First, tell us about this Property of Zack Tour you’re about to start
We’re really excited to get to spend a month with Forever Came Calling and State Champs, both bands kill it live and have rad new records out or coming out soon. We’ve know State Champs for a while and they rule, and have a lot of friends in common with FCC, we’re gonna have a lot of fun.
Seams & Stitches is your debut full length. How do you feel about it? How would you describe it?
We’ve never been as proud of anything as we are these songs, everything came together very naturally and the writing and recording processes were super comfortable. As for describing it, it’s a record of songs that are literally chronicles of the lives of the five people in this band. If you like honest music, check it out
Why the title Seams & Stitches?
Jesse (vocals) came up with the title, with all these songs being so intensely personal to each of us we wanted a title that reflected that it’s these experiences that make us and hold us together like the Seams And Stitches of your favorite shirt
Where did you guys record and with whom?
Barbershop Studios in Hopatcong, NJ with Kevin Kumetz
How was the recording process? Any difficulties? What did you do on your down time?
Recording was incredible, the staff at Barbershop are awesome and made us really comfortable while we were there, if you weren’t tracking there were couches you could nap on, there was an Xbox360 which is where I spent a bunch of my time playing Burnout, and the studio is right on a lake and has a really nice balcony where you could just go out and enjoy the weather. I don’t remember there being any difficulties
After the Property of Zack Tour, what plans for the road do you have in the coming months?
We have a few different tour in the works, we’re working on a run with our friends in I Call Fives and hopefully we’re going to get over to the UK in the near-ish future
How do you feel about your album being available on cassette? Not too many bands do that anymore. What led you guys to go for it?
We all grew up with cassettes so when the opportunity came up to release the new record that way, we jumped on it.
How does this full length compare to your past two EP releases?
This is the first time we all really had the chance to take as much time as we wanted and write every song collaboratively, there aren’t any songs where one person showed up with a completed part and everyone followed that, which makes this a true group effort. We were able to write in some different directions than we have in the past and try different things.
How did you come to joining Doghouse Records?
Doghouse approached us after we released “It’s Not The End Of The World” and they’ve put out some of our favorite records, so we were immediately interested. After talking to them about what we were looking to do and how they thought they could help us achieve that, it just felt like a good fit. The team there kills it and is always looking out for us
Are there any specific themes or stories on this record?
I guess you could say the theme of the record is just being honest with yourself and the people around you about how you feel and what is going on with you, that it’s OK to not be happy and pumped on every single day of life because there are going to be rough days, things are going to get hard, but you have to address those things otherwise it will build up on you and then you’ll be in a really bad spot
Where do you see the remainder of 2012 taking you guys? What would you like to see happen?
Ideally, a lot more touring we just want to be out playing these songs for anyone who will listen for as much of the year as possible. I know everyone is starting to write again, just little things here and there, so at some point I assume we’ll start working on more new songs, but right now we’re all just really excited on the reaction “Seams And Stitches” has been getting.
If you were not able to catch our rave review of the Wolves at the Gate’s debut release, Captors, then here is what you need to know: these guys are primed to lead the charge for melodic metalcore for years to come. Solid State has labeled the band part of its “New Breed”, and it is easy to see why. Soaring melodies are interspersed among technical aggression to create a sound that is almost equally catchy and heavy. Our very own Nicholas Senior was able to speak with Steve Cobucci, the clean vocalist and guitarist for the band to get his take on music, touring, and pulling teeth.
With all that has transpired this year (signing to Solid State and your debut full-length), have you had any time to really let everything sink in?
Yes and no. At times things really seem to move in slow motion while at other times I can’t keep track of everything as it just flies by. Either way, it has been incredibly clear how God has continually provided for all of our needs and beyond. We have been blessed beyond measure with the ministry of this band and all of the glory goes to God for our music, success, and if our music has blessed anyone along the way.
Are you pleased with how Captors has been received thus far? Do you think this is the album that accurately represents who you are as a band, or is there more to come?
Definitely, we have been pleasantly surprised to see the outpouring of support from old and new fans. I would say that Captors best represents who we were as a band when we wrote the record. Our tastes in music always change and never want to be content with writing the same record twice. We are very proud of Captors yet are nervous, anxious, and excited to see where we go creatively in the future. Hopefully this is just the beginning of what we will create, but there are no guarantees in the music world and will do our best to be good stewards of the opportunity we have now.
I also want to congratulate you guys for writing a modern metal album in 2012 without an over-abundance of breakdowns. Was that a conscious decision, or just something that happened organically?
I would say that it was a combination of both. While we don’t listen to “breakdown metal”, we also want to pave our own way into the heavy music genre. We really just write what we want to hear and so naturally we want to write heavy music that is a little more outside the box. We have breakdowns in our music, our goal is simply to write and play breakdowns that challenge the normal tradition of what you would hear.
The last time we spoke you mentioned that you wanted to be “wordy” as a band. Do you think Captors has met that goal? What are your favorite “wordy” moments on the album?
Saying that a record is ‘wordy’ is not quite how I would describe it. I feel that a better description would be detailed. While I want to write lyrics that are artistic and interesting, I also want them to have detailed and accurate content. Lyrically, my favorite song on the record is “Man Of Sorrows”, as it is my best attempt at painting a picture of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
How was the album release show in Columbus? Was that the moment that you realized your band had finally “arrived”, or more of a checkpoint along the way?
The release show was a great success. It was such a blessing to have great friends there, excellent bands, and at an awesome venue. We have always loved going to shows at the Newport in Columbus and this was the second we have ever been able to play there. The last time we played there was about two years ago when we opened up for the PacTour with Saosin and Innerpartysystem. So naturally this time around it was really weird to be the headliner. We had an incredible turnout of fans supporting the release of our record and were really thankful that God was able to use that show to be such a blessing to so many of the hearts there at the show that night. Our band has not “made it”, we still have a long way to go as we are a little fish in a big pond. Humility and hard work is were our heads and hearts need to remain.
