Just got confirmed to interview @DrewYorkk and @strayfromdapath at @TheAllStarsTour on Wednesday; does anyone have questions for them?
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Every Time I Die are keeping busy these days; they put out a new record, Ex-Lives (which sold nearly 14,300 copies in its first week, landing them at #20 on the Billboard 200) finished up a headliner with Stray From The Path, and now are direct support for The Devil Wears Prada. I had the chance to chat with Andy about their new video, Revival Mode, Warped Tour and his opinion on the current music scene.
You just put out a video for Revival Mode; was the guy in the wheelchair inspired by Breaking Bad or is there another story behind the video?
To be honest, I have no idea. This dude hit us up and wanted to do a video where Keith, Jordan and legs were killers and Steve and I were victims. That’s pretty much all I got from it.
I saw your recent interview where you defended Sonny Moore (aka Skrillex); any chance you’d ever collaborate with him?
I’m not sure. Dudes voice is cool, but I’m not a big fan of dusted. So I’d rather him sing on something, and then cut it up. He’s a good dude though
When I interviewed Tom from Stray From The Path; he told me he saw you guys playing a garage when he was growing up and now you’re touring together. It’s crazy how things come full circle.
Yeah, he was kind of blowing my mind on that tour. He’s been around a long time to. I had no clue they liked the band, I was really into Stray and then we played a fest in Michigan together and kind of jerked each other off there!
How does feel to be playing Warped Tour again this year? Are you gonna write a blog about generic, autotuned bands like Keith did in 2010?
I don’t think I really have to with how saturated the world is with dog shit. I’m more concerned with slaying mother fuckers sonically. I’ll probably talk shit here and there though.
Speaking of, what is your opinion on the current state of the music scene?
To be honest, there are REAL bands on the rise. letlive, Stray From The Path, The Ghost Inside, Balance and Composure, Title Fight and then the current hardcore scene is stronger than ever with bands like Cruel Hand, Bitter End, Terror, Trapped Under Ice, Alpha and Omega and such. Then metal has Black Breath, which are making metal real again, cause that scene is about as watered down as ever, but Black Breath are the real fucking deal.
What do you feel has contributed to your long career as a band? Bands like Haste The Day, Thrice, and Thursday have recently broken up, bands that had been at it for a while.
I think it’s because we never let the major label world get involved. We never gave a fuck about anything but slaying, dicing, pulverizing, and decimating ear drums. A lot of bands get caught up in bullshit business and forget about being a band of dudes.
When appealing to different sets of fan bases, new and old, young and old, what is the thought process when trying to write something that has an appeal to both, but also embodies what ETID is?
We just play. Honestly, we get up and play. No thought goes into who is coming to see us.
You’ve been in this band since 1998 — there have definitely been some hard times along the way; have you ever considered quitting the band, and if so, what things encouraged you to stick with it?
There’s been a lot of hard times, but I’m no quitter and when I have thought it might be time to hang it up, I have a great band of guys that make it easy not to. I surround myself with the best band on the planet.
The music industry has changed significantly since you guys started out. What advice would you give upcoming bands— musically and business-wise?
Just remember why you started riffing. It wasn’t to open for Metallica or make a million dollars and if it is what you’re in it for, then I hope you get electrocuted plugging your laptop and Pro-Tools rig in on stage.
Musically and lyrically, what are some of the personal things that had an effect on the outcome of this new record? How does Ex-Lives reflect the sound or message?
Coffee, I drank coffee for the first time ever while writing and recording this record.
What are some of the particular messages you tried to get across in the lyrical content of this record?
Riffer madness
Last question: What are one book and one band that you’d recommend to anyone that listens to your band?
Spray Paint The Walls. It’s a book about Black Flag that’s done by every person involved, not just Henry Rollins. Balance and Composure; they’re the best band out now.
STFP announce their first Headlining tour called “BRING IT BACK TO THE STREETS TOUR” w/ CRUEL HAND, STRUCTURES, COUNTERPARTS & BETRAYAL. January 24 - February 11th.
1/24 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary
1/25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
1/26 - Louisville, KY @ Keswick’s
1/27 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse
1/28 - Dallas, TX @ The Winter Jamboree
1/29 - Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music Hall
1/30 - Tallahassee, FL @ Down Below
1/31 - Lake Worth, FL @ Club Propaganda
2/01 - Tampa, FL @ Transitions
2/03 - Douglasville, GA @ 7 Venue
2/04 - Charleston, SC @ Jimbos
2/05 - Raleigh, NC @ Southland Ballroom
2/07 - Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
2/08 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
2/09 - Lemoyne, PA @ Champion Ship
2/10 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
2/11 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Norma Jean, Oh, Sleeper, Stray From The Path and Lower Than Atlantis are reportedly planning a December run of shows together. Close Your Eyes and Memphis May Fire will also appear on select dates. The following shows have been revealed thus far:
12/2 Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
12/3 Corpus Christi, TX @ House Of Rock w/ Close Your Eyes
12/5 El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls w/ Close Your Eyes
12/6 Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse Music Venue w/ Close Your Eyes
12/9 Fresno, CA @ Club Retro / Memphis May Fire
12/11 West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club w/ Memphis May Fire
12/13 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory w/ Memphis May Fire
Thomas, the guitarist of Stray From The Path (one of the best hardcore bands on the scene) talked with Kill The Music to discuss their new music video, his view on the current music scene, and his thoughts on Warped Tour.
