My Ransomed Soul are a metal/hardcore band from the Baltimore–Washington Metro Area.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Brendan Frey – Vocals
Garrison Frey – Guitar
Hector Fernandez – Guitar
Fredy Menjivar - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to My Ransomed Soul? How long has the band been around?
Garrison and I started the band back in 2007 when I was only 13. Garrison and I had been in a couple projects with other friends but nothing serious other than this band. Even though Fredy has been in the band less than a year, this has also been his first serious band. Hector was in a few other bands from our local area, most notably a band called Between the Heart and Home.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
We actually have never changed our name since we officially formed. All the original members of the band came from a Christian background and we decided we wanted something that reflected our faith at that time. We have since then had many member changes. The band name “My Ransomed Soul” is actually a line from the old hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.
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?
Garrison and Hector write the music while I write all the lyrics. Once someone writes something, we present it to the rest of the band and we all give our thoughts on how to improve it. When we first started the band I focused most of my lyrics on my faith. This aspect of my life is still very influential in my lyrics but I have also started writing about various other topics that are important to me such as politics, human nature, and my own personal struggles. Everyone changes over time and my lyrics are a reflection of myself, so I think it is safe to assume that they will evolve over time.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
There is a really a wide variety of artist that inspire our music. It would be difficult to really pinpoint a few select artists that have helped us define our sound. I think if anything it’s more of us absorbing anything and everything that we enjoy listening to.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
When we started the band we didn’t really have a specific influence as a whole. I know for me personally Underoath was a huge influence on me becoming a vocalist.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Stretching before a show can make a huge difference. I know if I forget to stretch before a show I am sore the next day. We all also like to warm up in our own respective ways. For example, I do vocal exercises before shows to make sure I don’t damage my voice.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
I think touring and being able to see new places and make new friends has been one of the best experiences for all of us. It’s really a combination of little things overall that make being in a band such an amazing and diverse experience.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
For me it would be Underoath. That band is the reason I became a vocalist.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Please do us a huge favor and pre-order our new album, “Trilateral”, on Bandcamp. It’s not easy self-releasing an album and we really put a lot of time and effort into this release. Any support, even in the smallest way, can be extremely helpful.