What are you guys listening to this summer? Do you have any unexpected guilty pleasures you care to share?
I have been enjoying My Epic’s record Yet, Major/Minor by Thrice, and Daybreaker by Architects. As for guilty pleasures, I still love jamming “Big Willie Style” by Will Smith and “Jesus Freak” by DC Talk.
What are the band’s touring plans this summer and fall in support of Captors?
We currently are starting a tour with Becoming The Archetype which will be about three weeks long heading out to Creation West festival, doing dates on the west coast and then in the south. This summer mostly consists of routing to get us to the various festivals we are booked for, which you can find listed in our tour dates on our facebook. We also have plenty of plans for touring this fall that we simply are not able to announce yet.
Being a New Jersey native, you must have some knowledge of the restructuring of your hometown team the (former) New Jersey Nets. What is your take on Superman (Dwight Howard) potentially coming to town?
Well my friend, while it is awesome that big Dwight Howard could be coming to the Nets, I myself am and have been a Knick fan since I was a little tyke. So I am indifferent. However, I am excited that Jason Kidd will be putting on a Knick jersey this season.
What is your favorite non-Ohio place to tour? Do you have a favorite restaurant to hit while on the road?
While I feel like we haven’t yet found the “it” place for us, we thoroughly enjoyed being in Germany last December for Christmas Rock Night and look forward to heading back there this year. The food was awesome, the fans were crazy, and the culture was so interesting.
Are there any particularly interesting or funny tour stories?
There were a couple funny stories from Nick’s first tour with us in November of 2011 but I will just share one. We were in Connecticut at a local pizza shop and Nick took a bit out of the pizza and somehow cracked his molar in half. So he played that night and then the next morning we decided that we needed to pull this tooth. So I grabbed some needle nose pliers, sterilized the pliers with some Vitamin Water, had him lie down in the grass, I put my foot on his chest, and then pulled that bad boy out. It took me two tries, but we got that sucker. We have the whole event recorded, we just need to post it for fans to see the essence of Nick Detty.
You are a self-professed fan of Thrice. What is your take on the band’s potential final run and Dustin now leading worship at Mars Hill Church?
I am happy for the guys in Thrice. Sure, I was sad watching their farewell tour, but they are people with lives and families. I have really blessed to follow their career and to have been inspired by their music and performances. I feel very confident that they will put out another record, they are musicians and songwriters. It’s in their blood. As for Dustin moving into the position at Mars Hill, I am excited to see how the Lord will use his talents, ability, and heart for the church at Mars Hill and how his transition into writing corporate worship music will affect the body of Christ. He has always been an excellent lyricist as his lyrics have only gotten better and better on each record. From reading some interviews, I am excited to hear that he has a passion for serving the church with theologically sound songs. All in all, I was glad to be blessed by their music and support their pursuit of other endeavors.
Is that something you could see yourselves doing when (and if) Wolves at the Gate is nearing its end stages?
It’s always hard to say. I have a passion for leading worship and for preaching. Right now, Wolves At The Gate is how God is using my passions. My desire is that Christ be exalted with my life, the Gospel be clear in who I am and what I do, and that I be willing to go and do whatever the Lord calls me to.
What would you be doing if it weren’t for music?
As I stated earlier, my passions rest in preaching the Gospel and leading people to worship a holy God. However God wants to use that in my life will be my joy and honor. Given the opportunity to choose, I would love to travel and preach the Gospel whether on my own, with a missions organization, or in a church that I may serve at. I got my degree in Secondary Education: Social Studies/Biblical Studies and would also love to get back into a school and teach again.
What are your five favorite albums of all time (or at least that influenced you the most)?
Here is a quick rundown of the first ones that come to mind: Son I Loved You At Your Darkest – As Cities Burn, Vhessiu – Thrice, Where You Want To Be – Taking Back Sunday, Absolution – Muse, Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World, Viva La Vida – Coldplay, and Deja Entendu – Brand New. I decided to stop because there are just so many but I think these will give you the right idea.
Solid State has labeled you part of “The New Breed”. Does that have any significance to you other than just a PR slogan?
Well, our music is quite different than what they have traditionally signed to the label so I think that partially has something to do with it. It also has been a while since they signed some new bands so they just want to couple us and the Overseer as the “freshman” per say on the label to work together to start a new generation of music. I think it’s rad and both bands love it. Be sure to check out the Overseer’s new record We Search, We Dig as it is an awesome release from those guys.
Interview w/ Kyle Gamblin (Guitars) by Nathaniel Lay
Your new record is being tagged a “concept album”. Why is that? What makes Life Apocalypse a concept piece? Why the title, and how does it tie into the theme(s)?
It’s a loosely based concept album on a complete Life Apocalypse and pulling out of it. its not a strict story but it is the theme of all the songs.
Could you go into detail on some of the stories/themes explored in these tracks?
We have songs of feeling hopeless, lost, and beaten down. We also have songs about rising above it and accepting the damage done.
This summer, you’re touring across Canada, correct? Who with? What are the tours and how long do they run?
W’eve booked a 2 week tour with anvil, starting at the end of July and playing western Canada. Directly after that we head out with Kill Devil Hill to Quebec, then we play back home.
What touring is planned after Canada? Will you be going to a different country, like the U.S or Europe?
We’re looking into some overseas tours for the fall. But right now its too early to say anything, we are looking into it though.
Life Apocalypse is your sophomore release. A lot of people face the fear of the “sophomore slump”. What did you guys do to make sure that didn’t happen with this record?
With this album we knew it had to be better, we also knew what to improve on in our overall song writing. It was really pretty easy, we just went for bigger and better songs. Big Hooks and tight band dynamics.
