Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Dakota Jerns – Vocals
Robert James – Guitar
Scott Swanger – Guitar
George Swanger – Bass
Mitch Swanger – Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Silent Theory?
How long has the band been around? Scott, Robert and I were in a previous band called Faded that essentially led to the creation of Silent Theory. Dakota was in a band called Hollowpoint. We broke off from Faded and started Silent Theory in 2010. We brought in George around that time and then Dakota joined the band in 2014.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
I wish we had a really awesome story behind the meaning and name of the band but unfortunately we don’t. When we split off from Faded we needed to start all over and we were struggling on a band name. One day we decided to go to one of our favorite local Mexican restaurants and decided that we couldn’t leave until we had a name. After many margaritas and some terrible ideas later we came up with Silent Theory.
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?
We all collaborate in the writing, though Scott writes a bulk of the music and Dakota writes a bulk of the lyrics. On our album Delusions, there are a lot of underlying themes related to depression and mental illness, which I believe everyone has related to at one point in their life or another. Or maybe they are relating to it now. We are a band that will write what we see or what we feel so I think depending on where we are at in our lives, will determine what our songs about. For example, we wrote Watch Me Burn in the midst of the last presidential election and I think you can clearly see that in there.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We have a broad spectrum of musical inspirations which allows for some eclectic writing. Anywhere from old school country to heavy metal. Lately though, collectively we’ve been into Breaking Benjamin a lot lately. Those dudes are incredible.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I’d imagine that everyone in the band would answer that differently. I know that Linkin Park is what really got Dakota into it. For me though, I remember being a kid and hearing Rush’s Moving Pictures album for the first time and I was instantly hooked and obsessed. I’d come home from school each day and put on a classic rock album, typically Rush though, and jam for hours just pretending to be playing in front of a stadium.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Stretching definitely. As we’ve gotten older we’ve learned the hard way that stretching is important! Everyone kind of gets into their own zone before we perform. We typically stay quiet and apart before the show. I used to have a pre-show ritual where I’d watch Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Live at Slain Castle before every show, but I seem to have misplaced the DVD.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We’ve been fortunate to have lots of exciting things happen to the band, but some of the highlights certainly include having one of our songs on the video game, Rock Band. We performed on MTV cribs as well. More recently, I’d say our biggest highlight is the international attention that our video, “Fragile Minds” has gotten. We didn’t think it would explode like it has so we have felt very lucky.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
We’ve always wanted to do a “Theory” tour, which would include us, Rev Theory and Theory of a Deadman. We have a great deal of respect for both of those bands and think it’d be a phenomenal tour. If Tyler or Rich are reading this, we are ready to go when you are!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I always like to shamelessly plug the band. Be sure to check us out on all the social media platforms, give us a like on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, etc. You can find our music anywhere you have internet connection. We are on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora and so on. We also have a web store at www.silenttheorymusic.com where you can buy hard copy CDs, shirts, hats, hoodies. Lastly, please share us with your friends and help us get the gospel of Silent Theory out there!