Protest the Hero

Interviewed By: D.J. Demers

Date: 2008-04-14

Protest the Hero is a punk/metal band that hails from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. They released their second full-length album, Fortress, in January. The band is currently on tour supporting their latest release and will be rocking out on the Vans Warped tour as it blows the minds of young men and women across the continent.

Found in the Margins caught up with Protest the Hero’s bass guitarist, lyricist, and vocalist (and possibly sound technician, manager, and logistics coordinator), Mr. Arif Mirabdolbaghi, to find out what books keep him vital on a long tour. The first book that comes to his mind is a little-known novel you probably haven’t heard of.

Mirabdolbaghi says: “Naturally it's difficult to pick a favourite among the many books that have entertained my afternoons over the years. I suppose the most obvious would be Constance Garnett's translation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's mastercraft The Brothers Karamazov. I've read it more times than I have fingers to count, and I expect to read it until I'm out of toes, too.

“I'm currently reading Spook by Mary Roach,” he continues. “She discusses science and the afterlife in the same clear and colloquial style she popularized with her first book, Stiff (which, incidentally, is a fascinating and oddly funny overview of the importance of human cadavers to science, medicine, cosmetics, etc).”

When asked what he enjoys about reading, he presents a very apt allegory. “Reading is a Swiss-army knife. It is a multi-purpose tool capable of making me feel relaxed, engaged, upset, delighted, contemptible, compassionate, and everything between. My reaction to books and my reasons for reading are as varied and diverse as the titles in your local library.”

So what type of books does he take with him on the road? With a tour schedule that is both physically and mentally demanding, his lone criterion for reading material is simple: “Nothing too heavy.”

He explains that “reading is delegated to days off and occasionally in the van. It's not the perfect situation for a multi-verse, or some mammoth piece of world literature. I bring a few favourite collections of poetry to enjoy in a moment of privacy (Nadine Sabra-Meyer, Priscilla Uppal, Shannon Bramer, among others).

“Recently, the non-fiction on my reading list has greatly outweighed the fiction. I am able to very finely tune the books with the interests I am currently exploring. Some favourites as of late include: The Hundred Thousand Fools of God by Teodore Levin, The Land Where Blues Began by Alan Lomax, and any Terence McKenna - particularly Food of the Gods.”

With all of the books he reads – both fiction and non-fiction, we asked Mirabdolbaghi what impact his reading has on the stories that he writes.

“I think the way we tell stories is most greatly affected by the stories we hear. Stories have existed since long before the written word, and many of the writing devices novelists use are attempts at dictating the rhythm and meter of a piece, devices inherent in an oral tradition.”

You can purchase Protest the Hero’s latest album, Fortress, online or at your nearest bricks and mortar music store if you want to kick it old school.

These Artists Liked the Same Books As Protest the Hero:

Joshua Radin
Ravens & Chimes
Liars
Shad
White Rabbits

Purchase Books
You can purchase the books recommended by Protest the Hero here.

Links:
http://www.protestthehero.com