The cover art for this album is pretty cool. Can you tell us about it? How does it tie into the lyrics? Who came up with the concept, and who brought it to life?
BJorn Goosses is a genius! He did the art. Brian and I came up with the concept for the artwork and BJorn added the coffins and the position of the Character and it just came out great! The cover art is the visual for a life gone to hell which is the whole theme of the Album and what the lyrics are all about. Brian came up with the name Life Apocalypse and the concept then he and I worked to bring it to life.
Where did you guys record and with whom? How was the process?
We recorded in Calgary with Sacha Laskow (Divinity Guitarist) for the month of March in his studio Perfect Fifth. The process was intense but we’re very happy with the result.
How was this studio experience different from the last album?
The last album we could take our time, mainly because we recorded in our area of Vancouver. We could take our time to get everything just right. This time there was tons of pressure to pull of a successful album.
Which song was the hardest to record and why? Which was easiest?
The hardest song to track was Destined to Die. We had timing problems on that and we couldn’t figure out how to get it right. Obviously we pulled through that one. The easiest song to record was Divided We Fall because its under 3 minutes, and there’s no guitar solo.
Considering your background and lyrical themes, how do you feel about the end of the world theory? Do you think we’re on our final days?
The world will never end. Mankind is too smart and we will survive everything except maybe alien invasion or an asteroid.
How do you plan on living past the end of days?
If it does happen I plan to start brewing beer in the mountains.
How has the label switch been? How did you come to joining Rise Records?
It has been great so far Rise is a diverse label so we are excited to be a part of it. It was just time to move on to something new after 2 releases on Eulogy and Rise happened to be interested worked out well for everyone. (RG)
How does the new record compare to your last two? Did the three years in between releases affect the writing of this record?
We had a few members changes since our last release which is why it took so much time to be able to write a good album so the writing process was affected due to the member changes not the time but in the end we wrote the songs on Living Proof which we feel is our best material and shows that we have matured as a band. (RG)
Where did you record and with whom? What was the experience like?
We recorded with our good friend Nick Jett who plays drums in Terror. The tracking to place at Sunset Lodge studios in Silverlake,CA and at Nicks home studio in Granada Hills,CA. Recording with Nick was great it was a laid back environment but we still got some badass songs put together.(RG)
What are your summer and fall touring plans? Any time overseas coming up?
We are always doing overseas stuff now we love it THICK AS BLOOD Worldwide! We are playing a big fest in Puerto Rico in Sept then Europe later on. (RG)
Why the title Living Proof?
The title track of the album has a line that states We’re Living Proof that the diehards still exist. We have been through so many ups and downs as a band and as people and we are still here stronger than ever. We are all Living Proof.(RG)
I spoke to several of your longtime fans and they didn’t seem sure you’d be returning strong. Then they heard your new record and now they say it’s your best work yet. What would you like to comment about this?
Honestly, don’t blame them. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs like Randy said. But now we’re back in full force. We’re really glad everyone is into Living Proof, we’re definitely really proud of it. (GV)
Which songs on Living Proof do you think will become the live favorites for you and your fans? Which songs do you find the most fun to play?
I’ll say “The Outsiders” is quickly going to be a live favorite and although we haven’t played I live yet “Diente Por Diente” will most likely be the most fun to play in my opinion. (GV)
If all Hell breaks loose at the end of this year, how will you guys be surviving the end of the world?
Solid State Records has identified The Overseer as part of its “New Breed”, and one listen to the band’s debut, We Search, We Dig, is all that is needed to see that there is something special about the band. The album is a great example of a band “getting it” on its debut release. The Overseer exudes a confidence about what it as a band wants to do, both musically and lyrically. The band will certainly appeal to fans of Define the Great Line-era Underoath, but there are also elements of what made Thrice and As Cities Burn so enjoyable. — by Nicholas Senior
Could you identify yourself for our readers?
Hey guys! This is Abishai and I play drums in The Overseer.
Can you describe what it has been like this past year? It must have been a whirlwind from being unsigned to releasing your debut on Solid State?
Everything happened so fast. It seemed like in a couple months we were signed to a label and recording our very first full-length. This is by far the best year for this band’s existence. We currently have management, a booking agent, and are getting on tours we never dreamed of. God is good and definitely has blessed us.
What has the reception of We Search, We Dig been like to you?
I think it has gone over really well! A lot of people have given positive feedback and seem to like it a lot.
While the album is not a concept album, do you think there are overarching themes or lyrical motifs that stretch through the album?
Absolutely. The title is “We Search, We Dig” which is taken from the second track, “Dredge.” It challenges people to search for hope in this broken world.
Is there a song in particular that has a meaning or story behind it that you would like to share?
The song we did the music video for, “Amend,” is a very passionate, emotional song that comes from our vocalist that came from a home with divorced parents. The song is saying that true love can mend a marriage. I feel this generation takes marriage lightly when it is a bond that shouldn’t be broken by man.
How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard of The Overseer before?
I would say we’re an aggressive rock band with some metal influences.
There are moments in the album that showcase a sludgy side to the band. Is that something you went for, or was it something that just happened during the production of the album? Is it a side you would like to explore more in your next record?
We like really raw and heavy parts so this was definitely intentional. We wanted these parts to stick out from the rest of the record.
In most reviews that I have heard, the only common complaint I see is the short length of the record. Is that a sign that there is more to come soon from The Overseer camp, or were these just the ten songs that fit within the framework of the album?
We honestly don’t try and write short songs. We just cut the songs where we feel we need to. We don’t want to put a bunch of filler into a song to make it longer.
I know we touched on it a little bit before, but what does signing to Solid State mean to you? Have you been pleased with everything so far on the label front?
