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

Well I’m Seth Borges, and I play bass. Ryan Sollom sings, Kevin Cortez and Kyle Newton play guitar, and Jake Cooley is our drummer.

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

I played in a ska band called The Electric Shoes for a couple of years, and then a group with Kyle called Paper Ghost. Ryan was the vocalist for a group called Shortie for a long time and then another called One Dying Secret. Jake played with Mercedes Avenue and This is Kevin’s first band. 

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

We debated for a while before settling on Surviving the Era. It just came to me one night after practice and everyone liked it. Haven’t looked back ever since.

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?

Every song that we write is a collaboration. Each of our songs are built from a riff that someone is messing with and then we just work with it until it becomes something or nothing. All the songs are about life and all of it’s many experiences. There is a never-ending supply of topics as long as we keep living.

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

I can only speak for myself, but I listen to a lot of Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday. That driving rock that is rhythmically intriguing and can be technical at times, but is always moving forward. That kind of thing is my jam.

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

Not this band. Back in the day when I first started playing though.. MXPX, Blink 182, Green Day. Huge influences.

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

I typically try to stretch really well, warm up my voice, and drink a beer or two. Basically just try to “get loose” in every way possible.

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

Well our first show that we played as a band was in support of one of my all time favorite bands. Emery. That was pretty rad. Also when we started to get some label interest a few months back. It really started to feel like we were doing something right. I should say that I think it’s a shame that bands/artists need attention from labels in order to feel validated in their art, but it’s just the way the world turns I guess. 

Pretty excited for what this summer has in store as well. Many more highlights to be added to the books.

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

Probably every band that I’ve mentioned in this interview so far. They have all played the biggest role in shaping who I am as a musician and as a member of a band. Plus it be really freaking cool to hear all the stories that they must have. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for taking the time to chat! Check out survivingtheera.com for dates and information, and look out for the release of Parallax on June 18th!