Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Tim- Guitar

James- Vocals

Mikey- Bass/Backing Vocals

Dylan- Drums

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to A Collegiate Affair? How long has the band been around?

Tim- I played guitar for my church in high school for a bit, and I also was in a cover band with Mikey prior to forming ACA in 2011. We’ve been together for roughly four years and the current line-up has been around for just over a year

James- I worked on a solo project prior to joining, but ACA is my first official band.

Dylan- I was in a band called Every Other Weekend in high school (with Dorian from Broadside) and then I joined another band called Whisper to Baxwell for a bit. Both of those bands broke up so I joined A Collegiate Affair in March 2013 and it’s been great.

Mikey- I was in a cover band during high school and then Tim and I founded ACA in 2011.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Tim- The name of the band originated over Google Chat in August 2011. Mikey, TJ, Kevin, and I were all about to head off to college at different schools around Virginia so it just fit our current situation. We’ve never changed the name even after some line-up changes and we don’t plan to in the future

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Tim- It’s mostly a collaborated effort. Dylan, Mikey, and I write a majority of the music and then we bring it to James and he writes the melodies. That’s how we wrote Full Disclosure and we found it to be pretty successful.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Tim- Sum 41, Saosin, and Boxcar Racer

James- Copeland and Underoath

Dylan- Issues, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Safety Word Orange, and Foo Fighters

Mikey- Four Year Strong, Metallica, and Guns n’ Roses

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

James- When I started listening to Stick to Your Guns and letlive., I started thinking about making the most of life. Perusing music was a great opportunity for me to do that

Dylan- When I was a child, I always dreamed of playing my dad’s old Ludwigs that were stacked in the closet when we lived in apartments.  When we moved into a house when I was 11, I finally got to play them, and I pretty much played them every day from that point on.  Starting a band was just a natural progression for me from that point.  Like a lot of kids my age at that time, I dreamed of being in a big band like Blink-182.

Mikey- Blink 182 and the Ramones inspired me to go buy a bass and start teaching myself how to play. I always thought that you needed lessons and that you had to be able to play like Steve Harris, but really you just have to pick it up, suck, and have fun. You learn everything else along the way if you put in the time and effort.

Tim- I was listening to Miss Murder by AFI in middle school one day and I realized that I wanted to try and play guitar. I ended up waiting to buy a guitar for a few years because I had gotten addicted to Guitar Hero.  I bought a knockoff Gibson from Target in the 10th grade and have been progressing ever since.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

James- Personally, I spend about 30 minutes warming up my voice before I ever sing, whether that’s practice or a performance. I utilize the “The Art of Screaming” app to facilitate my exercises.

Dylan- I hang out and maybe drink a beer, or water.

Mikey- I don’t really do anything besides load in and set up merch.

Tim- I don’t do anything special before a show. I normally just make sure to stay hydrated and upbeat before any performance.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Tim- I think the biggest highlight of our career was opening for Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and A Skylit Drive this past April in Richmond. The show was packed and we were able to make a lot of connections so that’ll always be a gig we remember.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

James- A mixed-genre show would be great. Playing with Stick to Your Guns would be insane because their music is great and they’re sincere and fun guys who mean what they say.

Dylan- It would have been cool to tour with Led Zeppelin back in the day.  John Bonham is one of my influences.

Mikey- Opening on the World Magnetic Tour with Metallica and Lamb of God back in 2008; it was a stacked lineup.

Tim- I would love to tour with Rage against the Machine, The Ramones, and blink 182. All three of those bands shape how I live and it would be an honor to share the stage with any of them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Everyone- We would all like to say thank you to anyone who is reading this interview. That support and attention means the world to us. Also, thank you to Kill the Music for having us!