It means we have reached one of our goals. We all grew up listening to Solid State bands so we’re stoked to be a part of the roster now. They have worked super hard for us so far and we don’t have one complaint yet.
Do you have any touring plans lined up for the rest of the summer and into the fall?
We are opening for August Burns Red North American Headlining tour! Dates are on our Facebook. Aug. 31st-Oct. 6th.
If you could tour with any three bands (active or inactive), who would they be?
Thrice, As I Lay Dying, Children 18:3.
Outside of hometown shows, what are some of your favorite venues to play? Is there any particular restaurants you enjoy frequenting while on the road?
The Gear in Franklin, IN. The 86 Club in Cinncinatti, OH. The Door in Dallas, TX. We really like Cook Out. Mainly found in North Carolina but starting to branch out on the easy coast.
What would you say is The Overseer’s mission statement as a band?
To inspire and encourage through our lyrics and actions. To challenge people to search for hope.
Where do you want to see the band fitting in with today’s music scene?
We don’t really want to blend in with the scene. We want to stick out and have a refreshing sound.
What music are you listening to now? Do you have any particular “guilty pleasures” you care to share?
Ascend the Hill. Foo Fighters. The Civil Wars. Taylor Swift. Thrice. The Gaslight Anthem. Manchester Orchestra. Linkin Park. Needtobreathe.
As a drummer, who has influenced you the most as a player?
My favorite drummer for the longest time was Matt Greiner (August Burns Red). He challenged me to step out of the cliche metal drumming and actually write interesting, tasteful drum parts that would accent the song.
If you could have a drum solo duel with any one drummer, who would it be?
That’s a tough one because all the drummers I’m thinking of would absolutely destroy me and make me look like a child. I would probably have to say Dave Grohl or Aaron Spears though. Super solid drummers with separate styles.
What would you be doing if it weren’t for music? Did you have an interest that you would have pursued?
For the longest time, I thought I was going to be a professional soccer player. Ha! My dad started me when I was 5 and I played up until high school. Everything I did was related to soccer. My dad was my soccer coach for most of my life and I was actually a referee for a couple years. I played on a traveling, competitive team for a little over a year and decided it wasn’t what I wanted. The day came for me to try out for my High School team but I didn’t get a physical in time. That day pretty much changed my whole life.
On your Facebook, you state, “Religion is dead. Christ is risen.” Would you care to elaborate on that mantra?
There’s a quote that says, “Religion is what’s left when the spirit leaves the room.” I believe that without the Holy Spirit, religion and church are just tradition. Waking up every Sunday, going to a building, raising your hands and reading the words off the screen. Don’t get me wrong, Church is necessary for you to strengthen your relationship but I just think we have missed the point. To see the behind the scenes of some churches (not all churches) is heartbreaking. They do it for a paycheck.
Is there anything else you would like to share to our readers?
Keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook. Check out our tour dates!
Your first record kind of passed under the radar. How do you think Black Mass will do? It’s been put on the horizon much more than your debut.
Jake: We think Black Mass will reach a much larger audience. Now that we are with Superball Music, there are a lot more people working to get this record out and a lot more resources to let people know about it. We’re excited.
Why the title Black Mass? Are there any themes to be found on this record?
Jake: A black mass is a form of mock religious ceremony, with dark and sexual practices. We feel that pretty much summed it up.
What do you say to those who say JLV is a Fall of Troy rebirth? Does it bother you at all?
Jake: We would encourage those people to listen again. TFoT was and is an incredible band that inspired a lot of fans. We’re lucky to have Thomas and his experience as part of our band, but it is a different band. As far as being bothered… nah. We know who we are and what we’re doing.
Tell us about the story where you chose your band name
Jake: Thomas and I were at a bar arguing over band names. We stepped outside to have a cigarette (continuing to argue) when a bum came out of a nearby bus stop and asked us for a smoke. We gave him one and he went back to the bus stop as we resumed our conversation. After a minute, the bum leaned out and said, “You wanna know a good band name? Just Like Vinyl. ‘Cause when music was on vinyl, it was better. People had to really play.” We looked at each other and were like, “Damn… that’s pretty good.” When we turned to thank the guy for solving our argument and to give him our whole pack of smokes as gratitude, he was just gone – vanished into the night. It’s popular folklore in our village that he was actually an angel sent by the rock n’ roll gods…
How would you describe JLV to new listeners? What influences do you have?
Jake: Personally, I just tell people it’s a weird heavy rock band with a lot of guitars. I think the description is best left to outside listeners, so feel free to tell people what YOU think it sounds like
You guys produced this record yourself, correct? What was that like? Why did you decide to do it that way?
Jake: We produced this record ourselves because we finally felt like we had found our sound as a band. These songs are much more cohesive and focused than the material on our first record. We went old school and just sat in a tiny jam room all summer and wrote the whole thing together. When it came time to record, we wanted to preserve the rawness and comradery that created the songs. So, that’s what we did.
Erak has publicly said that your live experience is a whole new adventure from Fall of Troy. Care to elaborate?
Jake: Come see and find out…
Black Mass is a really cool album with a lot of variation. How did you make sure that this album had a life of its own, rather than just blend together?
Jake: Again, we just sat in the jam room and wrote until we had enough songs to make a record. We just found our sound and went with it. What you hear on Black Mass is what came out of us naturally and collectively.
What songs were your favorite to write and record? Why? Which songs are your favorite to play live? Why?
Jake: I think “Dick” and “Sucks To Be You” were pretty exciting for everyone. Those are just both balls out, weird, aggressive songs. We dig that. “Hours and Whiskey Sours” is another one. Thomas’ vocals turned out amazing, and the song just flowed in the studio. Those are all highlights live for us as well.
If the world ends at the end of December, what will you guys do?
