Corey Hawkins

Corey was born in Vancouver on Jan 25th, 1983. His parents divorced soon after, leaving him to grow up with his mother and stepfather in a house in Maple Ridge. Corey grew up playing street hockey and had many friends. During this time period he also underwent psychological trauma as a child being abused by none other then his baby sitter. Being choked and lifted off of the floor at the age of 5 is a memory he’d rather forget, not to mention the countless beatings he witnessed while in her presence. The anguish remains and is felt in his music and lyrics today. Corey often credits these events to making him what he is today.

At the age of 13 Corey was placed in a hospital for a collapsed lung. After getting out of the hospital and making a full recovery his family then moved to Port Coquitlam. While attending Middle School he found his love for music and guitar, his first guitar being bought at Sears. “I had a choice,” Corey says. “It was between a computer or a new guitar and well… I had to choose the guitar”. During Middle School was yet another test for Corey. Often faced with violent students he quickly developed a hate towards violence and the abuse towards others who are different. “I saw people being beat up for no reason.” “Occasionally you’d realize that some of those guys that were picking fights were being abused at home by their fathers etc.” “It’s not an excuse and they should have gotten help, but I definitely felt for them later on.” Still, Corey began to grow up with a tolerance towards all people and a hunger to do something about it through music. As high school came and went the first beginnings of a band had started to form.

Working Julien Giraud, Corey and Julz as he calls him, quickly became friends and created some unique music. From a techno song written about a friend of Julien’s who had been stabbed to death on a bus bench to songs like “For Her” which was written about a girl Corey once dated and her self destruction they had played a fair number of shows and festivals. But the powers that be eventually saw Corey and Julien go there separate ways. At the age of 19 Corey then met up with then 18-year-old Arlen Chudley. After jamming extensively and trying out bass player after bass player Arlen soon recruited his brother Rory. Corey’s writing ability from this point just got stronger. “I felt as though something really clicked you know?” “I found writing with these two brought out the best in me, and really honed my skills.”” We soon did some recordings at Cosmic Pig Studios.” “There were a couple songs that never saw the light of day that I believe are still around somewhere.” “And a few songs we never play anymore.” Things were definitely on the up and up for Corey.

2005 was a big year for Corey and his new band Azimyth. The same year also ended in huge loss and the death of a family member and close friend. The year started off a good one. Corey and his band were playing many shows and had just ended the previous year with a bang playing a charity show at Richards and Richards. Heading into the New Year Corey met and befriended Richard Terry who would then become the official manager of Azimyth. During the early year Corey played many a show often receiving good reviews for his stage performance and song writing. “I think during the early part of 2005 I was writing a lot about love and loss.” It wasn’t until mid summer that Corey wrote two of Azimyth’s best songs to date. Follow Me and Hollywood Joke were both recorded and produced by Lin Gardiner. “Lin is someone who I felt comfortable in the Studio with.” “She knows exactly what I expect and what I’m trying to achieve.” “With her and Richard at my side I honestly feel like I can do anything both musically and spiritually.” Corey cites that Hollywood Joke is Azimyth’s most political song to date, dealing with the media and North Americas attitude towards personal status.

“The end 2005 was really hard for me personally.” ‘My aunt was dying in front of me from liver and lung cancer.” “I got a chance to say goodbye and I’m thankful for that.” As much as that event was hard it was not the last death that year that he had to face. December 24th, Corey and his friend Landen, along with another friend were joking outside a favorite watering hole. “I talked with Landen for awhile and then stood outside joking with him.” “The last thing I said to him was phone me next week, and I’ll see you later.” “Landen said he would and said Merry Christmas.” Hours later Landen was killed in a car accident while his g/f somehow had survived the 120kmh crash. “I think going to the funeral and reading the eulogy I had written for him was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” “I can only hope that he didn’t die in vein and that people will learn to slow down because it’s just not worth it.” “Seeing his g/f right after the funeral and having her say that I was the last person to speak to Landen was rather haunting and surreal.” ‘Seeing your friend in a body bag on TV is also a little uncomfortable knowing that you had just seen him hours before.” Corey’s dog and friend of 13 years had also passed just weeks before. He still carries his collar with him wherever he goes.

The beginning of 2006 is looking up for Corey however. With an EP coming out soon and some label attention, Corey hopes to have his band signed and in the Studio with Lin Gardiner by the end of the year. His falling out with Julien Giraud also has been mended and Julien is now a driving force within Azimyth as the new lead guitarist. “I hope with our manager Richard, Producer Lin and our newest member Julien, that I can achieve my goal of coming out on top.” “It’s an amazing feeling and pleasure to play in front of the fans that we have.” “My job is to make sure that the tunes I write mean something to the people who listen to them, and when I play live, that they feel like they’ve seen something special or connected in some way.” “It’s always been about relating to people and how they feel.” “That’s what music is all about.”

“2006 I hope, will be our year”