"Looking back, it was just a relief," said Jeremy Hiebert, guitarist for Winnipeg's Comeback Kid. Speaking by phone from Arizona and reflecting on the release of the band's most recent album — Symptoms + Cures — a year after its release, Hiebert said that it's had its chance to sink in, to see what the songs have become since the album's writing sessions so long ago.

"I think we made a record that makes sense for where we are, and where we are with Andrew — he's comfortable now, he's got this sound that fits the band," he continued. "Yeah, you never know how people are going to take it, we've been extremely fortunate for all the favourable opinions and reviews of the record."

Although their album was released at the end of last summer, the band — made up of guitarists Hiebert and Casey Hjelmberg, vocalist Andrew Neufeld, bassist Matt Keil and drummer Kyle Profeta — has been touring nearly non-stop, including a gig in London back in the spring.

Comeback Kid has a rich history, including a few lineup changes like the one that promoted Neufeld from guitars to vocals in time to make their 2007 album, Broadcasting.... With Symptoms + Cures, Neufeld certainly does sound more comfortable at the front of the stage than off to the side.

All the better to entertain you with — Comeback Kid are hardworking by nature. After the current tour wraps up after some six weeks, the band will have been on the road touring their record continuously for roughly 15 months.

"We've definitely got the wheels turning, as far as riff ideas, song ideas and whatnot; to be honest, I don't think I've ever really stopped," Hiebert said, indicating the band's focus hasn't completely turned to future releases ... yet.

"We never want to make the same record twice; we're well aware of our parameters as a band, but we like to be as creative as we can within them," Hiebert continued. "Andrew and I do most of the writing, then we'll get together in my basement with Kyle and grind it all out. Everything just comes out song by song, we just hope it doesn't clash, that it all makes sense and gels on a record."

Considering the significant decline of hardcore in the Canadian mainstream, with acts breaking up or undergoing a major sonic shift, it's good to see a band that still operates like a well—oiled machine. According to Hiebert, the band isn't looking to change the formula, they merely want to continue to challenge each other as musicians.

"A band like us, we've seen better days and we've seen worse days. I think if you want to have some kind of longevity, you just have to push that to the back of your mind," he explained.

Currently on tour with Underoath, The Chariot and This Is Hell, Comeback Kid will be in town performing at the London Music Hall, 185 Queens Ave. on October 7. Tickets are $23 in advance and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the show.

For more information on Comeback Kid or their tour, visit their website at comebackkid.com. For information on the show in London, visit the Facebook event page at tinyurl.com/cbk-london.