In a scene awash with every new band sounding almost exactly like the last “it band”, Icarus the Owl are ready to break down your perceptions of punk music. They’re not quite progressive, but the band’s dexterity with time signature shifts and technical guitar lines is a welcome addition to the melodic punk genre. This is head nodding music, but be warned: you can’t nod your head to the beat very easily. The band released Love Always, Leviathan at the end of June, which is the perfect time for these thinking man’s summer anthems
Could you give a brief history of the band?
Icarus The Owl was started in 2009 when I lived in a 24/7 rehearsal space in Portland,OR. I wanted to completely immerse myself in what I was doing. I woke up, rolled over, and starting making songs 12 hours a day until it was time to record them. After the album was released, we followed the 2009 Warped Tour to get our name out there as much as we could. We wanted to hit the road full time. We have been touring ever since.
How would you describe your band’s sound to someone who has never heard of ICARUS THE OWL?
People have called us a pop/punk Protest The Hero. People call us Math Rock. But I am pretty clueless on genres these days. People take them way too seriously. if you inaccurately describe your band, then people argue about the way you described your band instead of taking in the content of your music. I would say mathy pop-rock is pretty accurate.
Your album Love Always, Leviathan was just recently released. I’ll admit that it was quite a pleasant surprise, as I hadn’t heard of you until last month. Great job on the album! What are your thoughts on the finished product and its reception so far?
Thank You! I am super proud of how it came out. Stephan Hawkes at Interlace Audio did an amazing job with the production. I really think we pushed what we are all about as a band to the extreme in each direction. I love catchy pop music and I also love technical music. However, you can’t just listen to super technical music all day and sing-along to it because most of it isn’t very catchy, nor is it meant to be. We wanted to bridge that gap. Hopefully pop listeners appreciate the musicianship and hopefully musicians appreciate the digestibility. So far the reception and the reviews indicate that we succeeded. But at the end of the day they are just songs we wrote and enjoy playing, and if people like them then that rules.
Where did you get the idea for the album title? How about for the album cover?
This is going to sound silly. As band mates we always are emailing each other back and forth to keep one another current on what is going in with the band. I was emailing our guitarist, AJ, and I signed the email “Love Always, Leviathan”. I always sign my emails with something silly. I happen to write about the sea a lot. When we were coming up with the art concept we wanted it sea themed. Leviathan is a mythical sea monster and it completely fit with the album art and a lot of the themes on the CD. The child holding the umbrella under a tidal wave represents a child’s imagination and naivety. Obviously the tidal wave is going to crush him, but he believes that the umbrella he is holding will actually keep him safe. There is something profoundly beautiful about not knowing about the harm that awaits you.
What is your favorite song from the album to play live? Is there one in particular that has a special meaning to you?
Right now it is “Nuclear Towns”. It is super energetic and fun to play live. I think it translates into a live setting the best so far. They all have a lot of meaning to me, but I really love the way my voice was captured at the end of “Love Always, Leviathan”.
Speaking of touring, what are your road plans for the summer? Do you have something lined up for this Fall?
Right now we are on tour for 2 months in support of “Love Always, Leviathan” . The tour started on June 21st and will end on August 17th. This fall we are going to film a music video and probably write an EP. We have 3 songs already recorded for it.
How do you keep yourself entertained on the road?
Words With Friends, TV shows, and Xbox! AJ has this awesome Xbox case with a screen in it. It’s amazing for touring. We also harmonize weird statements when we get delirious. I may have made us sound boring. I meant to say that we party super hard.
What have been your best and worst moments while on tour? Are there any particularly funny or embarrassing stories from the ICARUS THE OWL camp?
The best moments are when we play somewhere we have never played before and people are singing the words to our songs. There is no better feeling. Even if there are only 5 kids there to see you and are singing along, then all is well in the Icarus camp. The worst moments are when the tour is over or when we have to drive through the snow. We definitely miss our girlfriends, family, and friends. I suppose waking up sweating in the van is pretty uncomfortable. Nothing too embarrassing so far. Just a lot of farting, peeing in bottles, and silliness.
What is the best part about being from Portland? What do recommend people do when they visit?
I LOVE Portland. Clean air, trees galore, hoodie weather most of the time, and a lot of culture. There is a surplus of hipsters, thus the show “Portlandia” isn’t far off from the truth, but I love it and all it’s weirdness. I recommend people check out waterfront, eat at the food carts, walk across the Hawthorne bridge(awesome view), eat at Portland City Grill (even better view), and eat Voodoo Donuts(you have to do at least one generic touristy thing)
How is the music scene in Portland?
It is weird and super hit or miss. There are so many bars with live music and delicious food. You can find live music any night of the week at so many places. This makes the scene a bit oversaturated. I think there needs to be a big change in the all ages scene. We tour to places with awesome all ages scenes where kids throw their own shows at VFW halls. Portland doesn’t really have that. We have awesome venues to play at, but they are also competing with a dozen other awesome venues. Don’t get me wrong, we love our Portland shows and our hometown fans.
What bands or artists are you listening to right now? Do you have any guilty pleasure summer songs?
I am listening to a lot of Edison Glass, Park, Thrice, Paper Rival, Cave In, and Tegan And Sara. I love big girls don’t cry by Fergie- that’s my guilty pleasure. Whenever it’s Rob’s turn to drive you will definitely be hearing Animals As Leaders.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music? Were there any particular albums or bands that served as a catalyst to your love of music?
Blink 182’s The Urethra Chronicles VHS tape sparked something for me. Their sense of humor hit home for me and the fact that they got to do what they loved for a living inspired me. I have always been a fan of music. As a child I was exposed to bands like Queen and Rush. I got hooked on fast music really early on in life. Weather it was fast death metal or NOFX, I just wanted to hear that fast punk beat everyone does. I started getting very passionate with my music listening with bands like NOFX, Pennywise, Blink 182, and Bad Religion. From there it snowballed into me wanting to play music like those bands. As I grew older my taste in music evolved, but I still love those bands.
