Convicted is a Chicago straightedge band who earlier this year released their “Unconquered” 7 inch on Organized Crime. I was able to ask Charlie some questions before they headed out to This is Hardcore fest. They can also be seen this November, on tour with Have Heart, Blacklisted, and Ceremony.

You guys have been getting out quite a bit lately for a newer band, what sort of bands are you seeing out there that you like, and what are you sick of seeing?

We’ve been lucky to be able to play with a lot of good bands on our short out-of-town stints. You can see they are doing this for the love of it and I think it doesn't get better than that. It bums me out to see just a lot of fake and plastic shit that unfortunately weeds its way into hardcore. I think people are afraid to be or look for themselves so what they do is attach an identity to themselves that's not real. I'm not going to list specifics, but it's cool to see real people having fun and using this as an escape from real life. Constantly caring about what other people are thinking and doing is no way to live.

Apparently you’re pretty busy. What do you all do day to day, and how do you balance work with the band, given how much you guys have been out lately?

All five of us individually aren't really busy, but collectively our schedules conflict to no end and it takes some effort to be able to work things out band wise. Chris and Bo are pretty much glorified babysitters for a park district and watch like 15 ten-year-olds all day and when they aren't working they go to school full time. James is starting to student teach and will be teaching kids how to jump rope and properly throw a ball, and strike out with chicks. Drew works at a lawyer call in center for all those 1-800-lawyer commercials on TV. Funny story, my old roommate called there after getting a DUI and dudes there totally recognized her name. I am in the middle of an apprenticeship for Local 1 Union Ironworkers so on top of working full time I go to school with pretty much all maniacs two nights a week. I mean we try to know about things as far in advance as possible and luckily we all have bosses cool with us taking time off.

I noticed you’re picking up some shows with Have Heart and Blacklisted, which is impressive considering how many Chicago bands stay close to home. What are you looking to do in the next few years?

We are incredibly lucky to be going out on that tour. I was able to make touring my life for a good 5-6 years and it was cool, but nothing compared to actually being in a band touring. I would like to be able to go out as much as possible and still maintain a life at home. Being a road dog as your friends and family at home grow up and live life is not worth it to me to miss out on. Specifically the next real thing were trying to do is 2 weeks out to California with Harm's Way in January. Total winter vacation.

“Unconquered” is brutal as hell, who does the songwriting for the most part?

Drew and Chris are the masterminds behind the song writing. James and Bo will work on riffs and give it to those dudes to work out into a song. I have no musical talent at all....for real. I'll just listen to our songs and think about how I'll mosh to it.

A lot of heavier bands tend to have “stoner rock” appeal. As a straightedge band, how do you feel about what sort of fans you might attract?

Let me say first we are a straight edge band, but only because all the members are straight edge. You won't find any lyrics about straight edge in our songs or hear me preach about the benefits. My best friends in the world are degenerate druggies and alcoholics and I have no problems with it at all. So, with that I don't care if dudes are smoking weed listening to us, doing lines of coke off strippers tits, or moshing with x's on their hands in their room. I respect people that speak about straight edge it's just not how I am.

Who are you looking forward to playing with at This is Hardcore fest?

Well, I'm going to limit it to Saturday because that's the day were playing, but everyday has a great line up. Poverty Bay Saints will be dope (did you see their Warzone cover), Alpha and Omega LA hardcore, Strength for a Reason, gotta say F451 or this might not make the page, haha and of course Let Down and Blacklisted....It's always good to see bands play in their hometown.

Where do you guys stay on tour? I imagine you have connections in most of the Midwest.

Haha, well we have really just done one real tour and it was for a week so I just looked at it as vacation. We just snuck all of us into the hotel room and chill and swim. Don't get me wrong if we go out for a long time ever we'll be floorxcoring it at friends houses across the country or in some sluts bed if we're lucky. JK (not really)

Any shoutouts?

Thanks to you Dave, Armando, and C Numbers @ C-rap.

Peace to the Supreme Allah

http://www.myspace.com/convictedhc