The music created by STAGES is written to share the belief that anyone can explore their passion. Through challenging and inspiring each other, the group has crafted music that has a heavy and powerful sound — mixing melodic metalcore with traditional hardcore.

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

Myself, Aaron Berkshire - Vocals
Brandon Scott - Guitar/vocals
Justin Ramirez - Guitar
Patrick Smith - Bass
Jarrod Dangler - Drums

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

Oh man, lets see. My previous bands were Forever Our War" and I Am The Witness. My drummer, Jarrod, was in a local band for a while called Decided By Fate. Both our guitarist — Brrandon and Justin — have been in various different local bands. And Patrick comes from a band called Optimist.

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

No change — this is a fresh, baby. Haha. The origin comes from me, personally — mostly the different "stages" of my life, Changes I went through that led me to start the band.

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?

They will definitely change over time…we write the songs as a whole. Our debut song, "New War,” is pretty self-explanatory. The track is about me moving on personally, and a vision that there is so much more out in the world besides your hometown, or a 9-to-5 job. The rest of the EP will have a spread of different topics I can’t go into yet…but soon!

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

Fit For A King is a huge influence on me right now, as well as Matty Mullins or Jeremy McKinnon as vocalist. As a band, I feel we our most influenced by Fit For A King, Born of Osiris, Chelsea Grin, as well as some softer stuff like A Day To Remember.

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

ALL OF THEM!

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

Exercising is very important. Stay calm, deep breaths. I’m always big on "breathing" before a show. And, of course, always remember — this is suppose to be fun. Mess up or not, we are all her to have fun!

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

Oh man! Joey Sturgis producing our music, Steven from Exotype managing and mentoring us.
We are very thankful to have revived the support we have gotten so far.

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

Present? Probably Exotype and Fit For A King. Past? That's a hard one.. there are so many legendary bands, haha.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have fought my entire life for this. I’m so happy to have my best friends along my side. STAGES has some unbelievable talent, and thank you so much to the ones who support us and believe we have what it takes to succeed! Get ready for STAGES to be the next big thing!
THIS IS A NEW WAR.