Mourning nothing

Some punk rockers just won't go down without a fight.

Unwritten Law, a band of veteran SoCal rockers formed in the early 90s, will be joining Sum 41 and Hawthorne Heights this Tuesday at the Sphere in Buffalo to promote their sixth album, "Here's to the Mourning."

"This is the next step in our evolution," said guitarist Steven Morris of the new release. "We're perfecting our style. I wouldn't want to do the same music record-to-record. To me, that's very boring."

In an interview with The Spectrum, Morris expressed his feelings on the new album, the tour and the perversion of the industry.

"We're in the van, on the way to sound check, somewhere in Colorado," said guitarist Steve Morris from a cell phone in a van driving across Rocky Mountain roads.

Morris said the new album shows that his band and music "naturally progress." He disregards the reviews that criticize their uncomplicated song structure.

"That is where I was then, and this is where I am now," Morris said, "The new album is a look back over the past 14 years. It's also a new beginning."

Looking back to some of the songs on the band's first album "Blue Room," Morris commented on the musical progress the band has made.

"We could listen to those songs and say, 'This is the best song in the world,'" Morris said, "But it's really crap, because we're so far past that now."

The musician said the band's diverse influences lent to its evolution and eclectic sound. He believes "anything and everything" is important in expanding one's musical competence.

"Each of us pull from different styles," he said. "I listen to rap and classical. I love Sublime and even James Brown."

He explained music should be a "craft" not something that's "faked and tuned."

"I feel sorry for kids these days," Morris said. "They're being lied to. I hate all the bullsh*t like Ashley Simpson and Hillary Duff, when daddy gets them the record deal. These performers break down expectations for music. Don't believe the crap you're being sold!"

Morris believes strongly in the importance of musicianship and proactive participation.

"Rock and roll drives generations," he said. "It allows you to speak out and have a voice. I mean, pop music is all about loving your lover. But with rock, people can use it as a catalyst. I think it's the only kind of music that let's you do that."

The guitarist has a message for college students.

"Get drunk and f*** each other! I never got to go to college, so I never experienced that," Morris said. "Well, I've done that other places, just not at college."

Morris' rock star eloquence is independent of the band's commercial success. If he is any representation of the other members, Unwritten Law is aptly named. Steve Morris's strong belief in music should be a requisite for all performers.

He said quite simply that the real beauty of being back on tour is that it allows the band to "be a part of the world again."

Which, for the integrity of punk, is certainly a good thing.