I think Fleet Foxes are putting a new record out this year. There are bunch or new albums heading our way in 2011 that I am looking forward to picking up, so those are just a few.

Are there any records you’re just fucking dreading this year?

To be honest, nothing really springs to mind. I only really pay attention to bands putting out records I know I will care about and want to pick up. So anything I’m dreading? Couldn’t really say.