You guys just filmed a music video; any hints as to what song it is? Is it one of the three songs with guest vocalists?
Tom: It is one of the 3 songs on the record that has a guest appearance, and yes they will be in the video. That’s all I’ll say!
What is your opinion on the current state of the music scene?
That’s a difficult question. I usually judge it by “am I mad all the time or stoked?” lately I’m stoked. This week alone lots of great records coming out, lots of great tour packages together and I didn’t re-new my alternative press subscription, so I’m not as angry. A lot of people have bought our new record, more than we expected, so I’m stoked on music and the people.
Growing up, how was the scene back home in Long Island?
Growing Up? Phenomenal. Local bands would sell out shows, and the bands were so good. Any tours that came into town were in small clubs….I saw Norma Jean, Bleeding Through and Every Time I Die in a fucking garage. I saw American Nightmare and Poison the Well in a cafe! Shit ruled…but it is coming back, for awhile long island was AWFUL, but now it’s really great.
Would you guys play Warped Tour if you got offered a spot even though you’d be out of your element surrounded by bands like the ones in iMember?
We are trying very hard to get Warped Tour. The kids that like these bands, like them because the scene that they know are the Warped Tour bands. We want to infiltrate and show kids that there is more out there than characters, gimmicks and Black Veil Brides. Our element is where the people are, we want to tour with everything, from underoath to terror, we have no restrictions, just as long as we feel we have a purpose on the stage.
Who are a few bands that you feel everyone should be listening and/or not listening to right now? Like say, the bands you call out in iMember…
Should be? Structures new record is amazing, Counterparts new record is amazing, Backtrack, Close your Eyes, Sights and Sounds, The Contortionist.
Shouldn’t? Do I have enough space? Haha..no there is a fine line between calling out and shit talking…and shit talking is juvenile….so I’ll leave it at that. You know the bands that suck, fake, weak, full of gimmicks, characters…it’s endless. But one thing we want to avoid is judging the people that actually enjoy that music. We aren’t elitists, and it would make us dick suckers to make fun of someone because of what they listen too. We just want to open their eyes and ears and show them our opinion that they are being deceived, lied to, and in a sense…stolen from. A lot of our fans listen to Asking Alexandria or Attack Attack just as much as Deftones or terror….last thing we want is to make them feel like we are making fun of them.
Is iMember aimed at any bands on your record label? (Sumerian)
The song was not aimed at anybody specific…not even Attack Attack. We used that clip because it is evidence that these people in these bands don’t have a single clue of what this scene is about. The bands are everywhere .
We have toured with all those bands except YD. Would be a fantastic time for sure.
Speaking of which; I read somewhere that you’re doing a US Tour with Norma Jean, Lower Than Atlantis, and Close Your Eyes. Can you confirm or deny this and give us a timeline of when this tour takes place if it’s actually happening.
Yep and Oh Sleeper; this winter.
What’s the top five most well received songs generally when playing a show?
Damien, Negative and Violent, Fraudulent, Rising Sun, Mad Girl.
In your opinion, which is the best run venues from a production and band point of view?
Great question; there is The 7 Venue in Douglasville, GA….great venue, great staff…not the best sound, but it’s coming around for sure. The Loft in Poughkeepsiee, NY, and Kingdom (formerly Alley Katz) in Richmond, VA. Those come off the top of my head.
Last question; pick two songs; one from your catalog, that you want new fans to check out after reading this interview. And one song from any band/genre.
I would say…. Damien or Bring It Back To The Streets. Those are my personal two favorites off Make Your Own History and Rising Sun, and from any band; Be Quiet and Drive from the Deftones. Put on a good pair of headphones and turn the song up as loud as it can go, and enjoy. One of my favorite musical experiences.
Support is still being figured out and confirmed at this point, but these two are locked in for a October/November American tour!
First confirmed date
Pittsburgh, PA October 28th @The Altar Bar ( http://www.thealtarbar.com/calendar.php#688 )
Support (if 10/28 is indication)
Stray From The Path
Harm’s Way
Those Who Fear