Back to touring for a second: what would be your ideal touring line-up? Who has been your favorite group you’ve toured with so far?
We played some shows with our friends from North Dakota called “It Came From The Sea”. They are really fun guys to be around. We’d love to tour with them. But my dream tour of bands who are still alive would be Blink 182, Thrice, Death Cab For Cutie, and Icarus The Owl.
Do you have anything else that you would like to tell our readers?
Thanks so much for reading this interview and checking out our band. We really appreciate it! Talk to us on our Facebook, as we love chatting with people about music!
Originally, this was the cover feature of the LMP #11. However, that issue never released due to time restraints and a low staff (it was three of us working full time jobs with no graphic designer trying to handle like 40 some interviews, 200 some reviews, AND creating a digital magazine)…it just couldn’t happen unfortunately.
Well, I found the audio track to my interview with P.O.D. and have decided to post it here without transcribing it to words (because it would never happen with my current schedule). It was either this or it would never be heard, which would be a shame since this was a great interview.
Thank you Sonny for talking with me!
** Please ignore the first minute. That is the conference call being set up.
Cardboard Empire has been great. We started it a year ago and have 5 releases which include: 3 HH EPs (one is a tour only acoustic release), 1 album from the UK band Failsafe (it’s AMAZING…check it out) and a 100+ page book which was included in one of the pre-sale packages for our album “Hope”.
You’re nearing the end of your Summer of Hope tour. How was it?
The summer tour was a lot of fun. As with any tour, certain shows were better than others. Overall we had an amazing time, played some new songs (as well as plenty of old favorites), made some new friends and got to spend time with old friends. Oh yeah, we also got to go to Japan for the first time in six years. It was incredible. Great shows and awesome food!
Next, you have the Autumn of Hope tour. What can you tell us about that?
Autumn of Hope is a full European headlining tour. We’re hitting some familiar places and some new ones like Poland! We’re very excited about this!
At the end of “New Winter”, you have some children do some sad vocals. How did that come to be? Who are the kids?
Its actually just one kid, Avery, JT’s daughter. JT wanted to try to have her sing it to add a new element. It was pretty funny trying to get her to sing it right. It required several takes and different methods to have her repeat the words and melody the way we wanted, but the end result is pretty cool.
You recently set up a full album stream for your new EP. What has been the feedback so far from your fans?
Feedback for Hope has been overwhelmingly positive, probably the best response we’ve ever had from fans and press alike.
Hope feels more like your older material, which I definitely was glad to hear. What can you tell us about the writing of these songs?
When writing Hate and Hope, we tried to write from the heart. We didn’t try to write “radio” hits, just honest music that we would have fun playing live. That was the intention with our first two albums.
For “Running In Place”, you have “NIKI AM” in parenthesis. This calls back to your first and famous full length. What is the connection?
It is intended to be a lyrical squeal of sorts.
What song is your personal favorite and why?
My personal favorite is “Stranded” however we haven’t played it live yet. That song exudes emotion. Micah wrote a killer Soundgarden style riff (which I love) and the chorus hits like a ton of bricks! Its the odd song out on the album as far as tones and style goes, which makes me love it even more.
What is coming next from Hawthorne Heights ? Hope was the second EP of this trilogy you guys are doing. What can you tell us about the third in the series? When can it be expected?
We’re not releasing any information on the 3rd EP just yet. We’re firm believers in keeping details under wraps as much as possible and don’t buy into the whole notion of continuously updating people with studio updates, etc. The only thing I will say is that you can expect more passionate songs from the heart in the vein of Hate and Hope.
What else would you like to tell your fans about this summer and the new album?
Look for us on tour. We’re traversing the world for the remainder of the year. If you would like us to come to your town, please let us know on Facebook (we’re the ones that update and check it). If you want to hear our old stuff, you have to support our new stuff! Please help us spread the word about our new music and tour dates!
Thanks!
My name is Robby Tucker, and I make my own music called Feel Good. I’m most known for playing in the Indianola Records Hardcore act This Day Will Tell for a few years, and some acoustic songs I don’t remember at all, but for everyone who has no idea who I am, I am mostly just pleased to make your acquaintance.
So the big question: what triggered the move to hip hop?
Well seeing as how I was touring in a hardcore band, every show ever had hardcore and metal bands, so naturally I didn’t listen to it that much on my own time. Before even joining the band I was playing folk. I’ve had so many projects throughout the years experimenting with different genres, so I’ve always been heavily influenced by music in general. But after discovering Mod Sun, Cudi, Wiz, and Gym Class I started getting into the laid back style of Hip Hop. “Still Fly” still inspires me so much to love and write music that is just very laid back. I didn’t like how so much music is so emotionally driven, that when you listen to sad music, you kind of mold to that, and etc. With hip hop, I could just listen to it and feel good. There was never a time when it didn’t fit with what I was doing. That’s what started it. Also, I liked that I could still go crazy at shows, and have lights and all kinds of stuff that is tougher to pull off when you’re just a guy with an acoustic. I like hanging over the crowd from ceiling pipes and all that stuff. That wouldn’t work with an acoustic as well ha
Who are some major artists who have inspired you?
Brandon Boyd, The Weeknd, Taking Back Sunday, mewithoutYou, Mod Sun, Michael Jackson, Wiz Khalifa, and so many more. They are the top though (in no particular order of course)
What are your five favorite hip hop records?
Wiz Khalifa’s ” Kush and Orange Juice” Mod Sun’s “Health, Wealth, Success and Happiness”, G-Eazy’s ” The Endless Summer ” Shwayze’s self titled, and The Weeknd’s “House of Balloons” Not exactly Hip Hop, but still on the list.
