Episode 111: Converge

Welcome to another episode of BIRD PROTOCOL and the start of this year’s Spooky Season series! Join us as we embark on a journey into all things grim and terrifying over the next few weeks and celebrate the Halloween season with your favourite Bird Boys! We’re kicking the season off with a banger of a band that is, at times, actually scary. Maybe not in the stereotypical and seasonal sense of the word... but we’re talking about a band that will make the un-initiated ask if someone is being murdered when you put them on. They are a truly dark, raw, technical, heavy, influential, and at times, genuinely scary band that absolutely rips. Saddle up, it’s the Converge pod! Converge was formed in Salem, Massachusetts in the early '90s and has relentlessly pushed the boundaries of hardcore, metalcore, and punk since by crafting a sound that's equal parts brutal, devastating, and beautiful. With an ever-evolving catalog and sound that defies categorization, Converge has inspired countless bands and left an indelible mark on the heavy music scene over the past three decades. From their groundbreaking albums like "Jane Doe", "Axe To Fall", "You Fail Me", and “All We Love We Leave Behind” to their more recent experimentation and collaborations to their striking and original artwork from vocalist Jacob Bannon to their excellent production from guitarist Kurt Ballou to their devastating and poetic lyrics to their electrifying live performances... Converge has carved a path of unrelenting intensity and originality that just has to be respected. In this episode, we delve into the band's history, explore their many excellent albums, share our experiences with the band, discuss their talent as musicians and artists, unpack their impact as a band and through Deathwish Inc., and more. We love this band. As Otis says, they’re almost - if not totally - perfect. With a cohesive creative direction, a discography with zero misses that is aging like fine wine, a legacy that is deeply ingrained into the history of hardcore, and a willingness to experiment, reinvent, and push boundaries… Converge rules. We also share some personal ramblings about drivers being way more awful since the pandemic, the new movie “No One Will Save You”, shitty self-centered promoters, Otis’ comedy show being renewed for two months, and more. So, whether you're a die-hard Converge fan or just discovering their sonic onslaught, join us this week as we explore the raw emotion, the ferocious riffs, and the relentless spirit that is Converge. Next week? We’re either covering “REC” or “The Descent”. Watch both and go into absolute freak mode with us. INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude