AUGUST 2009 (re-visited)

The reason I choose WMS as a feature is when I did an online question asking about Canadian talent in the hard rock/metal genre and I kept getting WMS as a response, so I checked them out.  I finally received a response from Chris Raposo, vocalist and guitar for WMS and we decided to talk about what it is like to be mentally fit for gigs.  O, and i was always interested in a rockers' favorite color, I giggled out loud with the answer I received.

ALM: Do you find that you have to do anything different before a nights' performance?

CR: I know as a singer I try to drink more water and less alcohol and actually my whole breathing rhythym changes, slower, more controlled.  I find it helps with endurance otherwise I'm toast, and eat.

ALM: Have you changed your lifestyle to better your performances at all?

CR: As a whole I don't think we really have but we are definitely feeling the need to, because it is a very taxing experience, all of your levels are at 100 and you really have to find a medium to prepare yourself for it.

ALM: Do you suffer from any sort of health issues?

CR: Not that I'm aware of just sore backs and joints, no different than any other fellow dirtbag whose laboured for a living.  Sore or sick the show must go on 110%, no compromise.

ALM: Favorite color?

CR: Rust, Crown Royal Brown, Coors Amber.

ALM: *giggles*

ALM: Do your lyrics have depth and meaning behind them or do you just write down whatever sounds good?

CR: Our lyrics always have a story or message in them otherwise we couldn't play it, but they always sound good, come on now!

ALM: Do any of your songs have a message that you find is important?

CR: Our songs are mostly of empowerment of the underdog, which I hope everyone can relate to at some point seeing as we are all human and have to face ridicule and persecution.  Our music is like a coping tool, at least it is for me.  Rock-N-Roll therapy.  Priceless, LOL.

ALM: What are your goals?

CR: To keep cranking it out and connecting globally and inspiring people all over, the way our influences inspired us.

ALM: Where can we find you?

CR: Not in the gym (although it definitely would not hurt) Myspace, Facebook, all the online forums and of course throwing it down at an establishment near you.

ALM: Do you find tha a persons mental health is as important as physical well being?

CR: I think that a persons mental health is just as important since that is where good health begins.  I've met many people physically strong and fit but totally unstable otherise and it usually leads to everything fallin gapart.  mentally we are sharper than ever and keener because we have to be.  Paul owns Lucky Souls Tattoo in Cambridge is starting a custom shop, I'm starting a guitar instruction and community called CRANKIT UP!  Barry handles all the band business and then we meet in the middle to put forth WMS!  Takes a great deal of mental fortitude to balance, LOL.

ALM:  When I first approached you about being in the magazine, what were your thoughts?

CR: First we thought, WMS in a fitness magazine??? But in reading a few issues we saw that it wasn't just about muscles and abs.  It touched on a lot of other aspects of fitness and well being.  So we like to align ourselves with people doing good things so we made it happen.  I'm glad we did because it's opened up discussion of getting our fat a$$e$ into better shape.  Stay positive, and keep laughing and a dose of WMS a day should get your started on your path to well being.