Between your name (Feel Good), the beats, and your lyrics, there is a strongly positive vibe that radiates through your music. What was it that triggered the positivity?
I started noticing life was way cooler haha. No, but I noticed a significant change in everything when you started taking every bad thing as something misunderstood but necessary for good, so you realize there’s a reason for everything that happens. Then I was introduced to “The Secret” which talks about the Law Of Attraction, which I reference to all throughout Weekend Life. It’s pretty life changing so look it up! I just feel the need to feel good to achieve goals, dreams, and get the kind of energy in my life that will continue to make me feel good. Good or bad things that happen to you are a result of your thinking
Is this positivity something you want to continue, or will you explore different themes in later releases?
Oh it’s a way of life for sure, so I am continuing it. The name itself is just a statement to feel good. I would perform acoustic songs about feelings I hadn’t felt in a year, so I figured I should write about feeling a way I should always feel. So the name almost holds me accountable to achieve my ideal me, and to stay on track with what I’m doing. I am going to be experimenting though, and some writing might share the same content, but be presented in a different sound and style. Very stoked for the new material already dude
What are some of your fondest memories of your time with This Day Will Tell?
Definitely the “storage unit” era. We practiced in this really nice unit ( all of our promos for Too True To Be Good were shot there ) and always just had a good time. That was when we officially signed as well. We all signed the contract in there, and that’s where we wrote some of the best material. Besides that, I’d say the Keep It King Tour with Everyone Dies In Utah and Eyes Like Diamonds. At the last show in Roswell, I got hit in the head by Jacob’s guitar, bled ALL over the floor, had to leave in the middle of the first song, and then come back all bandaged up right before the guitar solo in “Seattle” so it was just a really crazy moment. Totally felt like I was going to die from loss of blood on the drive from Roswell to Pensacola. Which was two days long haha
What is currently in your summer playlist?
Oh every summer I’m rocking this kind of stuff: The Weeknd’s ” House Of Balloons ” Wiz Khalifa’s ” Kush and Orange Juice ” and ” Taylor Allerdice ” Mod Sun’s ” Happy As Fuck ” and Taking Back Sunday as always.
If you could tour with any three artists or bands, who would those be?
Wiz Khalifa, Mod Sun, and haha. (and TBS, and Shwayze, and The Chariot)
Do you have any touring plans lined up for the future?
Well I just got back from a mini tour with a band from here called “Why We Fight” I filled in on bass every night, and would do a solo set before or after the band, so that was a first. Perfect combination for a fun tour. Might be doing that again here in the next few months in a similar way with different bands
Is there a song on the album that has a particularly strong meaning or compelling story to you?
The song ” Shiny and New ” for sure. The whole song is about being on a cruise with my friends and basically describes the whole week in detail. It just covers the emotions of it very well I think. Feeling like you are exactly where you belong. Mentality meeting reality can make you feel real good
Is there anything else you would like to mention to our readers?
Yeah! I’d like to say that I have so much more to come, and Weekend Life is totally just the beginning. I’m already working on new material to put out asap, and it’s all getting better and better. So be on the look out. Also, I want to thank EVERYONE who has liked me on facebook, followed me on twitter, come to a show, or even just say that they like my music. I appreciate literally everything when it comes to people and my music. Also, check out Adora, Dwayne Tucker. JCW, and Louis Fader. They are all awesome artists. Also check out these awesome companies: Air 5 Longboards, Summa Everyday, On The Come Up Clothing, Thank YOU for giving me any bit of attention or interest in my music and interviewing me. http://www.facebook.com/feelgoodofficial @therobbytucker Keep your socks white and your hearts pure. I’m so sorry for my ranting. Go to the Facebook page and download the Weekend Life mixtape!
INTERVIEW W/ Nicholas Taylor (Drums) by Nicholas Senior
Could you identify yourself for our readers?
My name is Nicholas M. Taylor and I play drums for the band Elenora.
How would you describe your band to someone who hasn’t heard of Elenora before?
I guess if Chiodos and Emarosa had conceived a child together.. that’s where we’d lie. We’d like to think of ourselves as a pop band, but we like “chuggy” guitars from time to time and I like to use a lot of double-bass in my drumming.
Off the top of your head, which albums really got you into music?
Oh, man… I’d have to say that one of the first was Eiffel 65′s “Europop”, back when I was 9 or so. No joke, that and Smashmouth’s “Astro Lounge”. I had them both on cassette and I wore them out from playing them so much. After that, it was Blink 182′s “Take of Your Pants and Jacket” and New Found Glory’s self-titled. I was pretty hooked from there, and I think my musical tastes have only gotten weirder.
You are releasing a new EP on August 10th entitled Avant-Garde, which is a French phrase for something innovative or experimental. Does that title have particular meaning to you guys as a band? What triggered that choice as the album’s title?
We had been toying with calling it “Transitions” before we stumbled upon the idea of “Avant-Garde”. The idea was that we really wanted for anyone who was a fan of our old EP “In Reality I Am” to know what they were in for. We took a very different direction this time around, so really it was about pushing our own boundaries as a group a little bit as well.
Where did you guys record and with whom? How was the experience?
It was a roller coaster. We started off recording with Ryan Furlott at Rain City Audio in Tigard, Oregon. That was back in February. While we were in pre-production, our guitarist Kurt almost died. Had he not gone to the hospital for a third time, we would have lost him. As it turned out, he had had a rare form of cancer called Burkitt’s Lymphoma. We were all pretty shaken up, and we ended up having to put a stop on things until late May. Thanks to the cancer treatment center at OHSU, he was able to come in and record his parts in May and later that month, we got it done. Having that extra time to reflect, though, really helped us get to a better place with the vocal parts.
How do you feel about the finished product? What do you see the band doing differently, if anything, on a future full-length?
