How did you feel when the album came out?

I remember I was really nervous about how it would be received on a large scale. We had a solid underground following but mainstream is a whole new world and we were just 5 kids from a small town doing it the old fashion way.

Where do you think the album fits in the band's legacy?

I like mosts band's "breakthrough" albums so I suppose it fits as the foundation to everything we have. We feel very blessed with the ongoing success God has granted us which started with this album.

How the band approach writing?

I have always been the songwriter, my process is simple and has not changed in the last 15 years. I grab an acoustic, play some random chords and listen for something to come to me. Then I put words into those melodies and we as a band add the rock component in the end.

What inspired the lyrics?

Most of my lyrics are inspired by life experience, there are one or two exceptions but generally in this band it's all about life on life's terms.

What were your hopes and expectations for Don't You Fake It during the writing and recording process?

The writing process was mainly on my couch so not much expectation there honestly. We hooked up with David Bendeth to turn my demos into a real album and at that point the magic really started to become clear to all of us. We were a good team, I respect him and his crew a lot.

When you were in the studio, how was the morale of the band?

The moral was good for the most part in the studio. We had a lot of fun but it was really cold in New Jersey so that was new for us Florida boys. We had ups and downs, arguments and moments of synergy alike. All in all it was fun and exciting just to be taken seriously.

When was the last time you listened to the record? Are there memories and emotions that come back?

I listen to it when it comes up on my random playlist in my car and on planes etc. This year, we have been performing it live all the way through so I have heard it many times in 2016 in that regard. There are a lot of old memories that flood in but new ones as well. It's been a good ride, I am grateful.

What do you remember most about making the album?

I remember feeling scared that people would find out we didn't know how to do this Major Label rock band thing. I remember being stressed out working long hours with Dave sometimes all through the night. I remember being humbled by the brutal cold and snow. I remember hearing the first mix and thanking God for this chance. I remember being friends and having good times with my buddies in the loft at Hoboken.

What sort of place was your life in when the album came out?

We were all working full time low income jobs just like everyone else in our town. We didn't have much money but what we did have we spent on good gear. If you saw us live in those days you might have thought we were rich, what you didn't see was on the way home we scraped for gas and ate ramen noodles 5 nights a week so we could keep the lights on in the jam room. 

Did you ever expect the album to have the influence it did?

We knew all the cool kids who bought the demos loved it and thought it was rocking. We did not expect that to translate to an international following. That has been the most rewarding part, sharing the message of hope not just here but all over the world.

Do you remember what you were listening to at the time?

I remember Underoath, The Used, Thrice and Anberlin were my favorites at the time. I mainly listened to old punk like NOFX, Bad religion, Pennywise, MXPX, Strung Out, No Use For A Name, Lagwagon, all those guys.

Is there anything about the album you'd change?

No way, I believe things are exactly the way they are supposed to be, for better or worse rinse and repeat.