Unsigned Spotlight: Foreword
Foreword unite myriad rock and metal influences into a tenacious and highly engaging brand of heavy.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Richie Castillon - Drums
Manny G - Bass
Marco Gomez - Guitar
Chris Se Cret - Guitar/Vocals
Andy Alderson - Vocals
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Foreword? How long has the band been around?
We all came from a myriad of local bands from San Antonio. Many of us have been in bands with each other on and off since high school. Foreword formed in roughly 2015 and we released our first EP in 2016.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The name came from a previous bandmate and we decided to just stick with it— too much trouble to try to come up with a new one… plus I had already made the logo.
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?
As cliche as it might sound, we are truly a collaborative project. No one person ever has a monopoly on writing. A member may start with a riff, a concept, or a song structure, and from there we fight, we love, and after 16 iterations we have something that resembles a song. Thematically, we often focus on self-reflection, whether individually or socially. A lot of the themes are acknowledgments of our faults and mistakes.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We innately feel a connection to the metalcore of the 2010s from Like Moths to Flames and Memphis May Fire, to later bands such as Wage War and Fit for a King. In recent years, we have loved what bands such as Invent Animate, Oceans at Alaska, and Architects have been doing.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Not particularly, we all have different backgrounds and motivations for starting/joining Foreword.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
We all shoot a shot of tequila and pretend that our parents aren’t disappointed in us.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Recording our most recent album. We recorded with Chris Mora who has worked with the likes of Upon a Burning Body and Kim Dracula. But more than anything, it has been working with each other. We are all best friends who have known each other for a long time and it is a luxury to be able to work with your friends.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Asking Alexandria and the Hu are currently touring right now and we would give up are small toe to play on that tour… it would be a painful stent, but worth it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our new singles and music video “Glass Castles” is out now. Spin it! Also, keep an eye out for more new music coming this year!