I’m extremely proud of what we were able to do. I know I speak for all of us when I say that we put our hearts into that record. That said, we’re already writing some more songs for the full-length. We’ve gotten so close as a band in the past 6 months that I think the focus for the record will be to experiment a lot more with the writing process. We have 4 members of the band who all play guitar, and I’m not the only person in the group who can play drums, so there’s a good chance that our fans will see a lot more variation in the upcoming songs.
Do you have any touring plans lined up for the rest of the Summer or in the Fall?
We’re jumping on some dates with Apollo, For the Sake Of, and Her Death and After directly following our CD release on August 10. We’re in talks with management about some bigger stuff in October as well. By 2013, we plan on touring full-time.
Which track was the easiest to write and record? Which was hardest? Why?
I think that “Bedfellow” came really easy for almost all of us, because it was just so much fun to play. It came together smoothly, and we all liked it so much that we were pretty tight on it when we entered the studio. The hardest song to record was a song called “Blessed are the Forgetful”, which we ultimately decided to scrap for the EP. It had some good parts which we’ll definitely be using, but it was like pulling teeth trying to get through recording it.
What bands influence Elenora?
A couple of us in the band are a few years older, so I know that Silverstein and Finch are/were a big influence. We all loved Chiodos growing up, and I think them and Emarosa shine through in our vocals the most. A lot of us are listening to some of the more experimental groups now, such as I the Mighty, Closure in Moscow, A Lot Like Birds…
You recently joined forces with Persistent Heart Media. How did that happen?
We were in talks with PHM initially for promotional purposes. We knew we needed a little bit of help spreading the word because we really wanted to make this release as big as possible. Eventually we were approached about the digital release being handled through PHM and we were thrilled.
You have a CD Release show August 10th. Could you tell us about it?
It’s going to be at the WOWhall in Eugene, Oregon. We’re playing with Apollo, Her Death and After, and For the Sake Of. They’re some of our best friends, and the WOWhall is our favorite venue so it’ll be a great night. Presale tickets are $8 and they’re being sold a bunch of places in Eugene, or it’s $10 at the door.
What kind of lyrical themes do you discuss on this new album?
We mostly talk about love and loss. I say that loosely, because some lyrical ideas tend to stray pretty far away from that, but that’s the core of it. We sometimes like to hide a few things in the lyrics, but I won’t go into that too much.
If the Apocalypse comes this December, what will the band be doing in response?
Your last record, Never Back Down, was your first on a label, but you had released a handful of EP’s before it. What can you tell us about your already decent sized discography and your sound progression?
We honestly don’t even consider our old EPs the same band bc we feel that we finally found our true sound when we wrote Never Back Down. Don’t get me wrong though, we’ve definitely had a long journey to get to the level we are at in our career and wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in this world.
You now have a new lead singer. How did the member change affect the band and their sound? Was he part of the writing of this album or did he come in after the songs had been created?
We think that Andrew has been a solid fit for us. Our sound has matured a little. I think we have taken what we did on NBD and finely tuned everything to be a mature/smoother blend of what our band wants to represent. He was a part of the writing process of ‘Momentum’ from day 1 and we’re glad he was.
How did Andrew DeNeef come to taking the singer position? How has he moved into the performance of older songs?
We’ve been touring this country for a couple years straight now and have made a lot of friends along the way. Andrew was actually a mutual friend that randomly heard about the opportunity and went for it. I know he puts a lot of pressure on himself while preforming song from NBD bc he wants to prove to people that he was the right choice. He’s definitely handling it well.
Andrew’s voice has this alternative rock/punk rock sound to it that is a bit surprising at first, but it works wonderfully. As a result, Momentum feels like it may fit better in the scenes the band grew up around (90′s rock). What can you say about all this?
It’s funny because everyone in our band loves all the late 90′s/early 2000′s alternative rock bands such as Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20, Gin Blossoms, etc. We definitely don’t take offense to that observation at all because that’s a genre of music WE actually enjoy listening to.
What kind of lyrics will we find on this record? Any themes? Anything particularly important or meaningful?
I think the idea behind this record was to let people know what we’ve been doing since the release of NBD. The changes in our lives, relationships we’ve lost/gained along the way and the idea that change can be good at times.
Why the title Momentum?
We wanted something simple that would sum up this album in one word and we all decided ‘Momentum’ fit.
Tell us about the recording process of this record
It was kind of strange to be honest. We did everything kind of backwards. We also made a lot of trips to Taco Bell and the liquor store.
How did you guys approach writing this record, especially since you had just received a new lead singer?
Technology is a beautiful thing these days. We spent a lot of late nights on Skype & FaceTime with Andrew because he was living in Phoenix, AZ at the time. It made the initial writing process a little difficult at times but also exciting because that was something new for all of us.
What guest spots made it onto the record? How did they come to be?
We have Dave Stephens & Kyle Pavone of We Came As Romans on our song, “Family Ties”. These guys have been our good friends since both of our bands started playing music together forever ago. We’ve grown up together and decided these two would be the only people that we wanted on this track. Especially because the song is about friends, family and everyone in our lives the cares about and supports our dream.
Are you guys excited for returning to the Scream It Like You Mean It Tour?
Of course! This tour is like a Summer boys camp full of really good people/friends. We’ve played shows with over half of these bands in the past and excited to be sharing the stage with them again all Summer long.
What other touring do you have planned for this summer/fall?
We will be returning back to Canada in the near future and are currently working on the rest of our fall schedule. I hope it’s a Nickelback or Britney Spears tour. Fingers crossed.
Momentum has a good variation to it, as have your previous releases. What music influenced you the most this time around?
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Let’s just say we have a very wide range of musically influences haha.
What else would you like to tell your fans?
Thank you for all the support so far! Don’t be afraid to talk to us on Twitter or Facebook and also, LET’S PARTY!!!!
