Winnipeg technical punk rock band Asado digitally released Equipped to Fail in May 2013, followed by a physical release in December, after spending two years putting the album together.

Formed in 2005, Asado released a self-titled debut full-length in 2008 and is currently comprised of vocalist Rob Daniels, guitarists Jason Krahn and David Lemieux, bassist Eric Sigurdson and new drummer Brady Murphy.

“When you do things yourself it can take a really long time and you tend to procrastinate a little more,” Daniels says. “Mostly though, it’s just the reality of having kids, being in a band and not having lots of extra time. It’s either we decide to be in a punk band and tour like hell across the world or we stay at home and take care of our families.”

The record was self-released here in Canada, but the record labels in South America, Japan and Europe started working with Asado after discovering its music online.

The drums were recorded right here in Winnipeg at Private Ear Studios, but the band ended up doing everything else on its own and recorded 13 tracks in all.

“I don’t think the production is as good as on the first album, probably because I did most of the mixing and I’m my own worst critic. But at the same time who cares because it’s D.I.Y., it’s a punk record and we just wanted to finally put it out there,” Daniels says. 

“Some of the songs are definitely longer this time and I think the lyrics are more focused too.”

Some of the lyrics on Equipped to Fail are also fairly personal, especially the title track which Daniels says was inspired by his own family.

“The song is about my grandmother bringing her family from a reserve up north into Winnipeg and going to school to become a nurse while raising kids and also trying to adapt and assimilate into society.”

“Stronger than the Rest” is another personal track that veers away from the political nature that takes over other parts of the record.

“I grew up in a more dysfunctional-than-your-normal dysfunctional family I guess,” Daniels says. “That song is sort of a journal entry of what I thought my sister and brother might be thinking and my mother being at the head of it all.

“I’m not overly political, but I am interested in politics and I grew up listening to Propagandhi so that really influenced my life perspective, like lots of teenagers that grew up listening to punk in the ,90s I guess.”

As for 2014 the band is resolving to play even more shows than it has in the past.

“I had to turn down several shows in 2013 that I really didn’t want to and some of them I just played by myself with my acoustic. We really want to hit the stage more this year for sure.”

Published in Volume 68, Number 15 of The Uniter (January 8, 2014)